Formulating

Roland gave another respectful bow before disappearing down the hallway.

Within minutes, servants entered the study carrying rolled district maps, estate surveys, engineering ledgers, and several oil lamps despite the room already being illuminated by electricity. The habit remained difficult to break. Most servants still instinctively reached for lamps whenever work continued after sunset.

Ernest smiled faintly.

Old habits rarely disappeared overnight.

Once the maps had been arranged across the large oak table, he dismissed everyone. The heavy doors closed quietly behind the last servant, leaving only the faint hum of the generator outside and the steady white glow of the electric lamps hanging from the ceiling.

Silence settled over the room.

Exactly what he needed.

He unrolled the largest map first.

Oriel.

The three districts spread across nearly the entire table.