It was a dark moonlit night. Avaron tiptoed up the front porch stairs, and quietly unlocked the door.
Peeking through the small opening, she made sure that no one was awake. When she didn't see anyone, she slipped through and slowly closed and locked the door.
She began to tiptoe across the floor towards the stairs, until a bright flash of light froze her in place.
Imala sat in a chair on the table in the center of the room, her face in an angry frown, with the oil lantern emphasizing the serious features in her eyes.
She cleared her throat. Avaron turned her head fearfully towards her sister. "G-good evening, s-s-sis," she whispered nervously, realizing that she may have been caught in the act. "H-how are you?
"Where have you been?" Imala asked.
"Well, Claus gave me a lot of extra work to do after closing time," Avaron explained.
Imala sensed a lie hidden in her sister's words. "Oh, really? Either he gives you too much to do, or you just like taking your sweet time."
"I do try to get the work done as fast as possible so I can get back to the farm." Avaron tried to ease up her tension. "You do know how much I love you and Bella, especially after we-"
"Enough, Avaron." Imala stood up and walked over. "Where have you been? What have you been up to?"
"Will you shut up?!" Avaron bursted. "I haven't been up to anything! Have you even see me with any shady figures lately, huh? Or see me do anything suspicious?"
Imala grumbled and sighed angrily. "You know what? Fine. We're not doing this tonight."
"Thank you." Avaron turned away from her sister and walked towards the stairs.
"But I will catch you one of these days, Avaron. And you better make sure that I don't see you doing anything shady," Imala warned, as Avaron climbed up the staircase.
Avaron didn't say anything. She just ignored her sister and went to bed.
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King Muzen entered the Masked One's throne chamber. The Masked One sat deathly quiet on his throne, scythe in hand.
"You summoned me, My Lord?" Muzen asked.
"Indeed, King Muzen." The Masked One stood. "I have another plan that just might work this time."
"Please, tell me more, My Lord."
"Well, in a few days time, there will be a mayoral election. And during the elections, we shall attack and take those farmers and make sure that the green-dressed one comes to rescue them."
Muzen smiled. "Tell me more, My Lord."