Mid-Malachite
Thesaurusaurus poked his head into the large chamber that had originally been intended as a boneyard for the High priest to work in. It was devoid of all bones, and even the second chamber off to the west contained none, merely a stacked set of stone of each type they'd found so far for future use. There were a few dwarves working in the room, however, bringing in blocks to construct the new kennels, or securing ropes to the ground or sandy walls with heavy iron stakes. This was to be the new animal husbandry area, where breeding and training would occur. It was not coincidental that it was located immeadiately behind the butcheries and kitchen areas.
"Anyone see Led around?"
One of the dwarves grunted as he set down a solid granite block with a dull thump.
"Last ah heard t'was near the Depot, finishin wi'de trade liason."
Thesuarusaurus nodded briefly and made his way back through the kitchens and down to the second hall, from there to the craftshall and then up to the depot. He knew the way well, and had been here the day before recording the new goods brought and the old ones sold in his heavy vellum ledger. He arrived just in time to see Led shake hands with the dark-skinned human twice his size before parting ways.
"Sir, ..."
"Thesaurusaurus, just call me Led. How many times do I have to tell you?"
"Aye, well, I've been hearing rumors of this but I thought you'd want to know. It borders on
blasphemy."
Led raised an eyebrow and allowed the record-keeper to guide him towards the Crack. They stopped on the small ledge that looked down into the darkness, Thesaurusaurus' breath coming in slight pants. Led looked at him.
"Well?"
"All right. Take a look off to the south. And down a few levels."
He looked hard into the darkness as Thesaurusaurus shut the door behind them to block out the light. It took him a few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the utter darkness but gradually his dwarven eyesight showed him what lay beyond the view of normal light. Off in the distance he could just barely make out a small ledge. Several zombie goblins shuffled about in the little space they had.
"What of them? Surely they're too far away to be bothering people?"
"Oh, aye. That's not the problem, sir. They've begun Naming them though."
Led looked at them again in a new light and stood there silently for a minute or two.
"Ah. What do they name that odd little one?"
"The one that looks as if he's mooning us sir?"
"Aye, that one."
The scribe sighed and shook his head. "He was the first to be named. I'm afraid 'twas my own children what thought it amusing. Apparently it took on and others began naming the undead cave swallows as they'd fly past below. They call him Cog Ingishetes."
"Cog Bodiceblew?"
Thesaurusaurus shook his head again. "Aye, I'm afraid so."
Led snorted.
"Hmph. Well, I think you need to take your children to task then."
"Yes, I've been meaning to do that, but with their mother gone and me busy so much..."
"No, no, I mean you need to teach them more of the old tongue. Teach them how to say 'semi-sentient little undead bastard' in ancient Dethic before they get too carried away. Bodiceblew... what a name."
The scribe looked as if he were both shocked and hurt.
"But... sir, isn't it blasphemous to..."
"My friend, these undead haven't seen the light of day in an age. Don't worry, let the people have their amusements with the names. The time for undead in this chasm is swiftly passing, soon only memories of them will remain, and it would do to have some of them be remembered as more than a
rotting corpse. If only to remind the future of what used to be here."
Author
Topic: Geshud Osod, the Fortress of Bones (Community/Story in Legendary Lands) (Read 102163 times)