The fast rider reached Harth Bend late on day 1200, before Corven’s cart arrived the next day. His notice did not stop the meeting; it changed who was invited.
By the time Iven and the others arrived on day 1202, after two ordinary travel days from the western station, the town hall held representatives from Harth Bend, Red House and the farms along the feeder. Corven Marr stood beside a large map pinned to a board. A red strip of cloth had been tied across the map’s lower corner, where the archive seal appeared.
“The notice says the seal may have been misused,” he told the room. “It doesn’t say this drawing is wrong.”
Cev stood near the front with two neighbors. “The drawing says our channel is abandoned.”
“The diversion doesn’t enter your channel.”
“It may take water from the spring that feeds it.”
Corven pointed to a line on the map. “The spring is supplied from the southern fault. The proposed branch comes from the eastern feeder.”
Fen, who had traveled with Iven from the western station, examined the lines. “Where did that distinction come from?”
