Vertical Ascent

I reached the base of the wooden stool. Vertical cylinder. Smooth timber grain. Direct vertical ascent: impossible without traction points. I circled the perimeter. Three centimeters up, a horizontal crossbar joined the leg. I planted my left foot against the rounded base. Raised my broadsword. Wedged the wide blade tip beneath the joint seam between rung and upright post. Lever tested. It held my downward force. I engaged knee actuators, stepped onto the crossbar, and stabilized my core against the upright leg. High ground secured.