Galt collected himself well, giving her a smile and crossing his leg in a masculine fashion when she took her seat. For most of his life, when he was meeting someone of import (which was rare), he usually would always be ready to leap up and flee at the slightest provocation. For him to be sitting here and getting more comfortable was rare and showed his trust in her. He didn't even do this around the Duke or the King, though he didn't think she knew that. He took the ledger gingerly, thanking her as he gave it a cursory look. 

He wasn't thrilled at the prospect of all of this 'book learning,' but he knew he wasn't dumb. And he needed to learn this, else he would be quite unprepared for a lot of scenarios he would have to deal with soon. He took a quill and placed it atop the ledger to prepare himself, but rather than begin, she asked him a question he didn't expect. 

"Those bandits? No." He assured her. "Other bandits, maybe." 

A few faces flitted through his mind. Images of hard me he knew who would do anything to get money if they felt it was plausible or profitable enough. Galt didn't feel especially worried, however. They would go after anyone of the aristocracy, and only Galt knew of their usual hangouts and modus operandi. He was probably the safest count this side of the Imperial Peregon. 

"The ones that went after me didn't plan on the Duke, at least until he had already pretty much landed in their lap. They knew a caravan was coming by, but the Duke would have been assumed a commoner and gutted likely." He said, shaking his head at the thought, running dexterous hands over his freshly shaven chin. "A few of them might have recognized him. I know I did. But as far as I know, Halstag and his boys thought the Duke Valdemar was a merchant. Plus, I think Ildeth has a bigger problem with upjumped cutthroats. Say what you will about this Kingdom, but our nobles know how to fight as well as keep a good guard." 

Galt had traveled around a bit, but he knew more from war stories than actual experience. From what he could tell, the Ardeland Nobles went to battle alongside their troops. Not many other nations could boast the same, save for some martial barons and military commanders who were appointed as such. "I think the only reason they or anyone else would come after me specifically would be self defense, and I don't even know if they know where I am. If I were in their shoes, I would know there was a new hotshot count, but even having my name wouldn't make them think it was me. Far as I know, my situation hasn't happened before. But let's talk about that another time, yeah? I'm ready to learn."