Selindra let them speculate for a moment before she spoke again. "I don't know what Lucen is. But I know this, Varik doesn't move with anyone unless he trusts them. And Varik doesn't trust." She paused, letting the words sink in. "Not unless there's a reason."
The chairwoman studied her, expression unreadable. "And you want the Association to do what? Interfere?"
Selindra shook her head. "I'm not asking for interference. Yet. I'm asking for observation."
"Observation," the mustached man repeated, skeptical.
"Yes. Quiet surveillance. No direct moves. If we push too early, Varik will bury the trail. But if we watch, if we wait…" Her smile sharpened. "We'll know."
The pale councilman steepled his fingers tighter. "And if you're wrong?"
Selindra's voice was steady, certain. "I'm not."
The chamber fell into silence again. Each council member sat with their thoughts, weighing risk against curiosity, power against politics. Finally, the chairwoman leaned back in her seat.
