Vedette stared at the note when Onainat held it open for both of them to read. Or at least, moved it to a spot where Vedette could read it as well. Vedette had never considered ever losing her tongue. Such a thing would be terribly difficult for her to overcome. Perhaps not in the way it would be for Onainat, Onainat enjoyed singing, didn't she? But Vedette gave commands, she called out orders, she recited stories from memory and laughed often. She could do none of those things without a tongue, except perhaps laugh. She didn't know. She looked up to Ulbarich, the sudden sense of pity was apparent in her eyes for a moment, then faded. She somehow doubted the man would want her pity. He didn't seem to mind this, one bit, if he did he might not be in the army any longer.
How was he still a Captain without a tongue? Did he still get to order people around? Did he have more prepared notes for such occasions? The curiosity that was always within her stood out clearly now, but asking such questions was impolite. She dragged the tip of her tongue over the back of her teeth while thinking. Just to make sure it was still there.
"You're very good at communicating without words. You always were." Vedette said with a knowing look. They'd passed orders and directions between each other once, without words, deep in the woods. A strange time. Vedette remembered it clearly, like all memories that tied her to Ithunvel. The man had been a second father, perhaps that's why the sudden refusal from Ithacles had struck her so hard.
"I'm sorry Onainat. I've been rather stuck in my thoughts. Ulbarich is a Captain for Faustben, he and I met when I was still in the army. When the King was still alive. Roughly, oh, what ten years ago? Less than that I think." Vedette always had trouble with specific years. Her years were long, surpassing Ulbarich's, certainly, but not Onainat's.
She lifted her glass again, without much thought her fingers curled around the glass and the condensation began to freeze again. She enjoyed a good cold drink. Carefully she did it, then lifted it back to her lips to take a drink.