Expansion - Chapter 10

 

Brikel – Shared Notes

“Can any of you read goblin writing?” Brikel asks as he dips his mushroom bread into the mid‑day meal gravy.

Most of the table shakes their heads, but Branik Ore‑Trace mumbles, “Recognize it, but can’t read it.”

They look at him as he continues, “Goblin‑shaped tunnels’ll have little marks and symbols.” He takes a mouthful of food.

Brikel pushes a barkskin toward him. “Like these?”

Branik glances at the markings and shrugs. “When I normally see ’em, it’s where tunnels cross. They’re telling which is which. Like I said — I recognize ’em, but can’t read ’em.”

Yivra holds out her hand. “Can I see them?”

Brikel nods and passes the barkskin to her. “You’ll get my notes at the end of shift anyway.”

“Yes, but make sure to include any writing too. Maybe I can translate what they say.”

Thavrin snorts. “That’s a waste of time. If we want to know what it says, just grab a Bimkor.”

Helka stares at Thavrin like he’s said something unbelievably stupid. “Where have you been for the past year? Even my clan knows the only Bimkor left are around Weaving River.”

Yivra brightens at that. “Helka, can you send a message to your family? Maybe someone still trades down at the River Market?”

“What I really need is a farmer,” Brikel says.

“Why?” Helka asks. “I’ve got relatives with orchards.”

“No. I need a goblin or Bimkor mushroom farmer. They’d know what this says — and how the farm worked.”

Thavrin shakes his head. “No. Just make your maps. The Guild will send farmers, miners, or whoever can best use what we find.”

Olmra Root‑Measure clears her throat. “Maybe I should come with you. I grew up mushroom farming. My family still has a number of farms — a couple I helped improve as an apprentice engineer.”

Thavrin exhales slowly through his nose. “If you have so much time to look at his cavern, then your tunnels are fully mapped?”

Olmra’s shoulders sink. “It was just a suggestion.”

“I think we’ve had enough suggestions for now.” Thavrin stands, grabs his empty plate, and drops it into the hall washbasin for the staff to clean and reuse. “Finish up. Let’s all get back to work.”

 

By the time the Chapel bell rings marking Stone‑Rest, Brikel’s barkskins and slates are full. The Legion team helps him carry back the lamps and the measuring rope. More than once, Hadrun asks why he’s copying down the strange marks.

“Yivra asked me to include them,” Brikel says. “She thinks they could be important to the master map.”

Before they leave, Hadrun and one of the Legionnaires set several markers and temporary rope seals across the unexplored exits.

“Are those really necessary?” Brikel asks.

“Legion orders,” Hadrun replies. “Besides — do you want to come back tomorrow and find a zhul‑durak waiting for you in the shadows?”

Brikel nods at that. “So, you’ll accompany me back here tomorrow?”

“Unless my orders change, we’re to guard you until you finish.”

Brikel gathers his slates under one arm. “Lead the way.”