Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Andrew's POV*

I walked past the gathering crowd, into the Council Chambers. I refrained from scowling at the girls that called out my name, it would have been rude and unnecessary. Nevertheless, I found it beyond irritating when they did that. Most of them barely knew me. If they did, they would have known my heart was too broken to offer to anyone again. I was particularly not in the mood right then. I was just starting to get a headache, and my stomach still hurt.

I took my place next to Blasko, who was, of course, dressed to the nines. He turned to me, looking humorless. "Andrew, the Meeting's about to start, so I can't go into depth. But I want you to know you're about to get a very critical assignment."

He put his hand on my shoulder, gripping it. "When we were discussing the matter, my thoughts came to you first. Redeem yourself.” He looked me hard in the eye, and his deep brown orbs locked onto me with a severe gaze. “Don't let me down, son." After a second’s pause, he gave me a brisk pat before facing front. I had no time to say anything before the lamps dimmed and the Council Meeting started. My thoughts raced wildly, excited. A way I could redeem myself?

The Voice of the Council stood, Councilman Sebastian. I wondered if he ever got tired of having to talk so much at meetings. He probably drank half the water in that fancy flagon of theirs. "Brothers and Sisters, today we have received an exile from a neighboring tribe. Her name is Eliza. As by regulation, her surname has been struck from record, and she may choose a new one at her leisure. She is a Night Fae, and previously an unranked member of the Night Watch in her former tribe. Eliza’s service record with the Night Watch was pristine.

"It has been decided that Eliza will become the ward of Andrew, Second Officer of the Night Watch.” Sebastian took a sip of water and then shifted to address me directly, and I slowly began to process what he had just said.Me?

“Andrew, you are in charge of all aspects of Eliza's training and shifts on the Night Watch, getting her acquainted with the tribe, the village, integrating her with daily life, and familiarizing her with the terrain as appropriate. You are to stay together twenty-four/seven, never letting Eliza out of your observation, until further notice. Eliza is required to complete extra shifts, working six Nights a week as recompense for the crime she committed that resulted in her exile, again until otherwise informed. As you generally work every Night voluntarily, this shouldn't be a problem, correct, Andrew?"

My eyes bugged out of my head. I had to babysit? I had no time to think further, however. "Correct."

"Great!" Exclaimed Elder Lemmy. "Go ahead and bring her on in, then." I tried not to squirm under the scrutiny of all the gathered Officers and Council Members. I caught an intense scowl from Councilwoman Joan. She was apparently unimpressed with my lackluster, delayed reaction. I felt my cheeks heat up in shame and stood stiffly at attention as I kept my eyes on the floor.

After a while I heard the door open, and two soldiers led in an unbound, plain, heavy-set woman. She had long, dark hair that was terribly messy and tangled. Her deep burgundy wings were torn, and one looked very badly broken. She was an ugly mess. She must have just arrived.

"Andrew, step up." Sebastian gestured at me and I came towards the front. "This is Eliza. Eliza, this is Andrew, Second Officer of the Night Watch, of the Wild Ones, protector of the Soul of the Forest. We are transferring you into his care. You are now his ward, and to stay with him at all times, without exception, until we, the Council, otherwise decree. Andrew is going to help you integrate into our society and become a member of our Night Watch. Understood?"

Both of us responded in tandem. "Yes." I looked the poor woman in the eye for the first time.She had pretty, light green eyes, but they were full of defeat and hurt.

"Very good!” Elder Lemmy smacked a fist on the old Meeting table. “Eliza, you go stand with Andrew then. Just a bit more to go about that damned sewage system and then we're done!" He clapped his hands in satisfaction.

I motioned to Eliza, and she walked towards me. Once she was actually next to me, I saw she was coated with splotches of mud and dirt, and many, many untreated wounds that were beginning to fester. I took her hand to guide her back towards my place by Blasko. Gods, she stank of prison and infection!

Just as I was turning to walk up the aisle, I saw that Elder Ozzy had been watching me intently as I had made a small face at Eliza’s horrible odor. Unlike Councilwoman Joan, he gave no external sign of approval or disapproval, he just continued to scrutinize the two of us as I guided Eliza back to my station by Blasko, my face burning with embarrassment.

As soon as Blasko got a whiff of Eliza, he whispered to me, "It's ok, get her home and fixed up. I'd go out the back if I were you." I looked at Eliza, but she just stared straight ahead, at nothing, her face like iron. I nodded at Blasko and again took Eliza gently by the hand to guide her to the back exit.

Notes

meet Eliza!

she has wings a bit like a bat or a dragon. they look a bit like these, except right now, one of hers is badly broken:



Eliza has abnormally large horns for a Fae. Hers are also damaged at the ends. They resemble those of an American blackbelly ram: