[Faris presses his lips together to restrain himself when Benedikta makes the wrong move again, but he relaxes when she tries again.]

Now you've started learning his language, he'll be willing to talk. [He grins.] On his terms, o' course.

[That's what Faris likes about creatures. Fickle they may be, but they're never dishonest. What they tell you is what they are. They don't hide behind manners or half-truths--if you know how to read them, you know exactly how they feel.

To tell the truth, she envies it a little. No dragon ever had to hide her feelings or learn how to be angry instead of sad, or spend so long wondering who was safe with a secret that it was easiest never to tell any.

Of course, that's all beside the point of helping a short-tempered woman get along with a seahorse.]

I think you two will get along.