The western settlement sent a jar of water with its message.
On day 1124 the jar arrived in a padded crate on a mule cart, accompanied by a woman who introduced herself as Dela and refused to let anyone open it until she had found the person responsible for First Vent’s water measurements. Leth accepted the responsibility, though he pointed out that his station measured a different watercourse.
“That’s why I brought the jar,” Dela said. She had left on day 1121 and crossed forty-two kilometers by the western road, using the ordinary overnight yards. “Your message asks whether the western supply is clean. I thought you might want to look at it.”
Iven was sitting outside the junction, repairing the handle of the lamp he had carried into the old relay works. The handle had bent when Lysa struck the shelf beside it. The lamp still worked; he wanted the handle straight enough that it would not catch on his coat the next time he needed one hand free.
Neri took the jar from its padding and held it against the light. The water looked clear. A few pale grains rested on the bottom.
“Does it taste of anything?” she asked.
