"No." A firm head shake no. "I'll never teach swords. Guns, self-defense, sumo, archery, horseback riding -- not applicable here unless some island comes out and they had cars before, falconry, any weapons, but never swords. Where I'm from that is the purview of monks, and taught from birth. I would do better at teaching religion, and I declared war on most religions."

It's an important distinction. "There are many sword masters if you wish to challenge them, or their students. I know Maeve is someone I would consider possibly stronger than me, but I'm grateful to count her as an ally. Pratt is my samurai, because in his time in his lands, he's a deputy, and he's used to having to look after others, which alleviates a great deal of pressure on me personally."

A genuinely sad expression. "I take no pleasure in sword forms. Some here do, but to me it's survival, nothing more. It's difficult for me to hold back my inner demons when exercising the traditional forms, truly."