She also began brushing Lorica again, though only after an apologetic pat on the shoulder.

"It was many years ago," she said coolly, drawing upon the steel spine she had always been said to have. The less charitable lords, the ones who had been displeased by her rejection of their suit, they had said she had a heart of steel as well.

"But I have not ceased to train since then. I will spar with you at any time that you wish to prove this."