The dawn sky barely tinted pink when Evan woke the apprentices and called them back to the intelligence room. They gathered with tired eyes and messy hair but their focus was sharp. The night had shaken them yet also taught them something vital. Information was a weapon. Presence was a shield. And the enemy had not expected Silver Quill to stand firm.

Iron Crest will not accept last night’s failure Evan said. Their pride is wounded. Wounded pride leads to reckless moves. But before they strike again we will uncover the core of their operation.

Lenar frowned. How do we find their core

By following their panic Evan said. Desperate guilds run to their safehouse when plans break. That is where we look.

The apprentices exchanged looks of both fear and excitement.

We do not enter Evan continued. We observe. We watch who enters and who leaves. Movement reveals hierarchy. If we see who panics we see who leads.

They moved quickly into the city while morning markets set up. Evan led them along narrow alleys to an area near Iron Crest’s known safehouse. A plain building with white banners hung beside a quiet street. No guards. No signs. The perfect cover.

Evan positioned the apprentices at distances far enough to appear natural. One pretended to buy bread. Another observed from a bench. Evan leaned against a wall near a pottery stall scanning every detail.

Minutes passed before the first operative arrived. He moved with tense shoulders and fast steps. He entered the safehouse without knocking. Evan marked his posture.

Fear driven.
Likely low rank.

Two more arrived carrying sealed scrolls. They whispered outside before entering.

Coordination.
Mid rank.

Then a man in a crimson trimmed robe approached. His steps were slower. His expression controlled. His eyes sharp. The cloak markings showed authority but not full leadership.

Lenar whispered That one looks important.

He is Evan said. But not the top. Second tier leadership.

The man stopped before entering and glanced around the street. His eyes passed across Evan but did not linger. After a moment he entered the building.

We wait for the leader Evan said softly. Chaos draws leaders out. Last night created chaos.

They waited with patience until the street grew busier. Carts moved. Merchants shouted. But Evan remained still listening to the rhythm of the safehouse.

Then the door opened again. A tall man stepped outside wearing a dark robe lined with silver threading. His steps were measured. Eyes calculating. Hands steady. The air around him felt heavier.

That is him Evan whispered. Iron Crest’s strategic head.

The man handed sealed orders to two operatives then spoke in a low steady voice. Evan strained to hear but only caught fragments.

Southern misdirection
Herbal resistance
New plan
Full retaliation

The apprentices froze. Lenar tensed as if expecting an attack.

Evan signaled them to stay calm. Watch how he moves he said. Confidence without hesitation. He has not accepted defeat. That means they prepare something larger. Bigger than herbs.

What could be bigger than herbs Lenar asked quietly.

Supply routes Evan said. Or trade taxation. Or political pressure. They might strike at your authority instead of your goods.

The Iron Crest leader entered the safehouse again. Evan stepped away from the wall and gestured the apprentices to regroup in a nearby alley.

Today Evan said we discover their next target. We already know their herbal attack failed. So they will pivot. They will move fast and aim high.

An apprentice asked How do we predict their pivot

By analyzing their hierarchy Evan said. Look at who rushed in. That means the mid rank teams failed at herbs. That problem returned upward. Now the strategic head must correct it. Strategic heads do not fix small issues. They redesign entire approaches.

He tapped his temple.

Think like them.
If herbs fail hit trade lanes.
If lanes fail hit reputation.
If reputation fails hit legal standing.
Always escalate upward.

Lenar rubbed his forehead. They want to break us at the foundation.

Yes Evan said. And foundations leave big shadows when they crack.

He guided them back toward the intelligence room.

We will not wait for their attack. We will see it before they move. Because today we start mapping their chain of command.

He spread fresh parchment across the table and drew three tiers.
Operatives
Coordinators
Strategic head

This is their structure Evan said. And structure exposes weakness. Find the weak link and the entire chain breaks.

The apprentices leaned in ready to work.

Evan looked at the map once more.

Information wins wars.
And today he intended to collect every drop of it.