[NOBLES] Zolf & Feryn

“This is pointless”

Zolf’s pickaxe thudded into the damp earth of the tunnel floor. “We’re never going to find anything worthwhile down here.”

Feryn turned and gave Zolf a quizzical look.

“What do you mean by that?”, he asked, pointing back to the wall he had been working on. “I’m just about to uncover a rich seam, I know it.”

Zolf rolled his eyes: “Brilliant, a bunch more coal, how exciting. Gosh, I just can’t wait. Maybe after that we’ll find another bunch of coal.”

“What’s wrong with coal, eh?” Feryn had heard this from Zolf many times before. He usually bore his little brother’s whining with good grace, but today had been a bad day. “What’s more exciting than keeping a roof over our head and food on our table?”

“I dunno, but I could be doing something up there, where it ain’t so dark.” Zolf jabbed his finger upwards vigorously, banging his hand on the wooden support beam just above his head. “Argh! Stupid wooden... idiot beam!”

“The only idiot around here is you Zolf, and be more careful, you could have the whole tunnel down on top of our heads.” He turned back to the wall and returned to work. In between swings he asked: “So… what would… you rather… be doing… up there?”

“I dunno, something… something in the open. Something where I could feel the wind on my face a-”

“You don’t say.”

“-nd… yeah well. I know it might sound stupid to you, but it’s got to be better than, than...” Zolf waved his arms around, although with less enthusiasm than before, “all of this. You’re always talking with dad about new seams, pumping strategies, coal prices… and what do I get? ‘Stop daydreaming Zolf.’ ‘Stop wasting time Zolf.’ ‘Why can’t you be like your brother Zolf?’”

Feryn sighed and turned to face Zolf “You know that’s not fair. They’ve never said anything like that.”

“Yeah… well, maybe not out loud. But we both know that’s what they’re thinking.” Zolf stared at the ground and avoided looking his brother in the face.

“Oh, for the sake of th-” Feryn put down his pick, walked over to Zolf and put his hands on his brother’s shoulders. Trying to make eye contact he softly said “What would you even do on the ocean? How would you make money? Support your family?”

“I’d probably join the Meritocratic navy, good wages I’ve heard, and it’s honest work”

“The navy? What would you do with that lot? I’ve heard a lot about the Meritocratic navy and, honestly, none of it’s been good.”

Zolf shook himself out of Feryn’s grip: “What? No! They protect traders from pirates and the like, people who might be trading things like coal. Who do you think keeps those shipping lanes open?”

Zolf looked up at his brother, his eyes were large and reflected the light from Feryn’s lamp, still sitting at the end of the tunnel, illuminating the wall he’d been working on. Feryn held his gaze for a few seconds then turned away. He retrieved the pick axe, his movements measured and studiously calm. He spoke, his voice quiet but clearly audible in the deep silence of the mine. 

“I dunno about that Zolf. It’s dangerous work, and you’ve gotta do what you’re told. What if they tell you to do something you don’t want to? 

“What? What do you mean by that?”

Feryn ignored this and started working on the wall in front of him. He only lasted thirty seconds before turning around again. He saw Zolf, staring at him with a strange look on his face, like he was concentrating.

Feryn stepped back and bumped into the wall, “What?”

Zolf took a few seconds to respond. “What do you mean by ‘tell me to do something I don’t want to’?” 

“You wouldn’t understand”

“Understand what?”

Feryn turned and savagely swung at the wall in front of him. He focused on this task for a full minute, expecting more questions. When there was no response he turned to face his brother again, but all he was met with was the fading light of Zolf’s lantern as it disappeared up the shaft.