Seated on some stone steps, slate tablet across her knees, Celeste worked diligently at copying the Shoryan symbols. At least until the horses whickered nervously and the guards shouted in alarm.<br/><br/>She heard a feminine voice saying a greeting, then the hiss of leather against steel as swords were drawn from scabbards. Turning, she saw the guards advancing on a figure in white, a young woman so lovely that she caught her breath. Who was she, and what was she doing alone in the ruins? She was definitely not Taldoran, for she lacked the subtle refinement and etiquette their people were known for, nor did she have the look of a Chelaxian. A native? But they had not found signs of any existing civilization. A shipwrecked traveler, then?<br/><br/>Celeste set her writing tools aside and, taking up her staff, rose to her feet. A whispered word, a rune traced in the air with her finger, and her eyes gleamed briefly with azure light. The spell let her see the presence of magic, with different colors corresponding to different types. And the aura about the intruder was- she blinked and suppressed a gasp of astonishment when she saw the swirling nimbus of rainbow color. Too subtle to be anything dangerous, but it was there, and she had never seen its like before. What did it mean? She wanted to know more; it was her calling as a wizard and scholar.<br/><br/>The guards had moved to within a few paces of the woman, forming a semicircle about her. Their expressions were wary and guarded, except for one who wore an amused grin. "Look, some new lands to conquer," he laughed, but a glare from Captain Dugald silenced him.<br/><br/>"Who are you, girl? And what are you doing here?" Dugald demanded. His brown eyes were set with suspicion, his sword raised threateningly.<br/><br/><em>How foolish</em>, Celeste thought. She was glad Dugald had intervened, but he had continued the threats, baring steel even though the woman wanted to parley. This was no way to treat someone who seemed uncertain and crestfallen. And so she walked forward, past the ring of guards; one tried to stop her, but she gave him a stern glance and he hesitated.<br/><br/>Her curious blue gaze met the other woman's dark eyes, and then her full lips twitched into a smile and she gave a short curtsy. "Please forgive our dear captain. I'm afraid he has been away from home for so long, he's forgotten his manners. I am Celeste d'Aubec, imperial scholar of the empire of Taldor. I should like to consider us friends, but I cannot say I know you."<br/><br/>She was aware of Dugald's angry stare at her back, but chose to ignore him. He was a good soldier, but a poor diplomat, and it was the social graces that would serve them now.<br/>