Possible Clues:

• Tagalongs
• Followers performing with swords at the front
• Sycophants, unwanted followers
• Hear song, ill-written, about northern groupies
• Resentment splitting husband and maybe young male dependants
• Toadies in hospital enrage surgeon lacking drive
• Leeches in hospital make boy's blood boil?
• Coattail riders
• Persistent (and annoying) companions
• Sycophantic associates