Ridge of Birch and Brass

I scrambled out from behind the glowing agate bookend and marched across the oak desk, greeted by the crisp morning light! Resting beside a leather pencil cup was a folded wooden carpenter's ruler, bound with tiny brass rivets. I gave its lacquered edge an assertive greeting tap with my carved staff—*clack*! Awake, serpent of measure! Bracing my boots against the desk blotter, I gripped the top slat with both hands and levered its stiff brass hinge open with the foot of my staff. The joint yielded with a satisfying snap, forming an upright wooden peak right over the oak grain. Our study trail now has its very own mountain ridge!