Mogaba did just what I feared. He launched a recon in force, maybe trying to find new weak spots. He employed only his own most trustworthy men. And I was content to sit atop my part of the wall, watching. And wondering why Mogaba was so sure we would desert if we got outside.

I tend to ignore Mogaba here. He was a much greater part of everyday life than I show. He was misery on the hoof. My dislike makes it impossible to write about the man rationally so I discuss him only when I must.

Of all the Nar, in those days, only Sindawe ever made the effort to be civil.

Anyway, Mogaba thought he had a chance to hurt the Shadowmaster but the planners outside were getting the hang of how his head worked. He did not let a lack of success discourage him. There was that about Mogaba. He never became discouraged. No setback ever shook his conviction that he was invincible. If his plans fizzled he just recalculated.

Mogabas soldiers began to desert without benefit of escape from the city, coming to hide out with friends among our Taglians. They complained that Mogaba was too profligate with soldiers lives.

Mogaba responded by ordering special rations and preferential access to prostitutes for his most dedicated men.

We found those sealed jars of grain left over from the Shadowmasters first siege. Whether to share generated considerable debate. One-Eye insisted that Mogaba would not be satisfied just to share. He would want to know all about our find. He would want to see for himself. Did we want him wandering around our warrens?

No.

So what does the little shit do? He turns right around and starts selling fresh-baked bread for twenty times what a loaf cost before the siege.

I found a nice quiet spot for just One-Eye and me, atop the wall on a lazy afternoon. There were fresh rumors of a battle up north but that was not our topic. I asked, What did you tell me about why we shouldnt let Mogaba share the stores we found?

Huh? This was not the hassle he expected.

You were extremely persuasive. All that stuff about not letting the man get into our hideout.

He grinned, proud of himself. So?

You stand by what you said?

Sure.

Then what the fuck are you doing selling his men bread when were not supposed to have no grain to grind for flour?

He frowned. The connection eluded him. Making a profit?

You really figure Mogaba is so stupid he wont notice that bread? You really figure he wont ask questions?

You got too rigid a way of looking at things, Kid.

You keep up your crap youre really going to think rigid. You get me killed Im going to haunt your ass forever.

You probably would. Theres times I think youre halfway a haunt already.

Whats that supposed to mean?