While he listened, Yu searched the bathroom for a source of water. His eyes caught on the protruding row of stone where the barrel joined the wall on the left. It seemed too deliberate to be mere support. He edged closer and peered down into the barrel. Just above the waterline, he spotted an opening: a square stone pipe, thick and angled slightly upward. Not a drain, then. An inlet.
Yu’s gaze traced the pipe. He searched for some kind of mechanism, like the sliding regulator they used on the pipe above the toilet. Sure enough, there was a rectangular slab set into its side, fitted with a simple handle. Right now, it blocked the flow of water within the pipe. When lifted, it would let water flow freely. To stop, you let go and the regulator slid back in.
Yu positioned himself in front of it —
“Would you like me to read these for you?” the shaman asked.
“No,” said Bubs. Then, “These are his secrets. He may decide to tell of them when he wakes up.”
“If he wakes.”
“Yes. Finish with the potions, then do the legs and feet. I’ll get the vadmin for him.”
“Very well.”
Yu shuddered. He tore his mind away from the rustling of scales and the delicate clinking of glass. Pressing both wings against the stone slider, he heaved upward. The mechanism resisted, then shifted with a deep, satisfying groan. Water surged through the pipe, spilling into the barrel. There was room to spare. Earlier, he had poured enough over himself to leave space for more. Now the fresh flow replaced what he had spilled, trickling in with a soft, steady gurgle.
As Yu watched the clear, cold water pour in, a dark thought surfaced. If I were a witch, I’d poison the water supply. It was an utterly disturbing thought, and yet, Yu started debating it. He started to consider if that … could kill all the other guards.
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