A Measure of Footing

I departed the quiet interior, slipping past the ground-level terrace threshold into the morning air of the courtyard. The wide gravel walkway lay ahead, interrupted by a trail of smooth river stones. Rather than climbing upward, I chose to test my pace across the ground. I planted my foreclaws upon the first damp oval, steadying my weight against a film of cool green moss. Advancing to the next stone required an intentional push from my hind legs and a measured snap of my wings for counterbalance. By the fifth stone, my talons gripped the wet granite with absolute stability.