It was one thing to read a language, another thing entirely to hear it spoken. Celeste, who had become nearly fluent in reading and writing the Shoryan tongue, strained to understand what Maia had said. She mouthed it over and over, until she was sure she had the meaning.<br/><br/>"Your trust will not be misplaced," Celeste answered without hesitation. "Let us follow, then. Captain, we shall return now," she announced crisply. Then, she spoke slowly in Shoryan, making sure to pronounce each syllable distinctly.<em>"I might have listened. The people of Taldor can be surprising."</em><br/><br/>She hoped she had said it correctly, and that Maia understood she was serious. Both about her studies, and about trusting her.<br/><br/>Dugald's sour expression hinted at his hatred of her orders, but he complied nevertheless, telling the guards to mount and form up. They returned to the crumbling wall where they had tethered their mounts. Celeste recalled how the horses had shied at Maia's approach, and decided she should walk. It would be more convenient to hold a conversation that way, in any case. She instructed one of the guards to take the reins of her horse, and that they should maintain some distance between them and their guest.<br/><br/>They set off along the worn road, past shattered buildings. If the Shory still existed, why was this city in such disrepair, Celeste wondered. It was as good a time to broach the subject as any.<br/><br/>Steeling herself against another cold remark from the Shory woman, she ventured some questions. "You said there was danger about, but our patrols have not found any thus far," she began. "And you said your people are not the same. Might you explain, so I can begin to understand?"