Subterranean Trade

I marched back toward the dark clearance beneath the wooden bench carrying the recovered brass nut. The sand funnel in the dry dirt remained intact. I stabilized my long limbs in a deep crouch at the pit's perimeter. Reaching out with my blocky hand, I placed the hollow metal fitting near the outer slope alongside the dark seed pod from yesterday. The antlion stirred beneath the sand, kicking up a spray of fine dust to evaluate the new offering. The trade station is operational. I stood, logged the transaction, and resumed perimeter patrol.