Alister withdrew his hand.
The portal remained widened. Stable.
He examined it quietly for a moment, golden eyes reflecting the slow spiral of violet currents within.
Then, without looking at Quinton, he asked, "Where is the dragon scholar assigned to assist you?"
Quinton stiffened.
"Oh. Him." He forced a small, awkward shrug. "He was kind of being… a pain, so I sent him off."
Alister's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Really?" he said, with a bit of surprise.
The single word carried just enough weight to make Quinton's throat tighten.
"And he simply... left?"
"Yeah," Quinton replied quickly. "Pretty much."
Alister finally looked at him... thoughtfully.
He raised a hand to his jaw, fingers resting lightly against his chin as if considering a minor puzzle.
"That is... curious," he murmured.
His gaze drifted back to the portal.
"It is not in an Arch-Void's nature to pass on an opportunity to acquire new knowledge."
The courtyard seemed quieter after that.
