The meeting with Lord Dervain was arranged for the following day. Juhtmed requested it under the pretense of discussing the region's stability, to justify a private audience without raising suspicion.
When Juhtmed entered the lord's study, he found Dervain seated behind a massive oak desk, his fingers steepled in thought. The room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn against the morning sun. Shelves lined the walls, filled with tomes and scrolls that spoke of a long and storied lineage.
"Your Highness," Dervain said, rising to his feet. "To what do I owe this honor?"
Juhtmed inclined his head in greeting. "Lord Dervain, I wanted to speak with you. The matters we discussed over the last day iv'e been stuck in my mind."
Dervain gestured for Juhtmed to come closer. "Please, speak freely."
Juhtmed wheel closer, his posture composed. "Your estate seem prosperous, yet you've fortified your estate and increased heavenly your guard with mercenaries, you say it's was due to bandit activity, but i don't think mere bandit would pose such a threat to you."
Dervain's expression didn't falter, but his fingers twitched ever so slightly. "Its because you haven't been dealing with them, Your Highness. I think ts the reason of your ignorance."
"Indeed," Juhtmed said evenly. "But your caution seem hiding other intentions. Tell me, my lord, are you really protecting your estate..or someone within it?"
Dervain's eyes flickered, a brief crack in his calm facade. "Your Highness, I assure you, my only concern is the safety of my people."
"Then you won't mind explaining that there is a shipments coming through a southern port knowing that there is unknown to be one on your estate," Juhtmed said, his voice sharp. "Unmarked crates, heavily guarded. What are you bringing into my lands lord?"
Dervain paled, his grip tightening on the edge of the desk. "I… I don't know what you mean."
Juhtmed wheel forward, his crimson eyes piercing. "Don't insult me, Lord Dervain. Im not a fool. If you're hiding something, its the best time to clean the misunderstanding. Otherwise, I'll be forced to take action."
The lord's composure crumbled. He sank back into his chair, his face lined with weariness. "It's not what you think," he said quietly. "I didn't want any part of this, but I had no choice."
Juhtmed's gaze remained steady. "Explain yourself."
Dervain hesitated, his hands trembling. "The shipments… they're not mine. They're Rovan's my son. He's been using an abandoned city to bring in weapons and supplies. He threatened our family, Your Highness. If I didn't turn a blind eye, he said he'd—"
He broke off, his voice choked with emotion.
Juhtmed's expression didn't softened at hes word. "And you believed him?"
Dervain nodded. "He's not the boy I raised. He's… different. And he has someone who's been backing him someone that even i could't face. I couldn't risk it."
Juhtmed wheel to him, his tone firm. "Your silence has allowed a conspiracy to grow. But it's not too late to make things right. Tell me everything you know about Rovan's plans and his backers."
Dervain swallowed hard, his eyes filled with desperation. "I'll tell you what I can. But please, Your Highness, protect my family. I can't lose them."
"Seing you begging me, the Dervain have really fall this hard," Juhtmed said. "But you have my word i will do what i can for your family."
By the time Juhtmed returned to his quarters, the sun was high in the sky. They were waiting for him.
"Your highness we ensure the security of Ronin" Lian said.
"Good, now i will tell you what i know" Juhtmed said. "Rovan's been stockpiling weapons and supplies at this small town building up an army and threaten his own father that he will kill his brother so Dervain has just turned a blind eye to his actions, and for the port the river is directly linked to the sea."
Lian's jaw tightened. "And the one who been helping him?"
"Dervain doesn't know his identities," Juhtmed said. "But he's terrified he tought it was someone from my family its why he didn't say anything when we came. Whoever they are, they've convinced Rovan that he can overthrow the Empire."
Kaitsja let out a low whistle. "Ambitious."
Juhtmed respond. "Or just a fool."
A unexpectedly turn of event when Lord Dervain arrived at Juhtmed's chambers early the next morning. His face bore the exhaustion of a sleepless night, but his expression carried a resolute determination. Juhtmed, surprised by the visit. "I wasn't expecting to see you."
Dervain bowed his head slightly, his voice steady despite the visible tension in his frame. "Your Highness, after our conversation, I realized the extent of my failure and how shame im bringing to my family. I cannot undo the mistakes I've made, but I refuse to let my son's betrayal bring further ruin to our lands." Juhtmed studied him carefully. "What the purpose of saying me this?"
"I have a man—a loyal one who has served my family for years. His name is Kaldor. If anyone can provide insight into Rovan's operations or help dismantle them, it's him. He's been gathering information for me, in case… in case Rovan's actions grew beyond my ability to contain them." Dervain stepped closer, his hands trembling slightly as he placed a sealed letter on Juhtmed's desk. "Kaldor knows the southern port like the back of his hand. He's been monitoring the shipments for a long time. I've instructed him to assist you in any way necessary."
Juhtmed exchanged a look with Lian and Kaitsja before nodding. "If Kaldor is as capable as you say, he may be the ally we need. I appreciate this gesture, Lord Dervain. It shows you're willing to act for the good and do better." Dervain's shoulders sagged slightly in relief. "Thank you, Your Highness. I only ask one thing—if you succeed in stopping Rovan and bring him to justice, please ensure my family's honor isn't completely destroyed." Juhtmed nodded. "I'll do everything i can to protect your family. But your better prepare yourself for the worst."
Later in the day, Kaldor arrived at Juhtmed's quarters. The man was tall with a beanie gray over his scruffy yellow hair and had sharp yellow eyes he was wearing a light armor and he carried himself with the confidence. "Your Highness," Kaldor said, bowing low. "Lord Dervain has briefed me on the situation. I'm here to help." Juhtmed gestured for him to rise. "He told me that you have information about the shipments coming through the southern port."
"I do," Kaldor confirmed. "Rovan's men have been moving crates of weapons and supplies for months now. They're using an abandoned warehouse from the city by the docks as their main staging ground. I've been able to identify most of them—many of them are seasoned fighters, but they're not organized its seem Rovan choose to let the mercenaries control the estate and let the shipment securiy to some bandits. It's a weak point we can exploit."
Kaitsja grinned. "Sounds like you've done your homework."
"I take my duties seriously." Kaldor said has a response. Juhtmed wheel forward, his tone measured. "What's your assessment of the port? And how much secure is it?"
"The port itself is tiny just enough for Rovan to lead his operation," Kaldor explained. "With the right approach, we could infiltrate the next warehouse without alerting the rest of the port."
"We can find the provenance of these weapons by the blacksmith's seal and with that who is behind. The next shipment is scheduled to depart tonight," Kaldor said.
"If we move quickly, we can catch one of these and know who's his founding rovan." Juhtmed's mind raced as he absorbed the information. "Then we have no time to lose. Kaldor, you'll lead us there. Kaitsja, you'll handle the diversion with Kaldor. Lian and I will secure the shipment."
"Not to be offending your highness but there you can do and in your current state." Kaldor said as he looking at him on his wheelchair.
"There nothing you can do like that kid." kaitsja said.
Juthmed smiles slightly. "I forgot about this little details," as he stand up from his wheelchair "It was all just an act but i guess the situation don't require it anymore."
"What you were never injured or sick, you've been acting all this time." as he look at lian "did you know that he was acting." his face stunned.
Lian respond with a bit of arrogance. "Of couse i would know im his servant after all."
"She's been know not to long ago, i only did it to look weak." Juhtmed said.
Kaldor who was quiet talk, "Knowing the rumors around your highness i didn't think you were able to think about doing such a thing."
Lian at his word step in front of him "Watch your talk in front of his highness."
Kaitsja trying to lighten the mood, "Well there no reason to divide ourselves when we all ally didn't."
"Kaitsja is right, beside im not affected by these rumors." he said "and they dont really concern me." he had to himself.
"Im sorry i did go a bit to far with my words i understand her feeling i would had have acting the same if it was Lord Dervain." Kaldor said.
"No need to apologies, its not a big deal."
As night fell, the group moved covered in dark tunic toward the southern port. Kaldor led the way, his familiarity with the area allowing them to avoid patrols and being unnoticed. When they arrived near the abandoned warehouse, he gestured for them to halt.
"That's the staging ground," Kaldor whispered, pointing toward a dimly lit building surrounded by armed guards. "There are three entrances: the main door, a side entrance, and a hidden passage that leads to the river." Juhtmed studied the layout carefully. "Kaitsja, create a distraction near the main door. Draw their attention away as you can with kaldor. Lian and I will enter through the side entrance and try to find the provenance of the crates and shipment."
Kaitsja grinned. "Consider it done, come with me i had an idea."
The plan unfolded like clockwork. Kaitsja's diversion was to start a well-placed fire not too far from the main entrance and lure guards toward the fire so Juhtmed and Lian can slipped through the side entrance. Inside, the warehouse was filled with crates stamped with unfamiliar symbols, their contents guarded by a handful of bandits.
Juhtmed signaled to Lian, who moved with precision, dispatching one of the guards with a swift strike. The remaining bandits turned toward the sound, giving Juhtmed the opening he needed to engage. Though he never kill someone, he was conflicted.
"I can do it its kill or be killed." Within moments, he take his dague and gouged him behind his back. The adrenaline coursing through him. "I killed someo—" cut in his thought.
"Iv'e secured the crates," Lian said. Lian moved to inspect them, prying it open with her dague. Inside were rows of weapons blades, crossbows. She looked up, her expression grim. "This isn't just a small operation. Rovan's preparing for a full-scale conflict." Before Juhtmed could respond, Kaldor entered through the main door. "The diversion worked, it let me enter."
"Good work," Juhtmed said. "I guessed kaitsja is having his own fun."
Juhtmed take a look at the weapons inside and take a crossbow, "So where did we find this seal."
Kaldor step closer and look at the crossbow, "the weapon make all have a seal or a signature print on them, its usually easy to see it."
"I see so did you find it who' is behind it?" Juhtmed ask.
"Well i don't see i—."
"What's wrong you suddenly stop, did you find who's behind it?"
"I didn't expect this the seal or signature are different to anything iv'e seen."