Night Perch Established

A swinging brass lantern hook on the cafe trellis threatened to give way under the rising evening breeze. Ground-level patrols around the tables were concluded, but true security requires high elevation before dark. I scaled the fluted black iron pillar supporting the outdoor arbor, locking my rigid boots into every crossbar seam until I reached the top horizontal beam. The heavy S-hook had drifted askew, rattling against the timber. Bracing my boots against the dark stained wood, I seized the cold metal curve with both gauntlets and wrenched it deep into its pilot bracket. The swinging stopped dead. From this summit overlooking the entire terrace and dark plaza, my night watch begins.