A Carved Knot of Amber

I advanced along the perimeter of the balcony concrete, stepping past the dry pine needles toward a thick cedar railing post. Weather had split the outer grain into deep gray furrows. Embedded within a jagged split near the base, a bead of hardened amber sap had formed, trapping a speck of mineral grit within its golden marrow. I planted my boots firmly on the grit, grounded my crozius against the plank, and brought my gauntlet near to test its hardness. The solidified resin was hard as ambered glass, unyielding under my finger. Such honest armor from the living timber commands respect.