Chapter 227: Preparation for the Storm

Orion turned to Garrett. "Make sure the pack is aware of this. Everyone should be informed about the impending storm before the end of today."

Garrett nodded. "Yes, sir." He turned to go, but Orion stopped him.

"Also, send a message to the elders — we’ll be having an impromptu meeting. Tell them it’s urgent."

Garrett gave a nod and left.

Orion glanced toward Paula, who still had the map unfurled and the glass disc humming faintly with readings. "You’ll be coming to the meeting with me. You have a better chance of explaining things to them because even with everything you’ve said, the only thing I understand is that a storm is coming, and it may happen within three days."

Paula laughed. "That’s basically all it is. But it’ll be better if I explain it myself in case they have any questions. When is the meeting?" she asked him.

"Now. We have no time to waste, after all," he told her.

She gave him a nod as they left the building together.

Within twenty minutes, the elders had gathered in a circle outside Orion’s office.

They arrived with the easy competence of people who had done this before: Caspian’s slow, reliable tread; Daniel’s purposeful step; Mary with the metallic tang of the forge still clinging to her sleeves; Lysander with a small stack of medicinal notes; and Madam Tyler with calm eyes and a measure of solemnity. Eldric wasn’t present. Orion wasn’t surprised — he was going to have to meet with Eldric himself, maybe once the storm died down.

"If Paula’s here..." Daniel began.

Caspian nodded; they already knew there were going to be some weather changes soon.

Paula unrolled the map and set her instruments down. Her voice was clear and practical as she gave them the information.

"In short, there’s a storm coming," she told them. "The storm’s window has been narrowed to three days. It will fall sometime within that period. The readings suggest heavy, unbroken rain rather than snow."

There was none of the wide-eyed fright of an unexpected catastrophe in the elders’ faces. They listened like people who had weathered storms before and knew what to do. Storms were a part of life in Nirvana; they had plans and muscle memory for most of the things that could go wrong.

Caspian gave a soft laugh. "This isn’t our first storm — it won’t be the last either."

Paula nodded. "Yes, but this storm is going to be a serious one. It will cause floods, which is why we need to be extra careful."

"Floods just mean more water to swim in," Daniel said with a laugh.

The others chuckled.

"Alright," Orion said with a smile on his face. "The last time a storm like this happened, one of the walls was destroyed."

"The southern walls, boy — don’t say one of the walls like you don’t know the exact one," Caspian told him.

"Let the boy speak," Madam Tyler said.

"I’m hardly a boy, but that aside," Orion continued, "the last time a storm like this happened, the southern walls suffered damage. We’ve fixed it, but this just goes to show how intense a storm like this can be. We’ll go with the normal routine, but we’ll be extra careful."

"We’ve always been careful," Lysander spoke up.

Orion nodded. "Madam Tyler, you’ll coordinate food. Make lists for each house — who needs how much for three days, who needs extra care: babies, elders, those with chronic needs. You already know the families; make a distribution plan. No one will be able to move about for three days, so the food in their homes should be enough to last."

Madam Tyler nodded, already sorting the plan mentally. Her voice was level. "No problem."

"Caspian, houses and repairs," Orion continued. "You’ll marshal repair crews. Any shutters that leak, any roofs that appear weak — the smiths and carpenters go out. Coordinate with Mary for nails, spikes, and fittings."

Caspian’s response was the practical one he’d always offered. "Nothing I haven’t done before."

"Lysander," Orion said, "you already know what to do. Ensure there’s enough wood in each house to last for three days, and also make sure that every sick individual has enough medicine."

"Sure," Lysander replied.

"Daniel," Orion looked to him, "hunt parties out on rotation — call them in early. We’ll account for every man and woman scheduled to be outside the walls. We can’t lose any of our members to the storm."

Daniel nodded.

Mary leaned forward. "I’ll keep the forge open — extra tools, replacement fittings, boards, and fasteners. If they call for emergency repairs, we’ll be ready. I’ll keep a group of smiths on standby."

Orion nodded, satisfied that the practical assignments were understood. He had no patience for grandstanding; he wanted lists and people moving. They all understood the rhythm.

He looked to Paula then. "Keep us informed of any changes."

Paula’s reply was steady. "I’ll remain at the weather station. I’ll post hourly updates and send a runner the moment anything shifts."

Orion’s job was to oversee everything and to help in case anyone needed his assistance or support.

"And what about Ronan and the others outside the pack?" Daniel asked Paula.

"Ronan packed well," Paula said. "He prepared for hard weather. Their gear should keep them insulated. If they stay high and keep their shelter intact, they’ll be fine."

Daniel barked a laugh that sounded like pride. "Sometimes that boy can be smart."

"He is smart — smarter than you, too," Madam Tyler spoke up.

"And besides," Paula continued, "the storm isn’t going to affect Ronan and the others where they are. They’re safe."

Orion frowned. The words sounded strange in his ears.

"You mean safe from the storm?" he asked, and Paula nodded.

"But how? I thought the storm was going to affect the whole of Nirvana?" he asked her.

Paula sighed. "That’s something we still haven’t gotten an answer to. The storm is only going to affect specific areas — not the whole of Nirvana."