Night settled over the registry while militia crews carried drying claimant boards around the yard for their only full rehearsal.
The royal road bell sounded before Hans released the first group, bringing a relay courier through the western gate beneath Crown colors.
His horse carried foam beneath its harness, and three replacement-station tags hung from the sealed packet inside his coat.
"Princess Didi ordered continuous relay," the courier said, giving the packet directly to Hajin, "the enclosed archive copy loses value after first bell."
Marrick checked the Crown seal while Lana recorded each station tag, preserving the packet's route before Hajin opened it.
Didi's first page carried her formal hand, an archive reference, and none of the warmth she allowed into personal letters.
{Crown neutrality remains unchanged. No royal formation may reinforce either territory while the campaign review remains open.}
