SEARCH - Xayah + Koru

“Hm… I think we might have to call in some extra help.” Xayah mused to her husband as she settled in next to him, passing him his share of food that she’d brought while he finished up his task. “There’s progress being made, but I don’t think it’s quite enough. I overheard some of the others. They’re writing to whatever connections they have and are encouraging the rest of us to do the same.”

Every day, more and more reosans from all walks of life made the trip down to the Beneath to try to help, the sheer amount allowing actual dedicated shifts and teams to be made for around the clock working. Yet they still needed more hands. The Matriarch was absolutely massive, and even with all the help they already had they were only able to work so fast.

“Do you think your parents or siblings would have connections they could put us in contact with?”

—

“Mm…” Koru pulled his lip, mentally checking people of note he could call upon. Given his status, he has the fortune of issuing summons and being more likely to receive an agreeable response, but many nobles weren’t too keen to put efforts where money wasn’t involved. Not to mention the unlikeliness of Thedale housing many openly enthusiastic explorers to this magical land. 

“Mother not so much, but perhaps father would be more inclined,” he turned his head, not so confident in his answer. “But I can send my letters parceled for him to redistribute. I know of many wealthy folk who have experience in excavating and mining. Sparing some employees in the least would lend us extra hands.” 

“The Keepers surely have parchment and the means to package the letters. I can handle the delivery with my magic, but I need more supplies than my notebook.” 

—

“I may be able to reach out to some old contacts as well. Yulani has connections too, and she’s well respected. As is Cislunar- I do believe he’s risen in rank the last I saw him. He may not be able to make the trip back down here himself, but I’m sure he’ll send help somehow.” Xayah thought aloud, fiddling with one of her many bracelets as she went down her mental contact list.

Whatever help either of those two send would likely not be excavation specific, but they’d have the drive and want to assist. They’d just need a task, and maybe some guidance at most before they’d work away.

“The Keepers will probably have more supplies that we can borrow. Maybe we could even network some more connections to call upon?” Xayah suggested. Sometimes all that was needed was the crest of a noble family, and the help would come. A little nudge of encouragement, if you will.

___

After their hasty trip to the Keepers, Koru and Xayah acquired plenty of parchment and quills to write out their letters. Koru wrote to his siblings that had moved away from home, his father, and many letters to other people of note that he was familiar with either personally or by name alone. He even drafted a letter to an informant of his, Rehan, who can use his strings to pull more people into the mix. 

Stretching his back from sitting over the papers for some time, he sighed aloud, trying to think of anyone he might have forgotten. “I believe I finally have all my letters in order. Should make at least a bit of a difference, once people heed these summons for aid. How many decide to do so without prompt of payment is uncertain, but I have faith.” 

Folding and sealing the letters, they were wrapped to be delivered to multiple locations, to be further redistributed by local couriers. Koru’s magic can take it far, but even he has his limits for such long distance. He can conjure birds with assigned tasks to carry out the parcels to locations he has seen. Beyond that, the attached instructions would guide whoever handles them next to finish the task. 

—-

Xayah wrote to many of the nobles she used to tutor for, traders she used to be close with as well as Cislunar and Yulani. Called up on old favors she’d been saving for something important, and this certainly fit the bill for that. 

“I’m hoping Cislunar and Yulani can rope in some extra help too. I’m even writing to families I used to tutor for, and if they have any connections they can call upon as well if they themselves can’t send anyone. That, and the various people who owe me favors.” Xayah mused with a weary sigh, rubbing her eyes as she tried to think of anyone else. The only others that were on her list were ones that Koru had already written letters for.

All they could do now was wait