Hild could understand her friend's concern, and saw through it to a stronger concern, a stronger truth. She adapted herself to Darrow as best, as quickly as she could. This was Hild's way, had always been her way. She put no thought into such actions because it was the only way she knew to survive. Know the ways of all men and you know what they will do. But in finding her place here in Darrow, was she, in spirit, giving up her place in Northumbria? If she became a modern woman, was she no longer an Anglisc?

"We women know how to remake ourselves," Hild said. "Seer and king's niece and lady." She pointed at herself, then Eowyn. "King's kin, shieldmaiden, horsewoman, mistress of hearth and hall. We are never one thing but many. To be one more thing, to know one more way of living, I do not think that will wash away all the other things you know and are. Not ever."