They circled around her and walked on. Han resisted looking back. He wasn’t proud of what he’d said to Bird. It felt petty and mean. But he did have other plans—plans he couldn’t share with her. And it was jinxflinger business.

Choose sides against a streetlord, and you pay a price.

The visitors’ lodge was deserted. The other guests, like Averill, would be plotting long into the night. Han led Dancer into his room and shut the door.

Dancer rekindled the fire and laid on another stick of wood. “I’m glad to be back in the mountains,” he said, shedding his warm coat. “It’s good to be back at my mother’s hearth.” Sitting down on the rug, he leaned his back against the hearthstone.

Han eyed him curiously. “You seem different. Like you’re easier with being a wizard here in camp.”

Dancer shrugged. “My time in the flatlands opened my eyes. Here, people mistrust us for being wizards. Everywhere else, people mistrust me for being clan.” He smiled at Han’s puzzled expression. “It’s taught me that the flaw is in them. Not me. When I first found out I was gifted, I felt ashamed, like it was a fault or a curse. I’d been taught all my life that it was. I would have done most anything to get rid of it. I wanted to kill my wizard father for inflicting it on me.” He half smiled.

“But what I’ve come to realize is, it’s not a curse. It is a gift. Like my mother’s gift for healing. I can do things that others can’t do. I refuse to apologize for it anymore.”

Han found himself wishing he had the same clear-eyed view. Lately it seemed like all he did was react to others and their plans. He’d never get anywhere if he didn’t know what he was after and where he wanted to go.

“Like I said, it’s good to be here,” Dancer went on, “but I would have liked to stay longer at the academy. I was making progress with Firesmith. I think he was flattered to have someone who was actually interested in metalcraft and flash. He gave me some of his rare books to bring along.” Dancer paused. “But you didn’t bring me back here to talk about my plans.”

“Well, in a way I did. Partly. I’m trying to figure out what weapons we have going into this.”

Dancer nodded. “I can add more flash capability to the amulet I made for you now, if you want,” he said. “Still won’t be as powerful as the one I’m using. Elena’s. Or the one you took from the Bayars.”