[ Ciri smiles at Julie's reaction; she'd thought Julie might like that. She leads the way out of the hall, taking her through the familiar corridors toward one of the rooms where weapons are kept, avoiding the stairs leading down toward the labs.

The question is innocent. Julie doesn't... understand. Or maybe she does, and Ciri's not giving her enough credit. She'd seen the tree, after all. How many medallions are on it. ]

About a dozen. [ She answers after a beat. ]

That was years ago. Now, probably less.

I don't know.

[ Julie's impression of what to expect was pretty much spot-on as they enter. Swords hang on the walls, axes, even a few maces and a polearm or two. Some crossbows. There are also materials with which to make armor, leather and rivets and tools lined up on worktables. Containers of oils for weapons and leather maintenance. The usual. ]

Nadine asked me about learning how to use a weapon, since the ones she's used to don't exist in Abraxas.