#ellietexts

The watchmen marched out into the afternoon sunshine, and did so badly. They were not used to marching. Their normal method of progress was the stroll, which is not a recognized military maneuver, or the frantic withdrawal, which is. In addition, the convection currents of prudent cowardice were operating in the ranks. There was a definite sideways component to each man’s progress as he sought to be in the middle. The watchmen had shields, but they were light wickerwork things that intended to turn blows and deflect stones; they wouldn’t stand up to anything with an edge. The advance, therefore, was by means of a slowly elongating huddle.

The frantically ringing bell. That’s what they’d always used. All the coppers who heard it would converge on it, because an Officer Was In Trouble. Of course, they wouldn’t necessarily help him get out of trouble, not if the odds weren’t right. This was the old Night Watch, after all. But at least they could fish him out of the river or cut him down and see he got a decent burial.

last course registration in five days' time? four more modules until i graduate???