The ground beyond the eastern barrier split before Rook's containment vehicles could turn toward the forest district. Living roots formed a bridge across broken pavement, carrying armed elves plus covered stretchers toward the First Citadel. Government cameras turned with the bridge while every checkpoint weapon remained lowered.
Twenty retainers wore layered wood armor grown around silver plates there nearby. Their bows remained strung without pointing at the barrier, while six healers walked beside twenty-three injured civilians under a green sovereign seal.
[ Foreign delegation approaching ]
[ Treaty authority: unrecognized by city law ]
[ System sovereignty: valid ]
[ Root connection to Citadel core: active ]
The woman leading them carried no crown or visible divine mark there. Silver hair rested across one damaged shoulder plate, while dried green blood marked the side of her armor without changing her posture.
