Riu was confused by the woman's strange behavior, but a little voice in his head told him that if he waited patiently he would understand. Finally, she settled down before him and pushed the journal his way.<span style="font-style: italic">"My name is Larea Ahntanel,"</span>it said in neat handwriting. She could just be playing around with him, since he'd already demonstrated his literacy. But with all the evidence he had at his disposal, the boy thought it was more likely that,<span style="font-style: italic">She's mute,</span>he thought.<br/><br/>"So that's how it is," he said. "Now I understand."<br/><br/>And then, a sound loud enough to drown out all the spirited conversations happening around them. A suit of armor that had been stationary all this time suddenly came to life. That alone was startling enough, but then it had to come right over to them-- babbling nonsense, no less.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">S-slave?!</span>Riu thought, and his face flushed with indignation against his will. Even after all that had happened to him this past week, he still had his pride.<br/><br/>"You're wrong!" he said heatedly. "Neither of us is a slave. We're friends!" The boy paused and blushed, realizing that he'd said that much without thinking. He brought his volume down to a more appropriate level and glanced at Larea, still a bit flushed. "I mean... I think of you as a friend, at least."<br/><br/>He turned back to the suit of armor next, his composure having been restored. "Anyway, who are you to force yourself into other people's business?" he demanded.