<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(209, 72, 65)">She nodded in response to the woman's question about her name, but she didn't elaborate, instead focusing on Lia's talk about her career. She empathized with the woman's frustration about not having the title of cartographer. Perhaps this Expedition would help her receive the notice she deserved.<br/>
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"Oh, a few dozen or so," Sabina responded, wondering if she should start make a list and count since people always asked her how many languages she spoke. She acknowledged the woman's admission to knowing only a few phrases in other tongues; this was common among most people. "My father was a linguistics professor, and he taught me by taking me on his travels to study and by requiring me to read and translate, as well. What languages have you experienced beyond the Empire's Common Tongue?"<br/>
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As they talked, Sabina felt herself relax just a little. Lia was friendly but not pushy, and she appreciated the woman's easy camaraderie. It had been a long time since she'd attempted small talk--since she'd fled Catahan after her father's execution--and even longer since she'd talked to another woman. Most of the women she'd encountered since her mother died years ago had pronounced her too bookish to be part of their gossiping chatter. <br/>
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The young woman glanced around at the grasslands surrounding them. As they'd ridden, she'd noticed an eerie silence enveloping them, almost as though it were drawing them deeper into an unknown danger. The Sea of Grass had a terrifying beauty about it, its golden blades jutting skyward as though in warning to all who dared enter. A rustle to her left drew her attention, and she tensed, sitting up in her saddle, turning her mossy green eyes to the limitless expanse. Nothing was visible above the grasses, so whatever lurked must hide within its protection. Instinctively, she darted a glance toward the leader and then toward the giant behind the group. Both were alert, watchful.<br/>
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Relieved, she picked up on Lia's words about people not bothering to use maps, and she chuckled, a grin touching her lips. "I've known many people who are too proud or arrogant to use a map," she replied, remembering one particular journey four years back when the guide her father had commissioned had taken them several days' journey out of their way before they arrived at their destination. She'd remedied that on their return by insisting they use the charts she'd purchased before their journey. "I've always had a healthy respect for your profession. My father and I practically lived by maps."</span>