Just after midnight, far later than his parents would likely deem proper, Becka shoved him out the door after they finally managed to pry themselves off each other. Having a house all to themselves had been both an exciting blessing and a frustrating curse. They’d eagerly experimented with all sorts of intent, but ultimately, because Becka was still of common age, they could only journey so far.

Levos maintained an iron grip so long as intent was involved … at least until three months from now. Once they were both of trial age, they could journey as far as they wished, and it wasn’t like they were entirely limited with a whole house to themselves.

Becka had always been quite clever. Glenn was too.

Glenn whistled cheerfully as he walked back to his house in what would be utter dark save for the well-maintained lanterns glowing at each street corner. Yet when he was halfway home, he suddenly remembered his conversation with Logain back in the town square. Logain or another Town Guard would be on duty now, guarding the gate until 1 in the morning ... when Wolfpine’s gates closed.

What must it be like standing the night watch, when the bustle had died down? Glenn now knew that Town Guards got two days a week where they didn’t work, providing Coleman didn’t put them on extra duty. Yet even if one only stood the night watch a few times a week, it must get lonely.

When the last guard captain, Jeffrey Graybreaker, retired three years ago, he left Wolfpine with seven of eight Town Guards. That meant a position would remain unfilled until the Gods chose a worthy soul to replace the Town Guard who’d retired. Being chosen as a Town Guard was among the highest honor the Gods could bestow on anyone, a rare feat that only happened every few years.

Still, a town of Wolfpine’s size could survive on as low as six guards—Card’s Book of Town Growth listed that quite clearly—so it could be months or even years before the Gods chose a replacement. Some in Wolfpine would even relish the chance to gain the ability to wear [God Armor] and become an unstoppable Protector of All, but not Glenn. He wanted to see the world, instead.

Yet Glenn was already going to be late getting home, and his mother did know Logain. Saying he’d stopped by to visit with the old guard would be a great excuse for being out past when he should be, and he suspected Logain would support him. Something about the man just inspired trust.

Glenn diverted to the gates, which stood on the south side of town facing the Safe Road to Evolan. He arrived to find two people, a man and a woman in gleaming [God Armor], standing in close proximity in the middle of the town gates. Both glanced his way, then, as if by unspoken agreement, stepped apart as he approached.

Had the two of them been chatting? Glenn supposed that must get bored like anyone else, and at least Logain didn’t have to stand watch alone. He quickened his pace and waved, but neither guard acknowledged him. They just stood their posts beside each side of the open town gate.

Glenn stopped in the gate and glanced at the male guard. “Logain?”

The man said nothing. This was strange. Were they intentionally ignoring him?

“Mister Cliffbreeze?” Glenn tried.

Nothing.

“Guard?” he tried, finally.

Logain turned to him, and Glenn recognized the once friendly gray eyes behind the full-face helmet. Yet now those eyes were stern and hard. “Can I help you with something, citizen?”

That was far more formal than Glenn expected. Was there more protocol to being a Town Guard than simply standing at the gates and not leaving until one’s shift had ended? And, of course, bravely dashing out to destroy any Monster that dared attack someone within 50 paces of the town walls.

“I’m sorry if I’m intruding,” Glenn said. “I merely wanted to see how you are.”

Logain’s gray eyes remained calm. “Can I help you with something, citizen?”

It was obvious that Glenn had been mistaken about just what Kya, Goddess of Duty, would allow Town Guards to do while standing their watch. Yet if he couldn’t converse with Logain or his partner, he could at least offer his genuine thanks. He knew they didn’t hear that enough.

“I don’t need anything,” Glenn assured Logain. “I was just walking home, and I decided to stop by the gates and thank you both for all you do to protect us.” He turned to the female guard, whose [God Armor] armor obviously marked her as such. “You too, Miss … Guard. Thank you.”

Glenn had never understood why the Gods designed Adventurer armor to look different on women—curves and cleavage windows offered no tactical benefit Glenn could imagine—but the Gods gave little reason for their decrees. Adventurer armor transformed itself in real time when swapped between the sexes, reshaping itself to expose or protect flesh as soon as a man or woman put it on. He had always found that bizarre, but how could a simple mortal understand the Gods?

The female Town Guard merely nodded and returned her gaze to the fields.

“Right,” Glenn said, and bowed his head. “I’ll be going then. Good night, both.” He turned toward town, gave Logain one more glance, and found the man staring straight ahead.

It must be incredibly lonely to be a Town Guard. Glenn hoped they could at least talk to each other when others weren’t around. Yet as he walked off, the female guard cleared her throat.

“Citizen,” she said gravely.

Glenn stopped and spun back about. “Yes?”

He didn’t even think of running. When a Town Guard addressed a person like that, they listened. Humans could never assault one another unless both Consented, but Town Guards were one of the few exceptions to the Law of Consent. Within their town and for fifty paces in all directions beyond its walls, they could assault anyone who gave cause ... other than the town’s mayor.

If someone violated the rules of the town or Gods, a Town Guard could arrest them or even knock them senseless without first obtaining Consent. The guards could also run five times as fast as the fastest Adventurer, thanks to their [Fleet Boots]. There was rarely any escape.

“You’re out past curfew,” the female guard said.

Glenn turned pale. “I’m sorry. I just finished a visit with a friend. I’m walking home now.” When had Mayor Coleman imposed a curfew?

Logain turned now to face Glenn. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that, son.”

Glenn didn’t fully understand, but he didn’t dare disobey. He was so confused, and just a bit worried. “All right? I mean, I’m sorry I’m out past curfew. What happens now?”

“Now you dance,” the female guard said.

Glenn stared.

“You heard her,” Logain added sternly. “Dance, Mister Redwood. A jig would be nice, though we’ll accept cavorting if you don’t feel up to the task.”

Glenn had never heard anything about this. “You want me to dance?”

The female guard strode forward with a clank of fitted and curved armor. “If you need a partner, I’ll dance with you. Though I do warn you, I tend to step on feet.”

Glenn couldn’t believe this. “You’re both messing with me!”

“Oh, we’re quite serious,” the female guard insisted, and offered one armored hand. “Now, Mister Redwood. You owe me a dance. It’s this or the town jail.”

“I’d listen to Joanne if I were you,” Logain said sternly. “She’s not near so nice as me.”

Still struggling to decide if Joanne was serious, pulling an absurd prank, or simply insane, Glenn gingerly took her hand. And then, with her form-fitting armor clanking, they danced like two good friends in a tavern, clasping hands and spinning. Glenn somehow avoided armored boots on his shoes.

Joanne spun him one last time, revealing she was far stronger than even he was now, and then sent him twirling off toward town. Glenn spun and caught himself, but only barely. He threw his arms and breathed deep, struggling to stop the spinning world from throwing him down.

“He is impressive!” Joanne agreed warmly, and glanced at Logain. “A lesser man would be on his ass after that. And only Level 5?”

“He’s a Redwood,” Logain said proudly. “They’re a special breed.”

Glenn focused on balance—he had more trouble maintaining it now than he’d had after six cups of Lakebrooke Harbor Mead—but they were, obviously, pulling a prank on him now.

“Am I still going to jail?”

Joanne laughed inside her helmet. It was a merry, pleasant sound. “Thank you for coming all the way out here to check on us. You had no cause to visit, and we’ve been hopelessly cruel, but I simply couldn’t resist a little fun.”

“She’s covering for me,” Logain said warmly. “This was absolutely my idea. As you can imagine, we do get pretty bored out here at night.”

“Messing with you about curfew was Logain’s idea,” Joanne assured Glenn, as she walked back to stand at her post. “Not the dance. The dance was all me, and you’re a sport, Glenn.”

Glenn smiled as the spinning world slowed. “That was an experience.”

Joanne glanced his way, blue eyes merry behind her full-face helmet. “Perhaps we’ll dance another sort of jig someday.” As Logain thumped her arm, she laughed. “When he’s much older.”

Glenn only belatedly realized what Joanne had just suggested, and he felt a flush. She had to be so much older than him, but also … experienced? Gods, this last night with Becka had left his mind wild.

Logain glanced at Glenn and offered a wave. “Have a good night, Glenn. And tell your mother I said hello. I suppose you’ve been out here talking with us for some time, haven’t you?”

Glenn only then remembered why he’d come here. “Oh. Yes! For quite some time.”

“He certainly wasn’t spending all that time with his friend, in her house,” Joanne agreed.

“Right!” Glenn said.

“Off with you then,” Logain said. “Get home. You’ve now talked our ears off.”

Glenn waved. “Good night to you both!” Grinning anew, he turned and jogged back into town.