It's the only way it should be, in her mind, filled with people, with life, with movement. The Fortress hadn't just been one of the most well-defended structures for a good distance, such as had been its point. It had been where the songs would be sung in the morning, where she could hear the clash of morning practice of her women. The animals in their stables, the cattle moving about.

Still, he catches her there and she laughs, bright and sharp. Relaxed in his company. "Not as such, no, but women are considered as capable, when they are trained such, and they too have the right to defend their homes that no one would contest." Or rather, no one contested her about it. "I do not keep my veils in battle. A little too much trouble when I have to be giving orders. Even so. Consider yourself lucky, most men do not see my face until we are somewhere more private."

Don't tease the poor man, Lakshmi, he was doing his best. "Ko-marr." She says it slowly, carefully, making sure she has it right. "I take it is very different there?"