Alice had no longer finished her sentence than they were joined by Princess Vanya. "Forgive me," she said in a high cut tone that sounded nothing like an apology and instead as a means of attracting attention. Alice bet Vanya couldn't remember the last time she had to sincerely apologise for anything. The Elven lady adopted a surprisingly defensive posture and asked her, "I am curious on what manner of magic you specialise in, and how many years you have practiced." without even waiting for an answer she seemed to try and weigh up the man she had been talking to, looking him over. "And if you are a priest, can you perform spells, sir?"

Alice did little to hide her impatience. Vanya had waltzed in and ruined any sort of chance Alice had at learning the truth behind this man for tonight. True, her plan to bait him in conversation had been in it's infancy but it was still an opportunity wasted. "Your highness, I understand I was not on your list of potential candidates for this quest," with that in mind she wondered how it was so obvious to identify her as a mage, and not just some non-arcane exile of Vrettonnia who was discarded from the courts because of her lack of talent. Unless that was the real objective of the question, to find out the exact extent Alice could be useful to the team, not just in magical talents but also awareness of political landscapes and potential to pull power from Vrettonnia to help. "I have studied in the Vrettonian High University for most of my adolescent life, where it is strict policy that they do not allow students to specialise. Since then I still have not picked a school in particular." this idea was more a political one than one done so out of liberal education. Wizards being astute in all schools meant they did not split up into their own factions based on education, meaning there was more unity in the upper classes. People did specialise once they left, but few enough that they couldn't start to splinter the whole system. "I cannot say I was the most talented there," she continued, "But I know enough to realise that success is rarely governed by raw power, but by application. And when it comes down to it no amount of talent and force can overcome a sharp mind and a sturdy heart." It was a line once said by a famous duellist a century ago, an advisor of the king who said this before a critical battle that turned the tide of a war. The line was often quoted in the Vrettonnian army but rarely elsewhere. Alice couldn't say she had the sharpest mind or the sturdiest heart, but they'd worked well enough so far. It seemed sharp minds and sturdy hearts were aplenty in the assembled, so she was confident in the company she now kept

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