"They are tracking and intercepting us too well, they must have a spy within our own company," said Ophelia in a hushed tone, "That's the only explanation that makes sense."

"That's probably a good assumption," Miriam agreed while heating the water for evening tea, outside the wind howled and the shelter creaked, "Do you have any ideas who that might be?"

"Not exactly, everyone seems so unlikely, we all so much invested in this project. Everyone was vetted and had selected," Ophelia said as she picked thought the box of tea, all the decent varieties were long gone, she selected the one she despised least, "I have been drawing a blank on that."

"Well," Miriam sighed, "if I was to pick one it would be Kepharel," she said bluntly.

"Koco?" Ophelia scoffed, "she's a sweetheart what would make you suspect her?"

"I know you two are bookworm besties, but she is the only convicted fellon in the expedition," said Miriam as she poured the hot water into their cups, "you knew that right?"

"No!" Said Ophelia with a shock, "what could she have done?"

"She is an artifact thief! She was arrested for stealing artifacts from a dig in Prester Johnslund," Miriam affirmed, "Kepharel is banned from work in all of Orangehaven, can't even set foot in that world. That notch in her ear was a mark of shame inflicted on her by the tribal council she grave robbed. She would have been run out of academia if she wasn’t Alan's niece. Helen opposed her working on the team but Alan is trying to give her a chance to redeem herself."

"I wouldn't have imagined Alan of nepotism," Ophelia said wincing at the bitter cup of tea, "I never knew."

"She wone you over with tea and dates for breakfast and knowing all the same philosophers you like," Miriam repressed a smirk, "that girl is dodgy!"