Gambit - A Leap Over the Gap

The rooftop ledge ended abrupt, three feet of sheer drop separating it from the rusted iron ladder of the water tower. A sensible fellow would take the stairs down, but sensible never paid much out. I planted the bottom of my silver staff firmly against the mortar seam of the parapet, tested the spring in the shaft, and pushed off into the dark. One swift vault, coat flapping against the night draft, and my boot caught the bottom iron rung with a resonant clang. Swayed once, hung by a gloved hand, then pulled myself up smooth onto the maintenance wooden plank. Always bet on a good grip.