Qinghe received Ning’s latest message in the station room while Vessa counted the families at the quarry turn. The mirror clouded, then showed Ning beside a water cart on a road west of the ridge.
“The relief team left White Orchard this morning,” Ning said. “We have clean water, blankets, medicine and two local volunteers. We’re taking the western route. We should reach the ridge by evening if the road stays clear.”
“Your trip is several days?” Qinghe asked.
“Yes. Don’t plan as if we can reach you before then.” Ning glanced at her list. “Tell Han to send a rider if the bridge closes. The volunteers know the western turn.”
Qinghe gave her a brief account of the breach, the split convoy, and the bridge fight. She did not soften the numbers. Two carts were still behind, and several soldiers remained cut off on the far bank. The mirror flickered as Ning wrote each count into her ledger.
“I can bring water to the western ridge,” she said. “I can’t fix the bridge from here.”
Qinghe asked her to bring enough for the clinic wagon, the outer ward, and the families waiting at the quarry bend. Ning checked the list. “I have a full day’s water for the convoy if the barrels stay intact. If the detour adds another night, I’ll need a resupply signal.”
