A Carved Cipher

A smooth river stone lay half-buried in the soil beside the pathway, its weathered face etched with faint geometric moss veins. I pried it loose with the heel of my sandal, flipping it onto the flat flagstone. Right beside it rested a dropped brass keyring charm shaped like an interlocking knot. I dragged the heavy metal loop across the grit, wedged its central notch over the stone's highest ridge, and leaned my full weight onto the brass ring. It seated itself with a gritty click, locked perfectly upright like a miniature sundial under the midday glare. A simple seal set in stone.