Han asked Yan to scout the channel from the signal tower. The fleet had shifted its line after the village meeting, and she wanted to know whether the small vessel near the reef had moved closer to the western shallows.
Yan stood on the tower platform with Qinghe, Bai, Pema, Lian, and Ruo. The harbor’s prepared lantern relays were already staffed. Each lamp had a marked place and a trained attendant. The line could carry his Soul-Lantern views from post to post, as long as the signal stayed clear.
He formed three projections. The first went to the outer post, where it could watch the fleet’s main line. The second traveled west to the shallows. The third remained near the harbor chain, looking down at the winch from a safe angle.
Yan’s body stayed at the tower. The projections were useful eyes and messengers, not copies of his fighting strength.
The first view showed three large ships holding their place and the smaller craft moving in pairs. The second saw the reef vessel shift behind the rock, where it could cut off a boat trying to leave. The third watched Ruo test the chain winch with a short pull. He reported that the mechanism was clear but should not be raised until the council ordered it.
