Verik untangled himself from Asha slowly before donning his robes in preparation for the day, she would be awake shortly and make breakfast but he had several details to work out with various equines. Sefu and Jelani would be up at this hour, of that there was no doubt and it was with they who he had business to attend. A deal had been quietly struck with Sefu on keeping himself out of trouble for the next two days and two weeks starting now. While the giant zebra had not stated an exact date for his sudden abdication from the training program he knew that it was to start post haste which meant dropping everything to avoid an incident. Sefu had thankfully given him a small degree of leeway in dealing with the rest of his warband during this absence as he had made no stipulations, but it was a fine line to walk in keeping his trust.

However, in order for things to work out and keep the other three active it meant telling them his plan for those two weeks. They would be on their own and training the locals in a different form of warfare that they were not only leery of, but increasingly hostile as they had always been on the receiving end. Verik knew they would pull it off though, somehow. In order to get anyone to agree to this plan of his meant convincing Sefu and to a lesser degree Jelani of it since she already knew, and then the other three who would have to accept their charge. All three had already done so by not refusing when they last spoke but today they would learn all of it and that might cause some trouble.

Sefu trained them hard and long but they were always left with some time to themselves and the four had decided to break from their losing streak by putting it to good use. Every single dirty trick in the books Verik had read were brought up along with anything the others knew. Tactics, strategy and formations were brought up but the later proved fruitless as they lacked the numbers, not that it stopped them from trying to figure it out anyway. If there was nothing else to be claimed from these en devours it was that they had increased their coordination exponentially by comparison to the usual tactics the Wete used, which basically revolved around hunkering down and stabbing outwards at anything that got close or single combat in what he remembered as a sort of Greek dueling only highly ritualized with a great number of rules and regulations. Even their current idea of formation fighting was ritualized so badly it stung.

How could Sefu not know of these tactics and strategies though? Was it because he had never been exposed so far from the woes that befell the rest of the lands around them? Or was it because he held back? Which was it? Raswan was correct in saying that his fellow tribal members were dubious towards the new tactics so perhaps that was why Sefu had not taught them everything he should know after having traveled, or was his "travel" limited? What was the truth? He had no idea. Sefu would not hold back if it meant survival but when politics got involved things in Wete quickly went awry. Maybe that is why Sefu did not put the idea on the table, he perhaps knew they needed a change of tactics to survive and now an outside source, though inexperienced and struggling was willing to teach them after having soundly thrashed them in one mock battle after another. So if they failed who cared, they were outsiders and it was no loss. But then again if they succeeded...

Verik quit thinking about it and forced the thoughts away as he finished dressing.

"Hm? Where you go?" Asha's speech was slurred and tired as she leaned up to stare at him with drooping, half asleep eyelids.

"I am no longer part of training but I made a deal with Sefu to have my... Warband, train those willing to learn the tactics I have been using against them." Asha stared a moment, nodded and dropped back onto the mat to sleep a little while longer and smiling at her sprawled out form he left the hut while keeping his final thoughts quiet.

"And Sefu is going to go completely paranoid when he hears my request..."

Strolling through the village as the sun had yet to pop back into existence Verik looked up at the moon, telling time during the night was rather odd on this planet. Daylight hours were easy as the sun moved at a very set pace but what had caught his eye the most was when Jelani had mentioned keeping track of time with the moon of all things. Not only did the sun wander the sky save its sudden explosion into existence come morning at what he guessed was around 6:30 AM sharp but it also "warped away" in the evening only to be replaced with a roaming moon. As the sun moved so did the moon and one could set a clock by its movements. The only interval was the stroke of dawn or dusk when the two traded places in the blink of an eye. Watching the moon he knew its time was nearly up and soon the sun would bolt upright in its heavenly ascension, it also meant the others were awake. Sefu's hut was the easiest to reach and as he neared the zebra stepped out and was mid-step in heading to somewhere when their eyes met.

Verik waved slightly at Sefu. "I was planning to gather my little band along with Jelani and yourself before explaining my plan to everyone."

"I get Jelani, meet at training ground."

Nothing more was said nor did it need saying, he had a hard time recalling when they actually had a conversation that was neither short and to the point or had any meaning beyond "do this" or "do that." Had they ever spoken? Why did he suddenly care, everyone had their own little duties to take care of and Sefu had his own which were many and varied.

"Well... We shall have two weeks of putting up with each other or discovering the meaning of life without any hope of escape."

Jelani was easy enough to find on the road and after a brief hello she agreed to meet him at the training ground to hear all about his wondrous plan to train the locals in the "art of modern warfare." He called it that while still knowing that it was actually about as far from what he called modern. Still, comparing what they knew to the myriad of books he had studied from childhood meant they had all had a great deal more to learn including himself, there was a vast gap between theory and practice. Thinking it over he mused to himself if it was better they learn now rather than have themselves a micro scale Isandlwana on their hands should someone else come along with better tactics and coordination. Without a doubt those who were trained were indeed well trained but Wete tactics and strategy revolved more around bolting for the hills at the mere mention of danger or ambush tactics to remove small, hostile bands of roaming bandits. Taking on even a small, coordinated hostile force was unconscionable to them less it be a rival tribe but nothing more would be considered acceptable.

Change was good though, especially when it meant his new "home" would have better odds of surviving whatever hell was coming down the pipes. Something was off, a few seemed to know it and something down in his gut had begun to twist the last few days. Nothing like this had ever happened in all of his life save when certain vehicles passed by staffed by government employees looking to revenue. This was not quite the same though, it was a bad feeling but more exact, precise. Something was coming and not just merely passing by.

"I wonder if I should ask Nuru... Probably not, wind up having a colorful discussion about fate, fortunetelling and who knows what else. Maybe I should anyway, maybe tomorrow... Maybe... Now I sound like they do."

Rounding the bend that had become a rather nice, tall cobblestone wall Verik left the road and with the light of the moon to guide him stalked past the lean-toes and other constructs the refugees had thrown up. Not a great many had been evicted by his construction efforts but enough had that a riot had nearly broken out with that small handful, they had lost everything once and now had to give it up again no matter how small and dingy it may have been. Home was home for them even if that home was a trench with reeds thrown over the top and small one or two equine sized burrows as some had managed, or even huts made of anything and everything they could get their hands on. Wete looked like a fifth world refugee camp minus the tarps, plastic and metal sheets.

A couple huts had to be marked for removal as well and that had stirred the most complaints but after finding out they would be sitting on top of the wall and thus have added protection... Most stopped complaining. Not that it was ever called a wall, it was a "support structure" to provide more level ground to build upon. It was completely true and not a single lie had been spoken, they simply did not know that after the support wall was up that more walls in the form of adobe buildings were going up thus providing a second layer of protection. Building a true wall top to bottom was utterly impossible within any realistic time frame but having a strong foundation of stone followed by the adobe structures above would cut the time to a mere fraction and be much easier to complete.

Standing over the hole Shahid lived in Verik leaned down a little and looked into the dark interior before coughing, somewhere inside the inky darkness something stirred quickly and calling his name roused the Arabian from his slumber.

"Go collect Raswan and both of you get to the training ground, now."

A quiet "murph" was all he got but after walking a few paces away Verik returned to the hold and reaching inside of the hole he felt for the equines head and gave it a quick shake that was certain to make sure Shahid was wide awake. Repeating himself again the awake equine responded quickly and leaving him to crawl out of the tiny hole he began searching for Altayih's burrow. It had been abandoned as the previous owner had dropped dead in the fields but that did not seem to bother Altayih one bit because it was as he had said: "Tis better to have a roof that at least strains the rain over your head than none at all."

Finding it was somewhat difficult however as the hill was dotted with little holes and raggedy reed shelters, a single miss step would break a leg or twist an ankle and that said nothing of the little piles of rocks left as "markers" by the inhabitants. They were more a death hazard than the holes as tripping on the stones almost guaranteed falling down and onto something or someone else. The entire hillside was a sprawling field of little land mines just waiting on someone to step on them and fall in. Searching for the hidden dugout without falling in Verik moved slowly in the area he thought Altayih had been living but after finding the hole discovered the occupant missing. Looking around him slowly in a circle he spied a figure sitting huddled a short distance away, walking towards them their head slowly leaned up and listening to the half asleep response Verik knew he had found him.

"Not sleeping in your hole?"

"Infested."

"With..."

"Ants. They made a hole before I returned last night and I used my spear to dig their new nest out and kill a big fat one but they were everywhere and it was impossible to stay."

Verik nodded. "I imagine the big fat one was a queen and digging up an anthill no matter how small and recent tends to piss them off. Dont worry about it, with her dead they will probably disperse into everyone else's dugouts and cause mayhem if they have not already. Did you get any sleep?"

"Yes, I managed to beat them off my mat but the ground out here is not as... Soft and well used captain, it is rather hard and... Rocky."

"Well if they dont leave today we will gather dried grass and other brush to burn them out of your home, have to rebuild it but there wont be any ants left alive. Just cooked ones."

"Yes captain... It is early even for you though."

"Training ground, everyone will be there and I need to give you your instructions for while I am gone."

"Ah yes..." Altayih stood up and slowly collected his mat, eyes still half asleep. "You will be gone for two weeks as ordered by our lord and master of pain, Sefu."

"Indeed, lets go."

Leading the somewhat sleep deprived Altayih back across the hill and towards the campground they both watched as the moon vanished and the sun rose, causing their eyes to strain painfully at the sudden change of available light. A new day had begun and that meant the locals would pour out of their huts and begin to prepare for the day by gathering their water, ration and take care of other bodily issues which usually meant a mass migration to the public trench a distance from the village which was also down wind or at least as best they could manage without polluting their wells.

Everyone arrived more or less at the same time as each had some last minute detail to take care of before arriving but now that the gathering had begun in earnest everyone stared at Verik waiting in anticipation.

"No point stating the obvious. So, your on your own for two weeks and as I said you will train those willing to learn our tactics. Altayih, I am leaving you in charge of this while I am gone and if you need me I will be..." Verik looked at Sefu. "At the creche up on the hill."

Altayih balked at Verik. "Our captain demoted to caring for the foals of others? Whom did you trod upon or insult to be laid so low?"

Sefu glared at Altayih a moment. "Asha's idea, I agree." Sefu gave Altayih and the others a sideways glance, "it keep him out of trouble and I be there too. Keep eye on him."

Ignoring the glare Altayih focused on Verik. "Yes but I did not mention this last time but we are not... Ah, experienced? In training others. You flatter me by laying my head on the chopping block for training those willing... If any..."

Verik sighed at the Arabian, "you are quite good at keeping things organized as I have noticed so you were the obvious choice. Each and every one of us is well trained and somewhat disciplined in the tactics I taught you so it is not as great a leap as you seem to imply, to then simply turn around and teach another. Besides, there are three of you as I want Raswan to help as well..."

"I agreed, not stop now." Raswan waved his hand a little dismissing the insinuation.

"Good. Now for your duties while I am gone. Altayih you will keep things organized, Shahid, Raswan, you two will assist him. The basic plan is each of you will take a number aside and give them the basics in smaller groups so they understand. Once they do, combine your numbers and keep them organized because there are some other things I want you to show them. Remember how we failed so horribly in our little moving shield wall?"

Everyone nodded including Jelani and Sefu.

"Bad fail, hurt much." Raswan eyed Verik. "You want us try again? Why?"

"Because I think..." Verik looked at Sefu who thought a moment and then nodded. "You will have the numbers this time. That was what got us "killed" that time, we needed more than just four, preferably... Oh maybe twenty? That would be a good start for a single line stretched out. Those volunteering again should already be quite familiar with the Wete tactic of huddling behind a mass of shields and stabbing anything that comes their way but this time they are going to learn to advance, turn, change depth of rank and so on. Oh and if you think they are catching on well do that one where we formed a V and pushed forward, again you should have the numbers for it this time."

"We are still not trainers nor as experienced compared to those two." Altayih motioned towards Jelani and Sefu. "Will they assist-"

Jelani cut in quickly. "Watch, only help if need. Sefu not be there much if any, on your own."

"You show us great trust to allow this..."

"Want to see if work, if what you teach work then not only help Wete but help you."

"Alright moving on." Verik motioned to Jelani. "As she said, Jelani will be keeping an eye on you constantly while Sefu keeps an "eye" on me. Fact remains only we few know the tactics and no one else here has any idea save maybe Sefu who figured it out but he will not be here to help. We will also not be teaching everyone..."

Sefu's ears perked up and the giant zebra stared at Verik carefully. "Why not all those I send? Not deal."

"Because you have a spy. At least one, most likely two. I made a promise to someone else-"

Jelani smirked. "Nuru say not tell us but especially him hm?"

"Yes and while I agreed it would be a bad idea then I need to tell you now, there is no guarantee as to the one but Tikam and any friends he has should be kept away completely if possible. Tikam himself should not-"

Sefu let out a huff of hair. "Tikam not come, he already quit after losing few times."

"We already met him?"

"Yes, he not have many friend so it not problem. Keep him away on other things but how you know he a spy?"

"I will explain later but if you have any you suspect any of being spies I ask that you keep them away as well."

"You not know?"

"Unfortunately I have no idea who they would be but as I told the others here I doubt Fareed would allow you to make one of his spies... Vanish as it were, without replacing them. All these refugees are the perfect cover and I think Tikam wound up just getting caught up in it due to Tasid probably having a hand in things."

"So one spy for Tasid?"

"Ehhh...Hm... From what I understand that would make sense but I doubt it, then again who knows. You have at least one spy running around at any rate and one more sent directly by Fareed, there is no way he would allow Wete to grow to its present size without keeping a close eye on you."

Altayih looked curiously at Verik and broke everyone's thoughts on finding the spy. "Captain, how am I to organize things exactly?"

"Group them into small teams, if you have twenty and there are three of you that makes... Around six to seven each. I would hope you know our tactics well enough to figure out the rest on your own though yes?"

"It still surprises me our Wete friend agreed to join us so quickly."

Raswan snapped an angry glare at Altayih "What that mean? You know why I here. Maybe not forever."

Verik clapped his hands together loudly. "We dont need to be looking at each other, our threat is an outsider, two of them to be precise and one has a name. Were all in this up to our necks and that is that. And Raswan... We shall see."

Jelani nodded at Altayih. "Why that one?"

"He knows more about organizing that the rest of us, can read, write and I am guessing but he can probably do basic math. Yes?" Altayih nodded. "Shahid and Raswan on the other hand are far more... Hands on in dealing with others from what I have seen and that makes them perfect for drilling others but not so much keeping things organized on a larger scale. Learning very fast though I must say."

"Much trouble to quiet some fears." Raswan yawned.

"Well having experience in this now will make things much easier later on."

"For what? Train army?"

"It was called "force multiplication." You see at first only a few have the knowledge but then they train five others. Now in our case it was one who taught three. Those three will now train six or seven each, those will then train just as many each... Do you understand how the number grows rapidly?"

Jelani cut in before the others could talk. "But no experience, that make things very hard. You ever use tactic on real enemy? No? Make it harder."

"I am well aware there is a vast gap between theory and practice but we have been putting that to the test on the volunteers as of late, the tactics are quite sound and work very well as has been proven. If we can add numbers behind those tactics the possibilities become endless. The drills you will be organizing are no different than the ones we performed in private only now you will have greater numbers, hopefully you all remember the mistakes we made and will remedy them. Mistakes will be made during these two weeks but keep going and pass along what happened so we can all learn what worked and what did not. Everything I have taught you came from many books but if the tactics did not work they would never have been used for millennia to such a... Bloody effect."

"What millennia mean?" Jelani stared at him oddly.

"A thousand years."

"Not have newer tactic?"

"Already used them much to the dismay of your fellow villagers. If anything goes wrong Jelani will be here and as I said... I will be at the creche, up there and with Sefu."

Shahid quirked his head. "It not take two week to teach them what you teach us."

"You would be surprised and besides, if they learn so fast you do not need to repeat things then dont, just repeat the drills over and over again until they have it down to perfection. If they perfect everything, keep drilling. Make certain to teach them the formations but more than anything burn it into their heads on ganging up against a target, none of this single combat and dueling stuff. Either gang up on a target or form up the ranks and engage as a unit with a solid line, preferably with shields if that can be managed. Altayih, I suggest you start with those simple drills for staying organized but there are a few others things I want you to throw at them once they have it down: have them get attacked suddenly from the flank or rear and test their ability to respond. That will be a good start if they absorb the information quickly but I doubt it. Drill into them the ability to move at the same pace and stick together, a disorganized mob is-"

"No more an army that a heap of building materials is a house." Altayih, Shahid and Raswan belted out the answer without thinking.

"Guess I harped on that one enough if you have it memorized. Anyway, two weeks is nowhere near long enough to learn what little we have practiced and yes I know it would be better to have a few months, but it will be a start and meanwhile I will be learning other things."

Raswan let out a small laugh. "Think Asha set you up."

"I think she was only one of two who set me up..." Verik looked at Sefu who stared back blankly. "But I am not going to argue as it means I get to spend more time with her."

"Yeesss."

Verik scowled at Raswan. "I am not going to feign ignorance at what she is hatching if that is what you are hinting at. Besides, if it is indeed possible to make a family then it would be wise to learn as much as I can since the opportunity has presented itself."

"Wish you much, much luck. You need it."

"I did not know you had children of your own."

"No." Raswan shook his head quickly. "Not have foals but am eldest brother to much younger brother and two sister. Much time and... Trouble, to watch them. Leave at creche much, probably meet them."

"Not going to take them and run for the bush now that I will be there? Or does your family not know yet?"

"Think no one know yet..." Raswan looked at Sefu who glared back. "But you see what I mean soon, they handful and you need all help you can get."

"Planning on having any?"

"Maybe... Have eyes on one, maybe one day but not now. Now is bad time."

"Oh?" Altayih leaned out a little. "Anyone we know?"

"None of business! But you stay away!"

"I can not stay away if you do not say."

Verik raised his voice, "alright lay off. You have your instructions."

"Not done yet." Jelani stood and approached Verik before moving him aside. "Wood you bring back make good bow, start shaping soon yes?"

"That was... Quick. I thought it took months or years to dry out wood, the heat here not withstanding but I have no idea how that works."

"Not matter, we have ways but is more than enough and begin work soon, wanted to tell you."

"More than enough?"

"Yes, you bring back very large piece of wood. We straighten already and dry but much be wasted, not enough for two bow sadly."

"Is it long enough to make a bow about... Say." Verik motioned at his height. "About this tall if strung?"

"Why you make bow that big? Impossible to use."

"Its called a longbow and it will out range anything you have quite easily. Especially if you could make it a recurve..."

"Know what last thing is but... Bow like that become very, very hard to pull. You not have enough strength to pull that, can pull some of Wete bow now easy enough but not one so big."

"Time and training will make up for it. At least I will have something to train for now that has always interested me."

"Need longer shaft for arrow."

"Yes. I dont know how long though. Also the wood needs to be a little heavier and harder than those flimsy needle arrows you use, oh and while your flint arrowheads are quite quaint they would be a hellish waste on this type of bow."

"Metal arrow head? That not happen, cost too much!"

"I only need two so I can use them as an example for future use, iron ones. One with a long, sharp point while the other would look like what you use but with two little barbs sticking off the sides."

"Know what you planning to use this for."

"Good!"

"That not mean I make it."

"The bow or the arrows?"

"Make bow, as thanks for teaching Wete how to fight like you but arrow..."

"I just want two, no four. Two of each. Use that iron from Shahid and Altayih's shackles. I know it has been put to use on some other things already but there should be enough left for this if nothing else."

"You say spy in Wete... Have us make special bow with special tips, never hear of tips like this and seen many arrow before including in Alzamard. Nothing like them, nothing. Not worry so much but if second spy you say exist then they learn when smith tell everyone of strange arrow head they make."

"That is rather paranoid actually... You know the plan and that could not be traced back very well... Well it could be but still..."

Shaking her head Jelani let out a small sigh, "you say Fareed send new spy and other spy happen to come to. One bad, two very bad, very. Mean less trust if two, one... Normal? Spy now learn Wete making special arrow tip that do something not understand, but I understand because I use bow. Know how arrow work very well. This not mean anything to spy but word soon reach Fareed and he not understand I think but others will."

"You are making unique weapons that defeat exactly what Fareed has and once they figure that out he will send others to investigate. It is not that you fear the spy or the message but the increased scrutiny that comes with it."

She nodded. "You know how I know spy find out so fast? Not because smith talk, I tell smith to not talk and they not talk. Never talk. But.. If I were spy... I work for smith or stay close to smith. Know why?" Jelani eyed Verik down. "Because smith make weapons."

Verik left the others behind to settle matters, it was out of his hands now that Sefu had removed him from the training program for the next two weeks which left a lot of free time on his hands. Should he go fishing or hunt a little and stock up? It was the perfect opportunity and thanks to the recent rains food was slightly more abundant so there was no gripping reason to forage far away and on the other banks just yet. Fishing perhaps? Salt was no longer an issue so drying it was quite simple now, though some of the locals were a little less than pleased with the salty, fishy odor that filled the air at first and their noses were rather good at picking it up on that first day.

Something else nagged at him though, Jelani was correct that a spy with the smith was the perfect solution for an outside force but as the thought rolled around his head something was just off and he could not place his finger on it. Hiking up the hill and back to the hut most of Wete had already turned out and had begun to go about their morning business before the days labor began, foals skittered about or were being dragged off in various directions though a good number were all going in the same direction; the same direction he would be going day after tomorrow.

Larger families were quite well organized he had to admit as he passed them on the road, a few were selected to take care of various tasks such as collecting more water if needed or visit the granary for the morning ration. It was quite the measly ration compared to what came later in the day but then again if it kept them alive so be it. For them there was no such thing as a grocery store or shipping in food without great expense and a handful of mice let loose in the granary would probably cause several deaths. A few cats roamed the village thankfully, keeping the local rat and mouse population in check but over the months he had learned that no matter how many cats one kept a few mice or rats would always get through and cause problems. Thus everything was stored inside clay pots which in turn were sealed inside a granary, layer upon layer of protection was employed to keep the vermin away and even that did not always work.

Brushing aside the flap to the hut and entering Asha had already taken care of things well in advance and laid out their bowls, spoons and cups for water on the mats which served as both table and mattress. She was moving slower than usual though as normally Asha was in a hurry to belt out their breakfast and make a run for the fields or wherever they had her assigned but today her pace was quite slow.

"Not in a rush to be off?"

"Visit while you gone, say that I weed fields instead of haul. At creche soon and not want exhausted, fall asleep while watching so give simpler task till then. You look strange, what wrong?"

"Oh I was just thinking about something Jelani said before I left the training grounds."

"Yes? What she say?"

"I never told you this but there are spies running around here but dont ever breathe a word of that to anyone."

Asha shrugged. "Learn long ago when village destroyed about spies, not surprise. What that have to do with Jelani? She say who?"

"No, but she had an idea of who it might be but her suggestion is just... Its not quite right and I dont know why just yet."

"Who?"

"Someone working for the smith, that it would be a good choice because they can keep tabs on who makes weapons-"

"No."

"Oh? You were rather quick on the draw there so why do you say that."

"Smith in Wete have few who assist, few who run errands but those he have work long and no rest. I assigned to taking damaged tools to smith many times, he always too busy to do anything. Ones who work for smith even busier, always gone and running around to deliver, collect wood, much to do, much, very much. Think spy not want task that make them run so much, need time to sit and watch, think quietly. Time to... Write sounds on paper and make good report, need alone time for that. Also need paper... Have to be alone or others see."

"So the smith runs them ragged?"

"Yes, always running and run fast, so much need fix all time, things wear out very fast. Not think smith is wise choice. Spy work to death and no time for report."

A small smile formed on Verik's face as he listened to Asha, she was no spy hunter but compared to Jelani who was battle wise Asha had a different kind of insight from years in the fields and various labor intensive tasks. She understood how long things took, exhaustion involved, the long hours and sheer trouble it would bring upon those who took up the mantle.

"So those working for the smith are out because the spy would have no time... Alright, I agree."

"Not just that." Asha began spooning out their meager breakfast. "If I spy, want to see much and not just run tools or bring wood for forge. See nothing, hear little running and get back to hear klang, klang, klang. Want to see and hear much, stay somewhere so get to watch, listen, learn."

"Someplace more central you mean?"

Asha stopped a moment then nodded. "Yes, not think I need to hear all Wete talk, only few talk and have big meaning yes? Smith not hear anyone talk, assistant hear no one talk. Only few make important decision so imporant to watch them yes?" Verik nodded. "That mean I need watch Tendaji, Sefu, Jelani, Zuberi and... Nuru... No, last one too hard, not possible."

"I would like to see someone try and spy on Nuru, that would be interesting."

"Interesting yes, also bad for health yes?"

Letting out a chuckle Verik nodded before motioning for her to continue.

"That mean stay on hill lots and lots, somewhere near Tendaji hut but also roam and be near Sefu, others."

"A warrior?"

"No, no. They roam yes but Sefu keep them on posts, as scouts. They see much out there yes but less here."

"So someone closer to home... Who rarely leaves Wete and stays mostly on the hill then?"

"Never think about that before... Not know. But many stay here to make things during day, think that give chance to spy yes?"

"True, so that narrows it down to those jobs that are less strenuous, quiet, probably skilled to some degree, on the hill itself but with the ability to travel as an excuse but it also means living a more... Monastic life I guess, that is unless they sneak away to somewhere else to write up their reports and return. Yes, that would be wise, leave nothing incriminating here so they must have the ability to travel broadly."

"Potters have assistant who travel to collect clay and other things, but..." Asha rocked her head a little. "That also take much time, if potter bad choice, never leave because always working on pot."

"Alright, so an outsider, stays up here, simple job but one that is important enough they stay here and at the same time allows them to wander freely at all hours. Smith is out, potter is probably out..."

"Maybe work at granary?"

"Why do you say that?"

"If work at granary must be able to count well and keep record for Tendaji. Zuberi and sister are two but they also have many other things they must do and not always there, some stay to check for mouse and rat. Also make certain no one steal anything but that not problem here. Happen once though but Tendaji solve that. No one steal now."

"So who works at the granary that can read and write?"

Asha shrugged. "Not know."

"Well if it was that easy Jelani and Sefu would not of had that strange look on their faces when I brought it up, they knew it was possible but me saying it jarred something. Now its a fact for them and not just a gut feeling. How often does the granary rotate or... You dont know do you?" Asha shook her head. "And with the rotation system in place it means the number involved makes it even harder to find them, the perfect cover. But, I doubt the ability to read and write is common here, is it?"

"Zuberi been teaching others for some time now, but take much, much time. Many try but in time give up, take too long hm?"

"Damn. That would have made it even simpler, just find out who can read, write and then bam! We know who to look out for, but if many know at least some basics that muddies the water again."

"Life not so simple hm?"

"No but you are quite the surprise."

"Me? Why?" Asha's eyes grew a little and her ears perked up in surprise as he smiled at her.

"You outwitted Jelani in looking for a spy but not just that, no... In just a few minutes you formed and worked your way through a list of things a spy would do or avoid and quite logically at that. It makes me quite happy, not only are you a generous and kind with a big heart but you are also quite smart. That makes me very happy."

Asha stared at him mouth trying to form words but what came out was a small, incoherent mumble and as he watched her ears pin back just a little he knew what the expression on her face meant. Smiling at her he reached out and cupped one of her cheeks with his hand, an act that made her eyes lock onto his.

"Thank you."

The fur on her face prickled up a little under his hand and removing it he picked up his bowl and began eating as she sat in a mild state of embarrasment and somewhat flustered by his words.

Author's Notes:

Verik got demoted. He is now officially a baby sitter.