Chapter 690 - The Breaking Wave (1/2)
The process of 'peeling', or 'folding' Dungeon veins in order to create low mana density zones within the Dungeon was possibly the most important technique developed in the history of sapient habitation of the world below. Without this method, it would be difficult enough to live at any depth during times of normal mana concentration. During a wave, it's impossible to exist as any settlement would be forced into a constant state of warfare as monsters leap from the walls, roof and floor.
Though expensive, labour intensive and requiring specific materials to achieve, the technique has been a foundational pillar of every major city and gathering place within the Dungeon, even in the upper strata. The method itself makes use of the Dungeon veins' own behaviour, wherein they invade and extend themselves into every available s.p.a.ce.
Evidence exists that societies were performing the 'folding' technique during the latter stage of the Rending, as the various surviving empires and militaries began to extend their reach into the lower levels. It isn't known if the factions spread the knowledge amongst themselves or if the method was derived separately by each, but those who were able to first grasp the process and make use of it enjoyed a significant advantage in the territorial struggle that followed.
· Excerpt from page 25 of 'Territorial disputes and sovereignty in the Dungeon', by Cicero.
Tungstant's brain was spinning with a heady combination of exhaustion, exhilaration, grief, relief and worry. There was so much work for the carver caste to do and so little time in which to accomplish it that she honestly didn't think there was much chance it would be completed in time. What she needed to know yesterday, was exactly how much they could get done, and exactly what state the nest's defences would be in by the time the wave hit for real.
”How long until the gate is ready to go?” she asked with as much patience as she could muster.
The team in front of her launched into a long and detailed explanation of the structural integrity of the gate, the need to forge new brackets and anchor them to the wall, the re-shaping and compacting that needed to be done to the rock until she cracked.
”Just estimate a time!” she barked. ”I know there are challenges, I know it's complicated, and I know you're working as hard as possible, just give me your best guess. Please.”
The lead carver on the job sized up the council member for a moment, her antennae scratching the top of her head.
”It would take days to get the gates refitted in any proper way,” the ant said finally, ”there's just too much damage to the brackets and getting new ones fitted can't be rushed.”
That was far too long. Monsters would be storming up the tunnel in less than an hour! The carver clacked her mandibles to settle the uneasy team around her.
”Instead, we go fast and nasty. Stand up what's left of the old gates, patch them up as best we can and mould the rock around them to hold them in place. It's bad work, but we can get it done in a few hours, worry about the rest when we get a chance.”
Tungstant and the other carvers bristled at the suggestion and even the one suggesting it looked somewhat disgusted. If there was one thing the entire caste hated, it was sloppy craftsmans.h.i.+p, and that extended to all circ.u.mstances and projects, even emergencies. In this situation though…
”Get it done as fast as you can,” she told the team. ”If you need help from the mage caste, make sure you put in a request quickly, they've been cooking up something big over there and you'll need to get in early if you want the extra help.”
One of the carvers flicks an antenna dismissively.
”They can't handle earth magic as well as we can,” she said, ”I'm sure we'll be fine.”
”Fast work, not good work,” Tungstant grimaced (which for an ant, involved flexing the mandibles and tilting the antennae in an unsightly angle). ”If the extra mage support will get the job done faster, that's what we care about right now. We can do emergency patch work after the fact if necessary.”