[ Her voice grows a little softer now when she speaks — a subconscious detail rather than any deliberate affectation on Alayne's part. Even as frightened as she is, even as far removed from her usual circle of protectors, the thought of Isaac still comforts her. ]

Isaac kept it from me for the longest time. He'd told me of this place many times before but spared me recollections of the monsters. I think he thought it some great mercy.

[ A pause. That softness withers now, gives way to something that sounds more like resignation. ] The things in the walls — they're people.