The white building opened onto a circular chamber with seven occupied seats, leaving the center empty beneath blue lines turning slowly above the table.
No guard blocked the entrance, although Hajin could see the market's red exceptions arriving before the people who had made them.
Oren stopped at the threshold with his helmet beneath his arm, looking toward the oldest woman before giving the visitors their welcome.
"The council receives you as guests," he said, "your words won't become a public order unless you ask for that."
Hajin watched a red mark carrying the baker's missing ration settle beside the table.
"They've arrived ahead of us anyway."
"They have," the oldest woman answered, raising both hands where he could see them, "which is why we should speak before the network decides what your presence means."
She introduced herself as Ilyra, then named the six offices around her before asking them to approach the table.
