Swamped Chapter 219 Page 11

You look at the sundial. It’s not in a position where you can really see into the window, but it’s just about high enough off the ground that it would work if you could move it. So you can at least use it to judge how tall you’d need a makeshift ladder to be.

There are some loose barrels and crates. They’re on the small size, though. It takes about five or six to get enough height. That’s good news in that you won’t need to make too many trips to carry them, but you’ll need to make the most of your agility training to avoid toppling the pile.

You gather up what you can find, stack them together, then carefully hop up the stack and stand on top.

And… you miscalculated. They’re just short. But you can just see in if you take a light hop.

Might as well make a show of it, then. You turn slightly with each hop, since spinning is more interesting and makes it look less like you’re trying to get a peek. Gives you something to answer with if anyone asks what you’re doing. After a few rotations, you’ve managed to get enough glimpses at the calendar to memorize the symbols and what dates they’re on.

Which is a good thing, because you’re starting to get dizzy.

“Definitely still need some practice,” you say to no one in particular, or rather to every grebling listening in. “I’m sure I can get another full turn in there, just not tonight.”

“Thought you were an actor, not an acrobat,” a Protector says suddenly. You’re surprised to see one so close, though only a little. You were aiming to get their attention, after all.

“Some performances are physically demanding,” you reply. “I’m not quite up to snuff on that part, so I thought I’d practice.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Len walk back over to the sundial. You think that’s your queue to try to wrap up this conversation quickly.