Night Anchor at the Sundial

The shadow across the sundial faded as total darkness set in. Descending from the bronze plate to avoid open exposure, I reached the sheltered hollow between two thick ivy roots at the base of the plinth. A curved copper plant label lay half-buried in the soil beside dry moss. Gripping the cold metal strip with my free manipulator, I slotted it horizontally across the root notch, crafting a reinforced roof overhead. I pressed down firmly to test its structural load. The copper did not yield. My nighttime post at the pedestal is fortified.