At dawn, atop the Green River bluff beside Caleb Thorne’s recovered Milestone Fourteen, the final legal ceremony took place.
Lord Justice Kenneth stood in full robes upon a temporary timber platform. He was flanked by the royal marshals holding the golden mace. Before him rested the master land-tax roll of the Southern March and the great brass metal tube of Caleb Thorne’s original survey.
Tomas Reed stepped forward. In his right hand, he held his split steel nib. In his left, he held the approved payback roll containing the names of all twelve hundred beneficiary families.
“The boundary is re-established,” Tomas declared. His voice carried over the rushing waters of the Green River below. “Milestone Fourteen stands in situ at height four hundred and twelve feet. The map point West-North eighteen is confirmed. The forty-eight thousand acres of river loam are delivered into the lawful custody of the people. Crown Charter 404 is closed and satisfied.”
Tomas signed his name in bold, sharp strokes. Tomas Reed, Master Tax clerk. Beside his signed name, Lord Justice Kenneth applied the Great Lion Seal of the King’s Bench, binding the closure for all eternity.
As the wax hardened, a deep, earth-shaking rang through Tomas’s chest. The Master Tax clerk’s Ledger in his satchel flared with brilliant, blinding golden light that shone through the canvas like the midday sun.
