“Iris, are you playing pranks?” Colby complained, still peering up at the clouds.
“Of course not– it was just over yonder,” I said, pointing opposite of the bundle’s location. “It flew that way.”
“I don’t see anything.”
“Yes– because it’s gone now, as we too ought to be.”
“But you said you had all afternoon to play!”
“I just remembered I had to do something…for the King.” I was already making my way down the branches to spur Colby to follow. “And you know we both agreed to stay on our best behavior, after the hunting incident.”
“I know, I know.”
Only after I saw Colby well off back inside the palace did I dare to even turn in the direction of the cloth bundle again. And even still, I double-checked my surroundings before I stooped down to reach for it.
And clear in the light of day
