The harbor council met in a room above the inner quay. Muo sat beside Daro, with Yao, Jian, and Sato across from them. Bai sat with his relatives. He had brought the contract copies but did not set them on the table until Yao asked.
Yao spoke first. “Our family wants a guarantee that opting out will not make us homeless.”
Jian followed. “I want to know the pylon can stay strong if household shares are reduced.”
Sato turned to Muo. “And I want children kept out of contracts they never signed.”
The council heard the three requests without asking Bai to speak for them. Daro explained that housing came with the original household agreement. The later descendant amendment added a vitality share but said nothing about eviction.
“Has the hall ever removed a family solely for refusing a new contribution?” Yao asked.
“Not to my knowledge,” Muo said. “But I cannot promise what every steward would do unless the rule is written.”
“Then write it,” Yao said.
