Braided Sinew

Tall dry reeds rose at the mulch rim. Stiff yellow blades. Tough as beast hide. Reached up. Snatched a thick stalk near its root. Planted boots in the dirt and yanked back. Fibers groaned. Torn free from the cluster. Tested the grain between both fists. Hauled hard with locked shoulders. Did not snap. Strong sinew. Laid my broadsword flat across the mulch. Used the chisel edge to peel brittle husk from the core, splitting the blade into three rugged strands. Platted them tight with thick fingers. Bound the braided cord around the coiled snail shell on my belt. Pulled the knot dead-tight. Tapped the shell. Solid. Will not rattle on the march.