[Wait, what? Katherine gives the man - who appears to be an elf to her - a long look. The clothing isn't terribly alien, but also is, somehow. And he holds himself with noble bearing, not something one would find on an elf with a face clear of tattoos most of the time, save those of rank within the Circle.

"Bathory" doesn't sound like an elf's name or anything associated with any elf culture, but at the same time, who's to say it's not something from a favorite book, or the name of a pet, or a friend, or a place? It could be anything.]

I'm so sorry, that's a terrible thing to happen to a people. But it sounds like something I've heard of... What was this capital called?