Despite her history with the jinn, Miria did not know about their customs, their thinking, their way of life. Tamal had been so secretive about it all, preferring to keep details of himself in the here and now. After she had learned what kind of person he really was, Miria had wondered if knowing more about his background and his culture would have allowed her to spot the red flags she had missed in her blind devotion to him.

This time, she would not be so foolish, but her lack of detailed knowledge about the jinn meant that Curdle's reaction to his own response confused her. He seemed repulsed by his own answer, as though he had said something offensive. What was so regretful about what he had said? She thought it sad that he and his brothers had taken on such ugly names, but it unsurprising now knowing that he was from Sherahd, a place known for its harshness of the jinn it harbored. She had been there many times before, Sherahd a jewel for any traveling merchant. Almost bloated in its own wealth, the city served trade from land and sea alike. It was also a heavily guarded place, the best soldiers always coming from there. That would explain the appearance of Curdle's sword, which lead Miria to assume that he was, or had been, a very skilled fighter. But was this something to be ashamed of?

Curdle had also mentioned his master--he had been serving her for a very long time, since her marriage. For him to survive with the same master for so many years meant that she treated him at least halfway decently--it wasn't too common to see a jinni as old as Curdle. It also meant that he harbored no ill will towards his master, at least not in the end, unless she had been very good at keeping him under control. Miria carefully studied Curdle as she moved to sit down on the ground. He didn't look broken and abused. In fact, he could probably stand to live a couple more decades in his current condition. Then again, this was a dream; he was probably worse for wear than he currently seemed. Curious that he hadn't taken on a strong, youthful, more intimidating appearance.

But why the strange reaction?

Miria canted her head to the side, forgetting that she was supposed to be seeking information about this strange connection she currently shared with the jinni. "Is it wrong for you to care for your master, a married woman?" she asked as she tried to piece together the mystery that was Curdle. "It must be her ashes that you have decided to burden me with." If this was true, that meant that Curdle cared for his master very much, which made Firra Gerun a very foolish woman...or damn lucky.