Bront scratched a line in the silt while they spoke. 🪲
THE BOOK OF TAD
PAGE 83
NO OTHER BUSINESS 🪨
“TurboTAD, Glint, Zale and Finley,” TurboTAD began. “Only us. We move that crossbar onto the lower landing, clear of the channel. It must stay there after the flow settles.”
“And my shelf?”
“Undamaged.”
Finley indicated the plate. “You keep that exact plate intact and visible. When the wood holds, you give it to us.”
Bront’s leg paused over the silt. “If you stop halfway?”
“You keep the plate,” TurboTAD said. “During the work, and while we withdraw to the scarred root—even if we stop—you won’t hurt or obstruct any of us, or take our possessions.”
“You won’t hurt me either.”
“Agreed.”
Zale leaned forward. “No later payment or debt. Nothing binds anyone waiting outside, or anyone at home.”
Bront eyed him. “Quieter, but more expensive.”
Glint crossed to the landing. Its raised rim could hold the wood; he swept loose twigs from the hollow and returned.
“I agree to those terms.”
Finley asked Bront to put the plate beyond the falling crossbar’s reach. Bront moved it onto a high stone.
Finley agreed. TurboTAD agreed.
Zale looked once towards the pocket. “I agree.”
Bront dragged his foreleg through the line he had made.
“Those terms,” he said. “No other business.”
He shifted to the outer end of the wood, leaving room beside him.