Upper Walk changed before the lower streets registered what was happening.
Magistrate Oren stood in the reception hall as staff traded simple banners for clean official cloth. No house colors. No welcoming festival. The message from above had been brief. Greet the delegates with clean papers, controlled movements, and no dramatic gestures.
Crael of Veyrn came first, already speaking as he crossed the room.
"They cleared the gate on the outer ring. Three principals. Six attendants. One sealed recorder. Declined joint house escort, asked for civic preeminent only."
Mera of Sallis followed with a folded schedule in hand. "That means distance from our banners while they use our streets. We offer the east conference rooms, keep dock traffic simple. If the lower streets go into upset reaction, we've bled ourselves before we answer questions."
Oren took the schedule, ran his eyes over it. "How long do they stay?"
