Tamett the scrivener returns shortly with a few stacked books. From the handwriting in common, he maintains all the documentation at present, and it is well-organized. There are comprehensive notes on both Vero's erratic procedures and also Serna's much more methodical progression through all the wire alloys available to measure their resistance as a function of radius and voltage matches the suppliers' specifications. 

"I worked for a citizen-scientist in my hometown, sir, before it changed hands," he explains. 

For most cities in Ctarria, there's little point investing in scientific equipment not directly applicable to a trade, because the wrong clan of nomads taking power could mean that equipment gets appropriated or taxed or burned. The citizen-scientists make do with what little they can afford and write letters to each other constantly so that their discoveries won't be so easily lost. They've been eager adopters of the telegraphs the partnership has established over there.

Lemrae greets them all, hoping he'll be able to remember their names. "Thank you. My name is Lemrae. I was doing some work on relays. Mostly theoretical for now, but I believe I can use them to make circuits that can change themselves in response to input. Maybe even do calculations."

He walks around the facility, looking at the equipment. There isn't much -- mostly the instruments Serna has been using, and a few random devices purchased by Vero. He's doing his best to appear in charge, but he's never managed more than a single apprentice. "As you were." he says, hoping his tone is authoritative-trying-to-be-friendly, rather than the other way around. "I'll have some in-depth conversations with each of you over the next day or two."

Taking Lord Vero's infusion, Lemrae settles into a wicker chair to review Serna's notes.

The talk of relays and calculating machines doesn't inspire any immediate interest in those present, though Tamett is politely attentive, and they resume their activities. He and Serna get to work on the next spool of wire a little stiffly, while Vero takes his time finishing his own drink in thoughtful contempation. Two out of three for an impression of authority.

A few minutes later, the sounds of hoofbeats approach from outside. Shortly after, the last of the current team enters, a woman of one of the nomadic peoples of Ctarria who is approaching middle age. Witred wears a sleeveless brocaded vest that bares tanned arms dotted with patterns of scarification, and briefly clicks her tongue at the sight of the books spread out.

"This is our new manager?"

"Yes, this is Lemrae, a telegraph-master from the central exchange!" The aristocrat says brightly. "Witred here advises us on the practical matters, she laid wires between outposts during the Last War." 

Also known as the First Industrial War, to anyone who isn't an optimist. 

Lemrae looks at Witred, trying not to stare at her scarified arms, and smiles. "That's me. Thanks for coming, Witred. I'm glad to have you." He means it. For all his skill in the telegraph office, he knows very little of what goes into actually laying the lines.

"Hm." Witred seems to be reserving judgment. Seeing the others are going about their prior activities, she collects some sort of complex saddle-spool arrangement and hefts it outside with impressive strength.

There, she puts it on the back of her intimidatingly large horse and starts criss-crossing the lot, letting the spool play out and barking complaints whenever it catches or troubles her mount that are dutifully recorded by Tamett.

Lemrae is about to ask about what they're doing, but then he remembers one of the managers he had a while ago, at a smaller telegraph post. As soon as the man had arrived he had started asking what they were doing (forcing them to stop working to explain themselves) and recommending changes. Changes that made no sense given the state of the telegraph station. The manager had earned near-universal scorn within the week.

Instead, Lemrae sits back down and lets them work: they already have a system figured out. They're clearly running some kind of test related to wire length. He'll ask more about it when they're not busy.