Chapter 73: The Board
Caelen sat in the town hall with Zira, Garin, and Lirae as the morning sun peeked through the windows. Papers and scribbles were scattered across the table.
"So... we need a system," he said, leaning back in his chair. "If we want the village to work and grow, everyone has to help out. Not just eat and sleep."
Zira crossed her arms. "Some of them don't even sweep their own floors. It's starting to cause arguments."
Garin nodded. "I've seen it too. I cook and farm all day, and some folks just sit around like they're on vacation."
Lirae raised her hand shyly. "Maybe if we show them the jobs they can do... and how much they'll earn for doing them... it'll feel more fair?"
Caelen's eyes lit up. "A board!"
They all looked at him.
"I mean a big board—on the town hall wall. We list all the jobs: farming, cooking, cleaning, mining, crafting... and we set a pay for each one. That way, they know what needs doing. They choose what they're good at. And they get paid fairly for their effort."
"And with money," Zira added, "they can buy food, clothes, tools. That'll keep things moving."
Caelen grinned. "Exactly."
That afternoon, with a bit of wood and paint, the first Job Board was nailed up on the wall of the town hall. Lirae stood proudly in front of it, a piece of chalk in hand.