Guts jerks his head over his shoulder so she can see the look of mild alarm. Thistle isn't the only one whos's a little shocked by the change. That was incredibly convincing!

"You tellin' me you were some kinda performer a century ago or somethin'?"

This is the first explanation that tumbles clumsily into his brain. Clearly, if some men could learn play women's roles, then the opposite must be true. Even if he'd never seen it, Lashan was from some far away place. Anything was possible. And it made sense in his head that's how this old ox made it all the way from her home to here.

She was so ancient, he wouldn't be surprised if she fit in some soldiering and sword training somewhere between now and then.