“Yeah, we’ve been training on how to blend in. You want me to just chat people up?”
“Yes. Start with the kitchen staff and then housekeeping, pages, and the guards.”
He perked up a bit. “The guards are more of a challenge. They get very cliquish and are generally suspicious of everyone. What about the soldiers in the barracks?”
“I’ve someone else in mind for outside the rest of the complex.”
“What is the purpose of doing this? What am I trying to learn?”
“You’ll know when it happens.”
“Is this a joke?”
“No.”
“All right. I’ll go talk to people.” He stood to leave.
“Make sure you turn on your charm, Trevar. Be genuine, think good thoughts, and don’t make anyone suspicious.”
Trevar paused as the seriousness of the situation finally sank in. “Will do.”
* * *
“What happened to your face?” Maren asked.
“Hello, nice to see you, too,” Valek replied.
She grunted. “Does your new facial tattoo mean you have a new second-in-command?”
“Yes. I’ll be training Mr. Tree Branch when he arrives from the forest.”
“Ahh.” Unsure about the joke, she looked around his office. “Is there a reason you wanted to see me?” A hopeful note had crept into her voice.
“Yes, but first tell me why you’re so annoyed.”
“Sorry, sir. It’s nothing.”
He waited.
“Just…feeling left out. Ari and Janco got to go with you to MD-5 and… I don’t know. I kinda thought we were a team, which is silly because all we did was workout together. Well, we had that one mission.” She grinned a Janco grin—all teeth and glee. “Nothing like a successful smash and grab to bring people closer.” Then she sobered. “Maybe I should try to get a transfer into the Commander’s elite guard.”
“They’re no longer with that unit. Ari and Janco have agreed to train with my corps.”
“Really? I thought Ari wanted to be your second.”
“He does. He’s just taking another route to get there.”
She eyed him. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a braid. Tall and athletic, she was deadly with a bo staff.
“My offer still stands,” he said. Maren had impressed him with her fighting skills when she had challenged him, so much so that he’d offered her a spot in his corps.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good. In the meantime, I know you like to welcome the new female recruits and offer to help them get settled. Has there been anyone new lately?”
