Emma stared at the woman blankly, her mouth still open, as the woman crossed her legs, seated on the stool, looking all poise and certain.

"You should take a seat." Zipfara said, indicating with her thoroughly decorated white staff that Emma should seat back on her bed.

"We have a lot to talk about." She added, tapping her left foot rhythmically on the tiles floor.

Emma nodded like a reluctant lizard, before taking a seat, more like dumping herself slowly on the bed. She ...