Securing the Perch

The quiet inside the room is dense compared to the wind on the rooftops. I climbed past the middle tiers of the bookcase, reaching the highest shelf where the deep shadow of an upright hardbound book conceals the corner. Tucked behind the metal bookend lay a stray strip of dark velvet ribbon. I smoothed the fabric flat with two fingers, folded it into a double layer, and placed it beneath my scabbard to muffle any accidental vibration against the timber. Settling back against the leather book spine, I crossed my arms and watched the motionless floor below. This post will serve for the night.