The journey back to Ravengate felt longer than the trip out, partly because we kept looking over our shoulders for signs of pursuit. The Crimson Labyrinth's entrance had been ominously quiet when we'd finally emerged, no sounds of collapse, no Blackwood or Marcus stumbling out behind us.
Either they were dead, trapped, or had found another way out.
I hoped for the first two options but prepared for the third.
Kira had been unusually quiet during our trek back, processing what had happened in the crystal chamber. I could feel her watching me, calculating. She'd figured out I wasn't just another desperate D-rank looking for quick coin.
"You knew," she said finally as we crested the hill overlooking Ravengate. "About Blackwood. About what he was planning. That's why you were so well-prepared."
I kept walking, not confirming or denying. "I had suspicions."
"Suspicions." Her voice was flat. "You had a journal where you were writing down everything he said and did. You spotted traps that a professional couldn't see. You fought like someone who expected trouble." She stopped walking. "Who are you really working for?"
I turned to face her, weighing my options. Kira had earned some honesty, but revealing my Guild connections could put both of us in danger.
"I'm working for someone who wants Blackwood stopped," I said finally. "Someone who suspected what he was doing but needed proof."
"The Guild."
"I didn't say that."
Kira studied my face for a long moment. "You don't trust me."
"I don't trust anyone right now," I replied. "And neither should you. Blackwood had resources, connections. If he survived, he'll come after anyone who can threaten him."
She nodded slowly, accepting the partial truth. "Fair enough. But Jin? Next time something like this happens, give me the choice. I don't like walking into traps blind."
"I'll remember that."
We resumed walking, but I could feel Kira watching me with newfound suspicion. She'd figured out I wasn't just another expedition member, but I wasn't ready to reveal the full extent of my Guild connections. Not yet.
The afternoon sun was casting long shadows by the time we reached Ravengate's East Gate. The guards waved us through with barely a glance—two more adventurers returning from a dungeon expedition, looking tired and worse for wear. Nothing unusual there.
"Where do we go from here?" Kira asked as we paused just inside the city walls.
"I need to report what happened," I said carefully. "You should probably make yourself scarce for a few days. If Blackwood survives and makes it back to the city..."
"He'll come after both of us," Kira finished. "Especially you, since you were obviously more than just another D-rank tagging along."
I didn't confirm or deny it. "Just... be careful. And if you hear anything unusual, let me know."
Kira nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I'll be at the Arena district if you need to find me. But Jin?" She gripped her hammer handle. "Whatever you're really involved in, I hope you know what you're doing."
We parted ways at the main square, Kira heading toward her district and me toward... well, I wasn't sure yet. I needed to contact Reyne, but first I wanted to gather information about what was happening in the city.
That's when a familiar raspy voice called out from the shadows beside a bakery.
"Jin Harker. Back from the dead again, I see."
I turned to find Morrigan leaning against the wall, her collection of pendants and charms glinting in the late afternoon light. She looked exactly the same as always; ancient, observant, and knowing far more than she should.
"Morrigan," I said cautiously. "You seem to have a talent for being in the right place at the right time."
"Information is my business, boy. And speaking of information..." She pushed off from the wall, moving closer. "I have some you might find interesting. About a certain expedition leader who returned to the city three hours ago, spinning quite the tale about heroic sacrifices and tragic losses."
My blood went cold. "Blackwood's alive?"
"Very much so. And already making the rounds, telling anyone who'll listen about how he barely escaped with his life after losing his entire party to dungeon monsters." Her rheumy eyes glittered. "Curious thing, though. His story doesn't quite match what my other sources observed."
"What other sources?"
Morrigan cackled. "Seems two people came out of the Crimson Labyrinth about an hour before a certain expedition leader emerged alone and wounded."
She knew. Somehow, she knew exactly what had happened.
"That's... interesting information," I said carefully.
"Indeed it is. And information this valuable doesn't come free." She held out a gnarled hand. "I'm thinking we could arrange a regular business relationship. I keep you informed about your friend Blackwood's activities, and you compensate me appropriately."
I thought about the crystal dust Blackwood had given me as a bonus. At the time, I'd been wary of experimenting with Crimson Labyrinth products. But maybe it had value to someone who understood such things better than I did.
"What kind of compensation were you thinking?" I asked.
"Depends what you have to offer. Coin is always welcome, but..." She leaned closer, studying me with uncomfortable intensity. "Someone who's been as deep in the Labyrinth as you have might possess more interesting currencies."
I pulled out the small pouch of crystal dust, holding it carefully. "Would this be of interest?"
Morrigan's entire demeanor changed. Her eyes fixed on the pouch with an intensity that made me take a step back.
"Crimson crystal dust," she breathed. "Pure, unprocessed. Do you have any idea how rare this is? How valuable?"
"I'm beginning to get an idea," I replied, pulling the pouch back slightly. "Is it enough to buy regular updates on Blackwood's activities?"
"For dust of this quality? I'll give you a month of comprehensive surveillance. His movements, his contacts, his business dealings." She paused. "And a bonus piece of information to start our partnership."
"What kind of bonus?"
"The kind that explains how Thorne Blackwood has survived so many expedition disasters when everyone around him dies." Morrigan's smile revealed those gap-filled teeth. "Let's just say he's been carrying insurance policies that most adventurers can't afford."
I handed over the crystal dust, watching as she tucked it away with reverent care. "What kind of insurance?"
"The expensive kind. Resurrection stones, escape talismans, healing artifacts that can bring someone back from the edge of death." She leaned closer. "Your friend Blackwood may be many things, but unprepared isn't one of them. He's been planning for disasters because he's been causing them."
That explained so much. How he always survived when others died. How he could take such calculated risks.
"One month of surveillance," I confirmed. "How do we stay in contact?"
"Leave a white cloth in your window when you need information. I'll find you within a day." Morrigan melted back into the shadows with that unnerving grace of hers. "Oh, and Jin? Your friend isn't the only one in this city with expensive insurance policies. Do try to stay alive long enough to be a good customer."
I was still processing that cryptic warning when I realized I needed to get moving. Reyne would want a full debrief, and the longer I delayed, the more time Blackwood had to solidify his cover story.