Pierce Blackmail Pt. 2

[Aleswyn(#21413)]

Though many people who have known her for years would say that Aleswyn is soft-spoken, that is not a quality she exudes this day; in fact, were one to search of a word, they would likely find orotund to be fitting as she speaks with great strength and clarity to the man upon whom she gazes with a look of pity. "An accident, I think not. You sent the knife through my boot, just as you set fire to the house and blamed another." She shakes her head from side to side and lets out a sigh, as if something has disappointed her. "Indeed, it seems as if you find truth-telling to be difficult. But!" she continues on, without giving the man on the ground a chance to defend himself. "But as it would be, I take pity on fools who know no better, and so shall I take pity on you."

[Pierce(#32225)]
The man on the ground looks up at the woman flummoxed by the accusation. "But. . I . . There . . " The words tumble fruitlessly to the ground as Pierce entirely misses her last barb. His eyes blink rapidly, his brow furrows and he shakes his head. A pause: "I wasn't blamin' noone." He pulls himself up on his elbows and scoots himself a few feet again away from his accusor. "What're you talkin' about?"

[Aleswyn(#21413)]
"Strange, is it not, that so many things happen when you are around, but amazingly you are never to blame. I suppose you will claim innocence in what happened to that sweet lad at my party a short time back?" She makes no move at this time to draw closer to the younger man, content is she to stand under the full protection of the tree. "But as I said, I do take pity on fools, and you seem like a fool who could be of use. At least, when you refrain from idiocy."

[Pierce(#32225)]
The words, or sounds rather, uttered by the man would not be found in any lexicon found in Bree or the surrounding regions, but instead it would be characterized more as a cry, grunt and a groan all at the same time. "Fool" causes Pierce to fly to his feet. "I ain't a fool, and I ain't never said that I didn't hit 'em. Just that I didn't mean ta do it. It was an. . ." The last word faulters and bites his lip. "I don't need yer, pity." He says, though it sounds almost like the wind has been knocked out of him.

[Aleswyn(#21413)]
A peal of humour-less laughter rings out at Pierce's last words as Aleswyn regards him. "You would do well to not anger me, lad. It takes a fair bit of work to raise my ire, but once it has been done, it is not easily undone." She rubs her chin thoughtfully and peers off to the right as she apparently takes a moment to think. Having found the answer to her thought, she continues, looking at Pierce once again, "I had thought to give you a reference or two, of people who unwisely angered me." Now she shrugs, and continues, "But I believe they have all succ . . . " She clears her throat quickly, then re-states, "That is, I have never had more than one cross word with any of them."

[Pierce(#32225)]
"I wasn't tryin' to anger you. It's just . . ." Pierce's face contorts with confusion and anger: "I don't understand. It was an accident!" The word fairly rings and catches the gaze of a far-off passerby, but only for a fleeting moment. The blacksmith swallows hard and trembles slightly, "I mean, it was!" he says less forcefully, a twinge of doubt at his own innocence creaps in. "I didn't ever mean to hurt anybody, but Anna--" His words fail completely as his voice breaks. His eyes drop to the ground and his shoulders give a few brief heaves.

To be continued ... Again