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This is exactly the opportunity you've been waiting for. All you need to do is agree, assuming you still intend to break the promise you made to Princess Despina. It might be impossible to conceal that from her, especially considering that you still have an audience, but the opportunity to talk more with Evander might be worth it.

He's a talented mage, if perhaps not yet used to putting his powers into practice. And if Chancellor Aton and his allies have their way, he could be more powerful than Princess Despina one day. Even now, he's clearly very popular—the courtyard crowds are staring just as much at him as at you. You're beginning to see why Princess Despina thinks the two of you traveling together would make such a statement. If you wanted to make a bigger one, you could tell him everything that happened when his cousin tried to keep you from traveling with him. Though he's reluctant to believe accusations against her, according to the chancellor, so you'd want to have faith you can talk him into it.

But is that the kind of statement you want to make? You're not sure the idea that you might say no has even occurred to Evander.

"I'd very much like to go with you," you say, "but I think there's something you ought to know first."

You beckon for Evander to step closer. He does, frowning in concern.

"When I saw your cousin just now, she specifically instructed me to be certain not to travel in your company," you say. "She's concerned it would appear that I was declaring my support for your claim. I didn't feel I could refuse her, but I thought it was ridiculous that she would try to alienate me from people who could help me, like you and Chancellor Aton, so I resolved to seek you out."

Evander doesn't say anything. You're suddenly concerned that you sounded more like you were giving a speech than confessing the truth. "I know it's difficult to believe," you say quickly.

"Yes, it is." Evander's frown deepens. "Neglecting the security of this palace—whatever it is that truly happened there—is one thing, but you're suggesting that my cousin would place some petty political rivalry over the safety of the whole nation, with the portal opening again? I disagree with Despina's methods, but I've never doubted that she has Ithos's best interests in mind."

You try to think of a way to respond, but Evander isn't finished. "I won't rescind an invitation once I've made it. You're still welcome to meet me here tomorrow," he says. "Please consider your words a bit more carefully before then." He turns on his heel and heads back into the castle.

Given that Princess Despina will undoubtedly find out what you just tried to do, you doubt her offer of transportation still stands, so you don't have much of a choice.

Some of the people in the courtyard are giggling. You imagine they don't find it as difficult to believe such things of Princess Despina as Evander does, and his refusal to entertain the idea doesn't seem to have impressed them.

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