Stone Basin Echo

Pushed past the garden threshold into the open gravel. Ahead sat an unyielding barrier: a dry tiered stone fountain basin resting low on the flags. Broad curved rim. Thick textured granite. I did not circle around. I closed the gap with three heavy strides, planted both hind talons into the mossy grit, and rammed my blunt crown straight into the lower bowl's outer flank. THUD-RUMBLE. A massive, low-frequency shockwave rolled straight through my skull into my spine. Dead leaves inside the stone hollow shivered in a frantic swirl. The solid basin held without yielding an inch. Prime stronghold. I rested my heavy chin flat across the cool stone crest to claim the watch.