Evan followed Lenar down a hallway that twisted through the inner structure of the Silver Quill Merchant Guild. The walls were covered with faded paintings of trade ships and magical caravans but none of it mattered. Evan only cared about one thing a space where he could build order. Not pretend order but real operational discipline. Something this world had never seen.

They eventually reached a dusty side room filled with old crates broken chairs and a smell that suggested no one had opened the windows in a decade. Lenar pushed aside a crate and smiled with a sense of pride that made Evan pause.

Here it is Lenar said. Our old accounting room. No one uses it now. This can be your private chamber.

Evan stepped inside and examined the space. It had potential. The walls were stone and thick which meant sound would not travel. The window frame was sturdy. The floor had no loose boards. It was a good location for a base. But the room was filthy and filled with random items that had nothing to do with numbers. Rope. Rusty nails. A half broken potion bottle.

He turned to Lenar. Before anything else we clear this room. No clutter. No distractions. Get me five workers right away.

Lenar nodded and sprinted out like a man chasing gold.

Once he was alone Evan crouched and touched the floor. Stable foundation. Good enough. He rose and walked to the window. From this angle he could see one of the market squares where caravans came and went. A perfect observation point. He could even build visual tracking routines for incoming goods.

Workers soon arrived dragging crates out the door. Evan took a piece of charcoal and drew a rough layout on the floor. He marked where desks should go where records would be stored where scouting reports would be collected. He marked a wall where he could build a board for competitive tracking. Then he marked another section for market indicators. He started listing categories demand supply risk prices influence threats.

One worker peeked over his shoulder. What are those marks sir

A system Evan said. Something your guild has never had.

The worker blinked twice then returned to hauling crates.

By midday the room was empty. Evan asked for a carpenter and soon a man with a thick beard arrived holding a toolbox that looked older than the building.

I need two tables Evan said. Both wide enough for multiple scrolls. I need shelves on the north wall. And I want a drawer that locks. Do you know what a lock is

The carpenter looked almost offended. Of course. I make them for front doors.

Good Evan said. Then make one for private documents.

As the carpenter worked Evan began writing what would become the first intelligence framework of this world. He listed the basics first competitor identity product type distribution routes weaknesses opportunities. Then he moved to more advanced structures threat vectors espionage capability financial capacity resource scarcity risk drivers economic cycles.

His handwriting moved fast. Every line was something this world had never seen.

Later in the afternoon Lenar returned with a group of apprentices carrying parchment quills and fresh ink bottles.

You asked for note takers Lenar said. These are our brightest.

Evan studied them. A girl with sharp eyes. A man who looked like he memorized prices. Another who held his quill with perfect steadiness. They were raw but workable.

Sit Evan said. From now on you record everything I say.

The apprentices sat as if they were entering a royal academy.

First lesson Evan began. Information is a resource. But only if organized. If it is scattered it is useless.

One apprentice raised a hand. But sir if we already know things why does it matter if they are organized

Because Evan said information that cannot be found when needed is the same as not knowing it at all.

The apprentices nodded furiously.

Second lesson. Competitors do not win because they are strong. They win because you are blind.

More nodding. Someone wrote the words Blind equals defeat in giant letters.

Evan gestured to the map he had drawn earlier. We are going to build a network. A team of scouts will report market changes. Another team will listen to public chatter. A third will track caravan movement. All of this will come to this room.

Lenar hesitated. But does that not sound like spying

It is Evan said. But not the illegal kind. This is called market intelligence. You gather information people reveal without meaning to.

Lenar looked confused but impressed and a little fearful.

Evan spent hours showing them how to categorize prices routes product shortages and competitive rumors. He assigned the sharp eyed apprentice to handle daily market logs. The steady handed apprentice would map caravan flow. The price memorizer would track trade volume.

By sunset the intelligence room looked different. The shelves were done. Two tables stood ready. The floor had organization lines marked. Evan had turned chaos into a foundation. A primitive one but still a foundation.

Lenar stepped inside again and stared at the transformation. It is beautiful he whispered.

It is a start Evan said. Tomorrow we begin gathering data. Tomorrow we start learning how this market really works.

He looked at the map one more time. Tomorrow he would shape this world.