Returning to the journal, Aldric found Viktor's final entries focused on immediate practical concerns.
The visitors who have been inquiring about our family's affairs represent different factional interests, each with their own agenda regarding the knowledge and resources I have accumulated.
Dr. Helena Voss from Convergence Dynamics seeks access to our Chain materials for her industrial research programs. She offers partnership and protection, but her true goal is weaponizing supernatural forces for corporate advantage.
Brother Marcus Kelm represents Cathedral Church interests in maintaining control over "acceptable" supernatural practice. He will attempt to recruit you into their hierarchy while suppressing any abilities they cannot directly manage.
Lady Catherine Silk serves House Goldwright's efforts to identify and catalog emerging Chain practitioners. Her bloodline heritage makes her personally dangerous but also potentially valuable as an ally if approached correctly.
The man calling himself Davies operates as a front for Underground Syndicate interests. He offers access to forbidden knowledge and materials, but at prices that typically involve permanent obligation to criminal networks.
Each of these individuals will approach you with offers that sound advantageous but are designed to bring you under their factional control. The challenge you face is extracting maximum benefit from their resources while avoiding permanent entanglement in their agendas.
Aldric smiled as he read Viktor's assessments. His father had provided detailed intelligence about each faction's approach, their strengths and weaknesses, and the psychological pressure points that could be exploited during negotiations. It was exactly the kind of comprehensive briefing Chen Haoran would have compiled before attempting to manipulate multiple targets simultaneously.
The journal ended with practical information. Locations of hidden resource caches, contact protocols for trusted associates, and detailed instructions for accessing the most dangerous materials and knowledge Viktor had accumulated.
The golden interface flickered one more time.
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE]
[SITUATION ASSESSMENT: COMPLEX BUT MANAGEABLE]
[PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS: DEPENDENT ON STRATEGIC CHOICES]
[RECOMMENDATION: TRUST NO ONE COMPLETELY]
[RECOMMENDATION: VERIFY ALL INFORMATION INDEPENDENTLY]
[RECOMMENDATION: PREPARE FOR BETRAYAL FROM ANY DIRECTION]
[FINAL WARNING: THE CONVERGENCE IS CLOSER THAN ANYONE REALIZES]
Aldric smiled as he read the warnings.
....
The morning sun cast long shadows through the windows of Viktor's antiquarian shop, illuminating dust motes that danced above displays of supposedly historical artifacts.
Most were genuine pieces from various periods—medieval manuscripts, Renaissance scientific instruments and Victorian curiosities—but Aldric's professional eye immediately identified the subtle signs that indicated their real purpose.
These weren't just collectibles; they were a carefully curated facade designed to provide plausible cover for activities that couldn't bear public scrutiny.
Aldric positioned himself behind the counter, using the familiar routine of cataloging inventory to think through the intelligence Viktor's journal had provided. Four different visitors, each representing a different faction with their own agenda regarding his family's supernatural heritage. Each one would need to be handled with surgical precision.
The key is to give each of them exactly what they expect to see while maintaining complete control over what they actually learn.
The bell above the shop's entrance chimed, and Aldric looked up to see a woman in her early forties entering with the confident stride of someone accustomed to having her presence acknowledged immediately.
Dr. Helena Voss moved through the cluttered space with the focused attention of a researcher, but her eyes held the calculating gleam that he recognized in professional predators.
She was attractive in the particular way that suggested both natural gifts and significant investment in their maintenance—auburn hair styled with expensive precision, clothing that managed to appear both academically serious and fashionably current and jewelry that was understated but clearly costly. But it was her bearing that revealed her true nature. The controlled confidence of someone who wielded institutional power and had grown comfortable with the advantages it provided.
"Mr. Ashmore," she said, approaching the counter with a smile that was warm enough to seem genuine while remaining professional enough to avoid any suggestion of impropriety. "I'm Dr. Helena Voss from Convergence Dynamics. I wrote to your father several times regarding potential collaboration on his research projects."
Aldric arranged his expression into the combination of grief and uncertainty that would appeal to her protective instincts while suggesting he might be susceptible to guidance from an older, more experienced professional. "Dr. Voss. Yes, I remember Father mentioning your correspondence. I'm afraid I haven't had the opportunity to review his papers thoroughly since..." He let the sentence trail off, allowing her to fill the emotional gap.
"Of course, of course. Please accept my condolences on your loss. Viktor was a remarkable scholar, and his work represented some of the most innovative thinking I've encountered in years." She paused, studying his face with the intensity of someone accustomed to reading people for professional advantage. "I imagine the transition has been difficult, particularly given the complexity of his research interests."
First probe, Aldric noted. She was testing whether he understood the true nature of Viktor's work or remained ignorant of its supernatural elements. His response would determine whether she approached him as a potential partner or a naive inheritor who could be easily manipulated.
"Father was... thorough in his interests," Aldric replied carefully. "Historical research, theological studies and some work with natural philosophy that went over my head. I'm still trying to understand the scope of what he was investigating."
Perfect. He had acknowledged some awareness of complexity while positioning himself as someone who needed guidance to understand its full implications.
Dr. Voss's expression shifted subtly, revealing satisfaction that suggested he had given exactly the response she had hoped for.
"Your father's work represented a fascinating intersection between historical research and practical applications," she said, moving closer to the counter in a way that created a sense of shared conspiracy. "At Convergence Dynamics, we specialize in identifying historical techniques and principles that might have modern industrial applications. Some of the materials Viktor was researching could potentially revolutionize manufacturing processes."
Industrial applications of supernatural forces, Aldric translated. She's offering access to corporate resources in exchange for Viktor's Chain research but presenting it in terms that sound like legitimate business development.
"That sounds like it could be quite valuable," he said, allowing a note of hope to enter his voice. "To be honest, Dr. Voss, Father's death has left us in a difficult financial position. If his research could generate some income..."
"Oh, absolutely. Viktor's work has tremendous commercial potential. With proper development and the right institutional support, his discoveries could provide substantial returns." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "I'd be very interested in discussing a partnership arrangement. Convergence Dynamics could provide funding for continued research while ensuring that any practical applications receive appropriate development and marketing."
The offer was skillfully presented. She was positioning herself as the solution to his immediate financial problems while making it seem like she was doing him a favor by providing access to corporate resources. But his experience with predatory business practices allowed him to see the trap hidden beneath the attractive terms.
She wants exclusive access to Viktor's materials and research, probably through some arrangement that gives me a small percentage while transferring ownership of everything valuable to her company.
Classic corporate acquisition disguised as a partnership.
"That's very generous," Aldric replied. "I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure what Father's research materials are worth, or even what exactly he was working on. Would you be willing to help me understand the scope of what he left behind?"
Dr. Voss's smile became more genuine. He was playing exactly the role she needed him to play. "Of course. I'd be happy to review his materials and help you assess their potential value. Perhaps we could arrange a time for me to examine his research collection?"
Before Aldric could respond, the shop bell chimed again, and a second visitor entered. Brother Marcus Kelm moved with the measured pace of someone accustomed to formal ceremonies and ritual precision. His clerical robes were well-tailored but deliberately modest, and his bearing suggested the particular combination of moral authority and political awareness that came with high position in religious hierarchy.
Dr. Voss straightened slightly, her expression becoming more guarded as she recognized a potential competitor for access to Aldric's resources.
"Mr. Ashmore," Brother Kelm said, his voice carrying the resonant quality that came from years of public speaking. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I wanted to offer my personal condolences on your father's passing and to discuss some matters of mutual concern regarding his scholarly work."
Aldric felt the dynamic in the room shift as two predators recognized each other's presence. Dr. Voss represented corporate interests seeking to monetize supernatural forces, while Brother Kelm embodied religious authority that wanted to control access to cosmic power. Neither would want the other to gain exclusive influence over Viktor's inheritor.
"Brother Kelm," Aldric said, maintaining his pose of uncertain grief. "Thank you for coming. Dr. Voss was just explaining how Father's research might have commercial applications."
Brother Kelm's expression remained pleasant, but his eyes sharpened as he assessed this information. "Commercial applications. How interesting. I hope, Dr. Voss, that such applications would be pursued with appropriate consideration for their spiritual and moral implications."
"Naturally," Dr. Voss replied smoothly. "Convergence Dynamics maintains strict ethical oversight for all our research programs. We understand the importance of responsible development when dealing with... sensitive materials."
They both know exactly what Viktor was researching, Aldric realized. They're speaking in code because they're not sure how much I understand, but they're clearly familiar with the supernatural elements.
"I have to admit," Aldric said, "I'm still trying to understand what made Father's work so interesting to different organizations. He seemed to have correspondents from several different... fields of study."
Brother Kelm nodded gravely. "Your father was investigating areas where historical scholarship intersects with matters of spiritual significance. The Church has always been interested in ensuring that such research is conducted with appropriate theological guidance."
Just say you both want to control access to Chain knowledge to prevent unsanctioned supernatural development.
"The spiritual dimension is certainly important," Dr. Voss agreed, "but so is ensuring that valuable discoveries benefit society through practical application rather than remaining locked away in academic archives."
And that's her counter argument. Industrial development serves the greater good better than religious restriction.
Before the tension between his two visitors could escalate further, the shop bell announced a third arrival. Lady Catherine Silk entered with the elegance of someone born to wealth and social position, but Aldric immediately detected something more dangerous beneath her aristocratic facade.
She moved with subtle signs of physical training and her eyes scanned the room with tactical assessment.
Watcher bloodline. She's using supernatural perception right now, probably trying to assess everyone's capabilities and intentions.