[He keeps up the attention, though mild enough not to distract, while he listens through the story. It's a better one, less upsetting yet impressive all over again. Not just the first female knight in an age, but one of high accomplishments.]

Man, closest I ever got to something like that was making friends with some of our consorts. They never made me any fancy shaman, though. I just got them to stop trying to steal my stuff.

[In the background, the difference sits in his mind, percolating over the concept of 'hero'.]