The sun never bothered anyone really.
It is just a part of life. In the tunnels, where it’s beams of light is replaced with dimly lit lanterns and its waves of heat blocked by the damp crushing darkness, it is missed.
The falling of a pickaxe and dull clang of rock shattering beneath the force of one's thirst for previous stones is all that really keeps you company.
Time seems endless and the darkness, imprisoning. Another ruby added to the pile, a helpful bonus to one's production work.
Sweat and muscle ache goes into every swing of the pick. Every coin earned. Every bite of tonight’s dinner that much more appreciated.
A new faint beam of light begins to brighten the baron corridor. The candle hanging above, almost completely burnt out. A firm hand greeting the shoulder transferring some of its warmth through the sweat soaked grungy shirt.
“See you top side.” Said the heavy voice. The new figure hung up a new lantern and took down the old one. “Just enough light to get you to the end.” A chuckle breaking the awkward tension.
The glow of the lantern dimmed more and more as each step echoed down the tunnel. The smell of the smiths working the ore greeting the nose. A hint of sulphur marking the end of the journey. The heat bellowed down the chamber connecting the processing area with the smelters never ending rumblings.
“Axe… Axe… Axe…” chanted an elderly man taking each person's equipment as they neared the end of the rocky uneven corridor. The tunnel finally coming to the end, hooks with lanterns of various sizes, colours, and dents adorning each side.
Humid air filled the nose as the natural light leaked into the tunnel, washing away the soot and sulphur. Through the cracked and rotted wood doorway, the desert sun beamed down, fresh air filling the lungs, and warm grains of sand washed over each exposed toe from the pair of sandals.
27-Aug-2017 02:49:35
