TRIG SH / SI — Chapter 3 & onwards have injury & healing scenes based on my knowledge of SH / SI.
Swiftnick stands in no such need of delivery from deceit; in a life littered with lice rather than lies. He seems to be lying in a positive pit of the critters. He and Moses have made their own bed, a moss bed, here on the main road. DeeDee might be off in a dudgeon, or even a dungeon for all he cares right now, but a bold brigand chief has to go his own road and stake his own road — the safe road that has no real risk riding on it. That's why, after giving up on the good gold coach with the bad old coacher, he and Moses had made their way to the main highway and made an ambush for all that might come their way. Though he wished they'd made sure there were no mites in the bush to come their way. He can hear the ominous approach of a coach and doesn't dare desert his verminous crouch.
It's another out of Sir John's stable: a coach and pair ... of the right weight and gait to be bearing golden gems, instead of olden gents. This time the driver is a dwarf: small, shabby, scrunched and slumped, sleepily. Swiftnick straightens in his saddle and spurts out of the shrubbery to startle and stop the coach with great effect; it's in no way a great escape from grating insects. Moses must be mithering as there isn't a sign of him; till after a withering wave from a snarky Swiftnick summons him out, to be chewed out by the older boy.
« What is wrong with everybody today! Didn't you see me out there, or something? Dreaming that DeeDee was with you, were you? »
« That's not fair! You never said anything about galloping! You should've warned me, Nick. You know it makes me seasick. »
« Well! You never told me you'd been to sea; did you! How am I supposed to know all your problems? »
« Okay, okay ... Pond Sick then. You never gave me a chance though! »
« Of course I didn't. I was testing your mettle. That's what all great leaders do. We're always thinking about our men. We never think about our own comfort! »
« Metal! What metal? We haven't got anything yet, Nick. Is it in the coach? Is it gold or silver? »
« No! No! Not coiners' metal. The Other Kind. You know: m-e-t-y-l ... m-e-t-t-a-i-l ... m-e-t-u-l-l — oh, never mind; you wouldn't understand. Can't you be quiet! You're distracting me. The coach is going to get away! »
« But! The driver's asleep, Nick »
« Oh. Yes. I wondered how long you'd take to notice that. I'll just go and check the coach then. Moses; you keep an eye on him, in case he wakes up. »
... ... ... ... ... ...
.. ... ... ... ... ...
.. ... ... ... ... ...
« Ugggh! »
« Moses! Why can't you be quiet, when I give you a job to do? What're you doing, lying down like that? This isn't any time to take a nap! OH! Okay, okay; I know you're there Mr Coach Driver. Don't be mad; please don't be mad. We weren't really going to rob you. I was just ... just ... you know ... umm ... teaching my assistant here. Yes! A great leader, like me, has to keep his troops trained all the time. You can understand that can't you? No hard feelings okay. We'll just go our way and let you get on your way, okay? ... ... ... ... My Hat! ... That was My Hat! »
Stunty's swordpoint has caught Swiftnick's hat under the brim and flicked it, flying, from the highwayman's head. The driver's light laughter leaps out; it has a familiar feel to it and the form of the fighter is shifting, straightening, stretching ... into DeeDee. Moses is awake now and wishes he wasn't; while Swiftnick has entirely forgotten his hat, at sight of this sudden scene change. He speaks first:
« Just who's side are you on anyway? What're you doing driving that coach? When did you start working for Sir John »
« Actually, never. I'm the same side as always ... but you should see your faces! »
« It isn't funny! Don't laugh Moses! She scared me half to death ... I mean you should show your leader respect. And, where did you get this coach anyway? It looks just like the one on the old road; please tell me it isn't. It is! Isn't it? Where's the driver? Has he gone for reinforcements? Is he following you? How did you get this coach?
« Won a duel, of course. »
« Well, yes, you would wouldn't you; you against some creaky old wreck of a coach driver. How long did that take? A minute? Two minutes? Tell me you didn't hurt him! That'd really make Sir John mad, I don't want to be hunted down ... I mean I don't want You Lot hunted down. »
« Oh, yes. I can see you're worried, Nick. Don't be! There isn't a problem; we had a duel, I had one hand tied behind my back and it didn't help him. »
« One hand! You're the best DeeDee! »
« Shut Up, Moses! What have I done to deserve this? You're mad, you know that, DeeDee. What if you'd been hurt? What'd we do then? »
« Actually ... . »
DeeDee sweeps her cape aside: jaws slacken and faces ashen ... silence is her tribute.