The town was alive with energy, the air thick with the scent of salt and spice. Being a major coastal trading hub, it was always bustling with movement—merchants calling out their wares, sailors unloading cargo from towering ships, and townspeople weaving through the narrow streets with baskets of goods.

Beyond the marketplace, the harbor stretched wide, where large ships bobbed gently against the docks, their sails furled, waiting for their next journey across the sea. The cries of seagulls mixed with the rhythmic clatter of wooden crates being stacked, the shouts of workers coordinating shipments blending seamlessly into the town’s usual hum of activity.

The market itself was a maze of color and sound. Stalls overflowed with fresh fish, barrels of foreign spices, bolts of luxurious fabric, and polished trinkets brought in from distant lands. Traders from all corners of the kingdom gathered here, their voices rising in a symphony of different accents and dialects as they bartered and sold their goods.

Elara slipped into the crowd with ease. She navigated the lively streets with the confidence of someone who had spent years weaving through its chaos, her sharp eyes scanning the vendors as she made her way forward.

Lucian followed close behind, taking in the scene around him. Though he had been here before, it had always been from a position of formality—riding through in a carriage, overseeing trade negotiations, or speaking with local officials. This was different. For the first time, he was part of the flow, moving unseen among the people rather than towering above them.

The knights, keeping their distance, observed in silence. Garrick, ever the keen observer, found himself entertained by the sight of the second prince of the realm moving so naturally in a place he had likely never truly experienced. Seraphina and Calder remained composed, but their eyes flickered with quiet attentiveness, ensuring they remained aware of any potential threats.

Elara made her way toward a familiar stall hidden between crates of dried fish and colorful fabrics. The moment Maris spotted her, the young girl’s face lit up like the sun breaking through storm clouds.

The group welcomed Elara with open arms, their faces lighting up as soon as they spotted her weaving through the marketplace crowd.

"Elara!" a young girl with auburn braids and bright green eyes called out, her voice carrying over the lively market chatter. Her name was Lottie, the most spirited among them. Beside her stood Finn and Tobias, two boys of similar age, both sharp-eyed and quick-witted, though Finn was the louder of the two. An older man, Oswin, sat nearby, whittling a piece of wood with practiced ease. He was the closest thing they had to a guardian, though they all looked out for one another in their own way.

“You actually came back,” Joss said with a smirk, wiping his hands on his shirt before stepping forward. “Didn’t think we’d see you again so soon.”

Elara grinned as Maris nearly tackled her in a hug. “I couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye.”

“Goodbye?” Maris froze, pulling back to look at her with wide eyes. “What do you mean goodbye?”

Old Tomas’ gaze sharpened, his usually easygoing expression turning serious. “Leaving? When?”

Elara hesitated, but there was no point in dodging the truth. “Tomorrow.”

Joss crossed his arms, his smirk fading. “That’s sudden.”

Maris pouted. “But why?”

Elara forced a small smile. “Things… changed. I have to go.”

But before she could say more, their eyes landed on the unfamiliar man standing just a step behind her. Lucian had remained silent, his presence commanding even in simple clothing. His usual regal attire had been swapped for a plain shirt and trousers, yet something about him still stood out. It was in the way he held himself, the sharpness of his gaze, the quiet authority he exuded even while saying nothing at all.

Lottie was the first to whisper, leaning closer to Tobias, "Who’s the handsome one?"

Tobias squinted, observing Lucian with a keen eye before replying under his breath, "Dresses normal, but walks like a noble."

Finn, more straightforward, folded his arms. "Alright, Elara, who's this? You never bring strangers along."

Elara hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering lightly, "Just someone tagging along today."

Lucian, to his credit, kept his expression unreadable, though his eyes flickered between them, observing the way Elara interacted so naturally with these people. She fit among them effortlessly, slipping into their easy camaraderie in a way that unsettled him—no noblewoman should be this familiar, this at home, with commoners.

As the group settled back into their usual rhythm, laughter and chatter filling the air, Tobias subtly moved closer to Elara’s side. He kept his expression casual, arms crossed as if merely shifting his weight, but when he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper, meant only for her ears.

“Elara,” he murmured, keeping his gaze on Finn, who was still teasing Lottie about her earlier remark. “Something’s off in town.”

Elara’s smile didn’t falter, but she tilted her head slightly, indicating she was listening.

“There’s been unusual buying lately—charcoal and saltpeter, large amounts,” Tobias continued. “More than what’s needed for normal trade. Someone’s stockpiling, and no one knows why.”

Elara’s fingers twitched slightly at the news, but she kept her expression smooth.

“How much are we talking about?” she murmured back, pretending to brush an invisible speck of dust from her sleeve.

“Enough to notice. Merchants say buyers aren’t local, and they’re paying well to keep questions away.”

Elara kept her smile in place, but her voice dropped just enough for only her friends to hear. “Can you find out who’s behind this? Where it’s going, who’s buying? I’ll look into it further on my side.”

Lucian, standing just a little apart, observed their interaction with careful eyes. He couldn’t hear what Tobias had said, but he noticed the way Elara’s posture shifted ever so slightly—how her amusement dimmed just a fraction before she masked it again.

Tobias nodded, a spark of excitement in his eyes. “Consider it done.”

Lottie, never one to stay serious for long, clapped her hands. “Enough of that talk! If you’re really leaving, you’re not going empty-handed.”

Before Elara could protest, the group bombarded her with small gifts—woven bracelets, dried herbs, a small leather charm for good luck. Finn even forced a bundle of sugared nuts into her hands, grinning.

“For the road,” he said.

Elara chuckled, touched by their kindness. “Love you guys so much.”

As they said their goodbyes, the joy was tinged with an unspoken weight—one that only Elara carried.

Elara’s mind spun with urgency. If someone was stockpiling charcoal and saltpeter, it wasn’t for something harmless. She needed to act fast. Without thinking, she reached out, grabbing Lucian’s wrist and pulling him forward.

“I need to discuss something urgent with you,” she said, her voice firm.

Lucian barely had time to react before she tugged him through the marketplace, weaving between stalls and slipping past the crowd. Garrick would have smirked if he saw this—the esteemed prince being dragged along like a reluctant companion.

It wasn’t until they stepped into a quieter alley near the harbor that Elara realized what she had done. The warmth of his wrist under her fingers sent a jolt through her. She was still holding his hand.

Her eyes widened, and she quickly let go, stepping back as if she had been burned.

Lucian tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes unreadable. “That urgent?” he asked, amusement barely lacing his tone.

Elara straightened, clearing her throat and folding her arms to regain composure. “Y-yes,” she muttered, trying to ignore the sudden heat creeping up her neck.

Lucian studied her for a moment before leaning casually against a wooden post. “Alright,” he said smoothly. “I’m listening.”

Elara exhaled sharply, pushing aside her flustered thoughts. There was no time for distractions. She had more important things to worry about.

Elara took a steadying breath, lowering her voice as she spoke. “There’s something unusual happening in the market. Someone has been buying large amounts of charcoal and saltpeter.”

Lucian’s gaze flickered with interest, though his expression remained unreadable. “And?”

Elara crossed her arms, her mind racing. “Those materials alone might not raise suspicion, but if you add sulfur—”

“Gunpowder,” Lucian said at the same time she did.

A strange chill settled between them as their words overlapped. The air felt heavier, charged with an unspoken realization.

Elara exhaled sharply, her heart beating faster. “Whoever is behind this isn’t just stockpiling for trade. This isn’t something ordinary merchants would deal in—not in such quantities and not in secret.”

Lucian’s eyes swept the surroundings, as if reassessing everything he had seen in the market. A flicker of something crossed his face, but it was gone before she could read it. “Have you heard anything about who’s making the purchases?”

Elara exhaled, her brows furrowing as she pieced together her thoughts. “It’s not just the amount that concerns me—it’s how it’s happening. Charcoal and saltpeter are common enough, but buying them in bulk should draw attention, yet no one in the market seems to know much.”

Lucian crossed his arms, watching her closely. “Which means they aren’t purchasing through the usual traders.”

“Exactly.” Elara nodded. “If I had to guess, they’re using intermediaries—small, scattered purchases that won’t seem connected. Or they’re moving shipments outside the main trade routes.”

Lucian’s gaze flickered with interest. “The docks.”

Elara’s heart quickened. “That would make sense. This town is a trading hub, and if you wanted to smuggle something, a port is the perfect place. But there’s another possibility…” She hesitated, then lowered her voice. “The old mines.”

Lucian’s expression sharpened. “Mines?”

“There are abandoned tunnels in the cliffs past the eastern side of town. They haven’t been in use for years, but smugglers have used them before. If someone wanted to stockpile materials without drawing attention, that would be the place.”

Lucian studied her for a long moment before giving a slight nod. “Then we start there.”

Elara blinked, caught off guard by how quickly he agreed. “Just like that?”

Lucian stood beside her, his arms crossed as he surveyed the captured men and the overwhelming stockpile of materials. Then, in a voice as smooth as ever but edged with something unreadable, he asked, “Then what do you expect? Should I just let them be?”

Elara turned her head sharply, meeting his gaze. There was a glint of arrogance in his tone, one that made her bristle despite the pride swelling in her chest at being right.

She squared her shoulders. “Of course not. But if you think I’ll just stand aside and let you take all the credit, you’re mistaken.”

Lucian’s lips quirked, just slightly, but the amusement in his eyes was fleeting. He took a step closer, his presence unnervingly composed even in the dim, dust-filled cavern. “Then tell me, Elara. What’s your next move?”

She exhaled, forcing herself to focus. “Interrogation first. If they were bold enough to stockpile this much, someone must feel secure enough to be backing them. We need to know who.”

Lucian gave a slow nod, his gaze flickering to the bound men. “And if they don’t talk?”

Elara tilted her chin. “They will. One way or another.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of what they had uncovered pressing between them.

Then, Lucian stepped back, his tone still unreadable but firm. “Then let’s begin.”