Night Triad Alignment

I leaned forward on one knee, resting my gauntlet against the damp gravel beside the miniature pool. Darkness cloaked the rushing river outside, but within the quartz rim, the surface held still as black glass. The floating elderberry ring framed the submerged mica strip without a drift. Overhead, three cold stars pierced the opening between the hemlock boughs. I shifted my weight back onto my armored heels by a measured fraction, tilting my head. The central star's reflection settled straight through the suspended pyrite weight, resting true against the mica line. The night watch holds firm.