Hadrin read Corren's proposal standing up.
He reached the list of workers, stopped, and went back to the beginning. Rod took off his wet coat while the keeper read it again. Nessa put their damp bedding near the stove, leaving enough room for the air to move around it.
"He wants the same thing." Hadrin said.
"He wants loaded carts to cross." Rod replied. "That part was never likely to change."
"He wants me to accept Branth's footing."
"He wants Branth to inspect it with you. We asked for that."
The keeper looked up.
Rod remained beside the table. "Neither of you gave us enough to decide which repair is sound. We will not pretend we can settle it from a drawing."
Hadrin put the paper down.
"Then you have accomplished very little."
"We found the bell, confirmed that it is undamaged, and brought terms for returning it. We also learned about two attempts to move the briarback."
"I told you the crossing was dangerous."
