I imagine that for Deirdre it's a much simpler life out on the battlefield. You don't have to worry about the games people play or the subtext. Out there it's much more raw and basic. Not saying there aren't layers of complexity, but when relating to people in social settings there are all sorts of conventions to respect and things to remember, but in battle, none of that matters. I imagine perhaps as a younger person Deirdre found it hard to make friends but in battle she earned the respect of people who wouldn't have otherwise taken the time to know her. Perhaps because of the simplicity of the battlefield it is why she has such a worldly knowledge of things as well as no time for things like species prejudice or social standing.

To Deirdre, she probably doesn't give a hoot you're a duke, if you're an asshole, she'll let you know she thinks so.

You imagine correctly. While I'm sure that serving in the military, and being out on the field, has its own forms of complexity, it also seems to offer a far more obvious structure of rules and ranks and protocols for behavior than civilian life does, and that's something that Deirdre has, at the very least, gotten used to. It might have been different if she hadn't become a soldier at the age of 13 and spent most of her life in one army or another, but after all that time she finds life outside the military to be rather daunting. As I've said, it's pretty much all she knows how to do anymore. This is also, to her shame, why she had such a rocky relationship with Ciara when the girl was younger, since being a General was much easier, for her, than being a mother.

You're right about that point, too. She is very free with her opinion and not shy at all about telling someone what she thinks of them. That said, it's not just restricted to telling people off, as she's equally free with compliments and praise when she feels they're deserved.

I imagine it's something she works to rectify the further along she gets. After all, mother is a job you never give up. ;) Plus, at least in In The City of Cats and after, she seems to take to it more readily at least.

It's a quality to be respected, though I'm sure in some cases it can be awkward. ;)

gotta give an epic speech to the troops to boost morale