A Ring of Iron

I walked back inside as dusk deepened. The floor led me toward the fireplace. At the base sat an iron fire tool stand. Heavy. Blackened. Unforgiving. I stopped, planting my claws into the brick floor. I brought my snout close to the square iron base and pushed forward with my whole body. Cold metal met rock. It didn't budge. I swung my tail slowly in an arc, letting the club meet the base. Clink. A crisp, sharp chime rang through the silence. Sturdy. Reliable. I lowered my belly plates onto the cool hearth stones, tail resting against the dark metal post.