A/N: This short work is for the Nanomancer creative competition by @benjojo. Thanks for running this, bud!
The image above is from Pixabay.
Mined
Hallan and Kerrick crowded around their friend, with movements slow and deliberate. Their deep voices thrummed as their calloused hands crafted a copper cap. Dunnghain stared at them while they worked, strands of saliva dripped from his slack smile to dry and stink in his grizzled auburn beard.
The two menders tried not to look at the terrible sight of Dunn, a quarter of his head gone, directly above his left cheek. The cavity did not bleed, skin and brain had been cauterized as the nanites turned the organic matter to elemental dust. Despite the extensive damage, Dunnghain still lived, albeit at a diminished capacity.
When they were satisfied with their creation, the dwarves took up new positions around their injured comrade. Hallan held the domed plate to fill the void of Dunnghain, and Kerrick picked a set of metal screws in his palm. Kerry placed the bolts into their seats on the cap, then nodded to Hal when it was time to commence. Their song transformed and became less workman-like, more hymnal.
Andromkkla ah schott
Din Eomlan Aris
The screws turned in their slots to the rhythm of the dwarves' chant. Thin rivulets of crimson flowed down Dunnghain's dumb face and into the corners of his lips as the metal pins bore into the remaining bone. By the end of the song, the copper dome sat flush against Dunn's head, returning the crown to a semblance to its normal contours.
The menders looked into the newly fashioned face, transfixed by the coin-sized ruby they had fixed to replace the eye. The song changed lyrics but remained solemn and reverant.
Feir an deschau
Tabbhairt ais annam
Kerrick placed a magnifying loupe in his eye. With it, he watched the nanites that they had manipulated into the metal of Dunnghain's patch. A faint glow emanated behind the ruby eye as the bots replaced the missing tissues. Synapses grew stronger, firing weakly at first; becoming thought, then motion. A low growl escaped Dunn's mouth. He turned his gaze toward his friends.
"Dunn? Are you there?" Kerrick waved a hand in front of the ruby eye.
Hallan chimed in, "D'ye remember us, lad?"
The glimmer behind the gem seemed sinister as Dunn slurred. "Nanomancer..."
"H'as right, lad. He dinnis to ye." Hal motioned for Kerrick to move back. "Cann'ae get ye a drink? Anythin' at all?"
Dunnghain's stupid grin turned to a sneer. "Get my axe..."