Expansion - Chapter 19

 

Brikel – Smidasaga

At the start of Stone-Breath, Elder Bromvik offers the morning blessing. When he finishes, he tells Helvar “Please oversee the engineers as they preform Smidasaga”.

Helvar nods reverently and then goes to the Engineer’s table. He then looks at Brikel, Durnek, and Yivra. “Do you know what is required for today?”

Brikel nods. “Yesterday we were completing Mardek’s work.”

“And would have finished it if the Legion’s smoke hadn’t shut things down.” Durnek comments.

“But,” Brikel continues “We were doing what was needed, without the rituals nor Durn’s blessing.” A sad realization moves through him.

Helvar moves closer. “No. You did what you were told. The work is important. If you would have completed it, I still would have asked if you wanted to bless the chamber and free him from his duties.”

“We should have prepared him better.” Durnek says softly.

Yivra pats him reassuringly on the shoulder. “We all should have.” She looks at Helvar. “I’ve never taken part in a smidasaga, so what is my role?”

Helvar sits down and explains the full ritual, including entering, moving to Mardek’s last steps, a verbal passing of the duties using his tools, completion of surveying the chamber, and finally signing off the slates by Yivra, who would have received the completed slates from him. “I only offer blessings and prayers when needed.” Helvar concludes.

They all nod and finish eating.

 

Just like yesterday, Durnek and Brikel lay out the tools — but this time they include Mardek’s rods and ropes. Their masks hang from their belts instead of their faces.

“By clearing the drain ways, the pits should be circulating better,” Durnek says.

Brikel nods as he wipes clean Mardek’s rods. They feel heavy and unfamiliar in his hands. “His clan must have given them to him,” he murmurs, noticing the clan‑marks carved into the center of the rod.

Yivra carries Mardek’s slates and barkskins. “So, you remeasure where he left off?” she asks.

“No,” Helvar softly corrects her. “You begin where his marks began.”

Brikel nods. “I’ve helped do one of these before.”

“In my clan,” Durnek adds, “I was an apprentice and had to take the role of the senior who passed.”

Helvar blesses both surveyors with the mark of Durn. “May you continue following his path, and keep the way true.” He blesses Yivra as well, then asks, “Are we almost ready to begin?”

Brikel looks at the acolyte in his brown robe. “Before we go, please get a protective mask. The air should be clear, but after yesterday I don’t want to take chances.”

Yivra sets the slates down. “Come with me. I should grab one too.”

When they return, masks tucked into their belts like the others, Brikel and Durnek shoulder all the equipment. The extra safety gear feels awkward, but Brikel knows it’s right to have it close, even if they never use it.

At the chamber opening, Yivra shows Brikel the notes Mardek made. With Durnek’s help, they begin taking measurements. Brikel stays on Mardek’s path. Using Mardek’s heavy rod, he taps down hard on a spot where a thin crust has formed again. The rod breaks through, sinks deep, and touches the bottom of the pit. He measures the depth.

“Oh. I didn’t know,” Yivra says, surprised.

Helvar stands silently, observing.

A tightness rises in Brikel’s throat. Tears prick at the corners of his eyes as he lifts the muck‑covered rod high.

“Mardek Slate‑Runner,” he says quietly. “I take your rod and your ropes. Durnek and I will complete this task for you. Rest well.”

He sets the rod down, pulls a rag from his pocket, and wipes his eyes. “The fumes got to me for a moment.”

“Me too,” Durnek says, holding the measuring rope to get the distance across the pit.

 

When they reach the end of the chamber, Yivra has a slate full of measurements. “He shouldn’t have been alone.” She says softly and sadly.

“Why’s that?” Helvar quietly asks.

“This should have been a two-man job.” Brikel responds rolling up a measuring rope.

“Just like you did today?” They all nod to Helvar. “So why was he alone? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Brikel bites his lower lip in frustration before answering “In the Clan Halls, new engineers get ‘dirty jobs’. It’s a rite of passage, to do it and learn.”

Durnek taps the rods against the cavern floor. “But this isn’t a Clan Hall. We thought these were like our compost bins.”

Brikel sees Yivra’s jaw tighten in anger. “We sent him here not knowing the danger.” She grips the slates tightly. “I didn’t know the pits were that deep.”

Helvar points to marks on the walls “Do any of you know how to read Goblin?”

They all shake their heads. Helvar continues “I wish we could have brought one or a Bimkor. There might be warning signs in here.”

Brikel moves closer to Helver. “Do you know about Goblin writing?”

“I’ve seen it but can’t read it.” He quickly says and then points, “Like there, along the wall by that pit, something is written, but unfortunately none of us can read it.”

Durnek looks closely at the marks. “I walked right past them and never noticed, did you Brikel?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Helvar quickly comments, “If the chamber is complete, and you have all the notes, then we should finish the ritual.”

Brikel is carrying all the ropes while Durnek has the rods and hooks. “We are done. We can leave.”

Back into the main courtyard, they review the slate one more time, everyone agrees on the measurements. And Yivra signs off on its completion.

“Mardek Slate-Runner, your task is complete. Rest well with your Clan. In Durn’s name we bless all that you have done. Continue to follow the path of truth and purity.” Helvar says and makes the sign of Durn.

Helvar reaches for the slates. Yivra says, “Let me copy them onto the master map first.”

“Of course. I will go and clean up. I’ll be at the Chapel when you are finished.”

Brikel watches him go. “He’s a strange one.”

Durnek nods “I never noticed the goblin writings, and we spent double the time he had in there.”

“I hadn’t either. We should keep an eye on him.” Brikel says “But that can wait until after Hearth-Meal. Let’s put all this away.”