The Jharl smiled at first then almost recoiled when she brought up her other blades. In the North even MENTIONING that you had such a thing in another's hall for a woman was about the ultimate slap in the face to your host; outright saying that you didn't trust the Lord of the hall and his men to prevent you being 'outraged' while he extended guest-right to you!
However, the matter of fact way she said it gave him pause. Perhaps things were different in southern lands, perhaps here it was not expected that any Lord who commits such an atrocity will be castrated and hung as an offering to Freja, in any case she need fear no afrontery from him of that kind. He was and would remain a virgin till the night of his wedding, and the bride would come willing or not at all! Jharl James was not as young as most when they marry, but he was still vigorous and fit, and his sons and daughters would yet be hale and strong.
Pulling back with only a trace of slowness, from his attempt to not appear hasty, he extended his hand and replied, "I am honored you trust me to such a degree my-lady, it must be difficult to see past reputation to the man beneath." He said, and led the way to his family's chambers.
(OCC: We will continue this in a private thread...)
