Miu reached the eastern mill first. A white flag hung from the storehouse beam, tied high enough to be seen from the ridge. The keeper stood in the yard with a ledger under one arm and a short staff in the other hand.
“I’m Miu, Han’s scout,” she called. “Is the mill safe?”
“For now,” the keeper answered. “The families are inside. Some carts haven’t arrived.”
He gave his name as Olin and showed Miu the yard, the storehouse, and the east road. He had left one lane open for carts and stacked sacks against the lower door. The flag meant he wanted traffic to approach slowly, not that the road was clear of danger.
Yan arrived moments later with Rell. He kept his fighters on the road and did not enter the yard until Olin waved him in.
“The families asked to shelter here,” Olin said. “I have room in the storehouse and the work hall. I don’t want a battle brought into the yard.”
“We’ll keep the fight on the road unless someone attacks the mill directly.”
Olin nodded. “The front carts made it here. The rear group is still near the bridge.”
