"It's a deal," the witcher snickers, but he won't take the hat off just yet, leading the magician through the rest of the dance -- though without any more unexpected twirls or showy moves, just as proper as can be.

When the song comes to an end -- as it inevitably must -- he lets Childermass go and gives him an exaggerated bow, sweeping the hat off his head and pressing it to his chest. When he straightens, the offensive headpiece tucked under one arm, he raises his other hand, displaying the feathers he's pulled off it and kept tucked between his knuckles.

"Three songs," he tells him, in lieu of a 'thank you for the dance' or 'goodbye.' "Then I'll give them a show to remember."