Sigin speaks

"Sigin, it is good to see you again." Elaine said with a slight smile. "How did you escape from Minestus' trap?"

"I was released when Minestus captured the young Princess Astra. He believed that in my current form, I would pose the least threat to him, for he knows I cannot break his spell. I have wandered some, but haven't strayed too far from here. Most humans are scared of a tiger, let alone one who can speak. I've spent most of my time in these caves, a better part of fifty years now..."

"Fifty years!" Astra exclaimed, feeling faint. "My sister, if she still lives, would be an old lady by now! She probably has grandchilren, even!"

"Be grateful that you still have some who remember you, Princess. It is not so for the rest of us." Sigin said solemly.

"What are you talking about, Sigin?" Adele asked worriedly.

"Have you mentioned to your new companions what land you hail from? See their reactions, and I will explain."

"Sigin, what are you saying? That these people, a knight and a princess of the eastern lands, will not know of the great Empire of Telluria?" Elaine asked incredulously. She turned to Fred and Astra "Of course, you know of Telluria, don't you, greatest empire in the world?"

"I...I've never heard of such a place." Fred said. "Allarian cartographers are much valued by their skill, yet I have never seen this land on a map, old or new."

"Nor have I," conceded Astra, "and as princess and heir to the throne I was expected to learn as much as possible of foreign nations and customs. Where is your land?"

"West, of course!" cried Matthias, "Across the plains of Ryngaerd, southeast the Dead Sea!"

"...beyond the Dead Sea lie the ruins of the Great Empire...." Fred recounted. Adele, Elaine, and Matthias stood dumbfounded. "That's what our maps say."

"Ruins!" Elaine cried, and turned to Sigin. "Just how long have we been in stasis here, Sigin? The truth, now!"

"Eight Hundred Years..."

1. "Impossibe! you must tell us all you've learned!"
2. Elaine fainted straight away, but was caught by Fred.
3. "But Fred told us my father still lives!" Adele cried. "How can that be, if so long has truly passed?"

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