### Council at the Landing Hearth In the early morning chill, I sat with Del, Ves, Ruan, Kiri, Seli, and Wen by the landing hearth, where the kettle steamed and the smell of woodsmoke mingled with salt air. I spoke plainly to them so our priorities for early autumn are understood by all 150 of our people. "We have fair days ahead before the mid-autumn rains and late winds set in," I said. "Our strength this winter depends on what we store, what we secure, and the clarity with which we treat our neighbors. We will look after our boats, fill our racks, seal our roofs, and set an honest rule for our hearth." --- ### 1. Mooring and Boat Safety (Kiri & Ruan) * **Immediate Precaution:** Until the outer mooring can be thoroughly investigated, both fishing boats must be hauled onto the inner beach above the high-water line whenever they are not actively working. We cannot risk losing a boat to an ebb jerk or a hidden underwater strain. * **Mooring Inspection & Repair:** During the next calm slack tide, Kiri and a strong swimmer/diver will inspect the underwater line, anchor/sinker stone, and float assembly to discover what caused the sudden jerk and whether the line is chafing against rock, snared by drift, or rotting. If the frayed strand cannot be cleanly spliced with sound twine, we will re-rig the mooring with tested rope before leaving any craft tied out. * **Inshore Fishing:** Ruan’s net crews will continue fishing the sheltered inner waters and the mouth of the hooked inlet while weather permits, strictly avoiding risky runs beyond the bar. Twine will be conserved and mended promptly after every haul. --- ### 2. Stores, Fuel, and Infrastructure (Ves, Wen, & Work Crews) * **Upper Drying Ledge:** We will build drying racks upon the upper drying ledge immediately. This expands our drying capacity for split fish and sliced root crops on clear, breezy days without cluttering living quarters or guest areas. * **Roof Maintenance:** Before the heavier rains arrive, a small crew will repair the damp corner of the landing hall roof, re-thatching and pitching the seam properly to prevent rot and mold in our communal stores. * **Fuel and Root Gathering:** While the weather remains dry enough for foot travel, teams will gather and stack dry firewood under lean-to shelters off the wet ground. We will continue steady harvesting of local root beds, balancing daily consumption against what is dried and bagged in meal sacks alongside the barley. * **Health and Water:** Wen will keep the uphill wellhead clear of surface runoff and debris. The children with seasonal coughs will be kept warm near the central hearth, given warm broths, and rested out of damp drafts to ensure the illness remains mild and contained. --- ### 3. Policy on Hospitality and Visitors (Del, Ves, & Ruan) To balance ancient duty with winter survival, I set our village policy: * **The First Night:** We honor Del’s custom without hesitation. Any peaceful traveler arriving at our landing will receive a dry place to sleep for their first night, warmth by the hearth, and a guest meal placed at the hearth's edge where host and guest see it together. * **The Morning After:** Ves and Ruan’s concerns are entirely valid—our stores cannot feed non-working visitors all winter. When morning comes, Del and Ves will speak our terms openly: * Visitors are welcome to remain longer only if they consent to bounded, reciprocal contribution: basket mending, cordage twisting, roof or net repair, wood hauling, or fair trade of goods. * If guests have neither skills to share nor desire to work, or if our shelter reaches maximum safe capacity, they will be given one day’s travel rations, fresh water, and sent on their way with blessings and respect. * This rule is to be stated calmly and upfront, so no traveler feels misled or excluded in anger at our door. --- ### 4. Upland Scout to the Ford (Seli) * Seli will take a reliable companion and three days of dry rations for a quiet, careful reconnaissance west along the alder path toward the stream ford and upland meadow. * Her task is to observe the area where smoke was sighted and barley husks were found. She will look for tracks, camp remnants, or signs of traveling basket menders or upland folk. * **Rules of Engagement:** Seli is to observe from concealment first. If she identifies peaceful travelers (such as itinerant menders), she may make friendly contact, conveying that Ternhaven’s landing offers a warm hearth, shelter, and trade/repair work for those who come peacefully. If she encounters large numbers, armed parties, or suspicious signs, she will withdraw without revealing herself and report back immediately. She is not empowered to bind the village to formal alliances or treaties. --- ### 5. Personal Leadership and Integration Throughout this month, I will spend my hours working directly with the people: assisting Ruan and the sorting crew on the beach to understand our catch yields, helping Kiri evaluate our cordage and boat timbers, and reviewing the sacks of meal and dried fish with Ves. Working alongside them will anchor my leadership, familiarize me with the community's capabilities, and ensure our preparations for mid-autumn are executed with care and mutual trust.