He is, in battle as well as wit. ( Flattery will get her everywhere. He grins. ) Thank you. Though I think I will not have his wisdom for a long time. And is your mother as resourceful as you are, my lady?

( Ah, so that's what it is. The corners of his mouth twitch upward in amusement. ) Yes. But Northwomen don't. Not even the slaves.

There is no need for you to bow to me. We are equal here, aren't we? ( Something he kind of likes, actually. So he has run with that. )

Not anymore, I think. He is making a life for himself, and learning how to fight. Changed his clothes. I wonder sometimes if he has accepted our gods, or still loves his own. My father says that if one listens to the stories Athelstan tells from his holy book that there are many similarities between them.

( So she has at last one sibling, whom is a priest of sorts, if an extremely high-ranked one. Unsurprising, but also interesting! )

Is your god one of love and compassion only, or are there other sides to him? I admit, I am curious to know if my father may be right.