"Fierce Protectors" by Mark Ivan Cole

"Well now, fellow, you might want to retract that statement, seein' as how these little ladies might not take so kindly to it. And I'd suggest you retract that pointy piece of metal you've been waving about. Someone might get hurt, and though my nose has taken a cut or two, it won't be gettin' one today." He shook his head and addressed the tiny faeries flitting angrily about his head and shoulders. "Now don't you girls get all in a ruckus. He didn't mean that, now did you, son?" The old fellow raised an eyebrow at the sword wielder. The blade swished past his face, mimicking the line of one of his many scars. "Oh, now that's just too bad," said the old man with a wry smile. "I guess the girls are gonna have to teach you a hard lesson about underestimation. Don't say I didn't warn you, fellow. This is gonna hurt you a lot more than it's gonna hurt me."