'Tace' follows Predak to see what has caught their attention.

"By the way, I wasn't suggesting breaking the wall down, just clearing away the roots so we can see what is behind them and where they are coming from", he replies after Predak inspects the break through, although drops that subject. He is more interested in the lodestones, "Oh, and where might I find the lodestones in camp, and who should I talk to about a loan?".

After Predak's reply, he gets back to work clearing the rubble as instructed, making sure he is able to investigate the new room before anyone has the opportunity to remove anything.

He is also confused by the blocked tunnel. Was it blocked by people this side, or the other? Was the means by which the dirt was moved here magical? There is certainly a magical aspect to all this, the roots prove that.

He tries to map in his mind where the tunnel goes in relation to the roots. Which wall in the new room does it lead out from? Is it opposite the entrance, or on a side wall which would make it more likely to lead to the source of the roots?

When Predak calls an end to the days labour, he feels a mixture of relief and disappointment. Relief because it has been a hard day and he is tired, but disappointment because there might be a big discovery waiting behind the dirt blockage.

But he collects his belongings, and looks to walk back with the Sergeant.

"What do you think, sir? Could these rooms have been built around the entrance to some more natural phenomenon? A cave system used by the ancients or something", he asks as they walk back. He also listens for other chatter going on as they make their way.

Arren also feels partially disappointed that they are not going to make any more progress today, and he's left wondering what the piled dirt might be hiding.

"Could be," he replies to the Corporal as they walk back to camp, the noticeable weight of his belongings adding to the ache in his muscles after several hours of mining. "I'm almost disappointed that we're not going to find out today. First, because I'm very curious right now about what will be unearthed, and second, because that discovery might mean we'd be free to go sooner than I imagined when we arrived this morning."

"What do you think we should do tomorrow? As interested as we might be in getting access to wherever that tunnel leads, I'm still curious about the source of the illness. Should we still split — one of us staying in the excavation, and the other switching to the top of the well? We might find nothing of interest up there… but at least we could rule it out for good. I'd be fine doing either."

When they arrive at the camp, the Sergeant places his belongings in the carriage, but still keeps the dagger on him. He spends a moment stretching his tired muscles as he assesses the camp anew, checking for anything — or anyone — of interest now that the day's work has finished, assuming this is the moment when everyone should be present at camp, rather than scattered across different tasks. He also plans to report back to the Commandant and the Lieutenant about everything they've seen today.

"Lodestones? Oh, right, you did mention that earlier. That's not really my area, and I doubt they'll be willing to talk to you. Maybe try Nohem, next time you see him." Predak doesn't add anything beyond that, throwing any other questions on the matter at Nohem, though Bryn gets the feeling he doesn't mean Nohem himself is the one holding onto those stones.

The tunnel leads out of the side of the next room. It's not impossible it would lead to somewhere closer to the roots, though there's nothing more to be done before the next obstacle is removed.

Even though Predak called it finishing early, by the time everyone arrives at the camp, the sun is no longer so high in the sky. Surely, there's an hour at most before it sets behind the other mountains in the west. Additionally, though it was imperceptible back at the well, a wind has begun blowing. It is of medium intensity and does not show any signs of calming down soon. As temperatures begin to drop with the descent of the sun in the west, the addition of the winds makes staying outside after dark very uncomfortable. On the bright side, perhaps, despite the partially cloudy sky, it doesn't rain, yet.

The rest of the workers returning from the well seem a little excited about the new discovery, but for the most part, they just talk about how they'd appreciate a hot stew next to a fireplace between four strong walls, in light of the weather. While listening to them intently, Bryn cannot miss the occasional cough, even once everyone is no longer within the excavation site, and dust is no longer as legitimate of an excuse.

When they finally arrive at the camp, since they're a little earlier, the workers are mostly alone. Anyone still gathering food has yet to return, and the cooks aren't quite done making everyone's dinner yet. Instead, they're once again caught in some heated argument. One could think that's all they do all day, though it seems one way or another, they eventually manage to prepare a meal for such a large group every time. As time passes, however, the rest of the camp's populace appears, little by little, until the camp is as crowded as it was during lunch, except now people tend to their business instead of eating, as dinner is not served yet. If Arren and Bryn search for Nohem, however, they cannot find him, and anyone they ask would say he hadn't returned yet, though they don't seem worried about it.

As for the carriage, Bryn and Arren find the Commandant working inside, using its closed space as protection from the wind, lest all her papers blow away. Walnuts seems to have put up the tents in the meantime, which surely wasn't an easy task with one hand in a splint. If anyone tries to talk to Commandant Nattensbarn, the Lieutenant would stop them, saying she asked not to be disturbed before nightfall as she won't be able to work once it goes dark, due to the wind.

Not long after the sun had set, but while there's still some light outside, the cooks call everyone for dinner, which seems to be made up of stew, mainly, and a few other edible things gathered during the last few hours. Bryn, Arren, the Commandant and Walnuts aren't invited, of course. Arren would notice the woman tending to the ill, taking a small pot containing several rations of the stew and some fresh, uncut vegetables into the tent where she treats the sick, as well as a few spoons, wooden bowls and a knife. She takes enough that he's sure she's planning to feed the sick - those in a condition to eat, at least - but he can't tell if she plans to eat from that too. He doesn't see her eat, in any case, not yet.

When the sun finally sets and its last lights are gone, the Commandant steps out of the carriage. She's clearly in a bad mood and shivers from the cold despite wearing warm clothes, but joins the rest of her crew for a bite off the cold rations, since she can no longer work in these conditions. Some of the camp's other dwellers still sit by a bonfire - to eat the last of their dinner if they haven't finished, chat about the day, sing maybe, or just try to absorb as much as they can from the heat produced by the small flames. Many others retired to their tents for the night, tired from a long day of work, but also to escape the chill brought by the wind.

The woman tending to the sick, Arren notices, hasn't yet left the tent, and Nohem hasn't returned yet. Predak sits by the fireplace at the moment. Not exactly by himself, though he doesn't seem to be part of any conversation, partake in the singing or anything else. He just stares at the flames, from the looks of it.

Arren doesn't disturb the Commandant while she finishes her work, choosing instead to speak with Tace and Walnuts meanwhile. He asks Walnuts whether he happened to see Nohem at any point during the day. Perhaps Nohem returned while they were at the excavation site and left again afterward, as opposed to not having returned at all after they last spoke to him.  If Walnuts hasn't seen him, Arren wonders aloud where the Elf might have gone—and whether he is the only one missing, or if others from his group are absent as well.

To try answer that question, Arren looks around the camp again, trying to spot any of the other bandits they saw any of the previous nights. They had all seen their faces clearly when speaking to the Corporal and when they returned at dawn. If several of them are missing, is might be because they are out harassing more travelers to drag them back to camp?

Once the Commandant joins them, Arren reports everything they've learned about the illness: the nine people currently sick, the tent where they're being treated, and the lone woman tending to them. He expresses concern that only one person is responsible for all nine—and that, judging by how she barely leaves the tent, she might soon become a tenth patient herself, leaving no one to care for the others. "We should speak to Nohem when he returns. Or Predak, if he's still out. At the very least, he might know when Nohem is due back."

He then listens for the Corporal's report about the strange plant, and regarding the the natural tunnel blocked by a mound of dirt, he says, "I suppose tomorrow we'll finally see what's behind it. Though we were also thinking of splitting up to look into other parts of the camp. Maybe that way we'll find something that sheds light on this illness."

For now, Arren doesn't take any specific action. If the Commandant and Walnuts intend to stay awake a little longer, he suggests moving closer to one of the bonfires to keep warm in the wind. In that case, they can move next to Predak to speak with him. If instead they prefer to retire for the night, Arren stays up a bit longer—asking the Corporal whether he wants to accompany him. Arren is interested to see whether Nohem returns—and if so, whether he comes back alone or with others, as well as from what specific part of the camp they return from. It might help him determine how many ways in and out of this camp actually exist?

He also keeps an eye on the healer's tent, watching to see if the woman tending to the sick ever leaves to rest in her own tent.

'Tace' walks back to camp with the Sergeant and the other workers slowly, listening with jealousy at the talk of a hot stew, knowing the only meal awaiting him is cold rations.

Hearing the coughs of the workers concerns him a little, but not overly right now, although he does make sure to keep a distance from those who sound worst.

"I think it is a good to split up tomorrow, sir", he replies to the Sergeant. "I would like to remain with those excavating. And I think it makes sense you carry on digging into the source of the illness", he adds, realises what he just says and gives out a half-hearted chuckle.

He does look around for Nohem when they reach camp, and is a little disappointed to find him missing, but he can wait. When they reach the Lieutenant he drops his gear and sinks the floor, his muscles starting to ache after the exertion of the day.

He listens as the Sergeant and Lieutenant perhaps talk a little about the whereabouts of Nohem.

"There must be quite a number of routes through the mountains, with watchers likely at all of them. I wouldn't be surprised if Nohem returns with more volunteers", he adds to the conversation.

Other than that, he watches as the camp becomes busier as people return, looking at the people's clothes to try and determine their station in life before they were all enslaved here. Or perhaps they are part of the bandit crew. Also, he notes what they are carrying. If they are going to be here for a while, it would be good to know what roles are on offer to give him a break from the back busting excavation.

When the Commandant appears, and they start to eat their rations, he nods in agreement with the Sergeant that they should speak once more with Nohem. 

"I am not sure whether Predak will be too helpful. He seems single minded in his focus on the excavation, and not much to do with the running of the camp. But it is worth a try I guess, sir".

He then gives his report, "So far, the only aspects of interest are some simplistic murals and some strange oversized roots. Well, they look oversized to me, but maybe there are varieties of trees in the mountains that I haven't come across before". I am a city slicker after all.

"But if they have found anything of value, it has been picked clean. Although there was nothing in the room we broke through to today, so I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't found anything. And now there is a natural tunnel blocked by packed earth. That will be the task tomorrow. My thinking at the moment is there is a natural tunnel system that was probably seen as important by those that lived here, and they built the rooms at the entrance to house visitors or those that looked after them. But it is pure conjecture right now".

When the Sergeant brings up splitting up again, he nods. "I am happy to stay with the dig tomorrow. When we do see Nohem, perhaps we can speak again about the food situation. With the exertion of the day and this cold wind, it sure would be good to have some hot food". Spoken like a true well disciplined soldier, not!

He welcomes the idea of staying up a little and moving closer to the bonfire, being unable to warm himself as he has done previously when exposed to the elements. And perhaps blag some food if there is any leftover, although the chances of that are slim.

"I still think there must be someone else running the show here. Well, maybe not actually here, but Nohem has a boss. I don't buy that he is in it for the glory of Gaitha. Perhaps that is where he is, if not gathering more recruits", he suggests.

Unless the wind is too cold, he might wander a little and look to see where they might keep supplies at some point, although he can wait for after his trance for that.

Nohem is nowhere to be seen, nor is anyone Arren can recognise from the previous nights. Walnuts says he hadn't seen him or any of them during the day. "I doubt they'll stop just because they got us to follow them. Even if they decided they needed no more workers, any carriage passing by with provisions is sure to attract their attention. I refuse to believe they can feed this many people by only hunting and gathering. See how desperate they were in capturing us, just to have two more workers? They needed our provisions, but they ended up settling on workers they needn't feed." The Lieutenant pauses for a moment, looking around briefly. "Hot stew sure sounds tempting at this time, but at least we know we're not eating someone's stolen food. However, the truth must be told: our supply of rations isn't endless. If we stick around for too long or run into more unexpected delays afterwards, we might end up running out before reaching Pyorre."

Bryn can't make much from people's clothes alone. Most look like merchants, though not necessarily wealthy ones, which is expected, given that these are the people who populate the mountain paths most frequently. Those who don't quite look like merchants, he assumes, are their bodyguards, or perhaps families. There should be others, too, like Lory, whom Arren claimed was sick, and whoever ran the Ledge Lodge. Naturally, there could also be others. People are travelling for whatever other reasons. Lastly, there are the bandits. The only clear identifier of this group is weapons carried on their person, but it seems only those who guard the camp carry weapons. For example, Predak doesn't carry any weapons, at least ones Bryn can see, and he's clearly part of the bandit group.

"It sure sounds tough," Walnuts comments on Arren's summary of the woman treating the ill, briefly looking in that direction. "Perhaps I could be of help. I mean, even with only one good hand, there are still some things I can do. Even just for brief periods, maybe, to relieve some of her stress. Perhaps at night; she can't work all day and barely sleep." He emphasises the last part, clearly meant for someone else as well.

"Save it," the Commandant responds, not missing Walnuts' intention. "I can't work tonight, so you got what you wanted. Here, I'm even eating, so I'll hear no more of this tonight. In the meantime," she turns to Arren and 'Tace', "how close do you think you are to passing this 'packed earth' obstacle?" Given the strong winds, there's almost no chance anyone can hear you, but she still briefly looks around to see if anyone is closer than they should be before resuming. "I thought about some of the things you discussed with Nohem earlier. What will these bandits do with anything they find in there? Ancient artefacts, texts with lost knowledge, who knows what might be there? I'm not interested in gold or gems, if there are any in there. But these invaluable things, if there, I'd rather they did not fall into their hands."

She pauses momentarily, cupping her hands and bringing them up to her mouth to blow on them, to warm her cold fingers. "Well, finishing work here faster will also mean we're out of this place earlier, but disregard that for a moment. If they pass the last obstacle during the day, whatever it is, I doubt they'll allow you to touch or search the place before them. And even if they do, taking anything will be more difficult. If you work at night, however, while the place is empty..." She pauses, looking at each of you for a few moments. "I do not mean to overwork you too much. If you think it is impossible or too exhausting, speak up."

Following the talk (after hearing your responses and answering any other questions), the Commandant will retire early for once, mostly to escape the cold in her tent. The Lieutenant will remain awake and has no objection to moving closer to the bonfire as long as they keep the Commandant's tent within sight, which isn't too big of a challenge.

Quote from FairIthilien >>

"It might help him determine how many ways in and out of this camp actually exist?"

 The camp doesn't have a wall or anything, so there is no particular entrance/exit to it. The path from which the carriage came is more of an improvised path than a real road. 

As for the woman tending to the sick, Arren doesn't see her leave the tent yet. Since you might still talk to Predak (from what I understood from your posts), the night isn't over yet, and she doesn't leave the tent before you move to the bonfire (assuming you do).

'Tace' shakes his head, "There is no way to know how much earth is packed in to the tunnel".

He is glad that the Commandant shares his concerns, although they probably come at this from different perspective. She will want that knowledge for Mey, and I will want it to consume the knowledge and sell it on. Whose side am I really on then?

When the Commandant brings up the idea of working through the night, he frowns under his mask, and then becomes thoughtful.

"Given chance to trance, I would probably have it in me to put in an early shift", he replies, then looks at the Sergeant and wonders if that is such a good idea for him. He must be running on his emergency oil flask already after the disturbed night and the full days hard labour.

"If the earth blockage is shallow, I should be able to break through quickly enough. I will be up against the sun rising and space to move the earth too, but I will do my best".

If the plan is agreed, he will not waste any time in the evening, but head to the tent to trance nice and early.

Arren chuckles at Tace's remark about digging into the source of the illness. "Let's hope I'm better at digging into illnesses than I am at digging dirt."

Since the Commandant cuts off Walnut's pointed comment about her needing sleep, Arren doesn't add anything to the topic. But the slight lift of his eyebrows and the small tilt of his head make it clear he agrees with the Lieutenant. He answers the Drow instead, "Helping the healer? Well… good luck with that. I tried offering help earlier, and she refused right away. She's not wrong to keep the healthy away from that tent, but what good will it do if she exhausts herself, or ends up falling ill too? But, who knows, maybe you'll be more persuasive than I was, sir."

When the Commandant brings up the possibility of the bandits uncovering invaluable artifacts—and the idea of working through the night to reach them first—Arren frowns slightly. Two questions rise to the front of his mind, even before he considers the exhaustion involved, and he voices them both. "What do we do when they realize someone worked during the night? Because they will notice. Maybe they haven't posted a watch over the excavation... but once they realize something has changed, won't they search the camp top to bottom?" 

He pauses, then asks his second question. "If we got there first and found anything of worth, what happens to it then?" Arren is certain the Katton army will claim anything of value, and that nothing will ever reach Ditten hands. And though he doesn't have a clear opinion about that - beyond that he doesn't really want some bandits, or whoever their real boss is, to have them either - he'd like to know the Commandant's position.

Despite those questions, when Arren answers about working through the night, he does so without considering any of that. He glances at the Corporal, who is clearly eager to keep working, and hesitates. He doesn't like the idea of the Corporal going alone, but at the same time, he's not confident he can manage physically if he joins in. "I'm… uncertain, ma'am," the Sergeant admits at last.  "I could perhaps push myself through the night, but tomorrow would be rough. I'm not sure that that would be wise."

He looks to them, wondering whether that means Corporal Peite will go alone or if, instead, they'll decide to cancel the plan altogether.

(ooc: not adding the part where we move to the bonfire to speak to Predak/wait for the woman or Nohem yet, just in case)

"From what it seemed to me, they didn't mind people working overtime. And if it does bother them," the Commandant answers Arren's concern, "just claim I asked you to work to get out of here faster, and stop. A little misunderstanding. As for what you'll find, it depends on what you find. Precious metals, jewels, gems and the like - you can leave them there. While I'm sure the anthropologists will be interested in those, too, they're not worth the risk and could be harder to hide. Texts, of any kind, would be transferred to appropriate experts to copy for research and preservation. Artefacts... well, case by case. That is, if you find any of those things at all. Perhaps I've been infected by the bandits' greed, but the place may be empty, too."

When Arren brings up his reservations about the matter, the Commandant doesn't hesitate to reply: "You're right, I'm asking too much." She seems sincere, as far as Arren or Bryn can tell. "You should conserve your strength, especially in the enemy camp. Forget I asked."

'Tace' takes note of the instructions the Commandant gives as to what to say and do if he is found working overnight, and how to address anything he finds. It makes sense for the Sergeant to get a good rest.

"Ok, Ma'am. Sirs. I think I will turn in now so I can get an early start tomorrow", he says to the others.

With that said, and unless someone stops him, he will move over to the tent he shares. There he will sit out of reach of the elements to trance, focussing his mind on the needs of the next morning.

Arren thanks the Commandant for her understanding, and as the Corporal retires for the night, he adds, "I'll spend a few moments by the bonfire. See if Predak says anything, and keep an eye out in case Nohem returns. I'll report in the morning if I learn anything. Though I expect he won’t share much, as you said."

With that, the Sergeant bids good night to his comrades and makes his way toward the bonfire where Predak is resting. He lingers for a short while, letting what warmth he can gather reach his chilled fingers, before stepping closer.

"Predak," he begins, tone polite but steady, "is Nohem expected back tonight? I hoped to speak with either one of you about the sick. It's… concerning to see so many people fall ill in such a short time. I imagine it must be worrying for you as well, losing workers slows everything down."

He pauses, gauging the man's expression before continuing. "I wondered if you were considering any measures. Perhaps having people wear cloth over their mouths when working near those who cough, or keeping groups a little more spread out. It might slow the pace a bit, but it could help prevent more people from falling ill.”

His eyes shift briefly toward the tent where the woman still tends to the sick. "There's only one healer looking after everyone. She seemed exhausted. Maybe other worker could assist her, even just with the simpler tasks? The workers who are already ill will need proper care if you want them back on their feet."

((It seems like the coming night might have you two play at different timelines. I don't currently see Arren and Bryn interacting, so I don't mind running in parallel, but don't be afraid to turn to the other if needed, and we'll manage.))

Deciding that they're all close enough to see should something happen, Walnuts follows Arren to the bonfire, but doesn't stick for long. He soon continues onwards across the camp to the infirmary tent, disappearing in it for a while.

Once Arren starts talking with Predak, the Elf just smiles in amusement, and by the end, can't help but chuckle. "Oh, excuse me. It's just that I think there's been a little misunderstanding. I'm 'in charge' of the excavation," he emphasises the phrase 'in charge' by using his fingers to make air-quotes, "because I'm the only one here who had, in his youth, worked in a mine. I am in no way the one calling the shots here. You're a military man, you know how it works. Those efficient on the battlefield risk their lives because they're good at it. But those who point them towards the enemy, these are people sitting in chairs somewhere else. They decide whether you like or hate a person based on where their dialect places their birthplace.

"So, to answer your questions, I don't know when Nohem will be back. He's not often around here for long, though he passes by occasionally to observe what progress we make. As for the sick, I've voiced similar concerns before, but we're still in this situation. So, if you want to see any change, talk to Nohem. Or the workers, as long as your idea doesn't interrupt the workflow. We wouldn't even be here if it were up to me, but if we're already here, I want to be done as soon as possible."

At about that time, the woman treating the ill leaves her tent and approaches the pot with the stew, to take from whatever is left inside. Walnuts is nowhere to be seen, so must have remained inside. Once the woman takes a bowl of stew, she toddles over to the bonfire and joins the circle around it, not next to Arren but not too far from him either. Once she's sat, she removes the cloth wrapped around her face and starts to eat. Arren can now see her pretty face showing clear signs of exhaustion, not different from those he's already used to seeing on the Commandant's face. She eats quietly, yet slowly, occasionally losing focus and staring blankly into the fire, before shaking and remembering to eat.

Bryn's trance passes without interruption (probably). By the time he is finished, the Sergeant (I assume) is already in deep sleep. The Lieutenant, who had gone with Arren earlier, had yet to return. The strong wind still howls outside, and although the tent shields Bryn from it, it is still quite cold inside.

If/once Bryn steps outside the tent, he finds that most of the camp's dwellers have gone to sleep or trance, and in either case, remain in their tents. There are a few guards near bonfires, Elven, but they seem mostly focused on the cold and pay no mind to Bryn.

 Later that night

'Tace' comes to from his trance. Moving quietly so as not to disturb the Sergeant, he gathers the few things he will need to take to the excavation site. He includes in that list his weapons and armour, just in case things don't go smoothly with the guards or anyone else he comes across. He also considers the fact that he will need light, and so unless he knows there are lanterns at the excavation site, he will look to take theirs (unless it is with the Commandant or locked away), along with his tinderbox. Lastly, he makes sure to wrap up warm, taking his overcoat with him if only for the short walk to the site.

He can tell it is windy outside before he opens the tent flap, and so tries to exit the tent in such a way as to not let too much of the breeze inside.

He stops after closing the tent and looks about the camp, seeing the guards and trying to tell if they have spotted him. Even if he has the lantern, he has not yet lit it. At this point he needs to make a judgement call. To try and sneak away unseen, or to act as normal and wave to the guards? It will be easy to sneak away now, but when the sun comes up it will be more difficult to return unseen. Of course, perhaps I don't return and just wait there for the day workers.

He decides to move in the open, although not too close to the guards, and only move across to them if they acknowledge him. When he realises they have no interest in him, he relaxes a bit and makes his way towards the excavation site, relying on his darkvision rather than lighting himself up for all to see.

If he makes it safely to the excavation site, he will check to see if anyone is there and then get to work lighting up the room with the blocked tunnel. But not before he makes. a quick scan to see if anything is actually more noticeable in the full darkness. Perhaps some phosphorus that provides natural light. And without any other workers here, I might also notice an unexpected air flow.

If anyone does intervene on the way or when he gets there, he will tell them quietly, "No rest for a soldier in the Katton army when there is work to be done. Especially when you have an impatient officer giving the orders".

(OOC: I assume there must have been some source of light at the excavation site, as they were effectively underground whilst digging, right?)

During the night.

Arren listens to Predak’s explanation with a faint nod. "I see. My mistake. So you're here against your will, same as the rest of the workers?" He lets the Elf answer before continuing. "And I don't suppose you've ever met the one actually giving the orders. Nohem's superior, the person in the chair, as you put it. I take it they haven't set foot here yet?"

When Predak responds, Arren adds quietly, "I'll speak to Nohem when he returns, then. Assuming he's willing to listen."

His attention shifts to the healer as she shuffles toward the fire. He's glad Walnuts managed to convince her to eat and rest. It probably didn't take much persuasion at this hour, judging by the exhaustion on her face. Come to think of it, several hours have passed since they last spoke, and it's likely she hasn't stopped even once, while the workers at the mine are free to take their breaks. Stones can wait. Patients can't.

For a while Arren says nothing, simply warming his hands over the flames and giving her space to eat. Only once she's finished does he move a little closer—near enough to speak without raising his voice, but not so near as to intrude.

"I'm glad to see you let Lieutenant Tireur help," he says gently. "I hope it gives you a chance to rest and recover."

He nods toward her bowl with a half-smile. "Is it any good?"  The tone makes it clear he isn't truly asking for a culinary review, and that it is more an attempt to share a light moment despite the circumstances.

If she appears open to talke, he continues. "How are the patients faring? I'm hoping to speak to Nohem when he returns—try to convince him to put some measures in place before the illness spreads further. Fewer people packed together, maybe cloths over their mouths, or a bit more distancing at the dig site."

He gives a brief glance toward the infirmary tent. "At least for now, with the Lieutenant helping, you won't have to handle everything alone."

As he speaks, another thought forms—one Predak unintentionally planted: if Nohem doesn't return soon, nothing actually prevents them from reorganizing the workers on their own. The bandits care only about progress, not how it's achieved. Arren files the idea away for the moment, waiting to see how much the healer is willing to share. "May I know your name, by the way?" he asks, then continues, "Do you think we have enough clean bandages to share among the workers, to cover their mouths? If not, we'll have to make do with pieces of their own clothing."

((Since Bryn went to trance early, it's not as late/tomorrow's early as you think. It's actually not even midnight.))

The crew's lantern is locked in the carriage, but the oil lantern used by the workers during the day should still be in the excavation site, where it, along with all the rest of the equipment, was left unguarded. On his way, the guards might raise their heads momentarily upon hearing him approaching, but once they see he's not some animal or a person who would actually try to flee from the camp, at least to their judgment, they leave him alone. One does stop him to ask, more out of curiosity than anything else, where he's headed, but he seems satisfied by Bryn's answer. "Well, not that different over here. At least you'd be protected from the wind over there." The guard comments sympathetically before turning back to face the small fire he's sat next to.

When Bryn arrives at the well, he's the only living person around. The tools, the oil lantern, everything that was there when the workers left the place, still stand untouched. From above him, Bryn can hear the strong wind, but none of it reaches him. Bryn doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary, even in the absence of light and other people.

"Oh, don't get me wrong," Predak corrects Arren, "I'm not here against my will, and I know everyone in our gang. Not that it means they'll abide by my will, but I can speak my mind when I need to. But mining, well, that's something I had hoped I'll never have to do again. It brings back a lot of bad memories. But," he sighs, "the Goddess called, and now we're all here for a reason. As you, a soldier, must well know, we can't only do what we want to."

The woman remains silent for a short while, but long enough that Arren might wonder if she even heard him, or maybe she's just ignoring him. Just when he's about to repeat himself, or perhaps step away, she replies. "That Drow? Well, he didn't leave me much of a choice. I suppose he wasn't wrong, though." She sighs, then places the wooden bowl on the ground by her feet. "No, it's not good. It's cold already, and..." she pauses, "never mind. I'm just exhausted." 

She listens as Arren talks, or at least, she stays in place and doesn't interrupt him. Arren can't be sure how attentive she is, exactly. When he asks for her name, it takes her quite a while to answer. "Mydri. I am... Mydri. And these aren't bandages, just pieces of cloth. Most of which are torn clothes already, we don't have much more to use. Of course, I could use less if they were cleaned, somehow, during the day. Maybe your friend could help with that, but I think it would be a difficult task with his hand in that splint. Then you could take the rest of them and," she coughs once, albeit a mere light cough which she covers with her elbow, "and give it to others. Maybe. But the best way to help everyone would be to get out of here faster."

Later that night

'Tace' is not surprised to find the well abandoned, but he is a little relieved. Thank the gods I don't have to actually dig! And thank the gods that there is shelter from that wind!

He takes up the lantern and a shovel, the latter for appearance sake only, and moves through the structure to the room with the blocked tunnel. He moves into the tunnel and lights the lantern, and keeps it as low as is possible, with the light directed towards the earthen barrier if there is a choice.

With a quick look around to ensure he is completely alone, he focusses on the dirt blockage. His mind flits back to the tunnels under Tus, and how they looked like they had been formed by magic. That is what he had been focussing on during his trance, and he now attempts to put that into practice.

He speaks the word of magic and directs his thoughts on a portion of the barrier, and wills it to move out of the way. He chooses a section to one side and at the top of the blockage first, so there should be no collapse, and tries to move it to the other side of the tunnel in front of the blockage. 

If it works, he will look to repeat the process, extending the tunnel on one side whilst piling earth up on the other.