Chapter 36: His Idol
"Feeding Iro well?" Gunnar was the first to ask as he stood up from the table he sat at next to Arthur. "That apprentice eats more than some of the others who are quite a bit larger. That much was certain after they hunted a juvenile boar last night."
Irene was mortified at this, realizing the initial response was very much learned. Women weren't supposed to eat large amounts but the work she was doing made her so hungry.
Despite her embarrassment, she managed to speak up for herself.
"I'm hungry all the time, father," she explained.
"You've been working hard then," Arthur realized. "That must mean you are learning well."
Irene nodded.
"We've just returned from another township!" she exclaimed.
"You didn't tell us this child is an archer," Gunnar said to the apprentice's father. The old knight walked forward and elbowed Arthur. "Quite a useful skill to let go under the radar in such a way," Gunnar persisted.
Irene and her father shared a look and he knew that his daughter was worried. Sünsto women knew how to use bows. However, he wasn't sure who was knowledgeable about this particular fact.
Arthur turned easily to the other knight and a smirk spread across his lips.
"He hasn't taken it seriously before," Arthur defended himself. "It was more of a skill to play tricks on his brother than anything else. If you deem it useful enough then do something about it, Gunnar."