Verzeg has been hunting for food. Although he is being as stealthy as possible he only knows to hunt in the areas he has previously used. After he managed to catch and kill a small rubble runner. He dragged it back to his hideout and is unaware of someone else in there until he sits to take a bite of the rat like creature.

Looking up startled he sees one of his litter mates, Brenzeg. Brenzeg disappeared 2 seasons ago so his reappearance is somewhat startling.

Verzeg looks at him in shock. He sidles closer and sniffs him, lifting his helmet so his weak eyes can see him better.

"Brenzeg? Is that you? I thought you were dead."

A smile lights his scarred face and he holds out the corpse of the Rubble Runner.

"Eat! It is a good thing that you are alive! Where have you been?"

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 2):

"I have escaped. Another enlo showed me the way to Smalltown. There is a band of humans there. They help enlo. They put us to work but give silver and copper coins for it and don't beat or eat us. They asked me to find more enlo and offered lots of silver. If you are hiding here you need to go soon before the Zong hunters come for you."

He shows Verzeg a very rough map of the Rubble, "You are here, and need to get here. Try and cross the river by the middle bridge but take care, all bridges are guarded. Troll bridge is the worst. Enlo crossing there are eaten on capture, no ownership marks can save you."

"What of you?" Asked Verzeg, worried that he was going to lose his brother now that he'd just found him again. "What are you doing? Will you come with me?"

Verzeg looked around at the cellar in which he lived. It was comfortable but food was scarce and its location was far too close to the Stronglands. Sooner or later he would be caught and killed, or worse. He shuddered to think what would happen to him if they took him back to the clan alive.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 4):

"My job is to find more enlo and get them to Smalltown. I want to get somemore of our litter mates so you can go in a small group. It's going to be safer that way. Stay hidden here and this time tomorrow there will be more of you to set out. I'll leave the map with you."

Verzeg will prepare to leave his hideout. He works hard to hide and trap his hoard.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 6):

Before dawn and the rise of Yelm's fierce face two other enlo have arrived outside Verzeg's hideout, quietly calling his name. He can see they are also litter mates, Madzeg and Hurzeg. Madzeg is a worker but Hurzeg is food and has not long left for the world if he remains.

Verzeg's jaw drops and a big dopey grin spreads over his face. He brings them into the cellar and offers food.

"So you want to go to Smalltown with me?" He jokes, knowing they have no choice but to risk The Rubble.

"I have weapons and armour here. Lots and lots. I will give you this stuff so you will be safer, but you will get tired so be careful. If I had the time and the beetle chitin I would make you armour and weapons like mine which is lighter but gets battered fast."

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 8):

They both nod and grin back at Verzeg. "Brenzeg said to wait here with you and tomorrow we will escape uzko and Hurzeg will not be food anymore."

They start rummaging through Verzeg's stash and find themselves suitable pieces of armour and weapons.

The day slowly dawns and the enlo remain hidden from the light and heat. That night just before midnight Brenzeg reappears, with him is another enlo. You recognise her as Naazeg another litter mate.

Brenzeg says "This is all I could gather in time. You must go as soon as you are ready. The Hombobobom drummers are beating, they are calling the Zongs to the hunt. I fear that they are missing many enlo and are looking to find them. You must go as quickly as you can before the beetles come for you. I stay to continue my work. Luckliy I have some fierce magic in a crystal. It is from a god called Oakfed. It is terrifying, a red flower of pain. The Ukzo and beetles will fear it, or soon learn to."