The guild board accepted its first contracts before sunrise, while Hajin left the Sixth before every question could become another command aimed at him.
Taren assigned bridge inspections, grain escorts, and a mine survey with written limits.
Each crew signed beside the emergency clause before any tools left the yard.
Marrick read over Hajin's shoulder while the last signatures dried on the page.
"It's success until evidence says otherwise," Marrick said, "so stop treating a working institution like a family insult."
Hajin moved one finger from the reserve clause and replied, "The paper isn't the problem, but clear clauses can make careless people stop thinking."
Taren folded the page at its corner and let the seal dry.
"The guild will teach them through paid work and records, which is why you're going to the basin."
Ferra waited beside the eastern gate with sealed cases, pressure instruments, and metal pins.
