The residents reached the petition hall with their names on a document and found no places to sit.
Willa held the filing receipt in one hand. Harl carried a roll wrapped in old flour sacking. Behind them, Vera Kest waited with two workshop representatives and an expression that made the usher reconsider asking them to move along.
Lyra joined them at the entrance court.
“The standing question is listed this morning,” she said.
“It is,” the usher replied. “They aren’t admitted parties yet.”
Inside, two claimant chairs faced the adjudicator’s table. Celia occupied one. The other waited for Lyra, surrounded by enough clear space to make the absence of the residents look deliberate.
Estate advocate Niles Borne approached with his papers already open.
“Lady Lyra’s succession claim can proceed. The land application concerns persons without recognized leases.”
