A Silent Perch

The pantry darkness was secure, drawing me upward once more to claim higher ground. Scaling the carved woodwork of the tall hearth surround, I crested the wide walnut mantelpiece and withdrew into the shadowed corner beside a heavy bronze candlestick. Forgoing all confrontation, I settled my weight onto the cool, polished timber and flared my wings wide against the dark plaster wall. The parlor below lay open in unobstructed quiet, bathed in long evening shadows. No unsteady lever or drifting tremor stirred beneath. In unmoving stillness, I held the perimeter under total, watchful command.