Night Watch

The warm beam of the lamp marked out my station. I advanced across the polished table, keeping my boots aligned with the wood grain. Ahead lay a circular ceramic coaster woven with blue and ochre geometric knots. I tapped its rim with the pommel of my sword. It did not tilt. Stepping onto the raised surface, I planted the base of my standard firmly in the center. The elevated ridge gave me full oversight of the darkened parlor below. All clear. The night watch begins.