Snippet #1688606

"Smithy, you bloody idiot.." began Red, but she was silenced by the old woman, who raised her hand and a hush fell upon the crowd. Leaning slightly upon a stick, she half-hobbled, half-strode up to Sly, gazed at him for a few moments with white eyes clouded with blindne, and spoke in a voice that emanated wisdom, passion, fury, and many more things. "You will be silent, boy." she said, making it clear that she regarded him as nothing more than a child. "Do not act better than those who you once were. You were his age once, and boys of that age make mistakes. If you had seen a mark of the Cruel One, would you not have been hasty to attack? But ensure you do not make one extremely fatal mistake, Sylvester Broadsword. Yes, I know your name, and many more things about you. If you ever so much a raise a finger to any child or teenager in this village, there will be repercussions." she said 'repercussions' in a tone that clearly meant 'you will most probably be reduced to a huddled mass, quivering in the corner and being prodded by a stick'. She walked away with dignity. "Seline, make beds ready for our guests. And bring your wounded companion to see me, Winifred." she called over one shoulder. Red nodded with a grimace, then walked over to Sly. "You bloody pillock." she said, resiting the urge to smack him across the head. "You just had to piss off Mother Delaney, didn't you. Never mind." she said, walking back to her horse, and Swinging Jace across her shoulder, grabbing Sly by the writ, and leading him to the woman's tent. "Zanetta, you follow the girl with the blond pigtails and red dress." she called. The village bustled once more.