Well, at least he could prove himself intelligent this way, and forward thinking. Nida rolled his shoulders as if to bring Bull's attention to the pack on his back.

"It occurred to me that while people are clearly thinking about stockpiling wood and the like, there isn't as much discussion on the ready storage of suitable tinder. So I keep my eyes out for small twigs and branches, even dead leaves. I dry them out in my basement and use them to start fires. Deliver some to the inn for the fireplace when I take loads of wood there. Helps keep my mind a bit more attentive when I'm looking further out."

Part of patrolling was being able to focus on nothing and everything at once, and when there was no motion to speak of, that sort of process could easily be harnessed for other ends.