((Nothing is happening.))
Bayar woke to chaos. And to pain. But mostly to chaos. Some dwarfs were running through the hospital (a single bed in the food stockpile) hauling stone blocks, while others were carting barrel after barrel up to the surface. She could hear the shouting through the layers of sand and clay.
Goldhammer, the Minister of Something and Some other thing ran past the bed, a mug in each hand. She called out "Goldhammer!" wincing in pain from the effort.
He stopped. "Bayar! How's the spleen?"
"It's... all right. What's going on out there?"
"It's the one year anniversary celebration! We've been here for a whole year, and no one has died or been hurt! Except you, of course."
"Imagine that..." Bayar muttered. "Er... could you maybe bring me up to speed on what's been happening?"
Goldhammer nodded. "Here, read this. I'm not sure who made it, but it's got all the news. I've got to get these mugs to the surface. Then I've got to drink them." Putting down one of the mugs, he pulled an engraved basalt tablet out of his pocket and dropped it in her lap.
After the agonizing pain started fading again, Bayar read the tablet.
..........................
The Oceanbridge Times!The sound of an ocean wave, crashing on rough carved stone! The lonesome cries of the gulls! The terrified scream of the peasant as the zombie gulls attempt to peck out his eyes! To these familiar sounds, something new has been added: the frustrated groans of the miners and smiths! Yes, every day the report comes: No metal to be found.
As far as this reporter has discovered, blame is shared equally among the miners, and by that I mean that they were all offended and attempted to beat this reporter up for suggesting blame!
Our brave soldiers must soldier on without armor, or weapon, or any means of defense beyond their brave fists! Fortunately for all, this is enough to dispose of our wandering undead.
This reporter has found that every soldier has claimed at least one zombie falcon for their trophy room!
That's the news from Oceanbridge this month! All the news that fits on Granite!
...........................
Bayar put the tablet carefully on the floor next to the bed. Her side was still in agony, and now she had a pain in her head... "What in all the gods name did I just read?"
...............
Next: Something?
((
Nothing!))