Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Andrew’s POV*

I was drowning! I forced open my eyes; I had heard Ashley groaning! “Ash, Ash, are you ok?!?”

Was it the trolls again? More goblins? I had to find Ash! I sat up and looked around blearily, rubbing water and wet hair out of my face. But as soon as I saw James and Blasko, the present came crashing down, along with a massive headache. Oh shit...

“Get the fuck up, Second Officers!” James had that vein going at his temple. “I said, get the fuck up!” James may not have been my direct commanding Officer, but all soldiers of the Watch obey the command of any First Officer. I struggled, sopping wet, to my feet. I saw Ashley was already up, and he offered me a hand, but I pretended not to notice. Fucking kiss-ass!

“This bullshit stops tonight!” James walked right in front of Ashley and yelled in his face, spittle flying pell-mell. “Do you hear me, Second Officer Ashley?”

“Yes First Officer!” Ashley was winking funny. He clearly had gotten spit in his eye. I snickered.

Blasko walked right up to me, radiating so much anger I tensed myself for a blow. None came, but the fact that he was fuming inches in front of me, complete with twitching upper eyelid, took me aback. I had figured he was just going to let James have at me. It told me tonight was different; some line had been crossed.

Blasko glowered at my wince.“That goes for you too, Second Officer Andrew! There will be no more blows exchanged during the Changing of the Guard unless it is in defense of the Village or the Soul of the Forest!” He shoved his face against mine, scowling, so close that our noses were touching. “Do we understand each other, crystal clear?” He was practically hissing, his beard tickled, yuck!

“Yes First Officer!” Blasko leaned back on his heels, smiling.

“Well, that’s good. Otherwise, there will be certain… repercussions.” Blasko looked at James, and gave him a nod. I suppressed a sigh of relief when Blasko took a few steps back to give James the floor once again.

“Indeed. Gentlemen, if you fuck up one more time, you will be relieved of your duties in the Watch, and your posts will be awarded to Jinxx and Ronnie.” My stomach dropped through my asshole. That couldn’t happen!

The proclamation was clearly news to both Jinxx and Ronnie as well. Their eyes shot wide open in horror, plainly wanting no part in any dismissals.

James grinned evilly. “In fact, why don’t both of you head on home for the evening and practice being civilians, see how you like it? Jinxx and Ronnie here can fill in for you for the rest of the Ceremony, that you so rudely interrupted, since you’ve both proven unreliable. Ronnie can cover for Andrew on Watch for the rest of the Night.”

“Yes First Officer!” We replied in tandem. I hadn’t been in a situation like this in years! This was outrageous!

“Very good, Officers. You are dismissed for the evening. See you both at the Council Meeting tomorrow.” I felt the First Officers’ eyes boring into us as we walked, wet and bedraggled, up the hill, along the path towards the Village and the living areas.

In the distance I just heard Blasko say, “Hopefully, by then, he’ll have learned something.”

Notes

visual aids:

hetfield maketh the frowny face:



blasko concurs:



now use your imaginations- add some wings and horns. haha!