The queen of the land doesn’t take long to arrive, thankfully. It seems that perhaps she had already anticipated Ilma’s coming. The white mare didn’t think she would be a nice woman indeed, at least not by Ilma’s personal definition, and her cackling doesn’t tell her anything else. But she doesn’t have to be nice.

She is, however, reasonable.

Ilma’s gaze meets Ana’s, and she gives her a weak smile. ”I’ve been a diplomat all my life. I didn’t think being land-less could change me that much.” In Ilma’s opinion, one did not exclude the other. Her allegiance now is with whatever friends she makes on her travels, nothing more, and certainly nothing less. She still has her callings as teacher and mender, even though without a kingdom to back her up, it appears she has less of a purpose politically than personally.

Alcinder however, has less of a sense of politics. ”No, Alcinder. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but you’ll have to stay your year.” She doesn’t want him to get his hopes up that he can leave with her; she wants to make sure he is cared for well enough, that he knows his parents are waiting for him, all that - but she cannot give him false hope here. He will stay for as long as he needs to.

Anaxarete and Ghaul demand her proposition then, and she nods to the dragon. She can see it - the wild chase, the tearing of whatever bodyparts - and knows what she is in for. She knew before coming, yet hearing him say it almost sways her into leaving them right there. But she had already decided. ”You’re spot-on, Ghaul. I do have nothing to offer but myself. And so I will. You’ve separated a child from a mother, though it is more customary for them to tag along while the child is still being weaned.” She turns to the queen now, her face a mask that she knows she can probably only carry for so long. ”I’d ask of you to let me stay here - among your other prisoners or as the lowest in rank - for as long as you have him. I’ll join these hunting games whenever you see fit, on the condition that that means you won’t play them with anyone else.” There, that’s it then. Done. A free, extra prisoner - one that her boys apparently hated. The only string being that no-one else would get hurt while held in Pangea.

And she has no land that would claim her back before her time. No-one to return her to, she doesn’t have to be safe, nor sound. Would they be in for this unconventional prisoner, she wonders?