Mira pulls the drafting sheet closer and dips her pen, taking a moment before she writes. _An open question, not a leading one. He remembers what he remembers; I shouldn't put words in his mouth._

She writes in a small, even hand:

*To Rowan Fen, courier — from the Black Archive reading room.*

*Regarding parcel A17, held here unopened. Its address card names both North Street and Marsh Lane for the same recipient. No correction is marked.*

*When convenient, could you say what you saw of either street on your route — where, and on which leg of the trip? Any detail helps, even if it seems trivial. No urgency. The parcel stays sealed and in the archive's custody until we hear from you or decide otherwise.*

*— M. Vell, Keeper*

She turns the sheet toward the traveler and sets the pen down. "That's the draft. I've deliberately not asked whether he saw North Street going out or Marsh Lane coming back — I don't know which leg carried which name, and I'd rather not suggest an answer he might just agree with." She taps the edge of the page lightly. "It also confirms the parcel's status, so he knows we haven't broken the seal."

"It's unsent. It stays that way until you say otherwise." She glances at the rain on the window. "If you want changes — shorter, warmer, a deadline, nothing at all about custody — say so. Or we can set it aside and look at the public register instead while the ink dries on this one."