Location:Ashford Crossing — Satellite Settlement
Date/Time:TC1854.09.22
Bess Cade hadn't slept well in three nights.
The first night was worry. Harlan always sent word when he stayed over at the eastern field shelter — a quick formation relay message, two words, staying over, the kind of communication that married couples reduced to shorthand after enough years. He hadn't sent word. That wasn't like him. The eastern fields were 6km out, a reasonable day trip, and the shelter was basic — a roof, a cot, a water jug, and a storage bin for tools. He'd stayed there dozens of times during planting season when the work ran long, and the walk back felt longer. He always sent word.
