Tensions with Tamsin

The early morning light spilled over the orchard settlement, highlighting the rolling farmland still bearing fresh scars from past battles and new expansions. As the orchard staff went about their tasks—checking irrigation lines, tending to newly planted rows—an uneasy tension brewed in the courtyard. Tamsin's watchers, ever wary of infiltration or a renewed attack by Jace's band, had grown vocal about the orchard's attempts to push outward, forging alliances in uncharted regions.

Leila stood in the main courtyard, arms folded as she observed Harriet's group unloading a few crates of supplies from the orchard donkey. A hush permeated the morning, watchers posted on newly built watchtower perches, orchard staff quietly conversing about the day's tasks. Yet beneath the subdued routine, a brewing dissatisfaction from Tamsin's faction made the air feel thick with anticipation.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Tamsin stepping from the orchard gate, flanked by two watchers. They carried rifles strapped at their backs, expressions set in a mixture of worry and frustration. No infiltration alarms had sounded overnight, but that didn't lessen their concerns about new expansions and enclaves. Whispers among orchard staff claimed Tamsin's watchers believed the orchard should focus purely on defense—no more alliances, no more exploring.

Leila inhaled deeply, preparing herself for the inevitable confrontation. Over the last few arcs, Tamsin's watchers had grown cooperative under dire circumstances, but they never lost that kernel of skepticism about forging outward ties, especially after infiltration attempts almost shattered the orchard before. Now, with Mark and Kai away exploring a new route, Tamsin's watchers felt a power vacuum of sorts, fueling their push for a defensive posture.

Midday approached, and orchard staff assembled near a makeshift council area in the courtyard—several wooden benches forming a rough circle, with watchtower expansions visible in the backdrop. A few orchard workers, Harriet's group representatives, Tamsin's faction members, and some watchers from the orchard itself all filtered in. Fiona stood by Leila's side, quietly supportive, while Tamsin and her watchers took positions on the opposite side.

Harriet's group settled behind orchard staff, orchard donkey tethered near a feed bin. A hush settled as Tamsin cleared her throat. "We need to talk about these expansions," she said firmly, scanning the group with a piercing gaze. "Sending Mark and Kai to find more enclaves? The orchard's pushing outward, and we'll draw bigger threats—like Jace's band or worse."

Leila held her posture steady, mind replaying infiltration concerns she'd weighed for weeks. "Tamsin, I get that you fear drawing raiders' attention, but we can't ignore the orchard's needs. Our farmland is stable, but without alliances or new resources, we remain vulnerable in the long run."

Tamsin folded her arms. "We might remain vulnerable anyway. You know Jace always reappears. Do we really want more enclaves aware of our orchard's success, risking infiltration or sabotage? Better to fortify, stay purely defensive."

Fiona stepped forward, voice calm but resolute. "We tried that purely defensive stance before, and infiltration nearly destroyed us anyway. We lacked resources to fix infiltration damage or repel sieges effectively. Now, Redwood's token of gratitude and potential alliances could help us get forging, carpentry—things we can't produce alone."

A murmur of agreement rippled among orchard staff. Harriet's group nodded slightly, recalling how Redwood's seeds had boosted orchard morale. Tamsin's watchers, however, wore grim expressions, arms crossed.

One orchard worker raised a hand. "I get Tamsin's caution, but ignoring new enclaves means we stay stagnant. Jace might be bigger next time—wouldn't forging or advanced carpentry help us defend better?"

Tamsin's watchers exchanged tense looks. A tall watcher spoke up, voice edged with worry. "Or infiltration might slip in through these enclaves. We risk sabotage. We can't trust every group that claims to bring forging expertise or advanced woodwork."

All eyes shifted to Leila, orchard staff waiting for her leadership. She raised her chin, recalling the swirl of infiltration dread that shaped her own cynicism. Yet she also remembered Redwood's generosity, Sunridge's advanced knowledge, and how synergy had saved them in the last siege. "Tamsin's watchers have valid concerns," she began, voice measured. "We've seen infiltration tear enclaves apart. Jace's band can't be underestimated. But let's weigh our orchard's trajectory if we shut ourselves off entirely."

Fiona nodded emphatically. Tamsin's watchers stirred with restless energy. Leila continued, "Purely defensive stances might slow infiltration risk, but isolation can weaken us against future raids or sabotage we can't fix alone. We need better forging, advanced carpentry—resources to maintain our farmland expansions and watchtowers. Redwood's seed gift showed some enclaves truly want mutual support, not infiltration."

Tamsin pressed her lips thin. "And if infiltration happens again? If a cunning saboteur from these new enclaves cripples us from within?"

Leila exhaled, letting the orchard hush linger for a moment. "We remain vigilant. The orchard's new alarm system, watchers, infiltration checks—they've been working. We'll do thorough screening at any exchange fair or new alliance. I'm not advocating blind trust. But total isolation invites a slow demise."

For the next half hour, orchard staff and watchers exchanged pointed arguments. Some orchard workers favored bolder trade efforts—the orchard farmland, donkey, watchtower expansions all required outside help to sustain. Tamsin's watchers insisted they strengthen internal defenses, suspecting infiltration might be coaxed by outward ambitions. Harriet's group quietly voiced that measured alliances had helped them integrate peacefully.

Voices rose, orchard donkey braying as tension mounted. Fiona maintained a calm front, supporting Leila's stance for moderate exploration. The orchard donkey whinnied each time the debate crescendoed, as if sensing the energy. Tamsin hammered the same point: "Jace's reappearance is guaranteed if we flaunt orchard success."

Leila placed a calming hand on the donkey's flank, turning to Tamsin, gazing firmly. "I won't pretend infiltration risk is gone. I died once under betrayal, so I understand better than anyone how cunning saboteurs can be. But hiding inside orchard fences forever isn't a solution. We can defend ourselves, screen new enclaves thoroughly, and still pursue alliances for forging or carpentry expertise."

A hush rippled at her candid mention of having died once, a detail that orchard staff seldom heard directly from her. Tamsin's watchers exchanged uneasy glances. Harriet's people cast sympathetic looks. Fiona pressed her lips together, reaffirming her unwavering support.

Eventually, the heated debate softened into reluctant consensus. Even Tamsin's watchers realized orchard expansions had staved off infiltration attempts so far—the orchard was stronger, watchtowers near completion, Redwood's token of gratitude advanced their stockpiles. While infiltration remained a threat, they needed new resources to remain steps ahead of Jace/Ellie.

Leila concluded the meeting with calm resolve, hands braced on the edge of a battered table where the orchard donkey had been rummaging. "We keep thorough infiltration checks, watchers on high alert, strict screening for any alliances or visitors. But we won't seal ourselves away, ignoring potential forging or carpentry benefits. We stand firm against sabotage by staying vigilant, not by halting all progress."

Tamsin exhaled sharply, nodding in reluctant acceptance. "Fine," she said, arms dropping slightly from their folded position. "But if infiltration signs appear or Jace's raiders reemerge, we revisit this. I won't let orchard expansions blind us to sabotage."

Leila offered a measured nod. "Agreed."

A subdued sense of relief spread among orchard staff—they would keep forging outward ties, albeit carefully. Harriet's group whispered among themselves, orchard watchers parted to resume patrols, Tamsin's faction dispersing. The orchard donkey dozed, orchard workers stooping to pat its neck. Fiona sidled up to Leila, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You handled that well."

Leila managed a small, tired smile. "We can't let fear dominate every decision, but I get Tamsin's stance. We'll be vigilant."

After the council crowd dispersed, orchard staff returned to farmland tasks, watchers patrolled orchard fences. Fiona lingered near the courtyard's storage sheds, sorting leftover seeds Redwood had gifted. Leila joined her, exhaling a sigh. The donkey rummaged for feed behind them, orchard donkey brays occasionally punctuating the quiet.

"Darren or Mark might lead forging missions," Fiona mused, voice soft. "Sunridge enclaves, Redwood expansions, now these rumored forging enclaves… we're forging a web of alliances that could protect us from infiltration or Jace/Ellie's next onslaught."

Leila nodded. "If infiltration remains at bay. Tamsin's watchers are partially right—the bigger we grow, the more we risk infiltration or sabotage. But we can't stagnate. Redwood showed enclaves can be genuine."

Fiona smiled. "Exactly. And you handled Tamsin's demands gracefully, acknowledging their fear but refusing total isolation. That's leadership, Leila."

A flicker of gratitude warmed Leila's chest. Yet her mind drifted to the swirl of her own unresolved burdens—her death in that other timeline, the near-dance with Kai, infiltration terrors that wouldn't fully relent. She forced a small nod. "Thanks, Fiona. We keep moving forward."

Night draped the orchard settlement in a gentle hush. Torchlight glimmered along the orchard perimeter, watchers paced behind newly built watchtower walls, orchard staff concluded farmland tasks with subdued chatter. Harriet's group retired under watchful eyes, donkey tethered to a stable pen. Tamsin's faction had retreated to bunkhouses, presumably still uneasy about expansions, but abiding by the orchard's consensus for the time being.

Leila took a slow circuit around the orchard fence, verifying infiltration checks with watchers. Each gate had a small alarm wire, orchard donkey's feed bin secure, farmland expansions monitored by watchers scanning the horizon. No sign of infiltration or sabotage. For the moment, the orchard breathed a quiet peace.

Her chest remained tight with lingering tension from the day's debate. Yet we move on, she told herself, gazing at the farmland swaying under moonlight, watchtowers looming as guardians. She recalled how Tamsin's watchers had pressed for pure defense, but reason prevailed—the orchard settlement wouldn't lock itself away. Over time, forging alliances might be the difference between thriving and crumbling under infiltration or Jace's next siege.

She ended the day near the orchard's main gate, donkey's occasional bray echoing into the star-flecked night. The orchard hush reminded her of every infiltration scare, every heartbreak inflicted by Jace/Ellie. But the orchard's synergy—with watchers, Harriet's group, Redwood's generosity, new enclaves rumored to have forging or carpentry—rekindled hope. Tamsin's watchers hadn't softened entirely, yet they cooperated enough that orchard expansions continued.

In her mind, the words from the council debate lingered: They always come back. True. But as the orchard's resources grew, so did their ability to repel infiltration or sabotage. The orchard donkey dozed contently, orchard staff finishing up a final perimeter check. Above them, the watchtowers cut silhouettes against the moonlit sky, nearly complete, a testament to unity overshadowing fear.

The orchard settlement had faced Tamsin's faction's defensive demands but refused total isolation, forging a path that balanced caution against the pressing need for alliances. Leila's leadership once again tested, she guided them with calm resolve, acknowledging infiltration risks while spurring progress. And though her own emotional burdens lingered, for now, the orchard found a precarious equilibrium, ready for whatever the next dawn might bring.