Expansion - Chapter 18

 

Helvar – Counseling

As Helvar makes it past the lines of the Legion and the rumbling machines going westward, he keeps his head down and the brown hood of his robes up. He shakes his head and covers his satisfied smile. “They learned nothing.” He grips the slate firmly as he reads the Mishikwe marks on the tunnel wall saying “Root-Stone Hearth”. He smiles seeing that the tunnel miners missed removing it when they widened and smoothed the tunnel walls.

The Chapel is on a slightly higher area of the cavern and dwarves are seated around it, wiping soot from each other. Thinning curls of smoke slowly drift up the cavern air vents from the eastern tunnels.

A Senior Legionnaire is speaking with an Elder and an older dwarf who appears to be a civilian engineer. “As Slate-Leader I will maintain our support for your mission, but the rest of the Legion has pulled back to come up with a new plan. The Spider warren has been sealed off for now. Once the smoke has cleared from the remaining tunnels you can resume your mapping duties.”

“Are there any dangers, aside from poison smoke that your men found?” the civilian asks in an angry tone.

“Senior Engineer, I don’t like the tone you’re using.”

The civilian’s face turns red with frustration “Tone I’m using? You and the arrogant idiots above you, almost killed all my surveyors. We will lose an entire day or more, waiting for the tunnels to clears. That’s because of the Legion. Not my Engineers.”

“You lost an engineer without our help or interference.”

The Elder interrupts before the angry engineer can respond. “Gentlemen, before you both say things you will later regret, I recommend you each see to your people.” He looks to both leaders. “I will hold a service in the chapel, to give thanks to Durn that more people weren’t hurt and that we can take time to carefully plan the next steps.”

Helvar steps up to them and hands his slate to the Elder. “I apologize. I’m Acolyte Helvar Quiet-Stone. I heard you will be organizing a service. Elder, I’m here to help.”

Both the Senior Legionnaire and the engineer both shake Helvar’s hand, then turn back to the Elder. “Elder Bromvek, you are correct, we should be thankful that so few were hurt. Let me gather my people and we’ll be in the Chapel.” The Legionnaire nods and says “We’ll attend too.”

As they both walk away, Helvar says “Elder Bromvek after the service can I meet with the engineers. I was sent to perform the Sagnasteinn or the Smidasaga.”

Elder Bromvek reads the slate and nods. “Of course, Helvar. Help me set up the Chapel, and then I’ll have you ring the bell.”

 

After the prayer service, as the Legion leaves the Chapel, Elder Bromvek asks the engineers to remain on their carved benches. “You have all had dealt with a number of hardships. Acolyte Helvar was sent to help.” The Elder turns and Helvar steps forward.

“When I heard about your loss, I volunteered to come here to Root-Stone Hearth.” The steel chisel is cold in his hand. “Elder Bromvek has allowed me to offer the Sagnasteinn for your lost companion. We have slates in the chapel, unless you have a different stone you would prefer to use.”

The engineers softly talk among themselves for a moment. Helvar turns to Elder Bromvek. “Elder, I can handle things from here, unless you require my help with something else?”

The old priest gives him a soft smile. “No, you can handle this. I’ll see to the needs of the Legion. Thank you.”

Helvar picks up a slate, and small hammer to go with the chisel he’s already carrying.

The old engineer stands up “Helvar, we thank you for this opportunity. We have been so focused on our work…”

A female dwarf stands up. “What Thavrin is trying to say is we’d like to use one of Mardek’s slates instead of a chapel one.”

The dwarves all nod.

Helvar politely smiles “Very well. Do you have the slates with you?”

“No, but they’re in the map room.”

“Lead the way. Oh, you are.?” Helvar asks setting down the slate and shifting the hammer and chisel to his other hand.

She extends her hand “I’m Yivra Ember-Draft, I make the master map and Mardek started off as my assistant.”

As they dwarves all lead the way, Helvar learns the names of the others. When Durnek and Brikel introduce themselves, Durnek says “We were asked to finish the survey of the cavern he started.”

Brikel nods “After the Sagnasteinn, I’d like to complete his Smidasaga for his Clan.”

“We’d like to complete it.” Durnek corrects.

Helvar smiles “Of course. I will assist you anyway you need.”

Yivra holds a large slate. “This was the tunnel leading to the waste chamber survey that Mardek Slate-Runner completed. This will show his Clan his professionalism.”

Helvar takes it and says, “How many of you worked with him?”

They all nod. Thavrin says “He started off as our runner. He was training under all of us.”

Helvar nods “So everyone should contribute to his Sagnasteinn?” He then pauses. “Did one of you find him?”

They all look at Brikel, who looks down sadly.

“I’d like to have him be the last one to add to it.” Helvar says handing the slate to Thavrin. “Do you want to start it?”

Thavrin nods and takes the hammer and chisel.

He chisels in Mardek’s full name and then hands it to Yivra, who adds his title, then hands it to Tholgrim.

As they each add something, a female engineer carrying ropes and her equipment enters the cavern, goes to a cubby, unloads herself, then walks over.

Thavrin intercepts her, “Brenna, I’m glad you made it back. We’re doing a Sagnasteinn for Mardek.”

As they come closer, the engineers make room for her, so she can add her memory of him. 

Brikel adds the final piece to the saga stone, then hands it to Helvar.

“This looks beautiful and heartfelt. His Clan will appreciate this.” He says.

Thavrin sighs, “Let’s come up with a plan for tomorrow.”

Helvar backs away. “I’ll let you develop your plan. I would like to accompany the team working the waste-pit chamber so we can perform the Smidasaga and honor Mardek’s work.”

Thavrin nods “We will add you to our schedule, but please ensure that Elder Bromvik won’t have other duties for you.”

“Of course, Senior Engineer.”