Chapter 13: Recruitment of the Shadow
I. The Desperate Need for Eyes
Evan sat in his study, the Royal Edict demanding Kaelen's arrest burning a hole in his chest. Theron's counter-strike was flawless. William, his shield of strength, was loyal but useless for a stealth mission against the capital's spy networks.
Evan needed an ally who could see without being seen, and gather information without being detected—the antithesis of William. He needed a Master of Intelligence to combat Theron's Whisper Spies.
He thought of the city's underbelly, the organized crime and information brokers. There was one name whispered in the dark corners of the capital's political sphere: Lysandra, known only as The Shadow—a woman who controlled the flow of secrets and could bypass any lock or guard.
II. The Bargain in the Black Market
Evan left the palace under cover of a heavily veiled cloak, using the rudimentary stealth Kaelen had taught him. He located Lysandra's rumored office, a non-descript tea house in the lower mercantile district, known for selling legitimate goods but illicit information.
Lysandra was a figure of quiet, unnerving competence. She was dressed plainly, yet her eyes held the sharpness of a hawk. She showed no surprise at the arrival of the Third Prince.
Lysandra: "A Royal Prince in my shop. You are either desperate or exceptionally foolish. What price for the secret you seek?"
Evan bypassed all pretense, using his Oratorical Command to establish the terms immediately.
Evan: "I do not seek a secret, Lysandra. I seek a permanent alliance. Prince Theron is hunting a man vital to the stability of the Crown. I require a master of shadows who can find this man and then ensure that the King's true interests are never again blindsided by my brother's spies."
Lysandra: "My price is not coin. I am tired of living in the shadows. I want legitimacy and immunity for my network. You offer me power, Prince, but you are the weaker player."
III. The Promise of the Throne
Evan leaned forward, his voice dropping to a decisive whisper that held the chilling conviction of the man who killed Minister Garrick.
Evan: "The weaker player is the one who accepts the rules of the game. I change them. You are correct; I cannot offer you power yet. But I can offer you the absolute authority of the Third Prince's Royal Guard Captaincy—a rank untouchable by the Queen, the First Prince, or even Theron."
Lysandra's cool composure finally fractured. The position Evan offered was unthinkable for someone of her background—a guard whose loyalty was protected by the King himself.
Evan: "William is my shield of strength. You will be my shield of truth. Your duty will be to manage my intelligence, neutralize threats to the Crown, and ensure our chain of command is never broken. If you accept, your network is safe. If you refuse, Theron's spies will dismantle you next, because you will be the only one who knows I was here."
The calculated pressure—the offer of ultimate legitimacy paired with a subtle, existential threat—was pure Strategic Acumen.
Lysandra met his gaze. The bargain was struck.
Lysandra: "My Master of Influence. You have my allegiance. My price is set. Tell me the target. We must move before the shadows of the palace overtake us."
IV. The Strategic Trio is Complete
Evan had successfully recruited his essential trio:
Kaelen (The Master): The source of his Martial Discipline and Stand.
William (The Shield): The source of his Strength and Unwavering Loyalty.
Lysandra (The Shadow): The source of his Intelligence and Stealth.
Evan immediately gave Lysandra the location of Kaelen's sealed Foothills estate. Their mission was clear: reach Kaelen, ensure his permanent safety, and dismantle the web of spies Theron had woven around the search. The race against the Second Prince had begun in earnest, and this time, it was a battle fought in the deep, dangerous language of secrets.