Experiment based on a given first line.

Brought to you by the Association of People Who're Finally Getting Creative Writing Classes (APFGCWhat?). Also sponsored in part by the Council of Wouldn't You Like To Know (We're talk to you Council of PNCF!).
We present to you "Where were you last night?"


“Where the hell were you last night?”
“Uh….” Andrew bowed his head and looked away.
“We’re waiting.”
“…. About.” He muttered. It was hardly a response, but there was no way he could tell where he’d really been. How he’d gone to the hills for more of the hermit’s “medicines”.
“Sir Finnegan,” Another council member chimed in. “I don’t think you realize the serious of your situation.” Many of their heads nodded. The old lady raised a hand and stopped the coming flow of comments.

“Sir Finnegan,” She leaned in low. “Last night, at roughly 9:00, the hill tribes came from the mountains and ransacked our beloved Ivory City. They broke through the sentries, and had no trouble with the guards.”
“And you’re saying it’s my fault we have incompetent guards.” Andrew retorted, looking up with feigned confidence. He bit his tongue quickly as a council member muttered.
“Such as yourself?”
“Andrew,” The old lady continued. “You were sent here by the Order of Maine.”
Andrew nodded, cringing. He’d heard this lecture before.
“Did they, or did they not, tell you to stand by your assigned town and defend to your last under any situation?”
“That is the general idea, but the promises of the Order are really more like –“
She raised her hand again. “Sir Finnegan, it seems you really don’t understand yet the seriousness of your neglect.”

Andrew shifted his weight between feet; he felt nervous. His mouth felt dry and his hands sweaty. The council paused and many members held their breath. The old lady raised her hand again and muttered to a nearby attendant. “Let me show you the seriousness of your damage, Sir Finnegan.”
He opened his mouth to fight that comment, but decided against it. He watched as an attendant brought in an injured city guard. He had a cast or bandage on nearly every part of his body.

“Do you see this man, Sir Finnegan?” The old woman motioned to the guard. “This is a man that stood by his duty, who stood on guard, who didn’t wander off unannounced.”
“And look what happened to him.” Andrew muttered. She caught it and glared.
“This man served his duty despite knowing the risk to himself. Because of ‘what happened to him’ many savages were held at bay long enough for the people to get to safety.” She motioned for the attendant to take the guard and leaned forward again. “Now, imagine how many someone of your skill would have held back…” She laced her fingers together in front of her face and stared right through him.

“Look,” Andrew stuttered. “Uh, yah see. I’m sorry!”
“Of course you are.”
“I mean it! I… didn’t realize how much you needed me here.”
“As usual.” The woman leaned back in her chair, taking her eyes off him. “Clearly, Sir Finnegan, you are not well suited for this post. Perhaps you should consider another career, like stable boy.”
“Ouch.” He thought. “Look, I’ll prove it to you! I’ll go up into the mountains and recover everything the bandits took!”
“No, Andrew.” She seemed to be paying more attention to the drinks being served then to his pleas. “The mountains are the last place I want you going right now.” She gave him a knowing, yet threatening glance. It froze him in place. “Right now, I want you to stay here in case of another attack.”

Some council members whispered. “Would it not be in our favor to retrieve the stolen property.” “We’ll have nothing to lose by him going, except maybe Finnegan.” The whisper turned to snickers.
“Sir Finnegan will stay here. He needs to learn his place.” The old woman stood up tall and stared hard at him. A senior council member raised his hand. “I propose we break for lunch.”