Chapter Two Hundred and Forty-Eight - Diggy Diggy Hole

Chapter Two Hundred and Forty-Eight - Diggy Diggy Hole

Chapter Two Hundred and Forty-Eight - Diggy Diggy Hole

I looked up and around as we crossed the gate and walked into the little fortress next to the dam. The mole people had built walls all around with smaller buildings tucked up against them.

There was what looked like a smithy to one side, with a bit of smoke puffing out from above, and a few buildings that I guessed were barracks. The people moving about were clearly part of two groups. There were the guards and soldiers, all wearing thick gambesons, and often carrying spears and swords, and then there were the workers, who wore simpler clothes and carried belts full of tools. They were moving stacks of bricks, seemingly fresh from a nearby kiln.

The fortress had an opening in one wall, right up against the rear of the dam. A wooden walkway allowed mole people workers to carry wheelbarrows full of bricks over to the end of the dam where others were stacking them.

Others were higher up, climbing over thick wooden scaffolds that allowed them to reach the top of the dam.

I was surprised that so many of the buildings inside the wall were made of bricks, with the exterior wall being covered in packed mud. Maybe they were using the mud as a sort of additional barrier? Or maybe it would dry up and create a stronger wall? I didnt know enough about construction stuff to guess.

Greetings, Moley Holey said as he climbed down some steps and came to stand before us, his hands at his hips and a pair of soldiers at his back. Welcome to Temporary Fort Moltain.

Its a very cool fort, I said.

Moley didnt look impressed by my enthusiastic response. Its a simple fortress, but one that should serve its purpose.

If you dont mind me being so blunt, Bastion said. What is that purpose?

Moley stood a little taller, which brought his head even with my chin. Fort Moltain is a defensive position from which we can build a dam.

And why are you building a dam? Bastion asked.

The mole person sniffed. As an offensive measure. Did you think we would sit back and ignore your lack of response? If Granite Springs wont cease their actions against us, then we have no choice but to act against Granite Springs.

I noticed Captain Ward placing a hand over the hilt of his sword. Did he just say they were going on the offensive against us?

I waved him down. No, no, Im sure theres an explanation, I said. Right, Mister Holey?

Thats General Holey, the mole person said. Perhaps you could introduce yourselves?

Bastion nodded. Im Paladin Bastion Coldfront, this is Guard Captain Ward, from Granite Springs, and this is Captain Broccoli Bunch. Shes an airship captain from outside of Sylphfree. Her translation and negotiation skills are why she is present.

Hi! I said.

Hmph, well, if thats how the sylphs want to do things, more power to you. I, for one, dont care for your lack of professionalism.

Bastion nodded slowly. Im going to be entirely honest with you, general. I dont know why the mole people are building this dam. I can imagine it being quite harmful to the people of Granite Springs, though, and those people are, to some degree, my responsibility.

Then you should have addressed our concerns months ago, the general said.

What concerns? Ive been in the area for less than a day. Im unaware of what trouble your people are facing, and why harming Granite Springs would alleviate that.

The general looked at Bastion for a moment, then he turned beady eyes onto me. Perhaps... Come.

With that, the general spun on his heel and walked across the open centre of the fort. Groups of soldiers paused to let us pass, and I felt the stares of curious molefolk workers as we moved towards a building on the other end of the fort, nearly opposite the dam.

The general opened a doorway in a small building, revealing a staircase leading down into a dimly lit tunnel. This way, he said as he stepped down.Ne/w novel chapters are published at novelhall.com

I eyed Bastion, but he just shrugged a shoulder and followed the mole person in.

I encountered a problem as I followed him in.

I didnt fit.

Bastions brows knit together in a frown. Darker than standard guard armour. Did they have tabards?

They did, Black, with orange trim.

Thats the army, Bastion said.

There was a division stationed in town. Theyve been active lately, but with the alert level higher now, I thought that was ordinary.

Bastion hummed. Who did you contact about the quarry? You said you sent correspondence, but its clear it never arrived, or if it did, it was never delivered to the guard captain here.

We sent it to the quarry first, then to the town, but our messengers were always intercepted by your army.

Thats an issue, Bastion said.

Can the army do that? I asked. For that matter, why would they be so mean?

Thats a good question, Bastion said. They might have the authority to protect the quarryit is run by the statebut to go as far as to basically start a conflict with the locals like this... Thats terribly unwise.

The general sniffed. I received a letter once. Our only reply. The mole person waddled over to a desk and tugged out a drawer. He returned with a letter, which he passed to Bastion.

Bastion unfolded it, eyes darting across the page. Major Springsong. Ive never heard of them.... This letter says a lot of nothing.

I was rather insulted by it, yes, the general said.

Where is the army stationed? Bastion said. I cant imagine theyre only staying within Granite Springs.

Theres a camp next to town, Captain Ward said. I believe the major might be there.

Is he the highest ranking officer? Bastion asked.

No, theres a Commander Warmwood who moved in a few months ago, Ward said.

I hummed. Maybe we should go say hi to the commander then. Theyre hurting the poor mole people.

We are hardly poor, nor are we unable to care for ourselves.

I nodded, ears smack-smacking the ceiling. Yes, but it sounds like youre basically being bullied, which is never nice. We cant just sit back and do nothing about it. Also, I want to visit Dhigeyhole. A whole town underground? I bet its really neat!

Bastion rubbed at his chin, then nodded. General, may I ask a favour of you?

You may ask; whether or not I grant it would depend.

Bastion nodded. Thats understandable. Im going to go meet the commander of the army in this region. I think he might have some things to answer for. While I do that, would it be possible to abstain from finishing the dam? I dont want irreparable damage to be done because one person overreached.

The mole person general scratched at his furry neck. I suppose I could have the workers shift to more preparatory work. It wouldnt slow things down overly. But that would require I put my trust in you, paladin.

I am a sylph of my word, Bastion said. And I give it to you when I say I will do everything in my power to ensure that this situation is resolved in a timely fashion.

Ill do my best too! I said, my most serious face on.

Hmph, well, I suppose thats something. You have until this evening. Then well be finishing the dam and our sappers will be diverting the river.

Well be quick about it, then, Bastion said.

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