The Watchers
an excerpt

The small dark creature was breaking the rules by visiting the Others. He knew the odds of getting caught weren’t great and he was willing to risk whatever his punishment would be for a look at the child. He climbed up to the edge of the cradle and perched there, peering down on the newborn babe. The baby was swaddled in brightly colored fabrics and looked quite small in the battered wooden cradle. The Watcher caught his breath and fought the impulse to hop into the bed and wake the child. At this age, no good would come of the encounter but he felt the urge nonetheless.

The baby made a small mewling noise and moved a bit. The Watcher sat still and held his breath. The child looked so small and helpless. Far too little to be much of a threat or to hold much promise. Yet. But if the tales being told were true, this child could hold the key to unlocking the ancient scrolls. But such omens had occurred before and nothing had happened.

‘Hurry up and grow,’ he whispered after a long pause. ‘Hurry.’