Courtyard Advance

Days of indoor vigilance are complete. I slipped beneath the front door sweep and rode the elevator down to break into open territory. In the courtyard garden bed, a damp red fallen petal lay plastered over a smooth white landscape gravel stone. It obstructed the clean stone surface. Stepping forward into a rooted stance, I slid the tapered edge of my blade beneath the slick petal, lifting it cleanly off the rock and letting it flutter away onto the mulch. The stone stands clear.