---
He fixed Kel. "Send back numbers that are not lies."
Kel's deadpan did not budge. "I only know four numbers: straight, level, enough, and not enough. I will write whichever of those the city buys."
Doff hooked a thumb at him. "He means he will send letters that say we need more nails and better jokes."
"Better jokes are on you," Kel said without looking at him.
The day folded itself into lines of motion. Tools found sacks. Sacks found straps. Straps found a cart with wheels that had been greased this very morning because Ludo lived in the future while hammering in the present. Orna sorted like a queen sorting soldiers: this comes, that stays, this waits for a messenger, that gets a label before anyone is allowed to touch it.
