[ It is kindly, more so than they have ever shared with one another before in their young lives. War is a terrible crucible and its fires had ravished the North that birthed them and the family tree that shaded them for so long — but in this small moment it has made something good. A bastard finally made a brother after so long, a sister who learns that love outweighs any courtly rite or duty. ]

He will never learn it. I must do that much. [ Her arms tighten around him and though they tremble there is some strength in them, slight as it may be. ] It is the only thing I know how to do. The only thing the war taught me to do well.