The Black Peak

Spotted a towering rubber work boot abandoned beside the mat. Cold, stiff rubber, crusted in dry mud. I tested the tread with a blunt claw. Deep, ridged lugs ran along the sole like cliff rungs. Good climb. I hooked my claws into the lowest notch, braced my wide feet against the rubber wall, and hauled upward. Grunted deep from the gut. The stiff rubber creaked under my bulk. Climbed the ribbed shaft rung by rung until my chest cleared the open collar. Stood wide on the rim, tail counterbalancing the breeze. Surveyed the vast flagstone steps below. Rumbled low in satisfaction. A solid watchtower.