"I would dare," Hild replied, voice full of good-natured mirth, her eyes alight. A cool breeze went sighing through the trees, rustling the leaves still loathe to fall, but it was not yet cool enough for Hild to shiver, despite her bare arms.

"He has his rough edges, as we all do. But he hides--" She halted, frowning, trying to decide her next words. It was not, for once, a matter of translation that stopped her, but picking the right word from the many options.

"He has a good heart," Hild decided finally. "And needs more light-heartedness in his life."