2

"It's an almost inconceivable injustice that you've been made to face these horrendous monsters for a second time," you declare, after offering the requisite words honoring the dead. "We'll have our revenge when the next omen comes, I promise you that much."

The applause isn't as enthusiastic as you expected, and Isidora is giving you a searching look, as though she doubts your sincerity. Your tone may have been more muted than you intended.

From behind a frowning Isidora, Verity invites anyone who so desires to stay and talk, but the crowd is breaking apart and trailing away even before she's finished. With a final stern look at Verity, Isidora makes her way off into town.

"I have to come back to Archa with you," Verity says quietly. "That's where the prophecy's going next, and I have to see this through to the end. I'll make arrangements for Sophia to take my place for a few weeks." She heads into the mansion.

You're still set up at the Warden's Rest, and you're making your way back there when you hear a soft sound over your shoulder. You turn to peer into the alley alongside the mayor's mansion, the one by the corner with the plaque in your name. A thick cluster of ivy shudders and begins pulling back along the wall, and Evander steps out.

"There are ways for mages to hide ourselves, Jun, even if we're not illusionists," he says. There's a leaf clinging to his shoulder, but he twitches a finger with his hands at his sides and it floats away on a soft breeze. "A prince showing up at an event like this would garner too much attention that ought to go to the deceased. I enjoyed your speech, though. I'm surprised you had the stomach to make an appearance." His tone is cooler than you would have thought him capable of five days ago, as cold as it's been every time he's spoken to you since the battle.

You had little recourse but to admit the full truth of your scheme with the princess when he confronted you, with everything else he knew already. Perhaps this is the talk he told you you'd need to have.