Page 97 of Thexan

“Then I will assist.”

Tanner studied him closely. “Just like that?”

“Yes.”

“Because Brynn wants it?”

“Because it benefits the settlement,” Thexan said. “And because Brynn wants it.”

Tanner’s expression changed in a way I couldn’t quite read. He didn’t relax, but he did absorb the answer, and that mattered.

“All right,” Tanner said finally. “We start with the lower fence line.”

I reached automatically for my medical bag.

Thexan’s gaze shifted to it. “You intend to come.”

“Of course I intend to come.”

“You have duties here.”

“I have duties everywhere.”

“That is not sustainable.”

“Telling me that every few hours isn’t going to make it less true.”

Tanner cleared his throat. “For what it’s worth, I’d rather you came too.”

I looked at him, mildly surprised.

“If people see you there, they’ll stay calmer,” he said. “And if something goes wrong, I’d rather have our medic nearby.”

“There,” I said to Thexan. “Efficient.”

He gave me a look that was so controlled it almost hid the fact that I had won.

Almost.

We stepped outside together a few minutes later, the three of us crossing the settlement yard toward the lower fence line. People watched, of course. Some stopped working altogether. Others pretended not to look while looking anyway. The children were the least subtle. Mico waved from near the well, then ducked behind Callie’s skirt when his mother tried to pull him back.

Thexan inclined his head.

Mico grinned.

That small exchange did more for the morning than any speech I could have given.

At the lower fence line, the problem became obvious even before Thexan said anything. The old posts leaned toward the drainage cut; the wire had been patched too many times, and the natural slope created a blind approach from the east if someone knew where to stay low.

Thexan examined it in silence, walking the length of the barrier once while Tanner and two others followed at a cautious distance. I stayed near the gate with my bag over my shoulder, watching the way the men watched him.

They expected him to criticize.

Maybe even command.

Instead, he stopped beside one of the leaning posts and looked back at Tanner.

“You have limited material,” he said.