The independent guild’s hall had no raised seat for Eli.
He noticed that before the arrangement of the evidence tables or the screened corner prepared for private statements. Chairs formed a shallow square around a clear floor. The moderator’s place stood at one side, close enough to the door that anyone leaving would have to pass her without passing through a row of officials.
The guild leader met him there. She had criticized his entry into the depot, Rook’s claim of interference, and the council’s decision to consider broad powers before settling how disputed records could be inspected. Her criticism had made her useful to none of them as an ally.
“We publish disagreement,” she said.
“I read the condition.”
“Reading it and seeing your own account challenged may feel different.”
“I expect they will.”
She showed him the rules rather than accepting the answer as a promise. Participants could object to an evidence description. Witnesses could choose public, protected, or no statement. No one would be compelled to expose a household address to establish credibility. Technical materials could have restricted access where live vulnerabilities were involved, but the restriction itself and the responsible custodian would be recorded. The rules could be challenged before the first session and revised openly.
