XX - Eating on the Job

  With a huge sigh, Findat removed the pack from his shoulders and massaged them with both hands, grimacing in pain. He had known the role of Overseer was not simply administrative, but it highlighted the importance of his task that a man of his age had to lead a diplomatic team so far from the city. While his mind took in the task willingly, his body was slow to agree.   During the previous two Urs, he had had to ignore discontented muttering from behind him, Shenzàn's irritation with the inexperience of Naja, Vider tutting almost every time they paused for breath and Azachet attempting to play group counsellor and peacemaker. Findat berated himself for choosing the team on individual merit and not considering possible group cohesion problems. He stretched and decided to speak his mind, before Vider had another chance to display his poorly-concealed impatience.   "I don't know if I'm glad to be in a clearing, or more at risk," Findat admitted, evoking a few murmurs of agreement, "by my calculations, we are not a third of the way into the woods."   He turned to the group and gave them an appraising look.   "Four Urs walk is not enough if we are to make it to the centre of the Nectar Glen by anything like a reasonable time. I had, optimistically, hoped tomorrow would be our arrival day. But I think that will only bring us to the edge of the Woods," he frowned, frustrated but resigned, "there's little point in arriving early and dog tired when we are supposed to be representing Shevezz as well as possible."   "We have been on our feet closer to ten Urs today, Overseer," Vider reminded him, "even though one or more were used for eating, your four Urs only relate to the wonderful time we've had in the woods. "   "Me feet are achin' like nothin'," Naja complained, "you weren't kiddin' about the ground undulatin' around 'ere."   Shenzàn looked up at the sky, which was a paler shade than that to which she was accustomed, with the occasional passing white fluffy cloud.   "It feels colder, but it's better than being blinded by trees. I'm no cat, so I have a greater disadvantage in the shadows."   "Now now," purred Azachet, "I'll not take that as an insult this time. And sometimes, not seeing the danger before you have to react to it has its advantages. Plus, your fur hides you better than my own."   "I'm no furry as-" Shenzàn tried to retort before shaking her head with the hint of a smirk, "you win."   The Erdàn Savànii - or Known Lands - stretched from the frigid Zeloiiblàn Mountains in the far north, to the desert of Sablesand in the south. No one knew beyond rumours what existed beyond the Zelohiiblàn in the North or the far East or West. For that reason, they were simply called the Erdàn Rensavànii, the Unknown Lands. This was occasionally rendered Reginotus (Regions Unknown) on more ancient Shevezzi scrolls and maps.   While Shevezz City bordered Sablesand Dunes, Queendom's walls were almost as long North-to-South as the desert was. This resulted in noticeable temperature differences between the two ends of the vast city, at least above the ground. The Aevyormii homes of the so-called Nectar Glen were positioned in almost the perfect centre of the Known Lands. While that itself was the same as trekking Sablesand in terms of distance, Shanvér Woods was dark, rocky and hazardous, involving frequent reorientation and careful stepping. This slowed progress to a rate that was testing the patience of some in the group. It would be an achievement to make it in two or three days without aid, time Findat wished they had, but knew it to be otherwise.   Azachet yawned and, as her tail flicked wearily from side to side, her ears twitched in all directions.   "You picking up any signals, girl?" Shenzàn asked.   "Nrr, though something in the air smells…misplaced for a forrrest."   It smells…musty, maybe even smokey, Azachet thought with concern, I hope I am wrong.   "Me!" Naja laughed softly, "I'm misplaced."   "No arguments from me, Naja," Veman retorted, "especially a quiet forest."   They need to stop, and my urgency is not their urgency, because their responsibility is not identical to mine, Findat reasoned.     "Non-lethal traps please," Findat instructed, "the lethal ones tend to be slow deaths, which is cruel. And if you could vary the trap size that would be a comfort."   "No problem," the warrior agreed and distanced herself from the others to begin her task.   Vider, who had shown himself to be the quietest member of the group, shuffled to Findat's side.   "Overseer, er, I mean, uhm, Findat?"   The older man glanced to his left and smiled as kindly as his energy and aching legs would allow.   "Yes, Vider?"   "Calculations are not my speciality, but it could go darker here earlier than at home. Will you need my lantern?" he asked.   "You're correct. Darker earlier, but lighter earlier too at this time of year," Findat agreed, "as for your lantern, not initially as we'll have a cookfire going soon. Though Naja will need some kindling shortly. I'm not letting her venture on her own. If we keep the fire going long enough for food, cocoa and, I believe I have some bread which should be eaten today, so we can finish with toast. Hopefully, by then, people will be tired enough to sleep."   "Should I go with Naja as she will need to see in order to find the right wood?"   Findat smiled, without making eye contact with the negotiator.   "I don't believe I said Naja would be the one to go fetch the wood. Though your assistance would be appreciated," Findat acknowledged, "just don't let the dampeners fall off before their time."

---

  Kanda was glad that he had something of a good memory, as it only took a brief refresher of the books for him to begin making notes once more. He had two challenges he had to resolve before the wall lanterns were dimmed; to be sure of where the heat-veins were, within a reasonable margin of error, and to give himself enough information about the manufactured light crystals that would allow him to create makeshift dampeners ahead of his journey to wherever his research led him.   He retrieved his gifted light crystal and laid it on the table, noting that it was already glowing dimly, a result of this library being two archways away from the strongest light source. Frowning, he moved it to the window and it seemed to return to a dormant state once more.   "One task at a time, Kanda-Nor," he whispered.   As much as he wanted to start research on the crystal, he had already begun the calculations regarding the heat-veins.   "Sasalu?" Kanda asked, looking up, "after I left the medical wing I was told to ensure I eat and drink, unlike the last time I was here. So long as I don't stain your books, may I eat here?"   "Of course, Sair-Kor. I have already asked whether you had sustenance with you. I also assume that Overseer Findat…"   "Informed me about the slave labour as retribution, yes," Kanda smirked, "I mean 'work without remuneration'."   "Good, then eat and work. That's standard in Shevezz City," Sasalu nodded.   "People don't just eat and drink for, you know, non-work reasons?"   "Sair-Kor!" Sasalu gasped, her hands clasped dramatically over her mouth, "you make it sound as though there should be life outside of work," she intonated, glaring seriously then planted her hands stoutly on her hips, before almost falling apart in laughter.   "Oh, hmm," she eventually managed, after calming down.   She cleared her throat.   "Yes we do. Some of us more than others."   "Oh thank the…" Kanda started, before checking himself, "logic for that?"   Sasalu looked him up and down, then toddled to the second book case, moved a set of steps along and hopped up to the top step. Standing on tiptoe with a small grunt, she pulled out a narrow tome, though it appeared to Kanda more like a bundle of hastily-gathered notes.   Much like my own research will shortly, he thought.   "Here, Sair-Kor, catch!"   "You are, kid–" he started, and reacted just in time to realise she was genuinely playing games in the public library, "how long have you worked here?"   "Long enough to know where everything is, and short enough not to wish it a place to be pushed to the limits of boredom," she explained.   Jumping the three steps back down she motioned to it.   "A Short List of Greetings, Exclamations, Retorts and Replacements for Common Curse Words and Deity-invoking Reactions," she explained without needing to look at the title.   "If it weren't for seeing the size of the…wedge of paper, I would be concerned about the author's definition of 'short', after just hearing the title."   Sasalu chuckled, "I call it the SLOGERR for short."   "I can't imagine why," Kanda smirked, to which the librarian grinned.   "Oh, by the way," Sasalu continued as though retrieving a long-lost thought, "you don't become Shevezzi overnight, so don't try to look like you have. Findat informed me that you weren't local, so you need not fear invoking gods or spirits or other…entities. Shevezz is open to all cultures," she explained, "but if your medium-term goals include blending in, then that's a good starting point," she pointed at the book, "well, after your heat vein research and…whatever you need a lamp-light for."   Be that as it may, Findat had clearly not wanted me to believe in self-directing Elements, Kanda reminded himself.   "Thank you, your priority list was already my own," he replied.   With a flourishing bow and a final giggle, the Elelup padded back to her desk to organise Findat's second pile of books.