"He is Dyre Halfdansson Yngling, a great general."

She nods with what is hopefully appropriate reverence. "Do the Norwegians have schools of magic?"

"I do not know that they have schools at all. Perhaps in the south. In the north every boy is taught by those he is fostered out to."

And the girls then not at all, probably, but they've treated her well enough. "In my world weapons are enchanted with special metals that can hold a spell. Does this world have such metals?"

"I do not know of such metals. But I imagine it would be a very valued art, among our people, if you could demonstrate it."

She nods fervently. "It is among mine. I want to find the metals I need so I can get to work on it. I am happy to trade spells, in the meantime, for starting capital - and for spells that I did not imagine I might need. Do you have mage armor?"

"What is mage armor?"

"In my world there is a widely known magic that provides - armor, made of force, not of metal. Wizards who live dangerous lives cast it every day. I do not know it because spells are expensive and I did not live the kind of life where it'd come up. I may be - assuming more overlap in our world's known spells than there actually is" which is fascinating, it suggests that with a different approach to research you don't converge on the same set of abilities but end up with consistently different spell development - 

"Perhaps. It is not a widely practiced art here, wizardry. But some places are home to much more powerful spell casters."

She nods. "I would be very grateful for the chance to learn how magic is done here, and happy to teach you all I can of how it is done in my world in exchange."

He makes a thoughtful sound. "Perhaps in time. But spells become less potent when they are widely known, and so it is not wise to offer knowledge to any being who asks. I am interested in learning what kinds of magic your people can work. But if you wish to learn my spells from me, it will take time, and discipline, and you will need to go on to Reykjavik before then, if you wish to speak to the princess before she is occupied with other matters. Perhaps if you return next year, if you do not find passage there. I am an old man, and do not know how much longer I have to benefit from secrets."

She nods. "Spells - become less potent when they are widely known? Do you mean there are more summoners than creatures to summon, or - something more intrinsic to the magic than that -"

"Many spells work only on those who are not aware of them. If the casting of a spell can be easily identified, it is no longer as useful as it once was."

Ah hah some kind of technique where you can only resist the spell if you recognize it and otherwise you might as well be sleeping - she wants it - "I understand. I do not know that technique, so all my spells can be resisted."

Nod. "You are young, and spells are known best to the old. Perhaps next year, when we know more of your intentions. I do not think that I will die within the year. But my sons were interested in braver arts, and with no one to teach, my craft will be lost. Next year, I think, if you still want to learn."

Spells aren't known best to the old but they're admittedly known best to the high level, which might not be a distinction their society makes, and his wanting to know more of her intentions is very reasonable. She ducks her head. "Thank you. I will return then, if I am still sure of my path." She could sell spells-that-can't-be-resisted-by-anyone-who-can't-identify-them for a fortune. 

"I look forward to it."

When Korva next looks free she will find her and tell her about all of this. "They hadn't heard of Asmodeus but they said most people go to Hell. All those who don't die in battle, those the battle god claims."

"I see. It - doesn't really look like the sort of society I'd expect to be serving Asmodeus? But maybe it's just different because they haven't - figured out cities, or something."

"Yeah, I'm confused. Maybe if the other gods don't contest you for afterlives at all it's not worth expending many resources teaching people in the Material world at all? Or maybe there's not enough here to be worth bothering with, and the Norwegians would look better. The Norwegians rule this place, nominally, and rule a continent nearby, less nominally. We're to go meet their princess."

Augh, presenting themselves to someone with power sounds awful. But maybe she'll focus on Carissa and not on her. "I see."

"Princess is the emperor's daughter, gets into hand-to-hand fights a lot apparently, unless that's a metaphor, got here less than a year ago and they all gather in one place to be governed less often than that so they don't know what to make of her. You could maybe stay back, if you wanted."

Nod. "Should - probably stay where you are, so you don't have to come back and get me if you need to go somewhere else?" Also she can't, uh, talk to people.

"Yeah. I guess maybe I'll want to go to Norwegia, I'm not much use anywhere too small to have enchanting supplies."

Nodnod. "Well. I - guess it makes sense for you to want to talk to the princess, then.

"Do we have any preparations to make here, first?"