80. Actions Have Consequences

Carlos kept the Warden Chain floating over Derek Holt's shoulder until Kaia finished tying the man's hands.

Derek watched every black link carefully.

He had stopped talking after Carlos's first punch which was good as Carlos did not trust himself to listen while the burned preserved bed was still smoking behind them.

Rowan was kneeling beside the third channel with Blue hovering close to his shoulder. The farmer had mud up to both elbows.

"Can it be fixed?" Carlos asked.

Rowan did not look up immediately. He pressed two fingers against the wet wall, then shook his head.

"Not with soil alone. The water has cut deeper than it looks. If we open the flow now, the whole side will fall."

Lydia came from the damaged junction with both Clayborn Masons behind her. One of them was missing a piece of its shoulder. Its other hand still held a repair tool.