Shadow slept well, but he awoke early. He just laid there, enjoying the quiet. It was interrupted every so often by Slice’s coughing fits. Slice was not capable of leaving. Shadow didn’t exactly know what they would do. They were scheduled to leave in hours.

Shadow heard Lavender Dew come down the stairs and silently watched as she checked on Slice. The front door opened and Lavender Dew stepped out to greet the visitor. Shadow slipped out of bed and listened in.

“There is no way. He is too sick to move. We can’t send them away now. Even as outsiders.”

“Others may not see it that way. There is nothing for them here. This isn’t about caps. Its about the others. Few trust them. They may not bring us harm, but they still are a disruption. What are they to do? They don’t belong here. So they what, just sit here all day?”

Shadow shocked them. “You farm, I was born a farmer, farms always need the extra hoof. I know what I am doing. We have gotten stuck in cities before, waiting for one of us to heal. Actually, that ended up me healing. But in between things I was helping their local farms.”

“Storm Eye, the sick one, was helping reinforce and fix their city through his mechanical knowledge. Nor’easter was leading expeditions and building better defenses. The others, who have died, helped them in their various ways. We are not used to sitting on the sideline when there are things to do.

“Storm Eye is sick and we don’t have much of an option. I’ll take working in the dirt over sitting inside with nothing to do. Nor’easter will at least stand watch, invited or not.”

Governor Amber took a deep breath in. “I may be a governor, but this is not a decision I should make alone.”

Governor Amber left to gather others. Thunder was awake as well. Governor Amber arrived with six others, including Orange Harvest.

“Our visitors are stuck here,” Governor Amber stated. “Lavender Dew can tell you the medical side, but their comrade can not be moved.”

“He needs more time,” Lavender Dew asserted. “He is quite sick. Swamp Fever is doing it’s best to kill him. He is healthy. Very healthy. We can’t compare their health to ours they are so far above our standards. He will make a strong recovery. I expect the fever to break today, which means they will be able to get on their way soon.”

“Okay, they can stay until their friend is healed,” An Earth Pony said.

“We have caps to pay you,” Thunder said.

“Those three Hydra Hearts are good enough payment,” He replied.

Governor Amber moved on. “Do any of you have any qualms about them staying until they can safely leave?”

Orange Harvest snorted. “Nothing we can do since they are already here.”

“Good,” Governor Amber nodded. “That matter is solved. But that brings another one. Our friends have visited many places for various reason. They often assist in ways that are not only needed, but suit their talents.”

“Help?” A mare said annoyed.

“Please,” Shadow said quietly. “We respect you and your decision, but none of like to sit still below the clouds. I was born and raised a farmer. One of the oldest cloud farming family. Our heritage is old and our family line strong. Our farm is solid and I learned well.”

“I didn’t get time off until I joined the military. Farming was not just my duty, it was my life. Up in the morning, farm, relax a bit after dinner and bed. I learned a lot. I know everything I can know. My father and his best friend have gone all over the clouds to help struggling farms. Community and helping those in need is a big part of my life.

“I know a farm always needs extra hooves. And somehow, I am sure you could use an extra set of eyes and guns. Something tells me your defenses could use an assessment. Better put, Nor’easter will do it without thinking. I know he has to have a few ideas on how to improve them already.”

Thunder was chuckling. He had an idea or two.

“Governor,” A stallion said. “We are having those problems with the new crops. And he was already getting to know Cloudy Snow last night. She would make a good guide.”

“And we could use a guard on a the expedition we are marking. Your big gun would be a huge help. You could lay down so much powerful fire if we got in a pinch.”

Shadow and Thunder broke down laughing.

“Sorry,” Shadow said composing himself. “Its a special pegasus sniper rifle. Its not a fast firing weapon. And Nor’easter isn’t a pegasus you want behind it. Sure, he can shoot and could handle the rifle, but-”

“But its not my job,” Thunder shrugged. “I’m the guy who runs the distractions. Or who puts down so much firepower the enemy can’t move. I’m the tank. And I’m the guy who blows stuff up. That is what I am trained to do. I’m a good shot, but I’m not a sniper. Silent Wind carries it for a reason.”

“But, Nor’easter will take it along,” Shadow added. “Our bags are dry. We will break it down and put it in a throw bag for him to carry. Along with plenty of ammo.”

Thunder grinned. “No matter what I am using, I am fearless and will be the first in and last out. And since our wings are exposed, I can run things from the sky. I am not the flier that Silent Wind is, but I am better than any of you.”

Half of them chuckled with Shadow and Thunder.

Orange Harvest spoke up. He was not on board. “We are supposed to just trust them?”

“Trust wasn’t said,” Shadow chuckled. “We don’t have to trust each other to work together. Or use each other. Sometimes you just have to do, and trust comes later. You get another farm hoof, and a skilled one, for the day. And you get another top notch gun on that trip. And we get to stay active and feel like we are making a difference. How does that sound? Is it mutually beneficial?”

The room was silent. None of them could give an objection.

“Then, we have our answer,” Governor Amber said. “Lets get these two squared away. Nor’easter, River Watermelon will lead you to the expedition. And Silent Wind, Jazz Emerald will be showing you to the farmers who could use your assistance.”

“What is this expedition?” Thunder asked.

“I will show you to the others. Yesterday you bought ammo for your big gun. It was held together. We got it years ago on a boat down south. It had another type of gun that used it. It was mounted on the front. We want to try and recover it and anything else that might have been with it.”

“You are going diving,” Thunder nodded.

“Yep. Which is why we will need a good guard.”

“I am proficient at that. Very proficient. Come on Silent Wind, lets get me outfitted for some heavy lifting.”

It didn’t take them long to outfit Thunder.

“Have Soarin’s Lightning out as much as possible,” Shadow quietly said to Thunder. “They like it.”

“Right,” Thunder nodded. “Even if it’s just leaning against me, it looks good. She is a real beauty.”

When they came back out, it was just River Watermelon and Jazz Emerald.

“Silent Wind, you won’t want to take your pistol with you,” Jazz Emerald said. “Our farms are very wet. You will spend a good amount of your time in water. Deep for you because of your size.”

Shadow sighed. “Right. I forgot about that.”

Mwokozi’s revolver would have no problem with the water and swamp conditions. The spare ammo would be another case. Shadow expected the chambered rounds would be protected. He would at least carry his combat knife. A blade had many uses while farming. It was a good tool.

Shadow went back in and slipped the revolver inside Mwokozi’s Cloak, alongside Kifo Herixleta, hidden. He trusted them well enough, but we wasn’t going to take that chance. With the two of them, he could reclaim anything stolen from them.

Shadow was quick but Thunder was already gone. Jazz Emerald led Shadow across the street and behind the buildings to where a half dozen others were working in the ground. Most were trying to figure out how to work with their crops.

“Everypony, I am sure you have heard about our guests. This is Silent Wind. Their companion is still extremely sick and unable to leave as planned. Governor Amber gather several of us to discuss their predicament. The decision was to let them help where they can. Silent Wind was a farmer in his home before he joined their military.”

Shadow interjected. “And I will go back to farming once my service is up.”

“Yes, well. We are having trouble with some crops. We are trying to grow-”

Shadow put his wing up, stopping Jazz Emerald.

“You are trying to grow,” Shadow said heading to the closest patch.

Shadow was standing in water almost up to his belly. The plot was soaked. He took a bit of soil off of it and tasted it. It was all normal until the end when the mush of decay overpowered the nutrients. Shadow took a few deep breaths in to smell the air. They all were looking at him, unsure what to do.

“You are trying to grow beats, carrots, turnips, onions, ginger, parsnips, and… potatoes.”

They talked back and forth about his accurate assessment.

“I can also smell,” Shadow grinned. “Barley, Buckwheat, you have a huge asparagus field, a large dandelion plot, sea lettuce is abound and so is watercress. Wapato, water chestnuts, spinach, tomatoes, and celery are also grown in decent amounts. I must try the elder berries that are in season.”

“You have pecans, walnuts, and acorns growing and your myristica is a good choice. Nutmeg and Mace were not something we easily had available back home. I can also tell you are growing tarragon, allspice, basil, savory, fennel, marjoram, parsley and cilantro.”

“Are all cloud farmers about to tell all that by smell?” The pegasus, who they had called Cloudy Snow, asked.

Shadow shrugged. “I grew up with it. It just was apart of being a farmer. I know most didn’t. Its not easy to do, but we were expected to because we are A Homestead. The fifth homestead founded. It’s our duty to be there for others and a pillar in our farming community.”

“You have to be half earth pony,” another said.

Shadow laughed. “Well, if I am, its hiding. Very, anciently, deep. Its always been wings. Its not that my family has ever been against the other races, but its been pegasus genes as far back as we know. Well before the war. They were residents of Cloudsdale and only Cloudsdale. Before things happened.”

“So you were born and raised on the best farm in the Enclave?” Cloudy Snow asked.

“I can’t rank them,” Shadow replied. “I won’t even try. Each is unique and has it’s own charge and it’s own crop. I can say that every turnip grown in the Enclave has it’s roots in our farm. No other farms were growing them when the clouds were sealed up. We were the only farm with their seeds.”

“But that doesn’t solve your problem. You are attempting to grow root vegetables. Before, its been leafy greens and others above the soil or in the water. These are roots and they grow in the soil. They are rotting out because your soil has way too much water. The ground is rich enough in nutrients from what I could taste, but its not capable of growing these.

“But, you can still grow them easy enough. You can use this exact soil, you can use this water. You just need to remove the excess water by lifting the patches off the ground. That way, you can keep them dry while providing only the water needed.

“We are going to need a little bit of building supplies,” Shadow stated.

“You mean a lot if we are going to grow all of these,” Cloudy Snow stated. “We don’t have enough for that.”

“You will be able to get the wood,” Shadow pointed out. “That was not something we could easily do. Wood will obviously rot, so metal poles would be best. But we will start with what we can. First, a small plot. We can build it quickly and teach you how to properly care for these and grow them. With these wet conditions, it wont be easy.”

“But I have faith in you. I look around and I see success. I see a farm with a wide variety of crops that require a lot of different care methods. If you can do all that, then you can do this. It will be worth the work to have these in your cellars.”

Thunder was patrolling from the air. Below him four boats were making their way south through the channels and waterways. It was just a few hours south by boat, assuming they set a quick pace. It was rather boring, circling over them as they puttered their way through as quickly as possible.

It was an unimpressive area when they finally docked at a tree. A forest of large canopy trees with water all around them. They had been in deeper, more open water with little land for a long while and it only was growing. Thunder touched down on a boat. It got way to close to tipping over.

“Sorry,” Thunder blushed. “But, where is this boat?”

A Unicorn’s horn lit up and she touched it to the water. It cleared away all the muck and the water was crystal clear. More than one boat came into view. Of the seven, five were painted with faded stripes.

All of them were in bad shape, ripped apart by each other’s weapons. Thunder could see several small cannons and large machine guns he recognized, on both sides. The boats had impressive firepower compared to their sizes.

The Equestrian Boats were heavier armored and longer, almost 80 feet. But they were still shallow on the draft for use on the swamp waters. The Zebra boats were half that size and lightly armored. They appeared to have a motor that was as powerful as the Equestrian ones.

The Zebra ones were designed to strike fast and possibly deliver troops. The Equestrian boats were designed to patrol the swamps, rivers and lakes of Equestria. They probably could patrol the shores of the open waters to the east.

“Ever tried to float any of them?” Thunder asked.

“We only knew of the one boat,” The expedition leader, Blue Lemon replied. “We are here for weapons and supplies, that is all. Besides, our boats are more than sufficient.”

“You could strip the ships of their metal and other resources,” Thunder suggested. “But I will leave that to you. You know what is best for you.”

Thunder carefully took off and began to circle over the whole area. The tree canopy made it difficult to see anything. Thunder dropped below and began to patrol the areas between the trees. He glided to a stop at a tree when he saw something wrong.

Thunder examined the tree. There was a big gouge and scoring. The tree had healed well, but it obviously taken a beating from automatic weapon fire. Thunder moved to another and saw more damage. The trees in the area had taken more fire than that the boats had. It was a fast and fierce battle. The height of the marks showed the age of the battle. The marks were well above the level of water.

Thunder circled back around to check on the divers. Nothing had changed. There wasn’t much to do, despite being the only guard. Thunder slid his carry bag off and snapped together Soarin’s Lighting. He would stand watch on the boats for now.

Lunch came and they all relaxed around food. Thunder had some questions.

“You have boats, with motors, and know how to use them. But you don’t come south often?”

“No,” Blue Lemon said. “We do travel the waterways through the swamp, but this part is rarely visited. This is open waters, with few shores. The shores have Mirelurk nests, their fresh eggs are good to eat. If you can get at them.”

“Mirelurk?”

“Giant crabs with shells as hard as a rock. Don’t shoot the shell. Bullets don’t penetrate them.”

“What lurks in these waters?”

“I don’t know,” Blue Lemon replied. “But little in this swamp is friendly. Which is why we have our wall and really need these weapons.”

“I agree,” Thunder nodded. “A heavy machine gun will take care of the Hydras and give Cragadiles something to think about. I doubt that the Mirelurks shells could shrug off more than three bullets.

“But, you haven’t gotten a single gun recovered from below.”

“No, they are locked in tight. Its not rust. We can’t stay below long enough to really figure out how they are mounted. But, one of the Equestrian boats has a winch. We are going to pull it out of the water. If you can carry the chain up to the top of a tree, we can use that as leverage to pull it up out of the water.”

“I can do that,” Thunder nodded. “That sounds like it will be able to work.”

They went back to work. It wasn’t much longer until Thunder was flying the chain up into the trees where it was anchored. The winch worked off electricity, but it did have a manual crank. The divers worked in rotation cranking and pulling until the ship was dislodged. It popped out of the mud, shaking the swamp’s bottom and kicking up all sorts of debris, forcing them to stop for a bit.

When the ship was fully out of the water, they tapped several holes in the rear to drain the water. As the water drained out, the tree was able to pull itself fully upright again.

A noise sounded from the other side of the lake. A giant pincered, beast with a shell rose out of the water. It had been alerted by the dislodging of the boat.

“So much for easy,” Thunder sighed.

Thunder couldn’t get Soarin’s Lighting’s bipod to work with their shallow boats.

“You,” Thunder pointed. “Stand here. Fast!”

The boat rocked dangerously as they shuffled around.

“Stand still, and just relax,” Thunder coached. “Its safe.”

Thunder set Soarin’s Lighting’s barrel across the pony’s back. It provided the correct angle for Thunder to line up his shot. The first one was right in between the thing’s first set of eyes. It was, as expected, undeterred.

Thunder put another rough through an eye on the second row. That caused it to stumble a bit. Thunder put two more into it’s head in no particular place. Next, Thunder put four rounds into the chest of the beast, in a Z formation.

The beast continued to wade through the water to them at a concerning pace.

“Any suggestions?” Thunder asked, muffled by the bit.

Blue Lemon gulped. “Never seen this thing before.”

Thunder rolled his eyes and put a round right at the waterline. The shot exploded the beast’s abdomen, a combined effect with the water and the electricity of the enchanted bullet. It toppled with a wave. Their boats banged into each other and two of the divers fell overboard because they were standing up.

Thunder spat out the bit and pulled Soarin’s Lighting off the pony’s back.

“I wish I had my Novasurge,” Thunder grumbled. “Or well, any of my real weapons.”

“That was, amazing,” Blue Lemon stumbled.

Thunder shrugged. “None of what I have is my preferred weapon loadout or what I am supposed to have. We couldn’t take them with us when we left. I would have been able to blast that thing apart in a few shots. But, this baby did the job.”

“I don’t have anything to base it off of, but what you did, it was amazing. And the fact that the barrel light up with lightning bolts but didn’t harm Cola, I’m thrilled and shocked because of how it looks.”

“And feels,” Cola chuckled. “It tickled.”

Thunder chuckled as well.

They got back to work, draining and then patching the boat. When they let it down to sit in the water, they were able to get it to float. It sat very low in the water, but all of it’s weapons, equipment and stored supplies were inside, along with plenty of swamp water. They didn’t take inventory. They just needed to get it back before they lost the light they had.

Thunder cruised into their dock first. He was there to catch the ropes of the first boat and pull them into the dock and anchor them. He let the others who knew what they were doing take care of the rest.

Thunder took off to find Shadow. He was going to stay above their heads so he wouldn’t be a problem for any of the feral ghouls. He found him playing with a raised farm plot. Thunder slowed down to listen in.

Shadow was going over composting and more specifics on plant nutrition. He had moved away from the crops he was working on; into the other crops they were growing. He was talking about buckwheat.

Shadow turned to Thunder when he was done with his lecture.

“You have returned,” Shadow nodded. “By your face, it was successful.”

“To a point,” Thunder nodded. “It was unique. It didn’t end as expected. Not a bad ending, but we brought one of the boats back.”

“One?” Shadow asked with his eyebrow raised.

“Seven in total,” Thunder grinned. “Five were Zebras and they whole area had been pounded by medium and heavy caliber machine gun fire. Canons too. The Zebras were small and light. Their speed must have been impressive.”

“But the Equestrian boats were built to patrol these waters and larger bodies. Possibly off shore a ways. But even at twice as long and with armor, they had to be just as fast. Not as maneuverable, but even that would be impressive.

“Fleetfoot and Rapidfire would outmatch them. Even in the shoals. Still, I am surprised we never saw any of them around the fleet. They were clearly patrol boats and had some heavy firepower. That reminds me, I have to go disarm the four torpedoes they carry. The water really opens up and gets deep in the south.”

“Perhaps the patrol boats were sunk,” Shadow shrugged. “You saw all those others. Many of them were probably patrol boats. It would make sense for them to be there. I assume they were easy to produce.”

Thunder nodded. “Quite easy. But I have to go disarm those torpedoes before they blow themselves up. Here is Soarin’s Lightning back. I used eight rounds. None of us know what I shot, but it was coming for us once we dislodged the boat.”

“Have fun,” Shadow waved. “I’ll check it out in a bit.”

Shadow looked at the others and chuckled. “He will have fun. A lot of fun. He is well trained with explosives and won’t have a problem.”

“But,” Shadow smiled. “As much fun as he will have, I still had more fun with you all. I love getting my hooves in good farming soil.”

“And it was enjoyable,” Cloudy Snow smiled. “At least to me. I am happy to have new crops. We have a good amount of work ahead of us. But, we know what we are doing when it comes to building these plots and how to care for them. It will be worth it all when we get the first harvest in.”

Everypony agreed.

Another pony, Gold, spoke. “And we know how to take better care of our grains. That will increase the yields and make them taste better. A win all around. For us. Not for you.”

Shadow shrugged. “A win for me because I love this stuff. It is relaxing. And I didn’t sit in the room all day, board.”

“Lets get you some of the elder berries,” Gold smiled. “I want some as well.”

Shadow followed them off to where the berries were growing. They all were covered in mud. Shadow felt a little bit at home. It was nice to have another set of wings as well. Cloudy Snow was certainly happier with another pair of wings around.

As they came back from eating some berries right off the bushes a Feral Ghouls screamed and charged them. They were in the middle of the village and it was eight of them. Shadow should have blended in. He had been among the Ferals all day without a problem. Even without a direct guide.

Two of them jumped in front to protect Shadow. They were savagely tossed aside. Shadow’s reaction was slow. He didn’t want to hurt it. His dive was poor and the thing was on him immediately. Shadow tried to fend it off as he stood, but it bit him in the neck, definitely drawing blood.

Shadow used a pressure point to force it to let go and then used it’s weight against it and topple it onto the ground. It was tackled. Shadow backpedaled a bit to create distance. The Feral Ghoul bit one of the ponies and bucked the other hard as it broke free.

“Fine,” Shadow growled. “If you charge, I’ll have no other options outside of hurting you.”

It screamed in rage and charged. Shadow stepped in on time, grounding himself with his shoulder low. It’s chest slammed into Shadow. It continued forward as Shadow stood up, flipping it over his body.

It stood and Shadow swept it’s front legs. At the same time, he snapped one of the legs. It was a clear crack. Everypony who had gathered at the noise heard it and shivered.

Shadow took a few steps back before speaking.

“It’s a simple break,” Shadow announced. “All that needs to be done is a quick set and the radiation and time will do the rest. Good as new.”

“I’ve never set a bone,” Lavender Dew admitted as she came out of the door.

Shadow groaned. “Of course. Let me get a bandage on this and I’ll show you how.”

Shadow wasn’t the only one who needed the clinic. They had to take care of a broken rib and that other bite was nasty. Nopony was allowed in outside of them and Cloudy Snow, since she was Shadow’s guide.

“What happened to you?” Slice groaned, sitting up when he saw the blood.

“Eh, just needs a bandage. Nothing to fret about Storm Eye.”

Slice looked at him, trying to comprehend the name. He finally got it and stood up.

“Look, that needs some stitches. And I am probably the only one who knows how to do that.”

Lavender Dew blushed. “I have a few natural remedy and health books I work off of, but I was not a healer before or during the war. I am just the one who cares just enough about such things. Somepony has to do it. Little actually happens around here.”

“Well, you can learn stitches from me,” Slice groaned. “And then I see another bite that needs some as well. It’s pretty simple.”

Shadow pulled out a stitch kit and tossed it to Slice who playfully caught it on his wing. Shadow flipped up a magical bandage box where it joined the stitch kit. Shadow easily kicked up a health potion and caught it on his own wing.

Slice cleaned Shadow’s wound. He took the time to numb the area up and then put the stitches in. Most of the teeth marks only needed two. Slice moved to a cross stitch for the smaller ones. He stitched together more than needed in order to teach Lavender Dew.

Another quick wipe clean and Slice wrapped his neck in a magical bandage. Shadow finished it with a health potion and they were all done. For him.

Lavender Dew learned well from watching Slice. Using a real kit for sewing stitches was a big help. She would most likely have to make do with a regular needle and cotton thread. Pain meds may or may not be available to numb the area.

A quick healing salve was made up and put over the stitches. Then they bandaged off the wound and Slice sat back down on the bed.

“You feeling okay?” Shadow asked.

“Well enough,” Slice coughed. “Much better when the fever broke. What have you been up too?”

“Its a complicated story,” Shadow stated. “Its all Ghouls here. Including Ferals. We were able to work out me helping them with a farming problem and Nor’easter went out with them on a special expedition they had planned. His guard skills were put to good use apparently.”

“That is good to hear, Silent.” Slice said catching onto the name change. “I hope you have taken care of everything today. I am leaving in the morning.”

Shadow nodded. “We are. And good. That is what we were hoping for. Its not exactly been a welcomed stay. There are good reasons for it. Their generosity is beyond appreciated.”

Slice chuckled. “I don’t remember most of it, but it is. I don’t have the words to describe how much I appreciate it.”

The others were gone, except Lavender Dew and Cloudy Snow. Cloudy Snow finally asked her question.

“I don’t get it. Why did it attack you? And us. We have never had a problem. Nothing beyond a small bump from an absentminded one. And Steel Wrench usually is kept way out in the fields because he is such a powerful Feral Ghoul.”

Shadow let out a sad chuckled from his bed. “I can think of a few things. None of them pretty. My first thought is Rage. A dose of that would make it be able to sniff the odd one out. It also would explain attack it’s own kind. Maybe Stampede. Dash is also something that could be used to highlight the differences and make it attack.”

Lavender Dew and Cloudy Snow had no response. The idea of somepony purposefully giving Steel Wrench a drug was terrifying.

“But those are only guesses,” Shadow said, avoiding a shrug to not stress his neck wound. “We can’t prove it and it’s probably not the case. Just my initial thoughts. Initial, meaning they were not thought out.”

“Speaking of thought out,” Lavender Dew hesitated.

“Right,” Shadow said standing up. “We have to set that break. We shouldn’t put it off.”

Slice chuckled. “You broke it’s leg in self defense and nopony knows how to set it. Classic you.”

“Classic?” Cloudy Snow asked, very confused.

Shadow stopped chuckling to explain. “I have the habit of stuff going wrong or against me. Or stuff just happens. Somehow, I always get away. Luck favors me, despite some of the circumstances that I get tossed into. Specifics are too hard to explain. You have to be there.”

Governor Amber was waiting for them outside. He wanted to speak but he didn’t know how to say what he wanted to say.

Steel Wrench was working to stand, but he wasn’t aware enough to only use three hooves and couldn’t get up. He was flailing around, screaming. It only grew worse when he saw Shadow.

Shadow came closer to look at the break in detail. He was almost bitten. Shadow smacked Steel Wrench’s muzzle as a warning. After two more failed attempts, Shadow stepped on his neck, right at the base of the skull. He pinned his head and had just enough control over Steel Wrench while he figured out how to proceed. Steel Wrench was powerful.

Governor Amber called for Steel Wrench to be muzzled while they set the leg. With that problem taken care of, it was simple to hold him down and for Shadow to teach Lavender Dew how to properly set a break and make a splint.

Steel Wrench was calming down, but they still had to drag him away. They took him to where there was a pool of radiation where he could soak in. The Slog had wisely moved hazardous material that emitted radiation and put it in a pool. It was further out in the trees. They used the roots to lay back on as they relaxed in it’s warmth.

“I shall retire,” Shadow said before Governor Amber could speak. “And I know Nor’easter will not take any chances and head straight to our beds as soon as he is done disarming those warheads.”

“Warheads?” Governor Amber asked alarmed.

“He is an expert,” Shadow nodded. “But I guess there were some explosives that needed to be fully disarmed for your safety. Nor’easter enjoys explosives. It is his training. But he won’t put any of you at risk and will be done shortly. Also, He will be wise and stay on his wings until he reaches the door.”

Shadow walked off to his bed where he was going to eat food. Lavender Dew refused to let him eat field rations. She brought fresh food for him and Thunder.

When Thunder walked in, Shadow nodded. “We leave in the morning. Bright and early. I am packed. I know you have a little to do. And Storm Eye has been slowly doing his. Lavender Dew was extremely kind and made up some brews to help him recover better.”

“Good,” Thunder said with a nod.

That was the last thing Thunder said for the night. All three of them stayed silent. Shadow wrote a good thank you note. It was addressed to Lavender Dew and Governor Amber, but was for the whole city. He left it on the counter for her to easily find.

When Shadow woken up in the morning, there was a letter on his pack.

Silent Wind,

It was good to meet you. I enjoyed our time. Orange Harvest is looking to make a move for control soon after you leave. Talk is already happening. It isn’t very focused on Governor Amber’s choices when it came to you.

Orange Harvest dislikes me even more, but he will never do anything against me. Still, he is looking hard at Governor Amber’s role. Both of them would lead The Slog well and both will treat me fairly.

If you intend to make good on your word, and Orange Harvest takes over because of your visit, I will let you know. Your PipBucks can pick up the local radio station. The one with DJ Pon3. I can let you know with a message from there. He does speak in between songs and he does news segments and alerts.

Listen for something about an orange harvest. Maybe about it being past due, or time for one. Maybe a single Orange. It will be something easy to forget if you have no idea what it means and it will be something no one here would pick up on.

Few here listen to the radio. I own one of the five radios we have. The other four are owned by businesses or the Governor’s Office. I really hope it doesn’t come to that.

Cloudy Snow

Shadow slipped the letter into the plastic bag that was protecting his books. He shouldered his bags and they moved out. Lavender Dew wasn’t awake yet and it was still dark. It was just like Shadow planned.

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