Storing Valkyrie under her bed — wrapped in a protective sheet; she couldn't get into Claud's room — was the moment she realized she knew next to nothing about Edda. Kept in Friege and Belhalla, she knew Edda like she knew Yngvi: dots on a map, names to memorize, its duke's and Crusader's name.

She liked the Father more than studying bored her. The castle library was small; coming down to it she could pester Azel. Talking to Claud was easy — he'd sigh, correct her if she was wrong, maybe praise her if she was right.

(Or maybe they could just talk.)