Kester shrugs with the affected indifference of an adolescent and tucks the kukri into his belt.
"You ain't worth it anyway, Hooky," he says to the gnome.
"You listen to your olders and betters, boy," says Hookshanks with a sneer. Then, reverting to a grovelling tone he adds, "Thank you, kind sirs, for saving me from this ungrateful brat."
"Magic Lady!" says Kuru, the Shoanti boy. "Scary green man hit me, but I didn't cry."
Kester looks over the other children and then back to Bael and Tristan.
"Okay, looks like Stumpy and the Horser boy are being rescued. Don't suppose you've come for anyone? If not, guess we'll be going. Stick a knife in Lamm for me."
OOC: Don't know how old Kuru was meant to be, but I've made him quite young to contrast with Kester's world-weary attitude.