"Well ... you've always said I was lazy. And I am, I guess."
"Sure you are," said Anketam. "So am I. Always have been. But a smart lazy man can figure out things that a hard worker might overlook. He can find the easy, fast way to get a job done properly. And he doesn't overwork his men because he knows that when he's tired, the others are, too. You want to try it, Basom?"
"I'll try," said Basom earnestly. "I'll try real hard." Then, after a moment's hesitation. "Just one thing, Anketam—"
"What's that?"
"Kevenoe. I don't want him coming around me. Not at all. If he ever said one word to me, I'd probably break his neck right there."
Anketam nodded. The Chief had given Zillia to Kevenoe only two months before, and the only one who liked the situation was Kevenoe himself.
"I'll deal with Kevenoe, Basom," Anketam said. "Don't you worry about that."
"All right, then," Basom said. "I'll do my best, Anketam."
"You'd better," said Anketam. "If you don't, I'll just have to give the job to someone else. You hear?"
"I hear," said Basom.