<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/thumb/7/7d/Commander_-_4.jpg/450px-Commander_-_4.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Ashen Heron (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XxXRLF3ZMW-zhaOxmoL-K7BTXP3tiH8Bu3DZTg3T7ug/edit#)</strong></span>Quietly, almost sullenly the Commander sat at the far corner of the table. A week ago, he would have been down there near the head of the table, now... He raised his mug of mulled wine to his lips again. They were saying all the right things, but for the wrong reasons. He listened some more, when would he see what they were really up to. Defending the manse, that was good, talking with the seafolk, good, expanding to the coast and mainland... That was more dangerous, passing up defending the manse for making it's production capabilities greater at the expense of defense? Now his hackles began to rise. So they would build the place up, in the process letting more and more people that they were connected to, people loyal to<span class="bbc_u"><strong>them</strong></span>know of their existence, while keeping our defenses diminished as they were.<br/><br/>"May I say a few words your lordship? I believe that we can shore up our defenses<em><span class="bbc_u"> while</span></em>we begin recovery of our forges." The emphasis on while was almost to say instead of, but held loosely in the spirit of compromise. "Perhaps a shared goal here, prioritizing and addressing specific gaps in our defenses, while we prepare to launch our forges in a great ceremony. I have long sought to reactivate the overwatch guard station of the eastern shore just as an example. This may have allowed us to aid the wreckage and crews of these fine craft earlier. A few more deep craft would allow us to keep in contact with our new acquaintances and contacts as well as defend the manse as well." Heron cushioned his statements a bit, deliberately keeping his eyes, just beginning to rim with bloodshot buzz, squarely on Umari. His distrust, ingrained into his position and demeanor, buried in a shallow grave for the moment.<br/><br/>"And on the topic of outside connections. I heavily advise that we make contact with those beneath the waves and those isolated to islands as well for the nonce." He paused a moment collecting his reasoning, though he raises his hand to identify that he was yet to be done, remembering debriefing many a new 'recruit' to the island, and even a few that were summarily dismissed, "The sea is a great deterrent and protector. Little true damage can be done to the true manse here from the sky, or even surface of the water, thus limiting the true threat to us. The same can be said of those below its surface and with their help we can support those on small islands here in the West. Random doesn't happen as often in the West. You jump in a dingy and head in a random direction, chances are... you die. There are no rivers, no canyons, roads, or treelines to help the lost. You die." He rose as he continued.<br/><br/>"On land, you go in a random direction, a geographic landmark directs you toward civilization. If you show up on a shore, chances are you meant to be there. The people coming and going can be monitored better, missives can be controlled better, and risks can be reduced. At least while we build our defenses and power up our forges." Noticing that he was becoming more aggressive, even noticing that he was addressing a company of people and not just processing to himself, the Captain of the Guard looked to his cup, and pushed it away before sitting down. It was going to be a long morning.