Lance

Lance refers to two different men. The first is the elf who leads Padma’s young Remore Academy team; Lance Houseman is an older Earth silver-ranker who travels with analyst Franklin to assess Jason and Farrah. (Chapters 151–169, 320–321)

Biography

Team leader and visiting analyst

The elf Lance brings his all-nonhuman team to Greenstone for Emir’s competition. He tries to restrain Padma when grief drives her toward Jason, then leads the group through training, the Reaper trials and rivalry with other academy graduates. His swordsmanship mixes magical and physical finesse. Houseman appears much later in Sydney, where he and Franklin review surveillance of Jason and Farrah before Houseman meets Jason on the cloud houseboat. Rather than threatening an uncontrollable asset, he relies on Franklin’s assessment that honesty, strength and benefits for Jason’s companions are the only productive approach. (Chapters 151–169, 320–321)

Skills and relationships

The elf Lance fights in flowing robes with magically refined sword technique and provides the organisational centre of Padma’s team. Houseman is silver rank and works through intelligence analysis and negotiation, supported by Franklin’s detailed preparation. (Chapters 151–152, 169, 320–321)

• Padma: The elf Lance leads Padma’s team and tries to steady her after Farrah’s death. (Chapters 151–152, 169)
• Jason Asano: Both men approach Jason in different contexts: one as a young rival, the other as an informed negotiator. (Chapters 151–169, 320–321)