"hypothetically speaking, maxim would be well-versed in warfare and able to protect you and the children while you are out of commission." it was implied that he did not believe the young soldier was present yet to be such. and germanicus found it interesting that towhee would say she did not wish to leave and then plot of it aloud in the next. it added to her character as a dedicated if wholly unorthodox individual. 

romance may have not mattered, but biology would ensure that towhee could not protect the budding outpost for a short while. and germanicus was not ready to expand, despite his faith in the praefectus' abilities. sexism was also not a word the eagle had heard before, though he might have agreed with its stamp here in their conversation being reflective of his own notions.

privately the imperator felt as though two women or two men might be more fitted for the task. he would not have expected ruenna to birth their cubs onto hard and unprotected land. it was why he had demurred his answer at the wedding. he had wished to have something practical and built before he accepted. he had wanted something concrete to offer and he expected that maxim in the role of a husband would also want this. 

but these things were private and he did not see the opinion of sharing them. "you would have control over your own ranks, though if you intended to be an outpost of mereo i might insist upon some cohesion between our lands." this was said with another tight expression of amusement.