The muscle, skill and sheer instinct required to face down multiple assailants are just some of the many reasons Jorah’s lived to be as old and grizzled as he is (not the least of which is knowing when to run for his life). At the surge of river water behind him, he wheels into a hard pivot back and aside, shoulders bowed, sword brought up to bear on this latest arrival.

There’s fire in him, now, adrenaline scorching through the warning look he holds on Will after his advice, rife with distrust.

What does a dog-man know about lizard-lions?

Enough to know what they like to eat.

He yields one slow, slinking step.