In the center of the Ferry Market turning basin, the mood shifted from quiet curiosity to acute, focused vigilance. Eren Tal stepped up to the cedar model carrying an eight-pound lead casting. A curved, flanged cover molded to fit exactly over the open throat of the Third Gate. It was stamped with the academy triangle of the Hollow Crown.
With deliberate care, Eren set the lead cap over the wooden water chute. He laid a strip of greased leather between the cedar lip and the lead pipe rim, then tightened four brass turnbuckles with his steel wrench until the leather squeezed thin and flat. The open breathing throat that had whispered with soft aeration during the baseline run was now choked, sealed as tight as an iron steam engine boiler.
Pella Rook picked up her grease pencil. Then she drew a second set of level reference lines across the three glass pressure gauge tubes. ‘Councilor Vesk, we now start Trial Two: the Sorell Configuration. The relief throat is sealed. The river is being forced into the closed drain tube loop, exactly as it exists today beneath the High Terrace command array.’
Councilor Elna Vesk leaned forward on the ash bench. Her silver-handled cane was held firmly in her gloved hands. Beside her, Chief Scroll-keeper Malden adjusted his glasses, his pen poised above the thick parchment registry with fresh dark oak-ink. The rain had ceased. That left behind a cold, raw mist that smelled of river silt, decaying willow leaves, and…
