As they rode toward Valoria, the landscape shifted from open fields to dense forests, the path winding through ancient trees whose canopies filtered the sunlight into dappled patches on the ground.

Elara, riding beside Harahel, broke the silence. "So, Selene," she began casually, "You have a connection with Lord Alexander, don't you?"

Harahel's heart skipped a beat as Elara's question hung in the air. Sensing the underlying test, she quickly recalled the details of Selene's encounter with Lord Alexander, one of the tales recounted to her the previous night.

"Yes," Harahel replied, keeping her voice steady. "Our paths crossed during the annual Masquerade Ball in Silverglade. It was quite the event, overshadowed by the theft of the Crown of Celestia."

Elara's eyes narrowed slightly, and Harahel could feel her scrutinizing gaze. "And when was the last time you saw him?" Elara asked.

Harahel's mind raced. She didn't know the exact timeline of Selene's interactions with Lord Alexander. She decided to stick to the truth she knew, while subtly diverting the question. "It's been a while," she said, hoping the ambiguity would suffice.

Elara coyly said, "I’m not surprised. Lord Alexander has been quite occupied since his marriage."

Harahel struggled to maintain her composure, taken aback by the implication. Was Elara suggesting that Lord Alexander and Selene had been romantically involved?

"I didn't know," Harahel replied, masking her surprise with a thoughtful tone. "It's good to hear he's found happiness."

Elara's smile was enigmatic. "Indeed. He's quite the catch."

As the sun climbed higher, they reached the outskirts of Valoria, a city known for its grandeur and corruption in equal measure. The group dismounted and led their horses to a discreet stable, where a trusted contact of Elara’s took care of their mounts.

Blending into the crowd, Harahel and her companions navigated the narrow alleyways towards the mansion they were to infiltrate. Elara led the way with purpose, her familiarity with the city evident in her confident strides.

Before reaching the mansion, Elara abruptly stopped and turned to face the group. "This is where I must part ways with you," she said. "I need to be seen in public to not raise suspicion. If I disappear now, it could draw unwanted attention to our mission."

Harahel frowned, her eyes narrowing with concern. "Are you sure you'll be alright?" she asked, scanning the streets around them.

Elara offered a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. I've navigated Valoria's treacherous waters for years. Besides, my presence elsewhere will only help you. The more eyes on me, the fewer on you."

Jarek nodded in agreement. "She has a point. The less attention on us, the better."

Elara gave a final nod to the group, then disappeared into the crowd, her confident stride blending seamlessly with the throngs of people

Harahel and her companions continued their mission. As they moved through the winding alleys, their senses heightened, every sound and shadow scrutinized. The mansion loomed ahead, its imposing structure a symbol of the wealth and power they were about to challenge.

Soren slipped into the shadows, his form nearly invisible as he scouted the perimeter. Moments later, he reappeared, nodding to the group. "All clear. The side entrance is just ahead."

Lira approached the door with practiced ease, her nimble fingers working the lock. Within moments, the door clicked open, and she pushed it ajar, revealing a dimly lit corridor. "We're in," she whispered, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.

Harahel led the way, the corridor was narrow, lined with old tapestries and faded paintings, a testament to the mansion's age and history. They moved quickly but quietly, their eyes and ears attuned to any sign of danger.

As they reached the end of the corridor, they found themselves at the entrance to the mansion's inner sanctum. Harahel signaled for the group to halt. "This is it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

With one final glance at her companions, Harahel pushed open the door, and they stepped into the heart of the mansion. The room was vast, filled with opulent furnishings and gilded decor. At the far end, a large desk stood, papers and ledgers scattered across its surface.

Lira's eyes sparkled with excitement as she moved toward the desk, her fingers itching to uncover their prize. Soren and Jarek took up positions near the door, their eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger.

As Lira rifled through the papers, Harahel kept watch, her heart pounding in her chest. Time seemed to stretch as they worked, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, Lira held up a weathered ledger, her face alight with triumph. "Got it," she whispered.

As Lira triumphantly held up the weathered ledger, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hall. Harahel's heart skipped a beat. "Guards," she hissed, eyes widening. "Hide!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Soren, Lira, and Jarek scattered to find hiding places. Harahel slipped through a side door into what appeared to be a maid's quarters, a small, dimly lit room filled with cleaning supplies and plain clothing.

Thinking quickly, Harahel grabbed a maid's uniform from a nearby hook and changed into it. She hastily pinned her hair up and dabbed a smudge of soot on her face, hoping to blend in as best as she could. Taking a deep breath, she exited the room, clutching a broom as if she were in the middle of her duties.

As she stepped into the hallway, she saw the two guards approaching, their eyes scanning the corridor. They hadn't spotted her companions yet, but it was only a matter of time. Steeling herself, Harahel put on a nervous but composed expression and approached the guards.

"Excuse me, sirs," she said, her voice trembling slightly as she adopted the guise of a timid maid. " Is there something I can help you with?"

The guards exchanged glances, clearly caught off guard by her sudden appearance. One of them, a tall man with a stern expression, stepped forward. "What are you doing here at this hour?" he demanded, suspicion evident in his tone.

Harahel swallowed hard, her mind racing to come up with a plausible explanation. "I was just finishing my cleaning duties, sir," she replied, keeping her voice steady. "I know it's late, but the mistress insists on everything being spotless."

The guard narrowed his eyes, studying her intently. Harahel's heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to maintain a calm demeanor. After a tense moment, the guard seemed to relax slightly.

"Alright," he said gruffly. "Just be quick about it."

"Of course, sir," Harahel replied, nodding obediently. "I'll finish up quickly and be out of your way."

The guards continued down the hallway, their attention diverted from the room where her companions were hiding. Harahel let out a silent sigh of relief and resumed her sweeping, making her way slowly down the hall to maintain her cover. She glanced around surreptitiously, hoping her companions had found good hiding spots.

Once the guards had turned the corner and their footsteps faded, Harahel quickly made her way back to the side room. She knocked softly on the door and whispered, "It's clear. Let's move."

Soren, Lira, and Jarek emerged from their hiding places. "Nice work," Soren said quietly, giving Harahel a nod of approval.

Lira held up the ledger again, her excitement undiminished. "Let's get out of here before those guards come back."

Harahel led the way as they retraced their steps through the mansion's service corridors. The tension in the air was palpable, but they moved swiftly and silently, their years of training evident in every step. They reached the side entrance without further incident and slipped out into the cool night air.

Once outside, they made their way back through the winding alleys, their movements cautious but purposeful. The city of Valoria was still bustling, but they managed to blend into the crowd, avoiding any unwanted attention.

After ensuring they weren't being followed, Harahel led the group to a secluded corner behind a stack of wooden crates, where she quickly changed out of the maid's uniform and back into her own clothes.

Lira, unable to contain her curiosity, had already begun flipping through the pages of the ledger. The further she read, the more her eyes widened in shock.

"Lira, what's wrong?" Jarek asked, noticing the change in her expression.

Lira looked up, her face pale. "The corrupt noble family this ledger exposes are the Blackwoods," she said, her hands trembled slightly as she held the ledger. "It lists all the family members and their corrupt dealings. Embezzlement, bribery, coercion—it’s all here. But it gets worse,"

Harahel, Soren, and Jarek leaned in, their faces taut with tension. "What is it, Lira?" Harahel pressed, her own unease growing by the second.

Lira swallowed hard and continued reading from the ledger. "Lord Marcus Blackwood, Lady Adrianna Blackwood, and their children…Cyril, Anya, and..." She hesitated. "The eldest daughter, Elara Blackwood."

A heavy silence fell over the group as the weight of Lira's words sank in. "Elara?" Jarek finally spoke, his voice filled with disbelief. "Are you sure?"

Lira nodded, her expression troubled. "

There's no mistaking it. She's listed right here, along with detailed accounts of her involvement in the family's illicit activities."

Harahel felt a surge of anger and betrayal. "She deceived us," she said through gritted teeth.

Lira shook her head, still in shock. "But why? Why help us get this ledger if it incriminates her and her family?"

Soren's eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities. "Maybe she has her own agenda. Perhaps there's internal conflict within the Blackwoods, and she wants to take down her own family."

Jarek clenched his fists, his anger palpable. "Whatever her reasons, we can't trust her. We need to get out of Valoria and regroup."

"No," said Harahel firmly. "I have a plan."

Soren, Jarek, and Lira arrived at the agreed-upon meeting place, a dimly lit tavern tucked away in one of Valoria's less frequented alleys. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls as they entered, their eyes scanning the room for Elara. She sat at a corner table, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp and attentive.

As they approached, Elara's gaze fixed on them with a hint of concern. "Where is Selene?" she asked.

Soren stepped forward, his face a mask of calm confidence. "We got separated during the escape. But don't worry, she has the ledger. She'll find a way to get it to us," he said smoothly, glancing at Lira and Jarek for support.

Elara's eyes narrowed slightly, skepticism flickering across her features. "Are you sure she has it? This operation was too important to leave to chance."

"Absolutely," Jarek chimed in, his tone reassuring. "Selene's resourceful. She'll get it to us as soon as she can."

Elara studied them for a moment longer, then nodded, though her worry was evident. "Very well. We'll wait for her here

The trio nodded in agreement, relieved that their lie had held up. They needed to navigate this situation carefully, ensuring their next move protected their mission and their lives.