And Dancer wouldn’t ask. He pretended not to notice, though there wasn’t much he didn’t notice about Cat. Instead, he launched into a long description of the talisman he was making with Master Firesmith, something that would protect a dwelling from flame.

Cat rolled her eyes and looked at Han, as if hoping to change the subject. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I’ve been booted from Gryphon’s class for the rest of the term,” Han said.

“That’s it?” Cat squinted at Han, as if she didn’t believe him.

Han shrugged. “That’s why I’m here. To learn wizardry.”

“I thought maybe your blueblood girlie broke your heart,” Cat said, smirking.

This caught Han’s attention. He looked up at Cat. “What blue-blood girlie?”

“Well, I knew you was walking out with someone, because you’re out nearly every night, leaving me with this copperhead all the time.” She jerked her head toward Dancer. “Last night, I finally figured out who it was.”

“Who?” Han asked, mystified. He glanced at Dancer, who looked just as puzzled.

“Rebecca,” Cat said triumphantly.

“Rebecca who?”

Cat gave him a “This is me, remember?” kind of look. “Rebecca Morley, you snake. I saw her outside the Temple School last night.”

“She’s here? In Oden’s Ford?” Han stared at her. His heart thudded against his ribs so loud it seemed like the other two would hear it.

“Well, that’s where the Temple School is, an’t it?” Cat drew her brows together. “You an’t been seeing her?”

Han shook his head. “No. I didn’t even know she was here.”

“Oh.” Cat grimaced and dug into her potatoes, as if that were the end of that.

Han’s mind raced. He thought he’d seen Rebecca outside of the stables, the day they’d arrived at Oden’s Ford. He’d dismissed it because it didn’t make sense.

“You’re sure it was her?”

Cat nodded, chewing.

“Why was she there?” Han asked. “Is she going to the Temple School?” It was possible, though he would’ve thought she’d go to Southbridge or the Cathedral School back home.

Cat shook her head. “She was wearing a dirtback uniform.”

“She’s at Wien House? That’s not likely.” Though she could be fierce, Rebecca was small and lightweight. Not really soldier material.

“I can’t help that,” Cat said, scowling. “That’s what she wore.”

“What was she doing at the Temple School?” Han asked.

Cat shifted in her seat. “Well, glad I cheered you up, anyways,” she said. “You don’t look so hangdog as before.”

“Cat.”

“She was…she was spying on that Corporal Byrne.”

Corporal Byrne was here too? “She was spying on him. What was he doing?”