On day 1181, Elian refused to put the old map on the table until everyone had agreed which side of it they were allowed to see.
The table belonged to the Pale Reach council. It was long enough for the entire survey sheet, but the room around it was crowded: Fen and Basen from the intake, Tel from the lower bank, a representative of the eastern hamlet, Tavin, Kesh, Sera and three council members. Salkin’s map lay rolled inside a protective cloth at Elian’s feet.
“The map was taken from someone who entered the chamber without permission,” Daro said. “Why should we restrict ourselves?”
“Because it includes information about places that aren’t yours,” Elian replied. “The eastern hamlet’s tank is on it. So is a route through the valley where the Marchers are resting. We have reason to inspect the feeder, but that doesn’t give us a reason to publish every approach to it.”
Daro looked at the hamlet representative. “We need to know whether the map is accurate.”
“You can know where the feeder goes,” she said. Her name was Ilya, and she and two neighbors had left the hamlet on day 1178, walked the accepted three-day southern route and arrived the previous evening. They had slept in Sivet’s spare room instead of crossing the occupied valley to save a day. “I don’t want a copy marking the path to our tank sent to every company that asks.”
