The bridge proved to be a greater undertaking than any of them had imagined. The trick it seemed was to build a little at a time, securing each plank firmly with piles sunk deep into the river's muddy bed. It was lucky really that the flow here was so gentle and after a long day's work, as the dying light spilled across the plain, Knarfle finally succeeded in setting the final post and began hammering planks across the top. At last the span was complete.
Rith gingerly edged his way across, the construction looked ramshackle but there seemed to be remarkably little give in the saguaro and ironwood boards beneath his feet. Satisfied he stepped onto the far back and turned to wave at the anxious dwarves on the far bank.
"Seems sound." he called. "One at a time mind, no sense pushing our fortune."
One by one the dwarves filed across their newest construction until presently the band stood congregated on the eastern shore.
"Not beautiful perhaps, but servicable." said Knarfle with a hint of pride and he handed Rith the new wooden axe he had carved that morning. Whilst still rough it showed clear improvements over the previous tool.
Rith grinned and slapped him on the back. "Aye it'll do just fine."
They stood in silence for a moment surveying the land. It had been visible before, but being cut-off they had largely ignored it. It was to be honest much the same as their shore, cactii and ironwood dotted the rocky soil here and there and the by now familiar plants grew in whatever shelter they could find. The camels had indeed left but there appeared to be signs of an animal trail winding southwards along the bank.
"Business as usual then Rith?", asked Grue. Rith considered a few moments before answering.
"Pretty much guys. Pick the plants as we did last time, i'll knock down these trees and we can replenish our wood supply. Once we stock up we'll have to see about new furniture after last night's little mishap."
Kol shuffled his feet self-consciously at this last and appeared to find a nearby shrub highly interesting. Rith grinned a little as his embaressment, he was not the kind to hold a grudge but a little gentle teasing would go a long way towards making the firebug think twice before hurling flames so near the camp again.
"Erm...", Morul coughed delicately, "Any ideas about what we might do for.....well, for clothing?".
Rith turned to look at him and sighed, the whole bunch of them were still streaked with soot from the rumble with the leopard and later unplanned barbeque. They probably had a full servicable set of clothing between them, the rest was no more than scorched tatters and ash.
"Clothes, i'm afraid to say will be a luxury. I did notice a few plants that we picked might make thread, but we dont have the wood to spare for a loom or clothesmakers shop, and its not like we have any idea how such things are done anyway. In time we'll get there, for now just......just enjoy the breeze."
There was a round of chuckling at this and their mood's lightened.
"Well lets get cracking guys, I want this shore scoured as soon as possible, I need more seeds to grow and we're very low on brewable plants. Mosus, stick with me and haul logs back to Knarfle who will get cracking on the furniture. The rest of you pick and watch for wildlife, usual deal, give a yell if you see something edible and a louder one if something sees you as edible."
The dwarves gave another chuckle and headed to their tasks, Knarfle moving back across their new bridge toward his workshop.
"Well come on then Mosus", Rith said as he slung axe number 2 over his shoulder, lets get us some wood.
Author
Topic: Playfuloiled - A community penal colony (Read 16051 times)