birthright_rpg | Diggin' In The Dirt

Andean Peru - 1978

The excavation was done. Now it was up to a more delicate touch to extract whatever treasures the earth held.

There had been two opportunities to go abroad on Council-related matters, one to South America and another to the countryside of France. Julianna's Spanish was better than her French, so she'd chosen Peru. And she'd really just been grateful to get out of England for a few months. Burying herself in work was a way to forget and to escape. That it was also rewarding made it even more worthwhile.

The day was mild, the slightest crisp breeze wafting over the campground. Julianna was watching the diggers congregating near the lip of the largest excavated pit. She didn't know what they'd find down there. Weapons, religious artifacts, scrolls. Even something as simple as a history of recorded births could be very enlightening. She knew others didn't find primitive cultures as fascinating as she did, but she had a particular field of interest.

The Watcher stepped out from beneath the sunshade when the chatter of the workmen picked up in volume. Had something already been found?

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"I'll trust you to keep it safe. I'm translating some more of the records we received in London, that might lead us to a different site. Since this excursion was largely based on the theoretical existence of human life, much of the writing is centered around hyperbole. But at least now we know we aren't dealing with empty theories."

Julianna was vaguely aware of Gerald's ideas about vampires and their origins. Watchers talked amongst themselves to share information and gain new insight. Professional courtesy kept her from telling the man she wasn't sure he was on solid ground about his theory. Far be it for her to question someone else's hypothesis. Especially when she was in a bit of a professional crisis.

"Documenting this is of extreme importance," she told the other Watcher, gesturing beyond the pit to where the campground's tents were situated. "I'm maintaining a log of daily activities as the dig progresses. You're the archaeologist, so do you think we should continue in this spot or explore other options?"

"This area has shown the most promise, and has given us results. From what I can see of the stratus, and the condition of this piece, I believe this area holds the most immediate promise," he replied, glancing across at the other side of the excavation where there was another shade cloth strung between poles and a young man had his back to them, so engrossed in his work he didn't even hear the cries that had gone up. "I will tell Giles to continue there, and have Maaseen return to this corner," he decided. "Let me know how you go with the translations. Now we have this evidence it puts a completely different light on the findings you make. There is still no evidence of any type of ceramic, or any form of artwork, so those records are crucial."

He gave her a smile. "I know you will find the information if it is there to be found, Julianna."

The compliment pleased her, and it showed. She wasn't sure if Gerald knew about the recent events in her life, or how much he knew if he knew at all, but being told that she was still competent at her job was valuable to her. It helped shore her up in this time of self-doubt.

"I'm sure you'll get proper credit when we return to London," she told him with a smile that was a bit warmer. "This is your discovery too, and you were the one who was convinced that there was something to be found. You should be very proud."

The sun had shifted while the Watchers were talking, and Julianna asked, "Will you be coming topside for dinner? I know you'd probably prefer to work while the light is still strong, but December means the days are very short. Should I prepare a plate for you in the mess tent?"

"Thank you, Julianna, but I'll wait until later. My appetite for more discovery is far outweighing that for food," he told her, glancing back at the work table he'd been at all morning. "As you say, the light is only good for another few hours, and I prefer to work with it, than the lanterns. Mistakes can be made, and there is no room for any of those in this place."

He was indeed excited, and pleased, but he also wanted to find more, as the indication he'd had from that one piece was already giving him reason to try and uncover as much as possible before they had to hand the dig over to the Peruvian government. The permission they'd managed to coerce out of the officials was only carte blanche for a very limited time, and the others were already starting to make noises about being allowed to commence their work.

"I will join you for supper," he added, "and perhaps with some good fortune, with some more good news."

"Of course. I know we're on a schedule. The government has been hovering over us since we started digging. I'm surprised they haven't insisted we cease operations already."

Julianna peered briefly over Gerald's shoulder at his workspace, then at the sun's new position in the sky. She could read by lamplight, which meant she could translate more of the records after night had fallen. But his work was limited to the daylight hours, and the orange-ish ball of the sun was edging ever closer to the horizon. That meant she should let him get back to his duties.

"I'll leave you to it, then," she told the other Watcher. "I might not sleep tonight because of the excitement of this discovery, so don't be surprised if I get a fair portion of deciphering done overnight."

Gerald gave her an appreciative smile, hoping she would indeed find something of value in the translations. When they had received the historical documents he had tried to make sense of them, but they were way out of his league, and he was pleased she had agreed to come out to study them. If anyone could decipher the old texts, that appeared to be almost a set of history scrolls, and find any reference to the cultures that had inhabited this desolate place, then Julianna would.

And it was a good distraction for her.

"I will see you at supper," he replied, turning back to his workbench, and placing his prized piece gently on the surface.

The ladder leading up creaked beneath Julianna's weight as she ascended, and one of the diggers took her arm to assist her when she reached the top. There were only a few more hours of daylight left, and food was being prepared in the mess tent. She believed the featured dish for tonight was some sort of stew.

She would eat, then speak with Gerald once he was topside. If there was something else to be found, he'd discover it. This was turning out to be a worthy trip.

Diggin' In The Dirt

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