Remet left the town without making a speech.
He checked four people against the booking, asked Brin for the first stop’s acknowledgment and started walking. Asa had the buyers’ authority inside her coat. Iven had line and tools distributed so neither blocked his left hand. Brin carried the road book in a dry case across his chest, looking more solemn than the weight required.
Day four hundred and fifty-five began beneath a clear, cold sky.
At the first rise, Asa looked back once.
Then she turned toward the road.
Iven knew better than to ask what she had been looking for.
They reached Slate Watch in time for the midday food turn. The keeper recognized Iven, took the current route booking from Remet and showed them the new work returns beyond the cutting. The ridge-sail had been cleared by the road crew. The old foot bench was open in its limited form. The cargo road remained shut while the higher shoulder was cut and supported.
“Foreman got your section,” the keeper told him. “He’s been complaining about it ever since.”
