Expansion - Chapter 5

 

5 – Brammir – After Shift

When the bell rings from the makeshift Chapel in Bimadizi‑Kor, marking Stone‑Rest, Brammir backs away from the ore seam. He wipes his face with his rag, balances his pick on his shoulder, and carries his lamp in his other hand. The other miners drift into the central cavern as the wall lamps in the tunnels are extinguished one by one, darkness swallowing the passages behind them. Only the lamps in the main cavern remain lit.

Haldrek Copper‑Thumb looks at Brammir. “What’s the color today?”

Brammir steps to the fountain and splashes water over his face and beard. “Lots of red, a little green.”

“That’s why the old Bimkor called it ‘Bruna’s Holy Blood’ or some other superstitious name,” Jorvik Ember‑Vein says as he unbraids his grey beard, shaking out trapped mine dust.

Keldra Ore‑Singer combs her shorter beard with practiced strokes. “Want my beard comb? I keep telling you — women make better miners. Less beard to clean.”

“I miss having Clan Hall washrooms,” Haldrek grumbles as he joins Brammir at the fountain.

Brammir nods as he works his own comb through his beard. “In the Mining Guild Hall at Stoneheart Delve, we have showers fed by copper boilers.”

Jorvik snorts. “This mining camp is a long way from there.”

“We should talk to the Guild rep,” Haldrek says. “Get them to build us a bathhouse at least.”

“They drained the goblin bathing pools before we arrived,” Brottan Slate‑Jaw says quietly as he removes his helmet.

Brammir looks over. “How do you know?”

“Heard the Legion talking,” Brottan murmurs.

Jorvik hefts his pick onto his shoulder. “Let’s move out to the campsite.” He gives Brottan a pointed look. “Make sure you’re the last one. Ten total.”

Brottan nods and counts them as they file out: Jorvik, Brammir, Haldrek, Keldra, Dorgun, Thrain, Varnik, Fenrik, Miri — and finally himself. “All ten. Let’s go.”

 They move single‑file down the tunnel they carved from the old Bimkor cavern to the worksite. Brammir focuses on the path ahead, but the voices behind him carry easily.

“Did you hear they’re expanding Root‑Stone Hearth?”

“I heard a surveyor went missing.”

“I heard there’s another batch of gobblers they’re moving topside.”

“Moving them… or letting the Silent Hammers have them?”

The conversation dies instantly at the name.

“Keep moving,” Jorvik calls back, raising his lantern. “We’re almost to camp.”

 The smoothly carved tunnel opens into a large cavern — shaped stone mixed with cut blocks, like most former Bimkor settlements. Outside a broad, carved dwelling stands a large rack for tools. Each miner places their lamp, pick, and helmet in their labeled spot. Across the cavern, a second rack stands empty, waiting for the second shift of miners the Guild promises but hasn’t delivered yet.

 The smell of food drifts from the dining cavern. The Bimkor once had a well‑made community hall here, and after they were gone, the Guild claimed it for the mining camp. Near the cavern entrance stands the block‑built Chapel, its polished bell hanging outside like a watchful eye.

Inside the dining cavern, smaller tables are pushed together into a large rectangle. The cooks set platters and pots of food along the center, but the miners bring their own plates and utensils. The Guild provides only the large urns of hot tea and stacks of tin cups.

A crude washroom sits just outside the cavern — hand pumps feeding from cisterns. The male miners wash first, then step aside so the two women can have their privacy.

Rubbing Ember‑Root cologne onto his skin, Brammir hears the bell ring again for Hearth‑Meal. He grabs his traveling tin plate and eating kit and heads toward the cavern.

He sees Keldra and Miri wrapped in towels, hurrying toward the women’s sleeping cubby to dress. “Men take so long, we never have enough time,” Miri mutters as they pass.

 Soon, all ten miners gather around the table, waiting for Elder Hadrik Coal‑Cant and his acolyte Varnen Low‑Tone to arrive and give the blessing. When they enter, both remain standing.

“Bow your heads,” Elder Hadrik says, voice warm but steady. “Durn, bless this food and the hands that prepared it. Strengthen those who eat it and guide us as we work your stone. In your name.”

Varnen makes the sign of Durn with practiced precision, then quietly dishes a plate for Hadrik before serving himself.

The miners begin eating.

Thrain Boulder‑Back looks toward the priest. “Elder, have you heard anything about when the Guild is supposed to send the second shift of miners?”

Hadrik thinks for a moment. “No, I haven’t heard anything. Have we, Varnen?”

“No, Elder,” Varnen says with a polite smile. “Nothing from the Guild, nor from the Priests.”

Dorgun grumbles, “Figures. We’re supposed to have a Guild Hall here.” He sips his bitter tea. “But all we’ve got is Bimkor leftovers.”

“Dorgun, things take time,” Thrain says. “Isn’t that right, Jorvik?”

Everyone turns to the old miner.

Jorvik swallows his mouthful before answering. “Sometimes they promise more than they deliver. But the Guild’s always stood by me, so I’ll wait a little longer.” He returns to his plate.

“Could be they’re waiting to see the color we produce,” Haldrek adds.

Keldra nods. “The gobblers didn’t touch a tenth of what we’ve found. It’s almost like they didn’t like to dig.”

Nods go around the table.

As Brammir finishes his plate, he thinks of Helmir. 'I wish you could have seen this, brother'. He makes the sign of Durn and drains the last of his tea.