Grandfather. The man who dared do this to her -- something sharp and hot flares at the back of his mind, and the rush of heat that follows is nothing like what he feels during battle. There is honor in battle; there is none in that man.

But her Ladyship -- Kaede -- has more need of him here now, and he'll not leave her at a time like this, neither in body nor in thought. "My oath will not change," he tells her, "no matter how long you must think on your wish."

...perhaps, too, he is starting to discover one of his own.