Tavi arrived at the north pylon before the harbor bell rang. He carried the new collar in a padded box and held it level in both hands. The dark glaze caught the morning light without a crack or blister. Pema cleared a space on the platform and asked him to set it down on a folded cloth.
“It cooled through the night,” Tavi said. “The test tile stayed smooth. I made this one with the heat-resistant mineral from my last store. It is the strongest batch I can make until the shipment arrives.”
Pema turned the collar under the light. “And you are comfortable installing it for a measured test?”
“For the test, yes. I won’t claim it is proven.”
“Good. Then we’ll learn what it can bear.”
They unfastened the secondary ring. The original pylon stayed connected to the ward through its old line. Pema and Tavi set the new collar into the three-channel assembly and tightened the clamps in sequence. A shallow bowl beneath the joint would catch any seepage. Qinghe put the gauges in their marked positions, while Yan checked the copper receiver and familiarized himself with the valve handles.
Han stood where she could see the harbor entrance. She scanned the water, then raised two fingers to show the channel was clear. Ruo had brought his ferry beneath the work platform and tied it off where it would not block the other boats. He watched the tide against the pilings. Bai came with Yao and Jian…
