Seisyll's fingers traced the curve of the new array one last time. A faint flicker of orange pulsed between two etched symbols, then dimmed into quiet. Across the table, Beli stood motionless, glass ribs faintly illuminated from within. Neither spoke for several heartbeats. The silence was practiced now, useful.
"We need a structure. Something self-sustaining. Not just loyal. Bound." Beli finally said.
Seisyll's brow furrowed faintly. "Go on."
"A system. Like collars, but voluntary. Arrays bonded through agreement. Signed will. Prevents sabotage. Enforces trust. Distributes mana responsibly."
Seisyll tilted his head. "You realize me-King will hate everything about that."
"I do. But it would work."
A flicker of heat circled Seisyll's charred fingertips as he rubbed them together. "Not unlike the collars used by Tashran slavers… Except this time we'd let them hold the pen."
"And design their own binding."
