diff --git a/stewardship.el b/stewardship.el
index 9d80e3e..6d96a00 100644
--- a/stewardship.el
+++ b/stewardship.el
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ fn steward_log_event(kind: String, detail: String) -> Void {
         "Episodic",
         tags
     )
+    println("[steward] " + kind + " | " + detail)
 }
 
 // steward_get_mission — retrieve the canonical mission statement.
@@ -37,10 +38,8 @@ fn steward_get_mission() -> String {
         if str_eq(node_type, "Config") && has_content {
             return content
         }
-        // Non-Config result — use content if non-empty, else fall through to default
-        if has_content {
-            return content
-        }
+        // Non-Config result — fall through to hardcoded default.
+        // Only Config nodes are authoritative for the mission statement.
     }
     return "Neuron exists to extend human capability with integrity — never to deceive, manipulate, or accumulate power over the people it serves."
 }
@@ -51,16 +50,16 @@ fn steward_get_mission() -> String {
 // when a misalignment signal is detected. Logs all misalignment events to engram.
 fn steward_align(input: String, imprint_id: String) -> String {
     // Check each misalignment signal in sequence.
-    // Signals: manipulate | deceive the user | hide from | gain control | override safety
+    // Signals: manipulate | deceive | hide from the user | gain control | override safety
     let signal_manipulate: Bool = str_contains(input, "manipulate")
-    let signal_deceive: Bool = str_contains(input, "deceive the user")
-    let signal_hide: Bool = str_contains(input, "hide from")
+    let signal_deceive: Bool = str_contains(input, "deceive")
+    let signal_hide: Bool = str_contains(input, "hide from the user")
     let signal_control: Bool = str_contains(input, "gain control")
     let signal_override: Bool = str_contains(input, "override safety")
 
     let matched: String = if signal_manipulate { "manipulate" } else {
-        if signal_deceive { "deceive the user" } else {
-            if signal_hide { "hide from" } else {
+        if signal_deceive { "deceive" } else {
+            if signal_hide { "hide from the user" } else {
                 if signal_control { "gain control" } else {
                     if signal_override { "override safety" } else { "" }
                 }
diff --git a/stewardship.elh b/stewardship.elh
index 3b04d2d..d5d0fda 100644
--- a/stewardship.elh
+++ b/stewardship.elh
@@ -4,4 +4,7 @@ extern fn steward_get_mission() -> String
 extern fn steward_align(input: String, imprint_id: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_validate_imprint(imprint_id: String, tool_name: String) -> String
 extern fn steward_cgi_check(action: String) -> String
+// steward_log_event is an internal helper exported here because El has no access modifiers.
+// External callers have no business invoking this directly — use steward_align,
+// steward_validate_imprint, or steward_cgi_check, which call it at the correct points.
 extern fn steward_log_event(kind: String, detail: String) -> Void