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he could read in the library when his mind was sharpest. She would stop there in the morning so he could accompany her to breakfast. The first time he told her he was going to a market where the Esconodians came to trade, she was very frightened. She knew they were the enemy. But Alexander assured her they were not that different. In fact, he said that many of the people of Bernodia and Esconodia came from the same cultural background. He said they just spoke a slightly different language. He told her he had many Esconodian friends and knew that the animosity between their nations was born of misunderstanding, not of evil intent. With his assurance, she went with him. She found the market to be fascinating. Many of the traders smiled and called Alexander by name. He never used a title. He liked to simply to be called “Alexander”. Alexander seemed to understand most of what the Esconodians said, though he could not really speak their language. As they walked past the vendors, she loved looking at their intricate carvings, beautiful rugs, tapestries, and fabrics. She was impressed by their artisans and weavers. She found their languages were not as different as she had imagined and found she, too, understood much of what they said, even if she couldn’t speak it. At one point, some of the Esconodians gathered around them. One said something to Alexander. He blushed, and they all laughed, even Alexander. When she 82