“Princess Raisa is the true heir. She’s Hanalea’s line. We can’t allow the Wizard Council to put a usurper on the throne.”

Han shrugged. “They’re all the same bloodline, right? Doesn’t seem like it would make much difference.”

Bird rolled her eyes. “Once they name Mellony princess heir, they’ll marry her off to Micah Bayar. The Wizard Council will get what they couldn’t get before—a wizard married to the queen of the Fells. That’s been forbidden since the Breaking.”

This was interesting. He recalled what Rebecca had said, feeling grateful for her tutelage. “Even if that happens, aren’t there magical tethers the speakers use to control the High Wizard? Couldn’t they use those on Micah?”

Bird snorted. “They’re not working very well on the current High Wizard. The Bayars must have found a way around them.”

Maybe they’re using something from their stash of illegal magical tools, Han thought. He could mention that to Bird. Or not.

“We expect that the young Bayar will declare himself king,” Bird said.

King Micah. Han didn’t like that much. “He’s here, you know. Micah Bayar.”

“Here?” Bird looked around the room, her hand straying to her blade.

“Well, he’s not here right now,” Han said. “He used to live in this dormitory, though.”

Bird chewed on her lower lip. “He can’t marry Mellony if he’s dead,” she said.

Han stared at her. “You’d kill him just because you suspect that’s what the Bayars are planning?”

“Why are you taking his part?” Bird demanded. “Have you become friends down here in the flatlands? Have you forgotten what—”

“I don’t forget anything,” Han said, figuring she could take her pick from a range of meanings. “But the world is full of wizards, if they want to marry one off to the princess. Killing Micah Bayar won’t solve your problem. If it comes down to killing, I think you should aim higher.” He looked straight into her eyes, a challenge.

Bird tightened her lips but didn’t respond.

“Do you have proof?” Han went on, “or is it just Reid Demonai’s theory?”

“Nightwalker has a network of informants in the Vale. They tell him that there is to be an announcement very soon. Lord Demonai and Elena Cennestre are concerned too,” Bird said, a little defensively. “They believe it is time to bring the princess heir home, if a way can be found to do it safely.”

Han felt oddly removed now. He was a fly on the wall looking down at himself and Bird, a sharper with no money left on the table.

“Well, good luck with all of that,” he said.

Bird looked down at her hands, then pulled back her sleeve and picked at a scab on her forearm. She’s nervous, Han realized. She doesn’t know how to say what she’s come to say.