Lord Strathmore was a man of details. Cold. Efficient. A calculating man.
And now, he was Aric's.
Not completely—not yet. But the tie had been made.
And Strathmore was already moving to prove himself.
Two nights following their clandestine meeting, Aric found an unmarked sheet of paper.
Placed in silence. No sign of who placed it there.
He read it by candlelight.
"Meet me at the old bathhouse. Midnight."
No name. No signature. But he knew.
Strathmore.
The bathhouse was an abandoned relic—a place of faded luxury, now claimed by dust and ruin.
Aric stepped inside, his boots echoing against the cracked marble.
Strathmore stood near the empty pools, hands clasped behind his back.
"You're early," Aric noted.
"I don't waste time." Strathmore turned. "And neither should you."
Without another word, he held out a sealed parchment.
Aric took it. Broke the wax.
And read.
Inside was a detailed list—names, affiliations, secrets.
Every noble who had whispered against him. Every merchant who questioned his rise. Every servant whose loyalty wavered.
Strathmore had delivered a full dossier on Aric's enemies.
Aric raised a brow. "Impressive."
Strathmore smirked. "You'll find me useful."
Aric scanned the list. Two names stood out.
Lord Edgar Verrin – A noble with old wealth. Quiet, but dangerous.
High Inquisitor Marcellus – A religious zealot who despised magic.
Aric exhaled slowly.
"These two are the greatest threats," Strathmore said, watching him. "Verrin has been bribing court officials in an effort to hinder your influence."
Aric's eyes narrowed. "And the Inquisitor?"
Strathmore's smile grew larger.
"He's already looking into you."
Aric folded the parchment, placing it inside his coat.
Then he faced Strathmore.
"And what do you provide in return for this?"
Strathmore chuckled. "Nothing—at least, not yet. Take it as proof of my value."
A moment's silence.
Then Aric took a step forward.
Slow. Measured.
"Be careful, Strathmore," he said in a whisper. "A man of your talent is an asset."
He inched closer, his gold eyes flashing.
"But a man who knows too much?"
A sneer.
"Now that's a disability."
The tension flashed, and then instantly dissipated.
And Strathmore laughed. "As noted."
Aric smiled.
Good.
And now he had all the pieces he needed.
And soon—his enemies would crumble.