Chapter 20: Contemplation and Consultation
Elad of Telius Arc 2
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Elad walked until the noble district’s polished stone gave way to the quieter civic parks that bordered the river. The afternoon light filtered through rows of evenly spaced trees, their branches trimmed to maintain the city’s preferred symmetry. Benches lined the gravel paths at regular intervals. The park was designed for contemplation, not leisure, and its order suited him.
He selected a bench with a clear view of the water and sat with his hands resting on his knees. The city’s rhythm continued around him, steady and predictable. He let his breathing settle and allowed his thoughts to align with the same measured cadence.
The ledger.
The retired seal.
The bulk reagent order.
The impossible delivery date.
He considered the most straightforward explanation first. A member of House Valcorin, perhaps a younger son or a distant cousin, might have attempted to emulate the accomplishments of his ancestors and failed. Ambition without discipline could lead to shortcuts. Shortcuts could lead to illegal trade. A single bad actor within a respected house was not unheard of. It was the simplest theorem, and simplicity often held truth.
But the second possibility loomed the edges of his reasoning. S’Gumbbu. Master of Illusions. Master of the Undead. A creature capable of infiltrating structures far more fortified than a noble estate. If S’Gumbbu had found a way into House Valcorin, the implications were severe. Illusion could mask identity. A retired seal could be acquired, replicated, or simply stolen. The house would not know it had been breached until the damage was done.
The third possibility was the most dangerous. A convergence of the two. A compromised member of House Valcorin, already vulnerable through ambition or failure, could be manipulated by S’Gumbbu. A willing or unwitting accomplice. That combination would place the entire household at risk. It would also threaten the stability the house provided to Aurethium.
Elad closed his eyes briefly. As a follower of Themis, he was bound to uphold order and prevent harm. He could not ignore the possibility of danger to the house, even if he had promised not to spread the investigation further. He had no weapons within the city limits. He had no authority to intervene directly. But he could not remain idle.
All that stood in the way of action was himself. Was he imagining S’Gumbbu’s involvement because of his own conflict with the necromancer?
He opened his eyes after time and watched the river move in its controlled channel. The city had shaped the water to its needs, not through force, but through structure. He needed to do the same.
Pruitt. The perfect filter.
The constable had already vouched for him. He understood the city’s security. He could act quietly, without creating a public record, if he so desired. He could protect the house without exposing it publicly.
He could also object if the assumptions were too wild, too personal.
The magistrate was not an option. A magistrate would be obligated to file reports, open inquiries, and involve clerks. That would widen the circle of knowledge and risk alerting the wrong people. Pruitt was the smallest effective circle.
Elad rose from the bench and followed the path out of the park.
He found Pruitt near the constabulary office, speaking with two patrol officers. The constable noticed him immediately and excused himself from the conversation.
“Investigator,” Pruitt said. “You look like a man who has found something.”
“I have found enough to be concerned,” Elad replied, “I need to speak with you privately.”
Pruitt gestured toward a side alley that led to a quiet courtyard behind the office. They walked there without speaking. When they reached the courtyard, Pruitt folded his arms and waited.
“Tell me what you have,” he said.
Elad recounted the events at House Valcorin. The retired seal. The irregular cargo. The internal audit. The steward’s controlled response. He spoke plainly, without speculation, until he reached the point where the facts ended and the theorems began.
“There are three likely possibilities,” Elad said, “The first is a single member of the house acting outside the law. The second is infiltration by S’Gumbbu. The third is a combination of the two.”
Pruitt’s expression did not change, but his posture shifted slightly, the way a man adjusts his stance when the ground beneath him becomes uncertain.
“You believe the house is in danger,” Pruitt said.
“I believe it is at risk,” Elad replied, “And I believe they are not prepared for it.”
Pruitt considered this. “You promised not to spread the investigation.”
“I did,” Elad said, “But I also follow Themis. I cannot allow harm to come to the house if I can prevent it. I cannot act directly. I cannot carry weapons. But you can increase patrols. You can place watchers near the estate. You can do so without creating a record.”
Pruitt nodded slowly, “You want quiet protection.”
“Yes.”
The constable rubbed his chin, “House Valcorin is respected. They do much for the city.”
Elad waited.
“I can assign officers to the perimeter,” Pruitt said. “I can increase patrol frequency in the district. I can place two watchers near the administrative wing. None of it will appear unusual. The noble district always receives extra attention during trade season. I can use that as justification.”
“That will be sufficient,” Elad said.
Pruitt looked at him with a steady, measured gaze, “You are not telling me everything.”
“I am telling you everything I can,” Elad replied.
Pruitt accepted this with a small nod. “Very well. I will begin the adjustments tonight. You will not see the watchers, but they will be there.”
“Thank you,” Elad said.
Pruitt stepped closer. “If this S’Gumbbu is involved, you need to be careful. Illusion is difficult to counter. Undead are worse.”
“I know,” Elad said.
“And you have no weapons.”
“I know that as well.”
Pruitt exhaled through his nose. “Then stay predictable. Stay visible. If something moves against you, I want my people to see it.”
Elad inclined his head. “I will.”
Pruitt extended his hand. Elad took it. The gesture was brief, firm, and professional.
“Go on,” Pruitt said. “I will handle the rest.”
Elad left the courtyard and returned to the avenue. The city’s rhythm continued around him, steady and controlled. He walked with the same measured pace as before, but the weight of the day settled on him like a quiet pressure.
House Valcorin was now under protection. The investigation remained contained. The next move belonged to the city, or to whatever threatened it.
Elad kept walking.
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