"...Hmm.  Her Highness did not choose to bring her erstwhile attendant on this trip, and I am given to understand that that was for - cause, if not necessarily in the usual sense of that word.  Something about 'being too much of a romantic'.  Perhaps Ciara, then..."

"...The royal chamberlain has rather taken Her Highness under her wing as of late, by all accounts.  She might be able to advise."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"I'll arrange for a line of communication."

"Yes ma'am, thank you. I also wanted to tell you that I asked master Deskyl about the battle meditation question that we discussed at dinner the other day; she said that it's plausible, her condition is the right general type of damage for misuse of that technique. She'd expect someone subjected to that to die well before ending up in her condition but perhaps someone invented a variant that's safer in that way."

"...I see."  If Deskyl was in the room, she would be able to perceive the unique mix of protective instinct and desire to commit homicide that is the Duchess of Thorn's resolution that Pritruth needs to die, and so does anyone who was complicit in making that happen.

"I may wish to discuss options for a retaliatory strike at some point; you two will be informed if that reaches the planning phase."

"Yes ma'am. I expect master Deskyl will appreciate knowing anything you're willing to tell her about your motivation for that."

"...Moral grounds.  If I did not act to oppose such an Empire after someone found refuge from it on our shores, I would be complicit in atrocity.  Especially as people who would order this will never stop at one.  Nor, I'd guess, reserve such things until they're truly needed.

"...They have no right.  The duty of a kingdom is to its people.  And to resort to force in this matter..."

"Even should some dire need place Villarosa in need of people to endure similar, we would have volunteers.  People who cared enough about Villarosa to take its burdens on their shoulders.  The Empire, it seems, doesn't.  Even amongst those it elevates above all others.  And that... says all it needs to."

The pause before DZ answers is almost imperceptible. "Thank you, ma'am."

"...That, and because Deskyl has rapidly proven herself a friend to my grand-niece.  As have you."

"Master Deskyl does appreciate your collective hospitality, ma'am. And she's always found it concerning that the average person of our world can't safely wield a lightsaber; she's happy to share the opportunity to have one."

"I'm glad to hear our hospitality is sufficient.  And as for the matter of lightsabers...  It speaks well of her, that she would care at all, let alone share her own expertise."

"I'll let her know that you said so, ma'am."

"...Would her lessons be open to other learners, should there be sufficient weaponry to train with?"

"At a guess, yes, but I haven't asked her about it in particular, ma'am."

She nods.  "I would appreciate if you asked her.  ...She is under no obligation to do so, I should note.  And speaking of obligations, I should note that - should Deskyl wish it, she can draw a salary for instructing Her Highness in the blade from the Duchy of Thorn."

"I expect she would appreciate that, yes ma'am. And I'll ask her about making lessons available to other people as well."

She nods.  "You also deserve pay for your translation work, I should note."

"...Is there anything else you'd like to discuss, while we're speaking?"

"No ma'am."

"...Actually, while I'm speaking of translation work - you know our language; would you be willing to work on a translation guide for your common tongue?"

"Yes ma'am; I'll need to know what format you'd like it in. And I can ask master Deskyl for permission to make a guide to the Sith language, if you'd like; it's not usually taught to non-Sith but in this context she may be willing to authorize it."

"...I am not, personally, a translator.  So long as we can read it, it should be something we can work with."

"As for the question of learning the Sith tongue...

"...If she believes it would be useful for us to know, we should revisit that once we've determined what we might need to know it for."

"Yes ma'am." She got instructions for getting various materials when Deskyl's temporary wardrobe was dropped off; she can get writing materials and construct a dictionary and grammar guide without further help. "The sign language master Deskyl uses is derived from spoken Sith, but I expect that if you have a signed language in common use here she'll prefer to learn that once she's recovered."

"...I would not say it's particularly common in Villarosa, for which I apologize, but there are sign languages; I will get you some reference materials."

"Thank you, ma'am. Most Sith don't know more than a hundred or so words of Sith battle sign, but if they're going to learn a signed language it's the obvious option, and I expect whatever your most common signed language is will be sufficient for her in the same way. - she's not usually deaf, to clarify, but she prefers signed language and she's blocking her hearing as a comfort measure while she recovers."