Xaviel was trusted with the high honor of keeping watch. That meant he was to sit in the bushes for hours on end, in the cold of winter, with breezes cutting through his clothes, as thick as they were. The fact that there was no snow was the only miracle afforded to him. In the silent forest, he was bound to get bored.

Of course, that didn’t last long. He cursed under his breath was he was forced against the tree, feeling a cold blade on his throat. He was going to be in trouble for this.