The Heartwood things lost to the flames

He surmised that his story probably made sense to nobody other than himself — the culture he was raised in was strict and its rules were many.  Still, she gave him her rapt attention and he decided that it pleased him... probably.  Yes, I was a warrior.  Perhaps if he were to ever settle down somewhere, he would be once more.  Did you ever hold a.. position?  A trade?

He tried to resist the urge to recoil violently at her touch, and only halfway succeeded — instead he pulled his shoulder from her and stiffened.  It wasn't her, it was touch, the feeling had always ignited something uncomfortable inside him he could not place.  

He did not want to startle her or scare her off, however.  He did just bare himself to her and did not want to risk her running away with his story. Thank you, he replied because that was custom, wasn't it?  I understand.  Charlemagne was a virtuous man, more of a king than a father.  But it was difficult to deal with the feelings that came with his death.  It was a long time before we figured it was murder.

He let out a soft hmm, at her last question.  Yes.  Though I have every reason to believe he is dead.  Did you have any surviving family?