They passed through the lower levels with surgical precision, until one of Dren's scouts signaled.
A false wall.
Behind it, they found a study. And a chest. Locked, enchanted—but nothing his gloves couldn't bypass.
Inside: scrolls. Dozens of them. Some signed with false seals, others written in cipher. One in particular bore a symbol he recognized immediately.
A sunburst, marred by a crimson X.
He held up the scroll, whistled low. "This is it."
They were gone before the second patrol even passed the main road.
—
Dawn – Queen's Private Study
Valeris spread the scrolls across the desk, eyes scanning the cipher as Asher translated beside her. His mind was sharp, trained in techniques far older than this world's politics.
"It's a ledger," he said, pointing. "Assassins paid through four intermediaries. Money came from the southern vaults—House Caen's vaults. Look."
He tapped one name.
Valeris smiled slowly. "Lord Caedan. Arrogant snake didn't even bother to clean the trail."
