Northstar Vale Souvenirs de Toi

Carefully, she began to circle the boy. She kept some distance between them - a practiced expression of regality and indifference painted on her face. He had backed down and listened well so far; she was impressed.

Analysing the boy, he appeared healthy - nearly as large as Chaudry with a leaner build. It caused her to hesitate. If she chased him away, would she be chasing him into the ridge? Would they take him in?

In a moment of rare petty behaviour, she made a decision. She would offer the boy hospitality so long as it prevented him from going to the other side of the field. "Have you ate recently my dear?" Her words came out softer, as though speaking to a child.

Stopping her circles she approached, she continued. "You look deathly thin. Let me feed you something - the vale has plenty." He looked far from thin, in fact he seemed to be primarily muscle. She was channelling her inner grandmother she supposed.