Window 4's 'Giant Plains': Number of Figures Following the Herd Grows to 20 — Some Seen Carrying Hut Parts for the First Time

The movement first recorded on the 13th at Stable Window 4 — "the Giant Plains," on the Oji hill in the city's north — in which figures from the settlement below set off north to follow a herd of giants, previously reported, widened further during this morning's opening on the 14th, from 6:12 to 7:00 a.m., forty-eight minutes in all, according to Dimensional Survey Division records. On the 13th, at least four figures had been seen following; this time at least 20 were confirmed within the visible field. "We can't say whether the whole settlement is moving," an official said, "but the scale of how many are on the move has clearly changed."

This opening also recorded, for the first time, several of the following figures carrying long pole-like bundles across their shoulders. The Division says no prior observation has ever recorded the settlement's own huts being moved, making this the first sighting of what appear to be dismantled hut parts being carried. "It looks like they're taking their huts apart and carrying them, but we can't be certain," an official said. "The same shapes could serve some other purpose we simply don't recognize" — a careful phrasing consistent with the Bible's fifth principle of leaving what is unexplained unexplained.

Unlike the 13th's opening, when the herd stayed far within view and produced almost no vibration, today's herd passed closer to the window than ever recorded, rippling one of two teacups on the sill by five centimeters — surpassing the three centimeters recorded on the 7th and marking the largest tremor since the window entered service. The keeper on duty, 41, a different staffer from the 13th, wrote in the log: "Both the figures and the giants came much closer than usual today. I couldn't tell anymore whether being closer let me see more, or seeing more just made it feel closer."

The Division says it still has no basis for judging whether the entire settlement is relocating or only some households are on the move. "It's tempting to call this a video of people moving house," an official said, "but that's just an interpretation borrowed from our own way of living. We have no way of confirming whether the concept of 'moving house' even applies over there." Whether this reflects a search for water or a seasonal pattern remains, as before, unresolved: the Division still cannot confirm whether the far side even has seasons.

Today's observation is expected to be added to the agenda of the outside expert panel due to convene in November, previously reported. "Whether this is a moment to raise the density of observation is also something we want to put before the panel," an official said. Merchandise vendors have already inquired about products themed on the Giant Plains, the Division added, but officials say they want to be more careful than ever about naming and imagery now that the settlement's way of life appears to be changing.

Window 4 remained under observation as of the morning of the 14th, with no indication of when it will open again. "Even the number twenty might be a different number by the next opening," the Division said. "Not settling on a conclusion, and simply recounting each time — that's the job of this desk." This reporter noted: "Figures that once only watched have started walking, carrying something on their backs. We may not know what they're carrying. But that they are carrying something — that much, today, was plain to see."