The scrap of paper in Kael's hand felt thin, but the meaning was heavy. Phase Four. It meant the people who set the ledger plan had not finished. It meant whatever came next would be sharper.
Kael folded the paper into his fist and did not look at anyone. For the first time since the Summit began, he looked small in the hall. That made people lean forward. It made them want direction.
"We tighten everything," Kael said finally. His voice was low. It carried. "Block the roads. Check the riders. No one leaves the estate without a full search. Every boat that moved last night, find its paperwork. If the ledger is on a boat, we stop it before it leaves the river."
Orders moved like wind. Guards sprinted. Runners were sent. Joss and Mira split off, heading for the docks. Ronan barked at the younger men to hold the bridge. Lyria stayed close to Kael, because being near him felt like the only small sense she had in this mess.
