"Aye, and even benign instances must be watched carefully. Even my people won't approve of a permanent bond with a teacher. Sooner or later, they must be released." But possession isn't the same as having a spirit companion, the way Christine does, and Skadi knows it. "You're already trained, with a spirit companion at your side and not within you, though, so I can't see any thanes questioning your worth to a hold. More likely than not, they'd be delighted that someone outside our kin has taken the time to see the world in a similar way."

She cracks a grin. "At least, that's the take of one Avvar. Living in a hold, there's much you absorb even when you aren't a mage. Especially when your sister is one, and you overheard conversations with her mentor."