Only someone who had never met Chelaxians could have mocked them in such a way, Celeste thought. Still, perhaps because she was so very tired, she found the display comical, and a short peal of laughter escaped her lips. "Forgive me," she said, when she had managed to restrain herself. "Everything seems funny somehow, when I'm tired. Not quite like that, but yes, infernals. It's not so much an alliance as the fiends taking all the power they can. Queen Abrogail is the ruler in name, but she is only a puppet, and the infernals standing beside her hold the strings."<br/><br/>At her other comment she added, "Then we shall not expect much diplomacy until the curse is ended."<br/><br/>The guard drew nearer with the horse. When they came within a few paces of the two women, the animal rebelled, skittering aside with a nervous whinny; only a sharp tug on the reins kept it from fleeing. That was going to make things difficult, Celeste thought, frowning slightly. Whether she rode and Maia walked, or she was forced to walk, both thoughts were equally unpleasant.<br/><br/>Celeste approached the horse and gently laid a hand aside its head, speaking in soothing tones. "You would indeed frighten it," she said dryly. "But perhaps I can do something about that, too." With the guard's assistance she climbed into the saddle. She could not call upon very much power, but maybe enough to calm the horse, to alter its perception so Maia did not seem such a threat. Closing her eyes, she focused. Her magic was only a faint spark, but it would do. As the spell completed, she slumped in the saddle, breath coming in short gasps.<br/><br/>The horse had gone docile, no longer eyeing Maia warily. Celeste pressed a hand to her chest, catching her breath, then reached out towards Maia. "It is done. Here, you can sit behind me," she said.