[He sounds a little brighter when he replies,] I'd love to see your designs sometime. If you're ever free, you're welcome to stop in and see the forge! We'd be happy to pick you up so you don't have to make the walk.

Never? Why not? Did you not want to train with weapons, or...? [It's almost inconceivable, coming from a viking society, that someone knows absolutely nothing about how to handle an axe or a sword.] My, uh, my betrothed- Astrid- she taught me most of what I know. I could show you a few things with a blade.