The merchant council hall stood on the highest point of the trade district. Built from pale stone and framed by tall iron lanterns it overlooked the entire city like a quiet judge. Evan had passed by it many times but today he looked at it differently. Today it was a battlefield.

He stood with Lenar at the base of the steps while the apprentices observed from scattered vantage points. Merchants walked up the stairs calmly unaware they were walking into the next stage of Iron Crest’s plan.

Iron Crest will not strike the council directly Evan said. They will influence members quietly. Whispers. Deals. Promises. Fear. Political pressure likes shadows.

Lenar swallowed. What can they possibly say to the council

Evan answered without hesitation. They will claim Silver Quill cannot maintain stability. They will argue that granting you trade privileges puts the city at risk. They will hint that your herbal contracts are unsustainable. Even without proof councils respond to doubt.

So what do we do Lenar asked.

We do not fight doubt Evan said. We erase it.

He guided Lenar up the steps. Inside the hall dozens of merchants gathered around long tables. Council members spoke with slow deliberation sipping tea as they balanced scrolls and documents. This world treated council duty with almost ceremonial calm but calm was exactly where hidden pressure thrived.

Evan surveyed the room. He noticed three Iron Crest delegates already in conversation with two councilmen. Their posture was confident. Too confident. One leaned in whispering while the other gestured toward a stack of trade reports. Evan saw the strategy instantly. They were shaping a narrative.

Narrative was poison when left unchecked.

Evan approached the council table slowly. Lenar stayed at his side heart pounding but face trained to show only calm. Evan bowed his head respectfully to the council.

Good morning he said. I wish to provide updated trade information before any decisions today. Nothing formal. Only clarity.

The nearest councilman raised an eyebrow. Clarity is always welcome.

Evan handed him a concise parchment summarizing Silver Quill’s contracts. It was not grand. Not flashy. It simply showed stable numbers with consistent flow. The councilman scanned it nodding.

Iron Crest’s delegates turned sharply toward Evan. Their eyes narrowed.

The councilman asked Have your supply routes been confirmed for next month

Evan nodded. Confirmed in writing. Delivery schedules reinforced. And herbal vendors expressed satisfaction with our service.

He said it with calm steady tone. Not defensive. Just truthful.

That tone alone defused half the doubt in the room.

One Iron Crest delegate interjected. Council members should be aware that Silver Quill’s stability relies on untested agreements. Their numbers may not hold.

Evan turned to him. Our contracts are on record with the registry. Verified yesterday. If Iron Crest has evidence against our agreements I welcome them to present it.

The delegate stiffened. He had nothing. His attack dissolved into silence.

Lenar exhaled quietly.

Evan leaned toward the councilman again. Markets shift. Rumors run wild. But stable trade comes from transparency. We offer ours freely.

The councilman smiled faintly. Most merchants do not show their ledgers so willingly. Perhaps we should encourage more of that.

Iron Crest’s delegates twitched. Their plan was weakening.

Evan stepped back letting the conversation unfold. He scanned the room again. Iron Crest would not rely on one tactic. They would target not only councilmen but influential merchants positioned nearby. Influence was not just political. It was social.

He signaled two apprentices to follow two merchants who had just spoken with Iron Crest. The apprentices moved subtly blending with the crowd.

We cannot let Iron Crest create private fear Evan whispered to Lenar.

Lenar nodded understanding.

One councilman stood to speak. We have heard concerns about Silver Quill’s rapid expansion. Concerns about disruption to existing trade flow. But at this time the evidence shows stability not danger.

Evan knew the tide had shifted.

Iron Crest’s delegates whispered urgently among themselves. Their plan to break council trust was cracking.

Evan did not smile. He did not show victory. He simply bowed again and exited with Lenar.

Outside the council hall Evan spoke quietly.

Iron Crest will not give up. Their next attempt will not be political. When councils resist they often turn to disruption. Something physical. Something visible. Something that looks like chaos but is manufactured.

Lenar paled. Chaos But what kind

Evan looked toward the city markets.

Supply chain chaos he said. They will try to disrupt either caravans or storage houses. Something big enough to shake public confidence.

He turned to the apprentices.

Tonight we guard the supply line. Tonight we watch the storage yards. Iron Crest wants the city to lose faith in Silver Quill. We make sure the city sees calm instead.

The apprentices nodded committed.

Evan glanced at the council hall one more time.

Politics had failed them.
Which meant Iron Crest was about to play its most desperate card yet.