One thing was certain; getting information out of Maia was far more difficult than from books. The Shoryan woman had a habit of speaking in riddles. What danger was she hinting at, and what did she mean when she said the Shory did not exist as they once were? Fortunately, Celeste was fond of riddles and good at solving them. The mystery of Maia and the Shory was starting to intrigue her more deeply than anything she had come across before. And though Maia was being difficult, she was unafraid of a challenge. Indeed, she welcomed it.<br/><br/>First, the swords would have to go. "I don't understand what you mean, but I would like to prove to you we are neither brutes nor conquerors," Celeste said. She spun on her heel to regard the Dugald and the guards. "Captain, tell your men to stand down."<br/><br/>Duglad bristled. "You might outrank me, but I'm in charge of your safety. How can you be sure she's not a Chelaxian-"<br/><br/>"I said, stand down!"<br/><br/>Dugald glowered, but Celeste did not relent, and finally the captain grunted and sheathed his sword. The other guards followed suit. She sighed softly in relief and in trepidation, for she knew this small victory would cost her. Dugald, who had never liked her to begin with, was now an enemy. She hoped she had also made a friend.<br/><br/>"Again, I apologize for our actions," she said, turning back to Maia. "Cheliax is our rival in every way and they have also made port at this isle. They are a corrupt people who worship devils. That you can speak our language convinced me that you were Chelaxian, for how would a native know our tongue? Until I realized there were things about you from another time and place."<br/><br/>She pursed her lips, thinking. "As much as I would like to continue, these ruins are no place for diplomacy. Is there someplace safe nearby where we could go? Or mayhaps you would be willing to accept the hospitality of our outpost?"<br/>