‘By unanimous resolution of the High Senate Safety Board,’ Councilor Vesk proclaimed. It struck the boxwood gavel three times, ‘a Joint Working Review of the Sluice Crown is hereby ordered, effective right away.’
‘Senior Inspector Korr Var is appointed Executive Safety Director of the entire Third Gate sector, with total power to inspect, measure, and veto any working procedure. Pella Rook is confirmed as Technical Observer with full access to all academy tracking data, archives, and underground chambers.’
‘Master Davin Sorell shall retain provisional working custody of the clockwork controls, but is strictly banned from altering gate settings, increasing extraction volume, or proceeding with the ritual dedication without the signed written concurrence of Inspector Korr Var.’
‘The College of Summoners shall open the central upkeep ring to the check team within two hours. If access is delayed or obstructed by academy wardens, the town watch shall seize the High Terrace work-yard by force of arms and Master Sorell shall be committed to the city castle. The hearing is finished.’
Inside Lowbank Courtesy Workshop & Water chute, the air carried the sharp, clear odor of tar-soaked hemp fiber, pine pitch, and scorched hemp packing, showed by chill afternoon fog curling around the cast-iron bollards. With portable tripod flares hissing softly in the damp underground draft, Pella Rook braced her oiled cart driver boot against the stonework curb to test the play in the lever and spread the working notes for ‘The Compromise Decree’ across the smoothed pine plank drawing board wedged…
