SEARCH - ZANRIL & VARRICK

“We need… more. More resources, more manpower, all of it.” Zanril stated as she looked out at the cavern from where she was taking a moment to rest, having spent the last while chipping away at the stone prison encasing the Matriarch. “It feels like we’re running out of time somehow… I don’t know if it’s my mind playing tricks on me, but the pressure is there.

It seemed unlikely she was the only one experiencing it too, if the anxious energy blanketing the very Beneath itself was anything to go off of. Already, the Caregivers had gone out on a limb to seek out help from the Elder and the Vayrons who’d done their expedition. Even the many haedians bustling about in the cavern had never seen the Matriarch before, and were seeing her for the very first time while working along outsiders to free her. 

“How soon can you send word to Uncle Rehan? He has powerful ties and connections; perhaps he can pull some strings and get us more resources and manpower?” Zanril asked as she looked to her father. The older vayron was the best one she could think of. He knew everybody it seemed, and knew everything about everyone too- good or bad. 

—

“I’ll need to get to the surface and find a bird to fly across to Thedale…” Varrick muttered aloud, mapping the journey needed to send for Rehan’s aid. His breath was heavier from all the digging, slight pants huffing through his nose as he looked at nothing in thought. He can make short work of the distance to the surface with these new caveways being dug out, so that won’t be an issue. And somewhere he’ll get a hold of a messenger bird. He wasn’t so worried about the message getting lost as other might be— his never did. 

“I can send out a letter within the day, I’ll only need to get up to the surface and find a courier for the job.” Placing aside his pick, he dusted off his shawl from the specs off rock and crystal. His fingers were sore from the labour, unused to digging with a pick all day long. “Coming along?” He looked to his daughter, but of course that was a question that needn’t even be asked.

The many winding caverns being dug up to the surface were mostly unfinished, but a couple were open for passage and brought in new folk each day to aid the cause. Weaving past the people moving rubble and bustling about the cavern, Varrick led his daughter up towards the new tunnels again to leave the Beneath. It felt a bit odd to be the center of attention in this way; Two Haedians leaving for the surface, watched by many unfamiliar eyes like they were some peculiarity. Sure, he was used to having it as an advantage back home, but these were people from Roenden, Warrenfall, and other places unfamiliar with Varrick and his kin entirely. 

The journey to the nearest city post was a rush Varrick hadn’t done in some time. Zanril kept up with his pace the whole way, more used to the long treks by now, and to make it easier on their limbs, they would glide whatever distance they could to cut time. Fence remained securely wrapped in Varrick’s shawl, head peeking out in the wind on the rare occasion. Poor thing had been rather begrudging about being around so much commotion, but she insisted on coming along when they left. 

“Alright, now to write that letter…” Varrick hummed as he pulled some parchment and ink from his satchel. Spreading the folded parchment over a desk, he began writing. 

__

Zanril didn’t enjoy the way some of the eyes lingered on the pair of them as they left the beneath, not normally uncomfortable by stares but… The sheer volume of people seemed to do the trick in unnerving her. Varrick having a goal and route in mind helped her focus on simply following closely after him. It certainly was much easier to navigate and keep up now when compared to her first trips with her father, but the younger haedian was still worn out by the time they arrived to their destination. Constant physical labor in ways she hadn’t worked before for far longer than she’d ever done anything. It wouldn’t surprise her at all if she ended up too stiff to move once everything was said and done.

“If he’s fast, he’ll get here in a few days time.” Zanril thought aloud as she settled next to the desk to rest, her eyes flickering down to the parchment when he started writing. “He’ll probably ask you a great deal of questions when this is all said and done, you know. You two old coots are overdue for a visit anyways.”