"Well, these two won't have to be circus performers," Teja says. "In fact, they won't have to be anything except mothers and wives, eventually."

Adalgoth shrugs. "And what can boys be? Farmers and warriors. We don't have fancy choices like we did in the south-lands. Or that you have in the future."

Valeria snuggles up to Demeter, giggling, not minding at all as yet.