Education and Training

A soft dawn light spread across the orchard settlement, highlighting the tall watchtowers and the vibrant rows of farmland that had begun producing a late-spring bounty. The air carried a hint of promise: though infiltration worries and minor theft rumors still lingered, the orchard staff were determined to move forward. On this day, they had arranged something new—skill workshops designed to strengthen the orchard community from within.

Orchard workers and Harriet's group stirred early, assembling near the courtyard's makeshift bulletin board, which now listed the day's schedule of "educational sessions." Fiona's workshop on medical triage topped the list, followed by Darren and Mark's weapon maintenance lessons, and a horticulture basics class for new arrivals. The orchard donkey, harness jangling, snorted as orchard staff gave it its morning feed. Tamsin's watchers circulated quietly, scanning for infiltration signs and verifying orchard donkey stable logs, mindful that leftover sabotage or a hidden mole could still endanger the orchard.

Leila arrived near the orchard's main gate to oversee watchers' shift rotations. She noted the orchard donkey's calm presence—it had become something of a community fixture, bridging orchard staff, Harriet's group, and watchers with a sense of normalcy. Tamsin's watchers, though still uneasy about infiltration, recognized the orchard donkey's comedic reliability in hauling supplies or produce.

"Kai's setting up the training ground near the orchard fence," Mark informed Leila, referencing a small open patch of ground perfect for self-defense practice. "Fiona's commandeered that old orchard storehouse for a medical triage demo, and Darren's posted at the orchard donkey stable to teach weapon maintenance—less noise there."

Leila nodded, orchard donkey letting out a mild bray as if to confirm its stable was a suitable location. "Sounds good," she replied. "Keep watchers posted on infiltration checks. These gatherings can be an infiltration risk if a saboteur sees an opening."

Mark dipped his head. "We're on it. Tamsin's watchers remain alert, Harriet's group is part of the day's schedule, orchard donkey feed logs updated."

Satisfied, Leila moved to the orchard fence, orchard staff parting to greet her, Harriet's group bustling with supplies for horticulture lessons. Though infiltration anxiety flickered in her mind, the orchard's synergy pulled her forward.

Shortly after dawn, orchard staff and Harriet's people trickled into the old storehouse, where Fiona had set up a rudimentary medical station. Crates formed tables for bandages, salves, basic antibiotics—some recently scavenged or gifted by Redwood. The orchard donkey's quiet brays drifted from the stable area, orchard watchers occasionally poking their heads in to ensure no infiltration tampering.

Fiona greeted the small crowd, orchard donkey's presence absent but felt as a comedic comfort. "We all know the orchard is vulnerable to raids, infiltration, or sabotage. Injuries happen quickly. Today, I'll show basic triage: cleaning wounds, stopping bleeding, splinting bones. If infiltration hits, we can't rely on advanced hospitals."

She demonstrated how to disinfect a cut using supplies from Redwood and orchard farmland's herb patches. An orchard staff volunteer let her wrap a mock bandage. Harriet's group eagerly took notes, orchard watchers lingered near the door scanning for infiltration or sabotage signs. Leila passed briefly, offering a faint smile at the orchard staff's interest. Despite infiltration dread, seeing them gain new medical knowledge eased her tension.

Simultaneously, at the orchard donkey stable on the other side of the courtyard, Darren and Mark set up a workshop on cleaning and maintaining basic weapons. A battered table displayed rifles, shotguns, even some melee implements used by orchard watchers. The orchard donkey stood tethered nearby, orchard staff occasionally patting its flank as they dropped off or retrieved supplies.

Mark gestured to the rifles. "We can't rely on infiltration or sabotage not happening. If an undead cluster or raider band strikes, your weapon must not jam." Darren nodded, orchard watchers forming a semicircle to watch them demonstrate disassembly, oiling, and reassembly. Harriet's group members who had joined listened intently, orchard donkey occasionally braying as though to emphasize key points.

Leila, in passing, paused to observe. She saw orchard watchers carefully wiping down rifle barrels, orchard donkey blinking in the background. For a moment, infiltration worries overshadowed by the practicality of orchard survival. She forced a small nod of approval. This is how we fortify ourselves—by knowledge, not just fear.

In a corner of the orchard farmland, orchard staff organized a basic horticulture session aimed at new arrivals. Some had heard about the orchard's farmland success and joined recently, needing to learn how to tend rows, handle orchard donkey harness tasks, and do infiltration-aware chores. Harriet's group helped present horticultural tips—soil composition, compost management, rotating crops—to ensure orchard expansions didn't overtax the soil.

The orchard donkey was absent from this demonstration, presumably still posted near the stable for weapon maintenance lessons. Nonetheless, orchard staff used smaller donkey carts to show how to transport compost or water across farmland. Tamsin's watchers patrolled the farmland edges, infiltration checks continuing seamlessly.

Leila strolled through the horticulture area briefly, orchard staff greeting her with subdued excitement. She recognized that these skill workshops offered unity against infiltration or sabotage attempts—the orchard community was growing stronger. For a heartbeat, she felt a pang of hope overshadow her cynicism.

A short distance from the orchard fence, near a patch of level ground, Kai led a small group of younger members in basic self-defense drills. The orchard donkey's presence was replaced by crates of practice tools—padded sticks, improvised protective gear. The orchard watchers stood at intervals, scanning for infiltration threats, though the orchard donkey's comedic brays occasionally reached them from the stable.

Kai demonstrated simple stances, blocks, and ways to break free if grabbed. Younger orchard staff, some Harriet's group teens, mimicked his moves, orchard watchers occasionally raising eyebrows at the orchard donkey's faint calls. Kai's voice carried a gentle patience. "We might face infiltration from within or undead from outside. Basic defense helps you protect yourself until watchers arrive."

Leila lingered at the edge of this makeshift training ground, orchard watchers letting her pass. She found a spot behind a partially collapsed fence post, orchard donkey's distant bray echoing across the orchard, orchard staff quietly forging farmland expansions. She watched as Kai gently corrected a teen's stance, offering calm encouragement. He's so patient, she marveled, chest tightening with a swirl of admiration and lingering heartbreak. She recalled how synergy with him had saved her from infiltration attempts, near-fatal undead encounters.

He guided another orchard staffer through a block maneuver, orchard watchers occasionally glancing to ensure infiltration checks were still stable. Harriet's group looked on from a short distance, orchard donkey's bray drifting now and then. Kai's caring nature shone in the hush—he never belittled mistakes, never lost composure.

Leila's mouth curved in a faint near-smile. He's a natural teacher, she thought. And he remains unwaveringly supportive. The orchard donkey's bray signaled a comedic background note. She found her heart fluttering, recalling the near closeness they'd shared. Fear of infiltration or repeating Jace's betrayal still gripped her, but in this moment, she felt a glimmer of warmth.

Kai demonstrated a final drill, orchard watchers patrolling behind the orchard fence. He turned, catching sight of Leila half-hidden behind a splintered post. Their eyes locked, orchard donkey's distant bray punctuating the hush. A flicker of tension passed between them—the slow-burn closeness they'd danced around. She offered a small, approving nod, orchard donkey's bray echoing as though endorsing the moment. He smiled softly, acknowledging her presence without halting the lesson.

She forced her gaze away, orchard watchers finishing infiltration rounds, orchard donkey presumably returning to the stable. She recognized how comfortable he looked guiding orchard staff, how his quiet steadiness had become a backbone of orchard security. I can't hide my appreciation forever, she admitted inwardly, longing warring with old heartbreak scars.

As the sun dipped toward late afternoon, orchard staff wrapped up each workshop. Fiona concluded medical triage practice, orchard donkey's bray drifting in from somewhere near the orchard stable. Darren and Mark finished weapon maintenance demos, orchard watchers carefully reassembling rifles. The horticulture class ended with orchard staff sowing a few test patches. Kai's self-defense group parted, orchard watchers returning to infiltration posts, Harriet's group heading to farmland tasks.

Leila stepped into the courtyard, orchard donkey tethered once more, orchard watchers shifting to evening infiltration protocols. She listened to orchard staff praising the skill sessions, orchard donkey letting out a final bray as orchard watchers took note in daily logs. A mild sense of accomplishment pervaded the orchard—a communal victory, overshadowing infiltration fears. They hadn't identified the mole behind minor theft, but no new sabotage occurred. The orchard was stronger, more united.

Kai finished speaking to a few orchard watchers, orchard donkey flicking its tail behind him. He caught Leila's eye across the courtyard, offering a faint nod as if to say, We did well today. She managed a small, guarded smile, orchard donkey's comedic presence bridging them. She wasn't ready to fully embrace the closeness simmering between them, but she felt the corners of her heart ease a fraction, acknowledging this was a day of progress—for orchard staff, watchers, Harriet's group, and for them both.