Ning’s latest depot tally arrived at Pinehook in a sealed pouch. Bai opened it beside the supply tent while Leda checked the village’s own store count. The detour had changed which villages needed grain first. One coalition cart was still marked for a road that no wagon could use.
Bai ran a finger down the tally. “This cart was meant for the lower crossing. The road is closed to wagons now.”
“Send it to the lower shelter,” Yan said. “The inland ford is open.”
Leda looked at the two grain bins behind her. “The village reserve stays untouched. We need it for our own people if the road closes again.”
“It stays yours,” Yan said.
Bai checked the numbers. “Rerouting the cart will take another trip. The lower shelter has enough for one meal, but it needs grain before the next group arrives.”
“Then send the cart there first,” Leda said. “Our reserve is not part of the convoy.”
Bai drew a line through the old destination and wrote the lower shelter. He marked the extra trip and separated the village count from the coalition count. Ning’s staff sent back confirmation through the message runner before the cart departed.
