[What is that tone? Kratos isn't sure about that either. Was Yuan afraid he'd offended him, or might? Hard to say. In the end, Kratos lets it pass, and simply nods as they move up the hill. It's not all one, but a series of small valleys.]

Most of the noble families have them, but there's usually only about a dozen needed at any given time, if that.

[From what Kratos read about the history of law, that was part of the legislation to prevent abuse on the part of the noble families. He had to wonder just what the families had done, before that amendment came into being.]

They all serve different fields -- primarily but not always in the military. Usually they're renewed when there's a shortage in any given occupation.