The covered catch moved again before anyone touched the scale.
Nera kept the western fold slack. Olan removed the shore weight from the scale pan but left it across the access rail. Black-Crown's north pair and Split-Beak's south pair held separate release ties.
[CATCH9 LIVING HOLD]
[Workers present6/6]
[Prior living release3]
[Covered movement1]
[Scale access blocked1]
[Food1:12]
[Command/owner0]
Nera opened the prepared pocket by one hand-width. One narrow silver fish pushed its head through, turned, and withdrew. A second body struck the fold behind it.
"Two visible," she said. "Count stays open."
Olan raised only his side of the pocket. The north pair slackened its float under Black-Crown's call. The south pair waited for Split-Beak, then matched the opening without taking the north count.
The first fish crossed. The second tried to turn inside the fold and caught its dorsal fin against wet cord.
