The pumping works had swallowed the eastern approach to the second ring.
Four field engines stood against the bulkhead wall, their lines disappearing through the access ports and into the flooded sector beyond. The constant mechanical roar filled the level, broken only by shouted measurements and the scrape of chalk against the enormous depth slate mounted beside the stairs.
Kesh Varlan stood in the middle of it all.
His coat was gone, his sleeves rolled to the elbows, and three engineers were waiting around him while he read through a pressure report. He finished the page before acknowledging Trafalgar, handed it back, then dismissed the men with two short instructions.
Only after that did his attention settle fully on him.
"Lord Morgain. Ithanne's office approved this visit?"
"They did."
Kesh's eyes moved past him to the Myrrhvale guard standing several paces back. He looked at the man for barely a second before turning toward the upper walkway.
