The sealed vault demanded a second examination after the consent hearing, and Hajin brought fresh vials to test it.
Hajin descended the winding spiral stairwell before the morning bells chimed, carrying a padded container and three empty vials.
Ferra walked close behind him with her artisan tool roll, accompanied by Eirwen, Didi, and the ever-watchful Juna.
At the center of the chamber, the white-gold root rested within its crystalline quartz basin beneath the hanging roots.
Hajin set his equipment down upon the slate ledge and rolled his left sleeve up to his elbow.
The dark runic ink upon his forearm carried a faint, shimmering echo of the three memory circles witnessed yesterday.
Didi stepped to the edge of the quartz basin, studying the copper testing bracket that Ferra assembled with careful fingers.
"How much can you verify without provoking the ancient root into unlocking the distant road again?" she asked.
