Ping. Ping. Ping.
The sound of small stones hitting the window pane across from my silk clad bed eventually woke me. It was a good two hours past dark fall. Not that I had been in a particularly deep slumber, sleep having been difficult to find since the ‘rat incident’ a few months back.
Grabbing a luxurious black velvet cloak, I quickly wrapped it around my nightwear, and approached the window to find my friend Arden’s face pressed to it. I directed a pointy finger down at the lock that secured it closed and frowned, putting on my best pouting face.
With a wide grin that forms deep dimples in his freckled cheeks, Arden brandishes a small silver pick and starts to work on the window lock. Tongue out in focused concentration, he eventually pushes the tumbles in just the right way and with a mighty click, it’s open.
“Your rescue, my Lady.” Arden greets, opening the window with a flourish.
“We must be quick, before my evil sister finds us.” I recite, familiar with the routine that we’d been playing since we were kids. I peeked down below and saw Teena’s cheery face looking up at with me, I wave down at her.
I duck down and step through the window, and once on the other side, I produce a small bow. Both wait expectantly to see what I will do this time and I grin, making a show of considering. Then, with a quick hop, I’m off, flying through the air, I tumble three times before landing on the ground in a crouch, from which I rise to bow and bow again. Arden makes a humph like sound and clambers down the old fashioned way.
“I liked the carty one better tha’ you did last week,” Teena teases.
I poke out my tongue in retort to Teena and ask, “So, my friends, what mischief are we up to tonight?”
Arden holds up a stolen bottle of wine, and a small wrapped paper packet that I immediately recognise as one likely to hold the delectable little sugar cubes we three were more than a little fond of. “Ooooo … well then, tonight shall be fun. The barn? Anyone else coming?”
