Niamh scrubbed the walls, counters, floors, dishes, absolutely everything in the kitchen. She honestly didn't mind the punishment too much but it was still embarrassing to be reprimanded in front of everyone...
"Niamh, it looks pretty good in here. Why don't you take this diligence and apply it to your normal work?" The words came in a softer tone from her commander now that he was not angry. He wiped a finger across the counter "it's completely spotless and you almost seem to enjoy this work. I may have to find a different punishment for you or you may never learn" he laughed quietly at his own joke but Niamh just raised an eyebrow at him and finished drying the pans
"Longing to be a commoner and even longing to be out in the woods is not safe for us. We have wings and that makes us targets. At least as guards we are respected in the city. Why do you want so badly to make your life more difficult?" Niamh was truly shocked at her commanders question, it almost sounded like he was sorry that he couldn't do something to help her. The thought that maybe he also had a dream of being something other than a guard flew across her mind and then was gone.
"I would take difficulty over boredom any day!" Niamh said confidently. Her commander sighed "you are truly impossible. Lord help me if I have another one like you before I retire or die"
"Niamh, I can not do anything to help you with becoming a commoner but if you want so badly to go out into the woods... we may be able to arrange something. I know that the special team has been looking for someone to scout ahead and that requires someone small and fast compared to the brick walls they call soldiers. You would be well suited if you can pass the entry requirements"
Niamh felt an immense emotion welling up inside her that she could not fully identify. She wanted to cry and scream and jump around all at once but also wanted to be calm collected and seem unfazed. Suddenly Niamh realized she hadn't been breathing because she was so excited and she gulped in a big breath of air and immediately started profusely thanking her commander.
Enough thank yous didn't exist for Niamh. "Alright enough, tomorrow after your shift come to my office and I will have you talk with the commander that needs a scout. This is not guaranteed so don't you dare get your hopes up and then blame me!" He wagged his finger at her but he was only being half serious. It was amazing how a one on one interaction made the night watchmans commander seem so much softer around the edges.
"I understand, but you know you may have to pay me double for my shift tonight" Niamh smirked "because you have just made it the longest shift I will ever work in that boring tower!"
NOTE: sorry this chapter is short and has taken so long I hit some writers block and haven't been able to make any headway with this story. Hopefully now that I've taken a break from it for almost a month I will be able to come back to it fresh and with new ideas.
Thanks for reading it and being okay with the long wait!!