Tales from the Tavern

On Duty

"Want a smoke?"

"No, man. We're on guard."

"So?"

"So we can't do that."

"Sure we can. Ain't anyone gonna know."

"The sergeant said no fire."

"What does he know? It's hardly a spark anyhow."

"I know. It still glows. And that's the whole problem."

"Problem? You actually think someone'll see?"

"They could, Criss. That forest could hide a dozen castles, and we'd never know. They put us here for a reason, didn't they?"

"Sure, but there ain't a thing in there. Just rocks and trees and stories. I'm gonna light up."

"Hold on. How do you know what's there? You've never been under those trees, not anymore than the rest of us."

"So? It don't matter when there's nothing. You want a light?"

"No."

"C'mon. You'd lighten up."

"No."

"Gods, it's just a smoke. It ain't killing nobody."

"At least hide the end, or I might."

"Hah. That a threat, kid?"

"I don't want any trouble. From Sarge or anyone else. Anything else."

"But you think killing me ain't a trouble. You think you'd have no trouble with that? Hell, if you manage it, they'll string you up."

"It'd still be less trouble than if your light brings something out of the forest."

"Hah. You really are hung up on that, ain't you? That forest and the stories your granddad used to tell you, I bet."

"Not my grandfather."

"Say again?"

"Not stories from my grandfather. I read about this place before we left the city."

"Stories, kid. Stories in a book, and a hundred years old. Relax."

"I'll relax when we're not guarding the camp "

"Gods, kid. I'm almost done anyway. And see? Nothing happened."

"And you'll just keep saying that until the day something does."

"I reckon I will. Good thing it didn't tonight. You'd never let up."

-- -- -- -- --

Just a little dialogue practice. Thoughts on the characters, their voices? Do you buy in? Vote and let me know your thoughts, please!