The valley remained bright, but a dark line of cloud crossed the sky above Pinehook. It looked thin from the square, almost like smoke stretched between the ridges. Nara’s latest tower strip showed the upper pressure folding inward again.
She set the strip on the public board beside the previous reading. “The change continued overnight. It is still weeks, not a date we can name.”
Residents gathered to compare the marks. Leda read the storm report, then pointed to the verified order and the route map. The first portable relay had passed its small-load test and been disconnected by the keepers. Nearby villages had asked to observe the next trial. Others had declined for now.
Jema stood by the switch plan. “Our barrier remains separate. We’ll test again after the next meeting.”
No one challenged her. The village had seen the lever cut the test line. They also knew it had not tested a full network or the old barrier under storm pressure.
Gu’s revised instruction had arrived before dawn. Fen had copied its plain switch diagram to every local route packet. Leda sent one copy to the town council, which would decide whether to host another test. The local keepers retained their authority over the village barrier.
