“My dad,” he squeaked. He got control again. “My dad,” he said, “said to me-” He fought for breath.
“Son,” said the horse, helpfully.
“What?”
“Son,” said the horse. “No father ever calls his boy ‘son’ unless he's about to impart wisdom. Well-known fact.”
“It's my reminiscence.”
“Sorry.”
“He said...Son...yes, okay...Son, when you can face down a troll in a single combat, then you can do anything.”