[ he takes the girl in with a quick glance, judging the usefulness of such a ruse. and he can see it now -- the ways in which had he not been paying close attention, he might have mistaken her as well. ]

There are plenty of women who fight, in these parts. [ it's a concept he's still getting used to, but he reports on it all the same. ] So I figure you'll not have to lie about your sex to get a blade. Your age, maybe.