Chapter 56: The First Lesson
As the sun dipped below the trees, Caelen stood up from the town hall table and stretched his arms.
"We'll stop the telephone project for now," he said. "We've done enough for today. Let's rest and continue tomorrow."
Dorgrim wiped sweat from his brow and grunted, "Aye, my back agrees."
Borin cracked his knuckles. "My hands feel like wood. I need food."
Caelen chuckled, then turned to Zira, who was leaning near the wall with her arms crossed.
"Zira. I need you to ask the goblins something."
She raised an eyebrow. "Alright. What is it?"
"Go around the village tonight. Just the goblins. Ask who knows how to read and write."
Zira blinked. "Why only goblins?"
"Because they're the only ones I think might know. The dwarves didn't learn it, and the elves never said anything about it. I need to be sure."
"Got it." She gave him a quick nod and stepped out into the cool night.