Chapter 58: Covert Sweep
The Pei clan compound sat on the western side of the commons across the river fork, separated from the main village by the bridge and the open field that had been cleared after the fires. The compound had its own gate, its own well, its own small courtyard at the center where the clan gathered for the morning meal and the morning work assignments.
By the time we arrived at the third notch, the courtyard was already in motion. Women were carrying water from the well to the cookhouse. Two men were splitting kindling at the woodpile near the south wall. Three children were running between the buildings with the small directed energy of children who had been given chores and were trying to do them well.
Pei Tao, the clan elder, met us at the gate. He was sixty-three, the oldest surviving male of the senior household after the fires, and he wore the gray sash of his rank wrapped twice around his middle in the way the Pei men of his generation had always worn it. He bowed to me.
"Squad Captain. We were not expecting you this morning."
"I am running cultivation practice with the second cohort, Elder Pei. I would like to have the cohort move through the courtyard at low intensity for the next two notches while the morning's work continues. They will be quiet, and Wei Bolin and I will be with them throughout."
Pei Tao nodded.
"It is not a problem, Squad Captain. The clan is honored to assist the Academy."
"Thank you, Elder."
I turned to the cohort and spoke to them in a hushed tone as to not allow the Pei Clan to be aware of my words.