[Tazendra nodded] That is what a dutiful daughter would do.

I am a baroness, you know. My family swore fealty to the Duke of Arylle. When I was... young, mercenaries invaded Arylle, and my parents had been tasked by the old Duke to protect his heir. I did not know that at the time, only that there was an army approaching, and my parents were preparing for battle, but would not permit me to ride with them.

They tasked me with escorting the household staff to my uncle's lands, but I knew they had sent me away to save my life. I was their only child, and they wished me to grow to have the skill I would need to govern and protect our barony and serve our Duke, and our Emperor.

It is not cowardice to follow one's duty. That is what I learned from my parents.