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Old 04-12-2006, 05:34 PM   #212
Celuien
Riveting Ribbiter
 
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Assigned to Mordor
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The sound of Garstan's tools grinding over stone echoed under the morning sun. He had started work for Lord Eodwine the day of his arrival, collecting and reshaping the fallen stone from the kitchen to craft a new stove for the Hall. Soot from an open fire in the yard troubled the cook and, in truth, some of guests at the hall. And the food had taken on a smoky flavor. Garstan didn't mind. Meals at the hall were certainly better than the plain food he cooked over his little campfire, but he suspected that they met with little approval from more than one of the other visitors.

His chisel worked down a stone block, carving a groove into one of its faces. The furrow would match a ridge in another piece, and so on for each block he used, holding the new stove together in a interlocking puzzle.

The stove would not fall. Linduial had questioned him about the lack of mortar in the structure, and he had tried to explain that none was needed. Besides, to make mortar, lime and sand would be necessary, and there wasn't any about for miles. It seemed that Eodwine could ill afford the additional, unnecessary, expense. But later, mortar might be needed for the more elaborate plans Eodwine had sketched.

Garstan stepped back to look at his work. The stove was going well. Several rows stood interlocked over a round pit for the fire. The highest row needed only two more stones. A few more rows on top of that would bring the stove to completion, though a chimney would still be needed. But that could wait until the kitchen itself, still a ruin of timbers, was rebuilt.

The last stone in the row locked into place. Garstan stopped work and rubbed his sore hands together. He then went into the Hall in search of a morning snack before resuming his labors to find Larswic and his son already present. He shifted uncomfortably to the side. Something about the man stirred his distrust. But he smiled a good morning to the pair despite his misgivings.
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