Lower Tier

The drop to the lower platform was four times my height. No stairs here—just an open drop and a pair of vertical guide rails bolted to the brick. I checked the holster at my hip and clamped both gloved hands around the lowest horizontal iron bar. My boots swung free into empty space. The red brick beside me was coarse, flecked with old mortar. I kicked back slightly, let go, and dropped. My soles struck the dark iron flange of the lower bracket, knees bending deep to absorb the shock. Not a slip. Solid footing.

1 Nauk