The report came at dawn, carried by one of Ethan's Shadow Guard operatives with the particular urgency of someone who'd run rather than ridden the last stretch to the palace.
"Movement at the old Council safehouse near the tannery district," she said, still catching her breath as Ethan led her into the war room where the rest of us had gathered before sunrise, unable to sleep through the tense uncertainty of the night. "Abandoned since the Council's collapse, watched only intermittently since then. Two hours ago, lamplight. First activity there in over a year."
"Confirmed sighting?" Darius asked.
"A single figure, matching general build and coloring to Aeric's description. Entered alone, hasn't emerged since. My partner remained to continue watching while I reported back."
