Lady Marie, ready to ride off hence, was caught confused and disbelieving of the woman's candor. The threat of their treacherous neighbors, who would bring nothing but mayhem and death, elicited such an unconcerned response from her - she, who seemed far more concerned with the needs of her Lady's<em>party</em>.<br/><br/>"Yes, let us proceed at once." She looked around atop her worn steed, taking in the measure of the estate she had come upon before following Marie.<br/><br/>Paying little attention to her gossip, she broke in after she added a respectable term: "How many soldiers does your Lady keep on the grounds?" She opened her mouth to add more, but drew her lips tight and lapsed there - with such an earnest tongue, this servant woman might spread the information far past its good use.<br/><br/>Blinking into the silence, Lady Marie added later, "What's your Lady's namesake?"