Spoils of Patrol

After two full days patrolling the yard, I slipped back inside before the back screen door was shut tight for the night. Hauling that hefty green glass marble up from the floorboards took muscle, but a warrior never abandons good salvage. I levered it up onto the dark oak side table and rolled it straight into a heavy, hammered brass key dish. It collided with a tarnished penny, ringing out with a clean, satisfying chime before coming to a dead halt. The house is warm, silent, and fortified. Marble secured, I leaned against the brass rim to begin tonight's watch.