It wasn't the first time he had fielded questions about the obvious and, to some, worrying marks on his face and neck. The explanations weren't so simple or easy to deliver, but it was one of the answers he had always lied about, even to those closest to him - thus far, at least. There hadn't been a reason to tell them the truth of the matter then and he didn't see any reason to start now.

He took a length of the gauze from the roll and held it to wrap loosely about the boy's head at just such an angle that it should cover his tainted eye. "Hold still for me. Oh, they hurt, they did. Cut the skin and there's pain. Not anymore though." He frowned at the makeshift eyepatch he worked over the boy's head. This was going to slip off easily if he didn't bind it tight enough, but too tight would be unbearable. "This is going to be a right pain to keep on you."