At five minutes to ten, the lower landing contained everything except the space shown on my plan.
Returned practice carriers stood along the wall. Two carts waited nose to nose beside the turn. Students coming from class squeezed between them, while a porter asked everyone to use the other stair as if saying it once more might make the other stair appear closer.
I watched from the upper rail. My route to the reading room passed above the landing before joining the broad stair. I hadn't intended to stop. Ren was visible below, showing Iven the last empty rack, and I wanted to see the handover finished before leaving.
Bram pushed the loaded cart through the opening as the second porter held people back. The landing attendant stood near the lift, speaking to someone inside the gate. He pointed toward a wheel caught at the threshold. Occupied, then. Briefly, I hoped.
