The stair had more owners than the diagram.
Jian followed the local guide with only the tools he could use in the narrow space. Heat moved through the wall. Doorways opened above it, and household ward threads crossed the municipal route in ways the clean drawing hadn’t found room to describe.
A woman stood outside her door.
“Unauthorized addition when they want it removed. Essential protection when they need us warm.”
The guide, Tella, nodded without arguing.
Another resident wanted the whole line cut.
“Then at least the wall stops cooking us.”
Jian examined the visible threads.
