"Usefulness might earn us a long enough leash to fuck off entirely. I'm not planning on relying on the hospitality of the high mage and his apprentices forever--if I see half an opportunity, I'm going to get out of here. If that takes finding a way to convince them I can be helpful to whatever their cause is...well."

He shrugs loosely. "It's the best plan I've got right now. A hope to cling to, so I don't give up."