"Battle," he says after consideration. The whole of the village isn't designed to provide shelter while besieged; let that remain for now in Alem behind them. "We don't yet know the manner of the dead threat here. Ensuring people have doors and shutters to hold up under direct, uncreative attack might be best we can do short notice. Cover the lacks ourselves by staging supplies around the islands between now and then. We haven't much time, but enough to make progress."