The council courtyard filled after the fleet withdrew. Two cargo boats waited at the harbor, offered by Muo for families who wanted to leave the islands. No one had to board them.
Muo asked Daro to read the departure list. “These are the names of people who have chosen to travel. Anyone may change their mind before the boats leave.”
Yao and Jian stood near the pylon repair table. They would stay while the ward was repaired. Yao wanted to keep her adult share through the next test. Jian wanted to hear any new trade terms before he chose a longer arrangement.
Sato had decided to travel with Meili. The child was no longer listed under the vitality share, and Sato wanted to bring her to a port with a clinic and a wider market. She would not sign for the rest of the family.
Meili sat on a low step with a small cloth bag between her feet. She had packed a comb, a tin cup, and the blue thread. Sato asked whether she wanted anything else from the room.
“The wooden bird,” Meili said. “The one Bai carved.”
Sato said there was room in the bag. Meili put the bird beside the cup, then asked whether Yao would come too. Sato answered that Yao had chosen to stay. Meili nodded and tied the blue thread around her wrist while they waited.
