They went to the ditch on Day fifty-six, after the first bell, with a rope, a hook and a clerk who had stayed behind to watch.
The clerk had slept in the Keep’s guest room, because the Minister had not taken him back to Ostrivane. He had come down to the yard at first light with his board and a cup of cold tea, and he had asked three times when the boy would be ready.
Calen had given him the same answer each time. When Tobin was ready.
The clerk was the young one with ink on his thumb. He carried his board under one arm and kept three paces back from the bank, where the mud did not reach his boots.
He had asked Hoff for a place on the bank. Hoff had given him the path.
“A witness,” said the clerk. “The Minister’s word. The raise is written when the witness sees it stand.”
“Then stand where you can see it,” said Calen.
Tobin walked beside him. He did not talk on the path. He had left his bread on the plate that morning, and Calen had not said anything about it.
