133. A victory feast (1)

The five Lords disappeared down the eastern road. Carlos turned around.

Water ran from the split support, carrying black oil across the mud. The seed store and its preserved seeds had survived.

Carlos stopped beside Cedric at the channel wall.

"Can you stand?"

Cedric had one hand pressed against his side. He looked at the wall before looking at Carlos.

"Yes. But I should not be lifting stone."

"Then do not lift stone. Tell the others what has to be moved."

Cedric nodded immediately.

The Clayborn Mason with the damaged shoulder stood nearby. Its companion studied the split Glasswood support.

"Can they stop the leak?" Carlos asked.

Cedric crouched carefully and looked at the broken point without touching it.

"Not repair it properly today," he said. "But they can hold the support while we put a temporary brace around it. If the pressure stays low, the channel will not collapse before we bring proper material."