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Chapter 36 - Ash, Sweat, and Stone
🕑 Added 2025-04-14 21:00:09 +0000 UTCAfter a moment of reflection, he gestured for his father to join him. Once Wade was by his side, Athan pointed toward the materials and spoke. "Once the walls of the house are fully assembled, could you and the others go out to gather more logs? We're going to need more materials to continue building."
He paused, then gestured beyond the walls toward the area near the settlement's entrance. "You could cut the trees in front of the gate. That would clear the terrain, making it easier for us to see if any dangers are approaching."
Wade crossed his arms, nodding as he considered the suggestion. "Good idea. More wood, more safe. We do this after wall is done."
Satisfied with his father's agreement, Athan turned his attention back to the site, mentally preparing for the next stage of construction.
Selecting several square beams that were too small for structural use, Athan set them aside before choosing three of similar dimensions. He retrieved the hatchet he had left at the construction site and began trimming two of the beams, ensuring they were equal in length. Once they matched, he took one of the smallest beam from the pile and cut it into ten sections, ranging from 80 cm at the largest to 30 cm at the smallest.
With the steps now ready, he placed two of the prepared beams on the ground. Carefully aligning the steps on them, he arranged them in descending order, with the largest at the base and the smallest at the top. These would form the rungs of a tripod-style ladder. The third beam would serve as a stabilizing support, positioned between the two main beams like a sandwich to ensure stability.
Retrieving the bow drill, Athan drilled eleven holes into the two beams that would hold the steps together. He then used a larger stone on the bow drill to create a hole at the top of the stabilizing beam, ensuring a secure fit for assembly. Once he had finished drilling, he returned the bow drill to the three men working nearby, no longer needing it.
Next, he carved a piece of wood to fit through the hole at the top of the stabilizing beam, once done he begin shaping approximately 7 cm on each side to lock into place. Using wooden wedges, he secured the structure tightly. He then carefully inserted each step into the designated holes, working from the bottom upward, locking each in place with wedges to prevent movement. After considerable effort, the ladder was complete.
Wanting to test its durability, Athan sought out his father and asked for his help. Wade, curious once again about what his son had created, agreed without hesitation. Back at the site, Athan explained how to properly lift and position the ladder, assisting Wade in setting its foot firmly on the ground. Climbing first, Athan carefully ascended each step, testing the firmness of each rung beneath his weight. As he reached the top, a rush of satisfaction filled him. From this elevated position, he could see beyond the immediate worksite—the fields stretching in a distance away, the smoke rising from the fire pit, and the settlement slowly taking shape. The breeze brushed against his face, and for a brief moment, he took in the view, appreciating how much they had built and how much more there was to do.
Satisfied with the result, he invited his father to try. Wade, cautious but intrigued, climbed the ladder slowly, testing its stability with each step. Athan closely monitored the structure, ensuring the support beam was firmly anchored in the ground. As he analyzed the setup, his gaze shifted to the concrete slab where the ladder would need to stand during construction. A concern struck him—on a smooth surface, the ladder could slip, causing injury.
Thinking quickly, Athan waited for Wade to descend before asking him to lay the ladder flat on the ground. Retrieving the bow drill once more, he carefully drilled a small hole in the center of the stabilizing foot. After finishing, he returned the tool and headed toward the shelter, selecting a strong rope. Back at the ladder, he threaded the rope through the hole and secured a firm knot. Once the ladder was upright again, the user would only need to tie it to one of the steps to ensure it remained firmly in place.
Satisfied with his work, Athan took a step back to admire his creation. Knowing they would need another, he immediately gathered more materials and began constructing a second ladder.
As Athan began working on the second ladder, the three men set their tools down on the ground and picked up their stone axes. Talking amongst themselves in loud, satisfied tones, they made their way toward the village gate, their voices carrying easily across the worksite, a clear sign of their pride in having successfully completed the walls.
Once outside the protective walls, the rhythmic sounds of chopping soon echoed through the settlement. The dull thuds of stone meeting wood carried clearly, leaving no doubt that they had begun felling trees. Athan smiled to himself, reassured by the progress being made around him, but he quickly refocused on his own task, determined to complete the second ladder efficiently.
As he worked, the three men continued their efforts, hauling logs back to the village one after another. Their steady labor ensured a constant supply of materials for the settlement. By the time Athan secured the last wedge in place and tied the stabilizing rope to the second ladder, the men had already felled and transported four sizable trees.
Athan glanced toward the material processing group, watching as they immediately set to work upon the arrival of the first tree. The women, accustomed to the repetitive nature of their task, swiftly stripped the branches and peeled away the bark, their hands moving with practiced efficiency. Seeing the cooperative effort unfold, Athan felt a deep sense of satisfaction—each part of the village working together to build something greater than what any individual could accomplish alone.
Having completed the ladders for working at height and seeing the construction process resume, Athan returned the tools to the worksite before making his way back to the kiln. Since it had been cooling since the previous day, the bricks should now be ready. This batch had yielded another 93 bricks, and he carefully began dismantling the kiln, making sure no rock debris fell onto the bricks or into the lime powder.
Once the kiln was fully opened, Athan picked up one of the bricks, testing it as he had before. He tapped it, listening closely to the sound it produced—a dull, solid resonance indicating proper firing. He then submerged it in water, watching for any sign of weakness or crumbling. Satisfied, he continued his inspection, carefully examining each brick for cracks or defects.
As he progressed, he found that six bricks had fractured, their surfaces marred by fine cracks or breakage. He suspected that contaminants in the clay mixture had weakened them, possibly creating air pockets that expanded and fractured under the heat. Running his fingers over the rough edges of the broken bricks, he let out a quiet sigh. This batch had dried even longer than the last, yet the issue persisted. Still, the majority remained intact, strong, and ready for use.
Stacking the good bricks neatly near the permanent kiln, he took note of the difference in quality. He would have to pay more attention to the preparation process, perhaps refining the clay further before molding. Making mental notes, he prepared to move on to the next task, ensuring the village's progress would not be slowed by minor setbacks.
Wanting to complete the permanent kiln quickly, Athan grabbed the wheelbarrow and started making his way toward the sand deposit. Just as he was settling into his task, Lara suddenly stepped into his path with a confident stride. Before he could react, she snatched the wheelbarrow handle from his grip, flashing a mischievous grin.
"Go do something else. This is my job now," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. The boy blinked in surprise as she effortlessly took control of the wheelbarrow and continued pushing it toward the sand deposit with a sense of purpose.
Athan stood there for a moment, watching her go, still processing what had just happened. He could hear her muttering under her breath as she pushed the wheelbarrow, something about him always taking on too much, like he had to do everything himself.
She really did act as though she were taking care of him.
Turning back toward the kiln, he let out a quiet chuckle at the thought. The way she took charge so naturally was both amusing and endearing. Shaking his head, he decided to find another task to keep himself busy, knowing full well that arguing with Lara was a battle he would never win.
As he walked, Athan glanced toward the communal bath, his mind shifting to its progress. Changing direction, he made his way over, wondering if he could already add another layer to the structure. Observing the cement, he ran his fingers over the surface, noting its rough texture. He tapped it lightly with his knuckles, listening carefully. The outer layer appeared dry, but the dull, hollow sound it produced was not to his liking—indicating that the inner layers had not fully set. He recalled that he had applied this layer two days prior and decided it needed at least two more days before it would be ready for the next layer. He exhaled through his nose, reminding himself that patience was key in construction.
Turning next to the kiln, he assessed its condition with the same critical eye. The structure, though solid on the outside, still required time to fully cure. He came to a similar conclusion—rushing the process could lead to structural weaknesses. Adding too many layers at once would risk the entire kiln collapsing under its own weight. He resolved to wait another two days before continuing construction. When the time was right, he would add two more layers to the bath and three to the kiln. The current three layers had held up well under their own weight, which reassured him about the kiln's stability. After that, he would wait another four days before proceeding further, ensuring each layer had properly bonded before moving forward.
For the bath, he planned to add just two additional layers before fully coating the interior with cement, ensuring it was completely sealed against leaks. He would, of course, leave the opening for the drainage pipe, which he hoped to install once his batch of clay pipes was ready to be fired. The thought of achieving a fully functioning bathhouse filled him with anticipation, imagining the relief it would bring to the villagers.
His eyes then shifted toward the waterfall, which wasn't too far away. A thought formed in his mind—what if he built an aqueduct to direct water straight into the bath? Constructing it from stone would eliminate the need to rely on wooden channels, like those used for the fields, which would required frequent maintenance in the future. His gaze then turned toward his first irrigation system. Unlike the bath, the fields had no barriers obstructing the water flow, meaning a high structure like the one he had firstly done wasn't necessary. Instead, a simple sloped trench could be enough to let gravity do the work, leading the water straight to the crops.
At that moment, he made his decision. He would construct a raised aqueduct to channel water from the waterfall to the bath, ensuring a steady and efficient supply. At the same time, he would dig a sloped channel into the earth to direct water toward the fields, reducing the need for manual watering. Both would be built with cement, ensuring their longevity and stability, making them permanent features of the settlement's infrastructure.
However, he wanted to keep his options open. If designed correctly, the same aqueduct could also be extended to supply water to a second bathhouse he planned to construct beside the first. Additionally, he envisioned directing water to the future location of the fire pit, eliminating the need for Lara to fetch water from the river constantly. Imagining the possibilities, he felt a surge of motivation—this was more than just a simple irrigation system; it was the beginning of a true water management network for the settlement. With this in mind, he resolved to begin by gathering stones to ensure he had enough materials for the foundation.
Before starting his work, he walk back to his shelter, carefully removed his new clothes, folding them neatly and placing them aside to keep them clean. He then retrieved his old fur covering, slipping it on to protect himself from cement stains and mud. Once prepared, he walk back to the waterfall basin and began gathering stones from the riverbank, selecting ones of the right size and shape to form a sturdy aqueduct foundation. As he transported them, his gaze drifted toward the area beside the first bath—where the second bathhouse would eventually stand. Since he had to wait before adding additional layers to the first bath and kiln, it made sense to start construction on the second bath immediately.
He carried the stones along the path leading to the bathing area, placing them strategically where he could easily retrieve them later. After ensuring he had enough for the aqueduct, he turned his focus to the second bathhouse.
Gathering a good number of stones, he transported them to the designated site of the second bath, stacking them neatly to avoid any unnecessary trips. His mind was already envisioning the same structure as before, ensuring he would have enough materials to shape its foundation properly. Once satisfied with the amount, he retrieved a hoe and set to work, carefully carving out a trench that would guide water toward the fields, his movements methodical.
Once the trench was finished, Athan looked up at the sun, gauging its position in the sky. Observing the amount of work left to do, he could already tell he wouldn't have time to complete everything today. Letting out a small sigh, he placed the hoe on the ground and turned toward the neatly stacked pile of bricks and the mound of sand that Lara had brought him earlier. He smiled slightly, grateful for the help.
Deciding to divide his tasks efficiently, he separated a portion of the sand. Using his cement tools, he mixed it with ash and lime powder before gradually adding water. Carefully blending the ingredients, he watched as the mixture slowly transformed, achieving the correct color and consistency. Satisfied, he filled the wheelbarrow and made his way toward the second bath.
Once there, he took a steady breath and set to work, stacking each stone with precision and sealing them with mortar as he built the bath's walls. He left a square space, mirroring the one in the other bath, and an opening for the drainage pipe that would eventually guide water toward the fields. After completing the second layer of stone, he stepped back, surveying his progress with a critical eye. The foundation was taking shape, but ensuring its durability required restraint.
When satisfied with the wall, he turned his attention to the bath's floor. With deliberate movements, he spread a layer of cement on the whole floor, smoothing it carefully to prevent cracks from forming. Once the base even, he return to the pile of sand, and gathered the remaining cement into his wheelbarrow and moved toward the trench.
Starting near the basin, he reinforced the pathway with the cement where the water would flow, ensuring it was both functional and resilient. His hands moved tirelessly, muscles flexing with each stroke as he spread and smoothed the cement with precision. The rhythmic scrape of his trowel against the substance echoed through the quiet air, blending with the distant sounds of villagers tending to their own tasks.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Athan straightened up, stretching his sore muscles. The entire afternoon had been spent hunched over, smoothing the cement to create an even surface. Now, his back throbbed, his thighs burned, and fatigue weighed heavily on his limbs. This wasn't the first time he had pushed himself beyond his limits, but today, he could feel the strain deep in his growing body.
Letting out a weary sigh, he gathered his tools and the wheelbarrow, dragging them toward the basin where he planned to clean them. Though fatigue weighed on him, he remained cautious, keeping a safe distance from the water's edge. Contaminating the river with cement residue would be reckless—he had no way of knowing how it might affect the water source, and he wasn't about to take that risk.
Using a sturdy piece of wood, he carefully scraped off the remaining cement from his tools, methodically working to clear every trace without allowing the waste to seep into the water. His movements were deliberate, his hands steady despite his exhaustion. The process was tedious, requiring patience, but he had long learned that shortcuts in craftsmanship led to long-term mistakes. Eventually, he finished, placing the cleaned tools near the kiln to dry under the fading light.
With only a few minutes of sunlight left, Athan's gaze shifted toward the pile of lime powder he had gathered earlier. He had planned to store it in the wheelbarrow, but with the wood still damp, that was no longer an option. He needed to protect it from the night's humidity—he wasn't certain if moisture would ruin it, but instinct told him not to take any chances.
Thinking quickly, he took several bricks and arranged them around the pile, stacking them carefully to form a crude barrier. Once satisfied with the structure, he retrieved a large, broad leaf and placed it over the lime, securing it with two bricks on each side. It wasn't perfect, but it would shield the powder from the heavy morning dew.
Stepping back, he studied his work, eyes heavy with fatigue. The bath's foundation was settling, the trench was reinforced, and now the lime was stored as safely as he could manage. He had accomplished much, yet his mind was already considering tomorrow's tasks—the construction of the aqueduct to supply the baths and the future kitchen with water, and the assembly of the house's framework. There was always more to do, more to build, but step by step, the village was taking shape.
