Aldric first became aware of the problem when one of his clients failed to show up for a scheduled meeting. The client, a minor merchant named Tobin, had hired Aldric to determine if a shipment of goods he'd purchased was genuine or counterfeit. It was a straightforward job, and Aldric had been looking forward to the easy money.
But Tobin never arrived. Aldric waited at the appointed location for an hour, then sent a message to Tobin's office. The response came back quickly: Tobin had decided to hire someone else.
That was odd. Aldric had built a reputation for reliability and discretion. Clients didn't usually cancel at the last minute without explanation.
He made some inquiries and learned that Tobin had hired another mage, a man named Lucius Crane. Aldric didn't know the name, but he made it his business to find out.
Lucius Crane was a Tier 2 Adept of the Path of the Living Word—the Pathway that dealt with command, persuasion, and sonic power. He was in his late twenties, well-connected, and ambitious. He'd been operating in the capital for several years, offering services similar to Aldric's but at a higher price point.
And apparently, he didn't appreciate the competition.
Aldric learned this when he received a visit from one of Lucius's associates, a thuggish man who delivered a message with barely concealed hostility.
"Lucius Crane wants you to know that you're operating in his territory," the man said. "He's been providing magical services to the merchant community for years, and he doesn't appreciate some upstart Initiate stealing his clients. He suggests you find a different line of work. If you don't, there will be consequences."
Aldric kept his expression neutral, even as anger flared inside him. "I'm a registered mage, operating within the law. I have as much right to offer my services as anyone else."
The man sneered. "The law doesn't matter if you're dead. Take the warning, kid. Lucius isn't someone you want as an enemy."
He left, and Aldric stood alone in his apartment, his mind racing. This was a problem. Lucius was more powerful than him, better connected, and clearly willing to use intimidation to protect his business. If Aldric backed down, he'd lose his income and his reputation. But if he fought back, he risked a confrontation he couldn't win.
He needed advice.
He went to see Selene that evening. She listened to his story with a thoughtful expression.
"Lucius Crane," she said. "I know him. He's a bully and a coward, but he's also well-connected. He has friends in the Consortium and among the merchant guilds. If you challenge him directly, he'll crush you."
"So what do I do?" Aldric asked. "Just give up?"
"No," Selene said. "You outmaneuver him. Lucius is powerful, but he's also arrogant. He thinks he's untouchable because he's Tier 2 and you're Tier 1. Use that arrogance against him. Find something he's hiding, some secret or scandal, and use it as leverage. Make him understand that attacking you will cost him more than tolerating you."
Aldric considered this. It was risky, but it was also the kind of strategy he was good at. "How do I find his secrets?"
Selene smiled. "You're a mage of the Veiled Mind. You can read thoughts and uncover hidden truths. Use your abilities. Follow him, observe him, learn everything you can about him. And when you find something damaging, let him know you have it. That should be enough to make him back off."
It was a good plan. Dangerous, but good.
Over the next week, Aldric devoted himself to learning everything he could about Lucius Crane. He followed him through the city, observing his routines, his meetings, his habits. He used his abilities to read the thoughts of Lucius's associates, gathering fragments of information.
And slowly, a picture emerged.
Lucius was corrupt. He used his powers to coerce clients into paying inflated prices. He blackmailed people who refused to hire him. And most damningly, he was involved in a scheme to defraud the Consortium, selling counterfeit Luminous Crystals and pocketing the difference.
It was exactly the kind of leverage Aldric needed.
He arranged a meeting with Lucius, sending a message through one of Lucius's associates. They met in a private room at an upscale tavern, just the two of them.
Lucius was a handsome man with blonde hair and cold blue eyes. He looked at Aldric with barely concealed contempt.
"So," Lucius said. "The little Initiate wants to talk. I assume you're here to apologize and promise to stay out of my way?"
"No," Aldric said calmly. "I'm here to make you an offer. You leave me alone, and I leave you alone. We both continue our businesses without interfering with each other. Simple."
Lucius laughed. "You think you're in a position to negotiate? I'm Tier 2. I could crush you without breaking a sweat. Why would I agree to anything you propose?"
Aldric reached into his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He placed it on the table between them. "Because if you don't, I'll give this to the Consortium. It's a detailed account of your involvement in the counterfeit crystal scheme, including names, dates, and amounts. I have witnesses who will testify, and I have evidence that will hold up in a Consortium tribunal. If I submit this, you'll be arrested, tried, and executed. Your choice."
Lucius's expression darkened. He snatched up the paper and read it, his face going pale. "How did you... you've been spying on me."
"I've been doing my job," Aldric said. "Just like you do yours. The difference is, I don't threaten people who compete with me. I just outwork them."
Lucius stared at him for a long moment, his jaw clenched. Then he crumpled the paper and threw it on the floor. "Fine. You want to play in the big leagues? Fine. But don't think this is over. One day, you'll make a mistake, and when you do, I'll be there to capitalize on it."
"I look forward to it," Aldric said.
He left the tavern with a sense of satisfaction. He'd faced down a more powerful opponent and won, not through strength but through intelligence and preparation. It was a valuable lesson, and one he wouldn't forget.
But he also knew that Lucius was right. This wasn't over. He'd made an enemy, and enemies had a way of coming back to haunt you.
Still, for now, he'd won. And that was enough.