“Newling Bayar and the Mander brothers. They been trouble from the day they moved in. Always demanding this and that, never satisfied. Now this.”

“Before you know it, we’ll be infested,” Han said, making a face. “If they’re the cause, couldn’t you move them out of this dormitory?”

Blevins rubbed his chin. “Well, there’s some rooms opened up elsewhere, now some newlings have washed out. I’d love to be rid of them. But who’d take ’em?”

“Maybe you don’t have to mention their—ah—problem,” Han said.

Dancer still wore his trader face, though the corners of his mouth twitched. “I’d sleep better if I knew they were gone,” he said. “I can’t abide mice and rats.”

The next day Han returned to Hampton to find Micah and his cousins in the process of moving out of the dormitory. Han paused at the edge of the quad and watched. Even at that distance he could see that Arkeda and Miphis were covered in large red pustules, as if they’d caught some virulent disease. Micah’s complexion was clean and clear, however.

Han smiled at their predictability.

When Micah spotted Han, he set down his belongings and strode toward him, his cloak kiting behind him. Han broadened his stance and waited, arms folded.

“I’m moving out,” Micah said. “We’ve arranged better quarters elsewhere.”

“I see that,” Han said. He nodded toward the Mander brothers. “Please. Take the vermin with you.”

Micah flushed angrily. “Leontus managed to disable whatever hedge-witch hex you used. He said he’d never seen anything like it. I went to the dean and told her you had to be behind it, and she demanded proof.”

“She wouldn’t take your word for it?” Han shook his head. “I’m amazed.”

“Instead of expelling you, Abelard warned me not to touch you,” Micah said. “She said that if you came to any harm, I would be expelled. What did you tell her? Why would she side with you?”

Han shrugged. “Maybe she doesn’t think I’m capable of hexing you, being gutter-whelped and all.”

“At least I fight my own battles, Alister,” Micah said.

“Really? And exactly why did you go cackling to the dean?” Han gestured toward the poxy Manders, who stood well out of reach, staring at them. “You didn’t send your cousins on an errand last night while Dancer and I were out? They look—I don’t know—guilty to me. Maybe they won’t be so eager to follow orders next time.”

“Do you think this is some kind of joke?” Micah said. “Whatever you’re trying to accomplish, you can’t win.”

“I’m not joking,” Han said. “I am absolutely serious. And I am going to win.”

It seemed like Bayar was going to say more, but he looked up and saw Cat walking across the quad toward them.