In that same semi-dangerous conversational tone, Martel does go on, "As I was stripped of the more significant of my powers, my knighthood and my titles, I was furthermore banished - which I flouted some years later, after establishing myself as the best of the best as far as mercenaries on the continent go." It would be bragging if he hadn't turned almost clinical in his recount.

"There was a war - a god whose pay I was in for the opportunity to punish who'd wronged me - and my brother, presently Prince Consort to the Queen, killed me, killed the god, more than likely destroyed the city we were in and rather efficiently got his own vengeance for who I'd destroyed rather negligently on my way."

Martel pauses, briefly. "I'm reforming. There isn't redemption for that, and certainly none after death. What I'm saying to you is there are lines in the sand, whatever your cause. Learn where they are. If you cross one I don't like, you will learn not to. If you cross one there's no coming back from, I'll kill you myself." Not something he'd ordinarily say to a student, but Anna reminds him ... incredibly worryingly of himself. "You have your option to leave, if you'd prefer."

(Surely she's imagining the mild note of challenge.)