Oats turned to the assembled Lancrastians for support.
'You wouldn't let a poor old lady go off to confront monsters on a wild night like this, would you?'
They watched him owlishly for a while just in case something interestingly nasty was going to happen to him.
Then someone near the back said, 'So why should we care what happens to monsters?'
And Shawn Ogg said, 'That's Granny Weatherwax, that is.'
'But she's an old lady!' Oats insisted.
The crowd took a few steps back. Oats was clearly a dangerous man to be around.
'Would you go out alone on a night like this?' he said.
The voice at the back said, 'Depends if I knew where Granny Weatherwax was.'
'Don't think I didn't hear that, Bestiality Carter,' said Granny, but there was just a hint of satisfaction in her voice. 'Now, are we fetchin' your mule, Mr Oats?'
'Are you sure you can walk?'
'Of course I cant'
Oats gave up. Granny smirked triumphantly at the crowd and strode through them and towards the stables, with him trotting after her.
When he hurried around the corner he almost collided with her, standing as stiff as a rod.
'Is there anyone watchin' me?' she said.
'What? No, I don't think so. Apart from me, of course.'
'You don't count,' said Granny.
She sagged, and almost collapsed. He caught her, and she pummelled him on the arm. The wowhawk flapped its wings desperately.
'Let go! I just lost my footin', that's all!'
'Yes, yes, of course. You just lost your footing,' he said soothingly.
'And don't try to humour me, either.'
'Yes, yes, all right.'
'It's just that it don't do to let things slide, if you must know.'
'Like your foot did just then...'
'Exactly.'
'So perhaps I'll take your arm, because it's very muddy.'
He could just make out her face. It was a picture, but not one you'd hang over the fireplace. Some sort of inner debate was raging.
'Well, if you think you're going to fall over...' she said.
'That's right, that's right,' said Oats gratefully. 'I nearly hurt my ankle back there as it is.'
'I've always said young people today don't have the stamina,' said Granny, as if testing out an idea.