Page 106

“Then generations of overseers have mistaken endurance for efficiency.”

Sarveth approaches the desk. Her silver eyes move across my revisions.

I have removed the clause allowing an overseer to extend any shift according to household need. In its place, I write a fixed limit.

No assigned shift may exceed ten hours within one turning of the day. An extension is permitted only during attack, fire, structural danger, urgent medical need, or another threat to the household. Every extension must be recorded and balanced by a shortened shift on the following day.

“Ten hours,” Sarveth says.

“It is sufficient.”

“For humans.”

“For anyone performing labor where exhaustion creates loss.”

Her gaze lifts. “You mean this to govern Zagfer workers too.”

“And Miou, Khuzuth, or any other person contracted directly to House Morwen’thir.”

“Dark elves require less rest.”

“They are not immune to poor judgment.”

“The Zagfer kitchen steward will say you have reduced her authority because humans proved incapable of sustaining the schedule.”

“She permitted a child to move boiling broth without carrying rods.”

“The child escaped injury.”

“Because Fiona intervened. House policy cannot rely on her appearing at the correct moment.”

Sarveth reads the revised clause again. “Other houses will interpret this as weakness.”

“Other houses are not paying for spoiled grain.”

“They will say your human wife has begun controlling Morwen’thir law.”

“Varrus already claims she controls my judgment.”

“This gives him evidence he can distort.”

“Fiona identified a failure. I verified it. House law will correct it.”

“Varrus will omit the verification.”

“Varrus omits anything that obstructs his argument.”

I place the monthly supply ledger beside the kitchen records. “How much has spoilage changed since you shortened the hearth rotations?”

Sarveth opens the ledger. “It has fallen by one-third.”

“In less than two weeks.”

“Yes.”

“Injuries?”

“Four minor cuts. No burns or collapses.”