Arden returned to the inn where the rest of his party lounged around the table, half-asleep after the day's travel and chatter.
Nyra perked up the moment she saw his face, catching the sharpness in his eyes.
"You found something."
Arden dropped into the seat beside her and poured himself water. He took a sip, slow, then said, "Yeah. More than I wanted to."
Rael leaned forward, elbows on the table. "Don't keep us guessing then. What did you learn?"
Arden glanced around the room before answering, voice kept low. "The creed isn't just sniffing around. They've already set roots in Greyhold. They're moving in waves, smuggling in members, spreading them across the town. Sabotage, and putting pressure on the merchants, slowly bleeding this place out."
Silence fell for a moment. Zephyra let out a low growl, the heat around her rising.
Nyra's jaw clenched. "If that's true, they're not just raiding supply routes. They want the town itself."
