Shen Yuan narrows his eyes at him. "Good," he says. "Excellent, in fact, just—hang on." He picks up his easel and leaps lightly to the branches of an opposing tree (branches that, if Magnus is paying attention, he'll probably note are not thick enough to hold the combined weight of a man as tall as he is and a full easel), looking back at Magnus to judge the angle, then shakes his head and tries another tree.

The problem is, the angle is perfect, but from the center of the clearing, and about four feet off the ground. He frowns at nothing for a moment. "Alright," he says. "Stay here—I'm about to do something really dumb." And then he leaps away toward the Mansion, because it's faster than walking and he is concerned about losing the light.