The Keeper's Shadow by Dennis Foon

may be one. Selig.”
    Wolf’s hand wraps around the handle of his sword. “The Brothers need no allies. The prophecy says we will fall upon the City in a Visitation like a cleansing wind.”
    Roan raises his voice, to make sure Wolf understands the stakes. “Seventy-five Brothers? You would be slaughtered before you passed the gates. There will be no ‘cleansing wind.’ We will fight, Brother Wolf, but only when we have found a way to win with as little bloodshed as possible. And I need you to lead that attack because there is a second battlefield that must be won, where you cannot walk. If I lose that battle, all our efforts will be wasted. I cannot go there unprepared and there are precious few who can help me.”
    â€œAre you saying you seek an alliance with those who eat Dirt?” The edge in Wolf’s voice is as threatening as his sword’s.
    Lumpy steps bravely forward. “I would look to my own house before leveling accusations.”
    Wolf, eyes flashing, glares at Lumpy. “You dare insult our Brotherhood?”
    â€œWe have reason to believe,” says Lumpy, standing his ground, “that Brother Asp was sent by the Dirt Eaters of Oasis to spy on Saint and Roan.”
    â€œImpossible,” whispers Wolf.
    â€œMy warriors are with him now.” Ende’s voice is quiet, reasoning. “He is a Brother under your leadership and so, in deference, I ask your permission to search him and his quarters for Dirt. When we find it, you will know.”
    â€œ If you find it, he is dead,” Wolf hisses.
    â€œNo,” Roan interjects. “I want him alive. I do not mistake the Dirt Eaters for allies, Brother Wolf, but Asp may have useful information.”
    Wolf, bristling, glances at Brother Stinger, who locks eyes with him and nods. Turning away, Wolf silently mulls over Roan’s order. After a moment, he shrugs his assent and Kira strides from the room.
    Wolf squints, examining Roan with what seems a grudging respect. “You knew this when we arrived. That is why Asp is not here. How? How did you know?”
    â€œDirt has a scent which it leaves on those who eat it.”
    â€œIt is possible to smell a Dirt Eater?”
    â€œWould that we all had Roan’s talent.” Ende catches Wolf’s eye and Roan observes the silent understanding between them. “But the Dirt Eaters have many spies who do not eat the Dirt; they will not be so easily detected. You will need to keep a watchful eye.”
    Wolf bows as Kira arrives followed by four Apsara forming a circle around Asp. For a moment the air is electric with the possibility of violence. Dealing with Wolf will be like wrangling a wild horse.
    Opening her hand, Kira loosens the ties on the pouch she’s holding and reveals the Dirt. Wolf snorts, angrily turning his head away. Stinger and the Apsara remain impassive, while Lumpy leans forward trying to get a better view.
    Roan considers what he knows of Brother Asp. This was the man who healed any who came to him, who used Roan’s knowledge to detoxify large tracts of land, so hundreds, even thousands of people could grow healthy crops. And all the time he was a Dirt Eater, spying; spying and probably making sure the Brothers didn’t kill Roan. All the time lying. How is he going to distinguish Asp’s truth from his lies? He couldn’t then. I’ve grown, Roan thinks, I’ve changed. But will it be enough?
    Ende steps forward. Cinching the pouch shut, she takes it from Kira. “I will destroy the Dirt so that no trace of it remains. Will you require my warriors for your interrogation, Roan of Longlight?”
    Roan declines, as he knows he was meant to, and one by one the Apsara gracefully exit, leaving Asp standing alert but calm.
    â€œI am sorry for this, Brother Asp. I wish it were not necessary. You were a trusted friend. But that was pretense, wasn’t it? All along you were a spy. A Dirt Eater