As Sithe and Lady Heiler talked, a hulking giant came into
the common room. Sythius was carrying two of the younger girls on his massive
shoulders, and they were currently braiding various flowers from the back
gardens into his hair. He seemed not to notice what they were doing. His gaze
was wholly inward.
With a grunt, and a thud
that shook the building, Sythius sat on the floor. The other children all
halted their various games and migrated around Unca Syth, who seemed to have a
golden touch. Mostly, Sithe thought, it had to do with his own child-like
temperament.
The big man was simply too stupid to be threatening, in spite
of his size and strength.
And ... his gifts.
“Who’s this?” Lady
Heiler wondered. “Surely he’s a touch older than your usual suspects, Madam Breckenridge?”
“Call me Sithe,” the matron said dismissively. “My hair may
be grey, but I’m no older than you are.”
Lady Heiler smirked again.
“His name is Sythius,” Sithe said. “I hear tell from a
minstrel who came here some time back that he’s a hunter from Tera.” Sithe
could tell from the way Lady Heiler’s eyes widened that she knew the name, and
wouldn’t need any further explanation. “Come to think of it,” Sithe continued, “I
haven’t the foggiest where that
damned minstrel got himself to. Hmph. Typical.”
“Yet this hunter stays,” Lady Heiler noted. “Seems he’s
popular.”
Sythius was currently using his superhuman strength to carry
... everyone on his back. He stood smoothly, seemingly without effort, and
grinned so broadly that his face cracked.
Lady Heiler laughed. “Very popular.”
* * *
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