Estelle smiled. There was a time, not very long ago - perhaps a month, but it felt like a lifetime already - when she'd have broken out into a broad grin. But she didn't have it in her any more, not since...

She caught herself before she descended into yet another grim reverie. If nothing else, it would be [i]rude[/i], and the young woman before deserved better than that. Deserved, if the tale were true, a very good deal better.

So the shadow of sorrow flashed across her eyes, and passed before it could reach her lips. The smile, if somewhat wan, was genuine and warm.

"Touché," she said, with the mildest edge to her tone that suggested the fencing term was not a mere metaphor to her. "I have spoken no lie, although I have omitted some of the truth. I have come many a mile, and Papillon does need a rest." She stroked the horse's flank. "And I will be on my way soon."

The smile went crooked, and Estelle's eyes hardened. "But I'll not be leaving without you, my lady. For I have come on an errand of the greatest import, for you, for me, and for the entire kingdom of Delicana." She held out her hand, and in the slant light of the afternoon Leah could see the faint lines of scars and calluses that marred its pale skin. "I'd be honoured if you would come along with me."