“Hmm.” She dropped the note on the desk. “I understand that your attendance in class has become erratic. You are constantly late. And yet your performance on examinations and practica is far superior to that of your peers. How do you explain that?”

Han shrugged. “I work hard. That’s why I overslept. I was up late.”

“Then you arrive in class exhausted, your amulet nearly depleted,” Abelard said.

“I try to load it up. Maybe I’m just not all that powerful.” Han looked down at the desk.

“Perhaps you are not being challenged in your classes?” Abelard tapped her fingers against Gryphon’s note.

“No, that an’t it. I get a lot out of Gryphon’s class. I meant to be on time. I just miscalculated.”

“Who else are you working with, Alister?” Abelard said softly. “Is someone mentoring you?”

Han conjured a puzzled look. “My teachers are the same as everyone else’s. Gryphon, Leontus, Firesmith…”

“Don’t lie to me,” the dean said, eyes glittering. “I have the power to make your life very, very difficult.”

“I read a lot,” Han said. “Ask anyone. I’m always in the library.” He looked up at her. “If I’m going to play bravo for you, I need to study up if I want to stay alive.”

They gazed at each other for a long moment, and Abelard looked away first. “Would you like me to rescind Master Gryphon’s order?” she asked, pulling a pot of ink toward her and picking up a pen.

Han shook his head. “No, thanks.”

Abelard tilted her head. “Why not?”

“Gryphon’s right,” he said. “I can’t be late to class all the time. It was fair, what Gryphon did, even if I don’t like it.”

Abelard leaned forward. “If you’re concerned that Master Gryphon will be angry if I intervene, let me assure you that—”

“But I would like to come back to class in the spring term,” Han interrupted. “Maybe you can put in a word for me on that.”

“Of course,” she said, making a note.

“Good.” Han smiled. “Is there anything else?” He made as if to get to his feet.

“I want you to teach the study group next term,” Abelard said abruptly. “The topic will be travel to Aediion.”

Bones. “Dean Abelard, I don’t think that’s—”

Abelard raised her hand to stop his speech. “I understand that your success may be due to your amulet. Still, I would like you to coach the other members of the circle. If even a few of us can master the technique, it would be most useful for communication throughout the Seven Realms. One day soon we may have better tools in our arsenal.”

“It’s a waste of time,” Han protested. “Master Gryphon’s already covered that, and likely everyone in the study group has tried it.”