The morning fog clung to the cobblestone streets of Calder's Rest, as though trying to keep the town under a blanket of secrecy. Aran moved through the town square, his mind preoccupied with the latest developments. He had maneuvered Lord Roderic into position, nudged the mercenaries toward betrayal, and kept Ravenna on her missions, but there were still too many moving pieces for his liking.
He needed control, and more importantly, he needed information.
His destination today was a small, unassuming shop on the edge of the district. On the surface, it appeared to be a humble apothecary, with herbs and potions in the front window, but Aran knew better. Beneath its façade was one of the most critical assets in Calder's Rest: The Whispering Blade, a network of spies and informants who dealt in secrets as much as they did poisons.
As he approached the door, he saw the shopkeeper—an old man with sharp, piercing eyes—sweeping the front stoop. Without acknowledging Aran, he motioned toward the back of the shop with a casual flick of his broom. Aran moved past him and entered the dimly lit interior. The familiar smell of dried herbs and bitter tonics filled the air.
At the back of the shop, Aran entered a small, candle-lit room. Seated at a low table was a woman draped in dark robes, her face hidden beneath a hood. Only her hands, pale and bony, were visible as they shuffled through a stack of parchment.
"Aran," the woman said in a whispery voice. "It has been too long."
"I've been busy," Aran replied, taking a seat across from her. "There are matters that need attention."
"The world is full of matters," the woman said, her lips barely moving. "But you're here for a specific reason, aren't you?"
Aran nodded. "I need everything you can find on Serena. Her past, her alliances, her movements in the last few weeks."
The woman tilted her head slightly, her hood casting her face further into shadow. "Serena. You've known her for some time, haven't you? A dangerous game you're playing, to question someone so close."
Aran's expression didn't change. "I don't have the luxury of trust. Not with her."
The woman's fingers stopped moving over the parchment. "I've already begun gathering information. Serena has been making contacts outside Calder's Rest. Most of them discreet, but not discreet enough."
Aran leaned forward, his heart beginning to race. "What kind of contacts?"
"Old allies of her family. She's testing the waters, seeing who still supports her bloodline. But more importantly, she's been in contact with someone unexpected—Lord Tavros."
The name sent a cold shiver through Aran. So, it was true. Serena had been weaving her own web behind his back, and her connection to Tavros complicated everything.
"What's the nature of their alliance?" Aran asked.
The woman's hands resumed their slow, deliberate motion. "That, I don't yet know. It seems to be in the early stages, but she's preparing. My sources say she's meeting with him in person soon."
Aran's mind raced. He had expected Serena to be ambitious, but this move was bold—perhaps too bold. Tavros was still a significant threat, and if Serena had aligned herself with him, it could destabilize everything he had built. But he wasn't going to act hastily.
"I need to know where and when they'll meet," Aran said firmly.
The woman nodded, her hands stilling once more. "I will find out, but it will take time. Patience, Aran. You cannot strike too soon, or the shadows will slip away."
Aran stood, his thoughts a storm of calculations. "Time isn't on my side."
"Time is always on the side of those who control it," the woman whispered. "You've been good at that so far. Do not falter now."
He left the apothecary with his mind spinning. Serena was not a fool; she wouldn't make such a dangerous move without good reason. What was she hoping to gain? Tavros had power, but he was also desperate, and desperate men were dangerous allies. Could it be that she was using Tavros the same way Aran used Roderic?
---
Back at the manor, Aran found Ravenna waiting for him in the study. She looked up from a stack of reports, her eyes narrowing as she caught the tension in his face.
"More news?" she asked.
"Serena," he said curtly. "She's been in contact with Tavros."
Ravenna's brow furrowed. "I knew she was moving pieces, but Tavros? She's getting reckless."
"Reckless, or bold," Aran replied, sinking into the chair across from her. "Either way, she's becoming a problem."
Ravenna's jaw clenched. "What do you plan to do?"
Aran ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. "For now, nothing. I don't have enough information yet. But I want eyes on her at all times. I need to know everything she's doing."
Ravenna nodded, but there was something in her expression that told Aran she had more to say.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I don't trust Serena, and I know you don't either," Ravenna said slowly. "But you need to be careful. If she senses that you're onto her, she'll turn on you even faster."
Aran smiled darkly. "I'm counting on it."
Ravenna looked at him, puzzled. "You want her to turn on you?"
"She already has," Aran said quietly. "I'm just waiting for her to make the first real move. Once she does, I'll have everything I need to deal with her."
Ravenna's gaze softened with understanding. "You're setting a trap."
"One that she won't see coming," Aran replied, his voice cold and calculated. "Serena thinks she's playing me, but I've been playing her from the start. When the time comes, she'll fall, and Tavros along with her."
Ravenna stood, her face set in a grim expression. "I'll make sure we're ready."
Aran nodded, watching her leave the room. He leaned back in his chair, his mind already weaving the next steps. Serena had made her play, but she had underestimated just how deep his control went. He had spies in every corner of the city, informants embedded in her circles. She was playing right into his hands.
And when the moment came, he would strike without hesitation.
In this world of shadows and deceit, Aran had no illusions about loyalty. There was no trust, only manipulation and control. Everyone, including Serena, was just another piece on the board. A piece he would gladly sacrifice to win.