The Brick Guardian

The Fearsome Guardian

I observe as the snow completes its melting. The birds have returned to sing their songs, and the dandelions rise amongst the withered, dead grass. Spring is upon us, thus yard work is close to follow. As I tally the tasks for which I must partake, I make a realization. I am in need of bricks.

My two generous parents are quick to offer, as they have a great deal of bricks perched against their shed. I humbly accept their offer and begin my journey during the meal break period of my employment. I back my artificial cherry red steed, my Hyundai Accent 2015, into the drive rear-first.

As I open the steel forged gate, the gap of which is covered by one of the bricks I hope to obtain, I wonder why a gate would require such an oddly placed block. No matter, I have come here with a task to complete. I think no more of it as my rainbow colored sneakers trek through the dirt, grab onto a brick, and make the returning journey up a small hill to my vehicle.

As I continue completing this task once, twice, nine times, I enjoy the fresh spring air. It is hot enough to be comfortable in the spring, yet cold enough to be freezing in the fall. However, fall hardly concerns me as that is still months away. As I hoist up the tenth brick into my arms, I am accosted by a familiar, small, black, fuzzy warrior. His tail is standing high, fur bunched up, and ears laid back. He looks upon me with wide yellow eyes.

“Who goes there!” says the fearsome feline.

“It is I, your friend. Please, Sir Kody, I beg of you to consider, you know me well,” I say.

“I may have known you once, but circumstances have changed. You are not authorized to carry such bricks from my kingdom!”

“Rest assured, oh mighty beast. I was given authorization by the beings which warm your nest and fill your bowl”.

“Yet you have not received authorization from ME! I will not allow such treachery to take place so long as I and I alone rule this fortress”.

“You rule this fortress? And what of the beings of which I spoke?”

“So long as the beings are not present, I am the king of this castle and all that resides on the grounds”.

“Very well, what must I do to obtain authorization for these bricks, your highness?”

“Come closer at a pace most slowly”.

I carefully set the brick down where I had originally plucked it, before crouching down to his level. I make my way towards him as he requests, a hand extended to meet his wet black nose. As he comes forward to sniff, his eyes never leave my face. He sniffs, once, twice, and I offer a slow blink in return. As the tension in the yard dies down, I reach out to stroke along his silky back. The wary guardian is delighted and raises to meet my touch.

“Very well,” the feline says. “You may take as many bricks as you desire, but be warned. I will be watching”.

“I would expect nothing less as the guardian of this land. Yet you have my gratitude for allowing me access to your proceeds,” I say as I take the discarded brick back into my hands.

As I make my way towards the gate, I notice that I have a follower on my tail. I quickly stand to block his path.

“Alas!” I say. “While you may be the guardian of this land, I can allow you no further”.

“You dare to block my path?” says the guardian, his fur rising once more.

“You must understand, there are dangers that lie beyond the fence I cannot protect you from. You must guard this land, as it is the safest place. Think of the woes which would befall it should you leave? And the sorrow that would befall your doting servants should you not return?”

The feline considers my words, his eyes glaring at me as he glances me up and down.

“I will be watching,” is all he says before he disappears into the yard.

I breathe a sigh of relief and continue on with my task. As I continue loading the brick, I keep a watchful eye on the guard. First, I spot him hiding behind the grill, his only distinguishing feature the yellow, gleaming eyes matching his strange, moving shadows. After a time, I spot him in the garden. He is much easier to see here as he hides behind a lowly weed. He does not know I can see him, his body pressed to the ground, ears back, pupils wide. Yet I can see him quite plainly, for which I am grateful, as I do not wish to once again stand between him and the world unknown.

As I load up the last brick, I give the guardian a small wave. He does not acknowledge my humble gesture, though I never expected him to. As I climb into my steed and head for home, I remark upon a job well done, despite a new soreness that resides in my aching back.