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"I wish I could send more," Dr. Sabbatine says, "but everything that goes through the rift is closely monitored."

The doctor's voice fades for a second, and you hear her talking to someone on the other side of the rift. After several minutes, the doctor says, "They've inventoried your payment. While Her Majesty is not outright hostile to our endeavor, the scope of my project has her worried…especially since certain temple hierarchs have taken this opportunity to move against me by informing Prince Zeno that I may represent a security risk. She will maintain my laboratory and the rift, but only in exchange for regular payments."

"How quick you always are to blame 'the temples,' Euphrasia," Stralchus's voice booms. He's returned with twice as many warriors as he left with. The mystic's eyes are bright, and he keeps scratching at his hand.

"Oh, Stralchus," the doctor says, "I need your help more than ever now that—"

"I fear," Stralchus says sadly, "that only I can do anything about what you've unleashed." Then he turns to the villagers and addresses them clearly in the River Language, telling them that they must flee the Specular, Chief Kothis, and his treacherous daughter. He speaks of the False Icon in the sky and the plans he has made, and you realize that Stralchus has been planning this since before your trip to the Apostolic Mound. What bargains has he made?

More and more villagers move to surround Stralchus, but they're not taking him into custody. They're listening.

"Crowchar," Dr. Sabbatine says, "what's going on?"

"It's a coup," Alexius says, looking around for his rifle.

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