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Alexius finally seems to notice where he is. His eyes pass right over Vecla, as if not quite prepared for that sort of thing, and settle on Chief Kothis.

"Please keep in mind that we are not here to exploit the locals," Control says, "but to repair the Specular."

"Good to see you too, Control," Alexius says. "Are you still fun?"

The controllers roll their eyes.

"She's still fun," Alexius tells you, smiling.

The villagers, for their part, stare in awe at Alexius. Vecla hops up and proudly exclaims that the merchant's healing is the work of the grove, and her own tending of it. But Chief Kothis is dissatisfied that Vecla would waste the grove's power on a foreigner. The two of them start to bicker in low voices. From what you understand of the grove, healing the merchant should not have depleted it, but of course you can't be sure.

You notice that Stralchus has stopped his whispering. He regards this new development with calculating patience, eyes darting between Vecla and Chief Kothis, then between you and Alexius, as if he sees something he can exploit.