"So he told you about Brienne," Sansa says with a small smile. "She was a dear friend, and as capable a knight as any could be. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for her." She has no qualms about saying as much. Physically speaking, she's not a fighter, and she owes a great deal to Brienne and her loyalty, the oath she kept when many others wouldn't have.

"Was that common where you're from, to be a shieldmaiden, or was it unusual?"