Ariel returned Rukeewei's look when he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I think you overestimate me, dear. Regardless, it is not just time and knowledge." Ariel looked to her plate. "I don't want the girls growing up feeling separate from the rest of the city. I don't want them to feel like outsiders when this is our home. The best way I know to prevent that is to allow them to make friends here. To learn from their peers."

Meesei's comment had Ariel nodding in understanding. "And I would guess a nomadic tribe would not carry an extensive library of books with them." Ariel tilted her head. "Were you always curious about the world beyond the marsh growing up, Meesei? What did you know about cities back then?"

The table was almost finished with their main course. Only Sabine and Ariel had food left. The former because of the speed she ate and the latter because of the amount of talking she was doing.