"Shieldmaiden," Daine repeats as Kitten whistles, impressed. "Alanna would like the sound of that." Maybe if no other girls were inclined to try for knighthood - and so far, none have been - they might be enticed by calling it something else.

Then again, the Lioness might just as easily balk at the thought of calling it something different just to soothe folks' nerves. If it's as good as a knighthood, why not call it what it is?

"Have you been tending to it yourself?" Daine might not know how to wield a sword, but she knows they need upkeep. Knights are expected to know enough about smithing to keep their own weapons in good repair, but they'd still need a place to do it. "I don't suppose you can just take it to the blacksmith's for sharpening."