"Some of that is true," Ariadne replied, chuckling. "If you believe the old tales there's an older Elven land far to the south of my homeland, but if it exists no Elf has visited it in a great many centuries. My homeland consists of a massive archipelago of islands, although my family calls the largest of the islands home. It is surrounded by a large outer defensive wall, which protects a large city, at the centre of which stands the palace the royal family calls home. Myraz's palace may be larger, but I would take great pleasure in watching his men try to lay siege to the Palace of Eternal Blossom. There are secrets within it even my family haven't yet discovered, beyond vague hints anyway."