[He finds himself curious about this first home, curious about Essos, curious about a world he hasn’t seen. But equally, it isn’t right to pry. His look of interest shifts into one that almost seems chastened: Right, you don’t want to tell me that. Why would she?

They move on to the subject of his upbringing.]

You wouldn’t have to know many northmen. It isn’t the usual way. Maybe if there are no other sons, and the lord has no wife. But often not even then.

The world isn’t kind to bastard-born children. I can’t imagine that Essos is any kinder.