The First Offense

by Snaperkids

Wake Up

"Hey, wake up," the red haired boy tried in vain to wake his sleeping friend who had just waved him off for a third time this morning.

"I'm serious. They said they'd be doing rounds in ten minutes, and you know what happens if you're not awake by then," the brown haired boy down finally started to get out of the bed he occupied because even though he valued sleep he was more afraid of what would happen if they found him asleep. As was usual the sun had just begun to rise and greet the land beneath it. Usually when he found himself awake this early he would just and see the pure beauty that was dawn's arrival, but sadly he couldn't stay to see the celestial orb blanket the land below it with its warm, brilliant rays.

"So how did you sleep last night Geoff," the brown haired man asked as he turned his head away from the window the sun would peak through.

"One of my better night’s sleep compared to this past week. How about you James, you sleep any better," Geoff said with a contented smile stretched across his face.

"Sadly I can't say I've had the pleasure you've had, I just keep having those strange dreams. You know the one last week where I was telling someone to stay hidden out of sight while we're bunkered down in a cave, well this one seems so similar with the two of us on scooters running from three guards on horses," James said as he finished washing off his face.

James had met Geoff not long after he had started working at the castle, and ever since then they had only grown closer. They were the perfect example of Yin and Yang, where Geoff was fun loving to a fault but very quiet when it came to his views, James always managed to keep his feet on the ground yet was never hesitant to state his opinion, even in full blown defiance. However both were known by the castle staff for their many misadventures together.

"Hey we better get going before they realize we aren't there," Geoff said realizing how much time they had left. James however was already two steps ahead of him having already gathered his stuff and heading out the door.

Even though the walk to their work station only took three of the five minutes they had left, something in James told him that this wasn't going to be a normal day. Finally, with two minutes spared they walked into the hot, humid hellhole, with fire-breathing beasts that required constant monitoring by well-seasoned veterans, that was the castle's bakery. The slightly cramped room was, as always, filled with the mouth-watering aroma of freshly baked bread as well as the delightful tune that was common place next to the sounds of the work environment.

Quickly, and without a second thought, James and Geoff got to work kneading, forming, and placing the dough onto trays to be placed in the ovens to bake. This was the routine that they had adopted as part of their life, Geoff was perfectly content with it but, whenever he could find time to protest openly, James felt the routine repetitious and boring.

"So, did you hear about last night's sighting of Black Spector? I hear that the guards are planning to double the number of people patrolling at night," Geoff said in an attempt to end the awkward silence that was forming in the air.
The Black Spector was a living legend. He would randomly appear in the dead of night, jump from rooftop to rooftop, and help those in need. No one knew who he was, why he did it, or when he would appear, but when he did everyone knew about it. However, not everyone liked him. Many of the guards truly hated him just because he always managed to evade them.

"Huh, I thought after the incident a few months ago he would have packed up and left town. Guess I was wrong, can you pass the flour?"

"Here. Listen, I dunno why he's back but he is."

On that comment the conversation moved on to more casual things. For a while they talked about a few more current events, switching then to upcoming events, and finally settling on the topic of joining the military when they were old enough. They were just starting to get into their long running debate when they heard the whistle telling them the workday was over sound. It was this sound that told them to stop what they were doing and see the chief baker about who would stay for the overnight shift, a shift that involved the pair chosen to finish baking the bread made that day; keep the ovens going; clean the floors, tables, workstations, and all of the equipment; and take inventory. The overnight was a lot of work, but those that worked it would always get the next day off due because of it. Who worked it was decided by a lottery, everyone would pull a straw and the two that got the shortest were would work it. Tonight the workers were James and Geoff, both of whom wanted to do it tonight anyways. They went immediately to the storage closet and pulled out lanterns. They then went back to their work, lighting the lanterns before the last person to leave turned out the lights. The overnight shift had started.