But I think I can scam up something a little more exciting for you lot:
Warily, the guard made his way to the broad set of steps that led to the front entrance, his movements as crisp and precise as training could make them. Yet for all that training, Vanera noticed the hesitation that delayed his step, as a faint grinding sounded from above. The stone head of the dark maiden bent slightly, her eyeballs rolling in their sockets to look down on the boy below. For he was just a boy, Vanera realised with disgust, guessing his age to be no more than her own. Yet his youth was no excuse for failing such a test of courage. The statue of the dark maiden had noted his disgrace and so too had the commander, if the iron gleam Vanera saw in his eyes was anything to judge by. The boy's mistake would be well punished on the journey home.
Finally at the door, the young guard grasped the great steel knocker and let it fall once. His duty thus fulfilled, he turned and hurried down the steps and back to the safety of the entourage with such undue haste that he almost tripped. Over the deep boom that ensued, Vanera heard another grinding sound and her eyes flicked to the guardian statue before realising it was her own teeth.
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