[color=92278f]"I'm afraid I don't know very much about the agricultural conditions of the northern lands, so any statement I may make will not hold much truth concerning the matter."[/color] 

Elya smiled apologetically, and shook her head. Being in the presence of someone who had a different set of knowledge which was evidently much more practical than her own was more humbling than she had previously known possible. Why was it that she was taught only that which could be used when she was at a high status, rather than that which was universally regarded as important? 

The princess grasped the reins of her horse, squeezing them to prevent herself from cringing from embarrassment. The muscles in her face tensed, her jaw moving slightly to set in a more determined state. Swallowing, Elya felt the awkward dryness of her mouth, and waited a bit before responding, in fear that if she spoke now, her voice might falter in an exposing manner, revealing the lies she spoke. Attempting to search for a new topic of conversation, about which she could speak yet without divulging her identity, Elya came up empty. None of her knowledge was relevant in such a way that a simple peasant might be able to relate. Not even love was universal- to her knowledge, "finding" a partner was not an option. Eventually, suitors would be presented, and then, her father would choose. It was simpler that way. Rarely did a monarch get to pick her or his own mate.

She wanted to speak about the consequences of the newly high concentration of people within the north, and what effects that might have on the social aspects of society, as well as the economy. Would trade flourish, as new things and people were suddenly thrust into an equally foreign environment? Or would segregation arise, and if so, would it be incidentally, or purposefully? Would the statistics of crime rise, and would it be the higher society crime, or that of the lower levels of class? How might the nobles be treated by the people, and would they be accepted for their titles, or reduced to commoners with much wealth to their name? So many questions, and no one to ask, Elya bit her lip, fighting back a sigh of frustration.

[color=92278f]"Where's your family, then? Why aren't you traveling with them?"[/color]

Family. That was one universal factor. Regardless of any status in society, without a family, one could hardly survive in this harsh world. He had already mentioned a mother and father, so in all likelihood, both were living. Perhaps the boy had some siblings. It was odd, she realized, this older boy traveling alone, for many reasons. Before she could stop herself, and before he could answer her initial question, she blurted out another question.

[color=92278f]"Why haven't you been enlisted in the militia?"[/color]

As soon as the words escaped her mouth, Elya wished she could fall off of her horse, and roll away. Mortified at the suggestion of the question, that this boy was somehow running away from his duty to his country, or that he had some defining disability, she looked away, back to Mhairi, hoping that the girl from the Wilds could interject with some saving remark. As she glanced at the girl, it suddenly occurred to her that she must be quite lonely, surrounded by strangers from a strange land, traveling to a space just as foreign, with even stranger people. Asking this girl about her family would be an even more ill-placed remark, as there was no telling whether they had survived the attacks from all sides on her country.

[color=92278f][i]Wow, I'm selfish... I thought my story was sad, and they... Blood and ashes, what is wrong with me?[/i][/color]