The Vector of the Sea

Ernest stood up from his desk and walked over to the large topographical map of Belfast mounted against the study wall.

The Northern Line was inked as a single, bold black stroke running from Helmarte to North Teucher. It appeared small against the broader expanse of the kingdom, yet that single line had fundamentally restructured regional commerce.

Ernest picked up a stick of drafting charcoal.

Arthur immediately took a step forward. "Put the charcoal down, Ernest."

"I am merely visualizing spatial economic vectors."

"You do not require charcoal to visualize. Charcoal leads directly to capital requisitions."

Ernest ignored the warning. He brought the charcoal to the map, drawing small, precise circles around key economic hubs: the western timber basins, the southern grain plains, the eastern light-manufacturing districts, and the deep-water coastal port of Dunwell.