The next morning, the new surveyor stepped out from the inn. Behind him walked Jinrai and Tharion.
They arrived at the grassy clearing just outside Ashvale, where the first surveyor had fallen. Here, dried stakes marked the intended path of the road—thin wooden posts that rose a few feet from the earth, connected by taut strings.
Jinrai pointed toward one of the older stakes. "This is where he would've stood when taking his initial measurements."
The current surveyor squinted at a faded comment in the notebook. "Yes. He wrote: 'River bank angle: fourteen degrees down from north ridge stake.' If I measure from here and walk to the stream, we should find the matching contour."
He pulled out a hand-held inclinometer and positioned it against the stake, then adjusted until it read fourteen degrees. With a firm nod, he leapt onto the crest of a gentle hill and used pacing methods and rough triangulation—short, careful steps, measured spans between stakes, referencing the notebook.
After several minutes, he reached a low ridge overlooking the river. He walked back and forth along the bank, holding his instrument again. "That matches," he said softly. "But let's check the second observation."
They trooped onward—through a narrow gap in the forest, over a creek and into a second clearing where weathered stakes marked an elevated curve. The surveyor consulted the notes again: "He said thirty steps to the east stake, then nine to the next."
He paced nine precise lengths himself—roughly six feet each—stopped, and laid a rod of measurement. "Yes," he murmured. "Belongs. Rough, but this is all here."
It took another hour—measuring, walking, verifying angles and distances.
Finally, the surveyor got to the last notes. He smoothed it with a finger. "From these three control points, I can confirm this entire layout matches the terrain. There are slight adjustments due to erosion, but the intention is clear."
He stood, brushing dirt from his trousers. "This is indeed the work of that original surveyor. The measurements are accurate, and yes… the project is almost fully recorded."
Jinrai clapped him on the shoulder. "Then we match it without delay."
Tharion nodded. "We head back and tell the diplomat."
The group retraced their steps to the inn. At the dining room table, the diplomat sat with his notebooks and scrolls spread before him, the merchant opposite, leaning forward expectantly. Guards stood quietly behind them.
Jinrai opened with a brisk nod. "Surveyor's confirmed. It was the same project, from the same plans."
The diplomat turned attention to the surveyor. "Is that what you found?"
The surveyor stowed his inclinometer and unrolled a small sketch. "Yes. I marked the control points on this sheet… the original measurements are matched. From these I can generate contour drawings and accurate plans for road grading. Nothing has been altered."
He slid the sketches forward.
The diplomat examined them carefully, eyes tracing the lines, angles, notations. After several moments, he nodded.
"Very well," he said in a cool, declarative voice. "Lord Eland must see this. We can draft the new contract and funding arrangements."
He stood. "Jinrai. You and Tharion will accompany me tomorrow to Lord Eland's estate. You, surveyor, present your drawings to his surveyor and ensure they align."
The surveyor inclined his head. "Very well, sir."
The diplomat looked over at the merchant. "And you. Secure the supply wagons. Once the contract is signed, your caravans will begin moving materials and laborers."
The merchant straightened. "Yes, sir. I'll make the preparations."
The next day, as the group approached Eland's mansion, two guards stepped forward with raised hands.
"Halt. State your business," the first one said firmly.
The diplomat stepped forward, drawing from his coat a folded letter sealed with the emblem of the capital. "This is a directive from the capital's council," he said. "We are here on matters regarding the road project. Lord Eland is expecting us."
The second guard took the letter, examined the seal, then nodded toward his partner. "It's real."
They stepped aside without another word and pushed open the gate. As it creaked open, the group passed through and began their slow ascent along the stone path toward the front entrance of the mansion.
Inside, a young maid approached them, bowing respectfully.
"Welcome. My name is Leta. Please wait here a moment," she said. "Lord Eland's condition has worsened slightly this week. He is preparing to meet you now. Thank you for your patience."
She offered no more than that, and with a polite bow, disappeared down the hallway.
They waited in the vestibule. Jinrai's eyes wandered over the faded paintings lining the walls, while Tharion stood with his arms folded.
Eventually, the maid came back. "Lord Eland is ready to receive you now," she said quietly. "Please follow me."
They were to the same room they met Eland the first time.
Lord Eland was already seated at his usual place, but there was a clear difference. He appeared frailer than before. And Tui stood at his side, right hand held up just a few inches above his shoulder, a pale orange light pulsing softly from her fingertips.
When they entered, Eland looked up and smiled faintly. "Welcome, welcome," he said. "Forgive Tui's presence, but I cannot remain out of bed for long without consequences. She's simply keeping the cold from overwhelming me while I sit up."
"No apologies needed, my lord," the diplomat replied gently. "We'll be as brief as possible."
Eland nodded, clearly grateful. "That would be appreciated."
The diplomat stepped forward and placed a rolled parchment on the table in front of Eland, then gestured for the surveyor to speak.
The man took a step closer and said, "These are the original surveyor's notes that were recently recovered, and this—" he unrolled the drawing— "is my rendering based on those notes. I confirmed their accuracy by physically re-measuring the terrain. I have no doubt these notes are from this exact location, sir. The measurements are aligned, the distances true, and the topography matches in all places checked."
Eland leaned forward slightly. He didn't take the drawings into his hands, but he studied them from where he sat. His gaze flicked across the clean lines, the slope annotations, the river markings, and then the detail of elevation rendered by charcoal. A slow breath escaped him.
"I knew nothing about this," he said finally. His voice carried more weight now.
Then his eyes turned toward Jinrai and Tharion.
"You two… why wasn't I informed the moment these were discovered? This is vital to our progress."
Jinrai bowed his head slightly. "Apologies, sir. We were concerned about ongoing investigations at the time. There were multiple incidents surrounding the road project. We needed to verify the documents were authentic and to protect them. It wasn't our intention to keep you in the dark—only to prevent further disruption."
Eland studied them both. The pause stretched for several seconds. But eventually, he nodded.
"Well," he said, "at least now we have something solid. We are no longer trapped in uncertainty. The thought of being at a dead end… it has taken a toll on my sleep these past few weeks."