The guest chamber had no windows, though a shallow bark pool showed the embassy district beyond the living palace.
Root movement shifted the reflection until streets appeared to breathe beneath the chamber floor.
Eirwen stood before the pool while the amended oath settled, and silver letters carried her name beside Didi's shelter clause without joining their authority.
Hajin placed the socket case beneath a wall shelf and said, "The palace accepted the clause, but it still watches anything that can open a rule it does not understand."
Ferra set her instrument case beside the matched swords and said, "Then it should ask who holds authority before deciding who carries a dangerous object."
"A clear record matters here, and confusion becomes a weapon when the Court chooses its meaning after trouble begins," Eirwen said.
Ripples crossed the bark pool, and a new inscription appeared above the door in pale gold letters.
[High Envoy Eirwen and husband Hajin, Alder guest house]
