Noah rose from the porch step, brushing his gloves off as Kaisel approached. The soldier’s energy was a stark contrast to the cold stillness of Halo, and Noah couldn’t help the faint curve of a smile as he took the offered hand. “Noah,” he said simply, grip firm. “Glad you came.”
He turned at the sound of steady footsteps. Damien’s presence settled like a weight in the air, not unwelcome, just grounding. He recognized the younger man, having known him and Ezekiel to play together in their youth. Noah gave a short nod in return. “Good to see you.” At Damien’s offer, Noah gestured toward the ladder and supplies. “Roof’s yours, then. Shingles need replacing along the west slope first. Mind the edge—it drops fast.”
Then, turning to Kaisel, he pointed to the stack of lumber near the north wall. “This wall’s sagging. Needs braces set before we can replace the lower beam. Start by digging out the base—just enough to expose the foundation. I’ll help you lift the new brace into place when you're ready.” Then he moved toward the toolshed, leaving the men to get started, trusting in their quiet competence.
Round 1! Start working on the assigned tasks
