Learin raised an eyebrow at the boy's command,<span style="font-style: italic">Ah, so that confirms it, then. So Larea really is mute afterall... clever ploy, that one.</span><br/><br/>Sigrun, assuming the role of a statue quite well, shifted her eyes toward Learin, "And your order, Lord Ethail?"<br/><br/>Even if Sigrun followed Learin's directive, because of the direct the terms of the game was, (Or at least, Riu's interpretation of it; Learin never did mention any specifics,) Riu would still be the victor if Larea is truly mute. It's impossible to quantify her intent purely on her actions, but it is possible to evaluate the outcome. If Larea cannot speak, the servant could not fulfill the order. Granted, this was almost giving Larea an order as well, but it was directed only to Sigrun, so arguing semantics was pointless.<br/><br/>The scholar stood impressed, giving a clap before speaking, "Well played, boy, well played."<br/><br/>Sigrun tilted her head, "Your request confuses me, my assigned gender is female, and that is a statement, not an order."<br/><br/>"I wasn't talking about you!" Learin proclaimed.<br/><br/>"Larea's the one who should be saying something I should ignore, according to Lord Riu's orders."<br/><br/>A sigh escaped the man's lips, "Quit taking everything out of context! Your or-"<br/><br/>"That doesn't conflict with the current assignment."<br/><br/>Not only had he already lost, Sigrun seemed to have disqualified him before finishing the battle, "Just... listen to Larea say anything aloud, please," he ordered, waving his hand in her direction.<br/><br/>Sigrun, like a statue come to life, immediately perked up as the order was given. With her armaments still in hand, she pushed past the two gentlemen and leaned forward, shoving her face in front of Larea. Despite the obvious hints the girl with the golden hair was mute, that she would have easily calculated based on all the clues, it was never stated as fact and thus an uncertainty to her. She looked directly into Larea's eyes with great interest; at least, as much interest as a person with stunted emotions can dredge up.