Often, when a table has long and short sides, the most important person is seated at the top, yes? But a round table has no sides. I presume the king didn't sit at the table.

[One of the books has someone in an inaccurate horned helmet; he considers it. But Hawk will ask, and they'll get on to Loki, and it will be a whole thing. He gets the unspoken impression that someone in his head thinks he's a coward; well, let him.]