The wind carried the scent of dust and spices as Evan walked through the market with the apprentices positioned discreetly across the district. Today was not for studying trends or listening to rumors. Today was for hunting something far more elusive a rogue operative from Iron Crest.

Competitors who lose position do not wait Evan said. They send people to disrupt. Someone is already here.

The apprentices scanned their surroundings carefully. Crowds moved through the square. Merchants hawked herbs and powders. Adventurers bargained for supplies. Everything looked normal until Evan spotted a figure near the herbal stalls. A man in plain clothes too plain for someone with clean boots and well trimmed nails. His robe had no guild emblem yet he held himself with confidence. His eyes darted from vendor to vendor like he was measuring them.

There he is Evan whispered.

The apprentices tried not to stare but their tension was obvious.

Evan approached casually pretending to inspect a crate of dried leaves. The man stood a few feet away asking vendors innocent questions. Too innocent. His voice carried false politeness. He smiled with stiff lips. And he never bought anything.

A normal buyer explores price.
A rogue operative explores weakness.

Evan circled behind another stall watching the man’s movements. He asked about supply quantity. He asked about delivery frequency. He asked which guilds bought the most last week. Each question seemed harmless but together they formed a pattern. He was mapping the entire herbal network.

He is gathering numbers one apprentice whispered. For what purpose

For an ambush Evan said. They want to disrupt our supply. To make our new contracts look unreliable.

Lenar tensed. Should we confront him

No Evan said. Never confront unless you want chaos. We watch. We learn. Then we neutralize.

Evan gestured for the apprentices to split into positions. One followed the rogue operative from the plaza edge. Another listened to conversations in the tea stall. A third documented supply movements. Evan stayed closest moving like a shadow in the crowd.

The man drifted deeper into the market stopping at a stall run by a friendly herbalist. The herbalist greeted him warmly unaware of the danger.

Where do you source your rare leaves the rogue operative asked casually.

Evan’s stomach tightened. That question was sharp enough to cut through markets. No competitor should ask it unless planning a strike.

The herbalist leaned closer to answer but Evan stepped forward clearing his throat. Fascinating selection you have today he said loudly to distract the stall keeper. Evan pointed at a bundle. Is this fresh from the northern marshes

The herbalist brightened. Yes arrived yesterday

The rogue operative’s attention shifted. He studied Evan now. Suspicion flickered across his eyes.

Evan pretended not to notice and continued browsing. He bought a small pouch of herbs he did not need. The rogue operative walked away but his posture changed. He knew someone interrupted him.

Evan followed from a distance.

The man entered an alley between two tall buildings. Evan signaled the apprentices to hold position while he slipped behind him quietly. The rogue operative stopped and looked around. He pulled out a small enchanted stone and whispered into it. His voice was low but Evan heard fragments.

Herbal routes confirmed. Suppliers weak. Silver Quill likely unprepared.
Send team.
Strike soon.

Evan felt the air shift. Iron Crest was ready to attack the herbal district directly through coordinated pressure. They would manipulate prices intimidate suppliers and disrupt caravans. A triple hit designed to collapse Silver Quill’s new position.

The rogue operative tucked the stone away and exited the alley heading toward the guild district.

Evan moved fast returning to the intelligence room. The apprentices arrived seconds later with anxious faces.

What did he say Lenar asked breathlessly.

They will strike tonight Evan said. They want to break our supplier trust. If they succeed our contracts crumble.

The apprentices froze.

Evan tapped the map hard with the back of his quill. So we defend the herbal district. We send our people to suppliers now. We show presence. We reinforce loyalty. And we make Iron Crest’s operatives visible. If we force them into the open they lose the advantage.

Lenar nodded. What about the rogue operative

Evan’s eyes hardened.
We let him report.
But we shape what he reports.

He leaned forward speaking low and sharp.

Tonight we turn their strike against them.
Tonight we make Iron Crest expose their entire plan.
And by sunrise they will regret stepping into our district.