Hajin set his tea beside the chalk boundary while Loccy tested a padded practice hammer beneath the merchant district's walls. Sawdust dragged under its head as she changed her grip, measuring the borrowed haft against the real weapon waiting outside.
Lunch sat warm in his belly, and the splinted arm gave him a worse reason to stay seated.
'Finally, a fight where I get the comfy seat for once.'
Vella braced her staff beneath her good hand and raised the ward across the yard's outer edge before settling down. Juna checked the padded gear by the rack while the gate swung open on three people staring at that light.
Cassie came in first, keeping Jonas and Toby close enough to grab before either reached the chalk.
"An official work order," she said, lifting the folded parchment while Jonas kept his tower shield between himself and the ring.
