Lay of the Land

The morning sun had only just begun climbing above the eastern mountains when three heavy road carriages departed the high wrought-iron gates of Oriel Estate.

Unlike Ernest's previous inspection tours during the reconstruction of Helmarte, today's journey carried none of the usual political entourage. There were no ministerial aides scribbling in leather ledgers, no military escorts clearing the avenues, and no royal liaisons hovering in the background.

Only four men occupied the small convoy: Ernest, Hollen, Arthur, and Samuel Wright, the chief surveyor of the Royal Survey Office.

Trailing behind them were two open supply wagons loaded to the brim with surveying equipment. Brass theodolites in velvet-lined oak cases, precision spirit-levels, heavy steel survey chains, plane tables, tripods, geological hammers, sample bags, and reams of heavy drafting paper.