[Elizabeth takes a few moments to just soak this all in. Not only are they in an odd world then but they are proceeding post-haste to other equally odd worlds. She had read of deserts of course but to think of seeing one, much less a city in one was simply something she had never, ever expected to experience in her life.

Her tone of voice is skeptical to say the least when she finally replies. Astoria herself seems all sweetness but she had only lately learned the hard lesson of misjudging appearances.]

Then we are to be of assistance to them. Through talk and exploration? Have you no specific goals in mind then beyond rendering them assistance?