Chapters 4-6 - The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett (Also: The Painted Man)

 It looks like we pause on Arlen and go to another main character in the book, Leesha. This is a common storytelling format that authors will use in the genre. Some readers like it and some do not. We're invested into one or more characters in one story, and then that story abruptly breaks and we go to another one. Fortunately the story is good thusfar, so continue on I shall. Leesha is the typical 13 year old girl, conditioned to be a broodmare for her village and she is ok with it, because that is what normal is to her. I have a feeling that this world will wreak havoc with her naiitivity at some point, similar to how the world flipped me for a spin.

Another all to common situation is the awful mother scenario, aka Elona being an asshole. Perhaps Brett will let us have her 'come-uppance'. It's a classic scenario relevant to today- a young girl promised to a boy, who both like each other- and one who wants to get away from home and start a family. Also, Erny the husband is a complete and total cuckold. I would have never let the relationship reach that point, because it is obvious that Elona is only using him for his money. That and she is bigoted- and apparently mysoginistic. Attractive physically she is supposed to be, but her empathy and 'virtuous person' score is near zero, if it isn't there already.

We learn later that Elona, more or less is one of the town hussies. We are introduced to a new character, Bruna. The town's old hag: the herb gatherer. That title is an understatement in my opinion. It is clear that Bruna is a free thinker and instills fear into most of the village to keep them in line. When the old crone threatens you with 'limp dick' you do what she says. But truthfully, despite her hard appearance she will do the right thing, just in her way which is like kissing a belt sander briefly. Bruna is a character that will lift some ignorance from Leesha, if Bruna can survive that long and not have her house burned by villagers or the corelings. Leesha finds a new purpose in helping people, and although she has a long way to go mentally, I believe she will appreciate her intellectual freedom and put her skills to good use. An apprenticeship is in order? perhaps. We'll see. But already things are taking a dark turn with Leesha's room a mess, stains all over her bed after giving another man 'succor' and Leesha's concern after realizing that Bruna's words are likely true.

So far the book has held steady. Interest has not waned. Given the propensity of this volume to sour VERY quickly- like milk, we are due to have things go horribly wrong. The village in this part of the story, Cutter's Hollow seems to be relatively safe. Sure they lose people and homes to corelings once in a while, but there isn't any wholesome slaughter like we saw in Tibbet's Brook. Now I won't comment on minor's 'messing around' in the story, but I did find the euphemism 'belly slapping' to be hillarious. With a call to the absurd, I imagine two people standing across from each other and towards each other. They take turns smacking each other in the belly, playing 'pink belly' until one person can't take it anymore.

Leesha is pivoting everything on Gared. It seems ok so far and he will probably keep his word, but every time he puts his hand in the 'cookie jar' he goes deeper and wants more. What they say for investment strategies applies here- don't put all of your eggs into one basket. I question whether Leesha is preparing, let alone thinking- about what if the relationship becomes FUBAR. Given her age, I would probably say 'no'. But she certainly has the capacity to become wiser. If her mother had any modicum of intelligence Leesha's retorts would hit the mark- they are like candy coated in sweet sugar until you get to the vicious and possibly nearly empty center.

Bruna's quip about life being a game was brilliant- and sadly true. She doesn't understand yet. Sadly dear, your life is a game to most people. Darcy's relationship with Leesha, if you can call it one is one sided and possibly dangerous. One means well, truly. The other takes insult at everything the other does and can't see the truth. With regards to Bruna and Darcy, it seems that the old woman is content to play with fire- and to fuel it. It may end up consuming her.

Leesha giving Gared the broadside, also known as 'the business' was amusing. Probably deserved- some of it. On one the hand, the girl is a bit of a prude, but on the other she did want to maintain some sort of status quo in the community, worrying about what others will think of her. Gared went and ruined that by making false boasts that make her out to be a whore. Peer pressure perhaps? it doesn't seem that he is very sorry. Something else is going on- and that something else is fear for the future and for salvation against most of the darkness in her life. All of that pent up anger inside her makes her a real feisty one.

But the ugly truth usually comes out sooner or later. Gared sees her as a piece of property, a token, something to be used. That's enough to even get me tempted to swing at guy. See Attack on Titan: Season 4 with the restaurant scene. A thinly veiled threat is issued and the relationship, at best is over as she 'dumps him', and at worst- things will become violent. She should work on her anger, but given everything she has gone through, she would be smart to practice what she preached and get the hell out of there.

The harrowing seems to have begun- the pious fundamentalists, stirring the pot of the crowd will cast her out. Probably the truest words so far in the book, Bruna says 'he will have no idea what he truly had'. It says everything. What I thought would happen did not come to pass, but the protection of this old woman and her grace will allow Leesha to hopefully begin to move on. Remember. NO ONE is a piece of property. Those that are not vain, shallow and corrupt- few as they may be- make life worth living and fighting for.