The next morning the intelligence room hummed with a strange but promising energy. The apprentices entered with fresh ink and clean parchment as if they understood this room was becoming sacred space. Evan stood near the map on the wall tapping a single district with the tip of a quill.

Today we study our competitors Evan said. But not by asking questions. Not by listening to rumors. We watch behavior. A person can lie. Movement cannot.

The apprentices wrote Movement equals truth as if it were divine commandment.

Evan pointed at the symbol marked Iron Crest Guild. They are your strongest competitors right now. They win contracts that should belong to you. They know your plans before you act. But they are not magical geniuses. They exploit what you fail to protect.

Lenar stepped closer eyes tense. Can we know what they will do next

We can Evan said. But only if we examine how they move not what they claim.

He walked out with the apprentices trailing behind him like they were guarding a noble. The morning market was busier than usual. Carts bumped into each other. Hawkers shouted. The smell of baked grain mixed with the sharp bite of enchanted powder. But Evan filtered it all out looking only for signals.

He spotted an Iron Crest caravan unloading metal ingots. The crates were stamped with different symbols. Not standard. That meant the shipment came from multiple regions. He stepped closer pretending to admire the quality.

Observation Evan said softly. They diversified their supply recently. That only happens when a guild prepares for price competition or fears disruption.

One apprentice whispered They fear something

They fear losing ground Evan said. Diversification reduces risk. They expect change.

He walked to the side of the caravan and noted the guards. Six men. Three more than usual. The armor looked newly polished. Their weapons had fresh enchantments glowing faintly.

Security upgrade Evan said. Another sign they expect conflict.

The apprentices looked amazed and terrified.

They continued down the street following the Iron Crest staff. Evan noticed one man wearing a plain robe instead of guild colors. He walked quickly avoiding eye contact. His steps were too precise. His shoulders stiff. He tried to blend with the crowd.

You see that Evan whispered. That is an operative. Not a spy in the traditional sense more like a runner who gathers information. Look how he watches stall keepers while pretending to shop.

Should we follow him asked the sharp eyed apprentice.

Evan nodded. But not close. Watch his pattern. His pattern tells us his assignment.

The apprentice drifted into the crowd with casual ease while Evan and the others observed from afar.

They saw the operative linger at herb stalls. He examined dried leaves. He whispered with a vendor. He looked uneasy.

He is checking for shortages Evan said. That means Iron Crest might move into herbal goods soon. Or they expect a shortage that Silver Quill is not prepared for.

They continued shadowing the operative until he turned into a side alley leading to a building marked with plain white banners. Evan recognized the type immediately. A safehouse. A place for meetings away from guild headquarters.

He watched the man enter then turned to his apprentices.

Remember this moment Evan said. A safehouse means they plan moves beyond normal trade. Plans that do not fit on open scrolls. Plans that will hit the market in weeks.

You can see the future if you watch movement.

They returned to the intelligence room and began writing reports. Evan drew a triangle on the main table.

Supply changes
Security upgrades
Safehouse use

This is a pattern Evan said. A guild only does these three things together when preparing for aggressive expansion.

Lenar swallowed. They might be targeting us

They are Evan said. And they think you will not notice.

He walked to the window and studied the distant market. The sun was setting in an orange haze. The world looked quiet but the signals told a different story.

Tomorrow we counter them Evan said. We stop reacting. We act first.

The apprentices sat straighter. Lenar took a nervous breath.

This was no longer market analysis.
This was the start of war.

A commercial one but still a war.

And Evan was ready to fight it with information sharper than any blade.