"Lines of inheritence which fail to deserve their lands and titleswill in time enough always see it stripped from them," he says by way of agreement. But wryly, he added, "I wish I could say that it seemed those who deserved such things came by them more often or more easily."

He shoots her a thoughtful look, his further words more thoughtful. "You are a credit to your family and your Greys, Warden-Commander. No; war is not a place for innocents, though it always seems to find them. But my children are here, and I will guard them how I can. With luck, that will mean extricating us from this war entirely." But he makes a small motion in the air between them, as if the hope may be a futile thing.

"Please seek him out; I'm sure he... would be glad for good company. And I myself am a man for the hounds; if I see your great beast, I will be sure to find you!"