<span class="mu-i"> ''We are most touched by your kind words, your majesty; we find your vessel to be one of magnificence.'' </span>
The elven king nods his head in acknowledgement. A small smile appears on his face.
<span class="mu-i"> ''It is most pleasing that you find my ship to be magnificent; the old girl was laid down in the time of my grandfather; about eight thousand trees went into making her, and she has served us well for many centuries.'' </span> The king's eyes gleam with fatherly pride as he speaks of the history and craftsmanship behind his beloved vessel.
<span class="mu-i"> ''She isn't the fastest ship around; that title belongs to my son's personal vessel, not that I mind.'' </span> He walks over to one of the central masts, with the two of you following.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Your ship seems to lack in forecastles.'' </span> You spoke out, knowing little of nautical terms; this was one of the few terms you had remembered.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Ah, we don't use them; when we sight at sea, we prefer a more open deck for better visibility and manoeuvrability,'' the king explains, gesturing towards the vast expanse of sea around you.
You decided to keep quiet for a bit to allow some other members of your host their turn at speaking; you instead decided to look out for any sign of the Svengalian delegation. By this point, Artuileno had turned his attention towards Sophia.
''Maiden fair, I have heard of your great beauty before, and now I see that you can rival any of our own elfmaidens; from the colour of thy hair, I can only assume that the rumours of the purple bloodline are true.'' He said as he lowered to kiss her hand.
''It is a truth you speak, your majesty; my mother was, and I suppose still is, a princess of Mithras.'' Sophia answered in a polite tone.
''Ah, the glorious remains of a once great empire, much like we are, dwarves too. My realm's position at the utmost north of our continent means that we have little contact with Mithras, but I have oft tried to keep up with recent events.'' Artuileno turned back to you.
''It was a kind thing to do of you, to keep that empire intact while you could; my histories would be ever so slightly sadder. In my one hundred and forty-seven years, my father taught me that if there would ever be one constant realm of men to remain, it would be Mithras.'' He spoke fondly.
''You seem to be well-versed in the histories, your majesty.'' you remarked.
''It's a pastime of mine, made easier by my lifespan. I find solace in the stories of old; they provide me with a sense of continuity in this ever-changing world. I do sometimes envy you lot; humanity seems to possess a drive to ever push forward. A quality most of us lack—there are few great elven conquerors or modernisers. We are patient, perhaps a bit too much for our own good.'' </span>
