He turns his head to give her a strange look. "What isn't?"

Viatorus pauses. He's being sulky and rude. So he takes a second to calm himself and focus. "My... My family has a history of being attacked, murdered, caught in dangerous situations... It's happened plenty of times and over the generations a system was developed. Firstly, everyone knows the dangers of being in my family. We get told who wants to hurt us and why so that we can keep ourselves safe. Secondly, for every child that becomes a scholar, there will be another that becomes their protector. For life. Thirdly, anyone who marries into the family becomes like blood. They become a protector too. Fourthly, the bloodline first, in all things. Knowledge second, but family first."

He frowns at her. "Everyone can rely on everyone. If I go missing it's not just my sister who goes searching for me. It's every extended member of the family. We're not alone. We're never alone. Because if we're alone, we're vulnerable, we're weak, we're poor. If my sister can't protect me anymore, someone else in the family will. It works. It's efficient."