The Nazhor Chronicles (storyline)/Night Watch (vignette)

Night Watch - Nazhor Chronicles
Originally posted on the official forums by GameMaster Quilic on 3/11/2019 at 1:46 PM.

The guard looked around surreptitiously before turning the door's handle. The darkness combined with the mist did a reasonably good job of camouflaging late-night dwellers, but the guard knew that with his bulk, he had to be extra cautious. Especially this night, at this place.

The door swung inward, and the guard stepped into the darkened entryway of the cottage, gently pushing the door shut behind him. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, then made his way towards the back room, where flickering shadows on the wall revealed the presence of a candle. As the guard stepped into the room, he looked to the candle perched atop the bedside table. Then at the bed itself, and it's occupant.

Administrator Ilsola Tuulikki lay, pale as a ghost, under a pile of blankets, shivering. Her eyes were wild, flickering in every direction, but completely unfocused. Her mouth moved occasionally, but no sounds were emitted. She hadn't spoken for four days, according to-

"What news?" came an even-toned voice from behind the guard. The guard closed his eyes and waited for his pulse to quiet. The man unnerved him greatly, and had an unnatural ability to be completely still. The guard finally turned to regard the man in the chair.

"No sign of the krolvin, Socius. They came in waves, but retreated shortly after you sent in the reinforcements."

"And the drunkard?"

"No sign of him either. He may be holed up somewhere, but I daresay he'll be better at hiding than we will at finding him."

Socius gave no kind of visible reaction to that statement, but the silence that followed it quickly became oppressive. After a long minute, the guard cleared his throat.

"Of course, we'll keep looking. I'm sure we'll find him."

Socius nodded once, then turned his green-eyed gaze back to the form in the bed. The guard quickly took the hint and hurried out of the room, letting himself back out into the night.

When the man had gone, and the only sound in the room was the wind outside, Socius opened his mouth to speak, then paused. He began again, but again no words would come. Finally, he managed it, his voice a pale echo of his normal, controlled demeanor.

"I'm sorry, Ilsola. So, so sorry. I thought it was safe. That I had it all under control. I knew you were struggling with materials for the cottage, and that was something I could actually DO. I knew you were comfortable, and so I left. And while I did... they came for you. I thank whatever deities might be listening that the adventurers found you, and got you out of there... even if it comes to pass that one of them was responsible for putting you into this state. I failed you, Ilsola, and I promise you I will make it right. Here, I can protect you. Here, you are safe. Rest easy, Administrator. The Scion guards your bed until you arise from it. Then... we will fix things."

His voice, so vulnerable and unsure at the beginning of the statement, had hardened back to cold steel by the end. Socius sat, focused entirely on the bed, and did not speak again.