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"Probably," the man who must be Chancellor Mardas says, unconcerned. "Worth noting the astronomical patterns, though. So many demonic omens concern the stars."

"Jun and I wanted to speak to you about demonic omens, actually," Evander says, studying the stars rather than addressing Mardas. "If that isn't any trouble."

Mardas glances over in your direction, though you don't imagine he can see you much better than you can see him in this light. "Yes," he says, "I imagine Jun would."

"Ah," Evander says, moving backward, "that seems to be your cue."

Mardas is staring at his stars again. If you want to get the demonic information you came for, you'll probably need a better way to get his attention.

You bring Evander up to meet Mardas in the center of the room. "It was a dark night like this when the first demon broke through the portal in Pasema," you recall. "Though the moon was the proper color by then, of course."

There's just enough of a glow from the false stars that you can see Evander's face light up. "Oh, wonderful!" he says. "I'd love to hear about it."

You realize you've just set a trap for yourself. You mostly created illusions of elemental magic when you fought your own false demons, rather than battling them physically, and Evander might notice holes in your story if you try to discuss your magical technique. (Of course, Mardas could too, but you doubt he'll ever be paying that much attention.)

"It's actually rather painful to remember, now that I think about it," you say.

Evander makes a sympathetic but decidedly puzzled noise. Mardas doesn't acknowledge you at all.

Next

Evander gives you a desperate stare. You attempt to ask Chancellor Mardas if he has any insights about the prophecy's return, but he isn't paying any attention to you.

"Demons have their own prophets, just as we do," Mardas murmurs to himself, "so do the stars move in accordance with their words, or ours?"

That's something you didn't know, at least, even if it doesn't seem immediately useful.

"Perhaps we'd better go," Evander says with a sigh.

If you have any parting words, now is the time for them.

Evander casts you a nervous glance, but says nothing.

"Very few," Mardas says, still looking at his stars.

You and Evander make your way back through the archives, blinking in the sudden rush of light. "There are some matters I should attend to, for my studies," Evander says as you emerge back onto the Academy grounds. "Will you be all right on your own for a bit? Is there anywhere I can take you?"

"I was hoping to find Alvis," you say.

"Oh, of course! I expect he's…well, I expect he's right there, actually," Evander says, pointing down the cobblestone path. You raise your head to find that Alvis himself is indeed approaching you. "I'll leave you in his capable hands," Evander says, stepping away. "Goodbye, then, if I don't get to see you before you leave!"

Next

As you get closer, you notice Alvis is breathing hard, like he's been running.

He's not wearing white prophet's robes anymore, even though they'd seem to suit his current position. Instead, he's dressed like a mage, in robes of deep blue. His red hair is longer than before, wilder, and he's still wearing his impossibly expensive imported Eldriyan silver spectacles. His eyes widen as you approach, and as ever, you wonder if the surprise is genuine.

"My friend," Alvis says, still panting slightly. No one's in immediate earshot, so far as you can tell, but his eyes are darting back and forth all around you. "I think we ought to speak in private, don't you? Come to my rooms, Jun, I insist."

Next