It had been two days since Lyra's dinner. Two days of her watching him like a predator circling wounded prey.
Auryn knew confrontation was coming. He just needed one more night.
The knock came firm, deliberate. Borin's.
"Enter."
The dwarf stepped inside. His face was grim. Unusual. Worry didn't fit him.
"Your Highness. We've confirmed it."
Auryn set his quill down. "Vaedon's agent?"
"Aye. Operating in the city for weeks now." Borin moved to the desk. Dropped a rough sketch. "My contacts spotted him twice, once near the barracks, once at the merchant district."
The sketch showed a young face. Sharp jawline. Scar through left eyebrow thin and professional. The kind earned in training, not brawls.
"I think he's gathering intelligence," Borin continued.
This isn't in the novel. Chapter 50 mentioned Vaedon's network but no specifics on agents in Aurelia.
He thought…
Could this be prep for another assassination? Or just surveillance.
Borin shook his head. "He's careful. Changes locations."
He paused. "But my source says he's meeting someone tonight. At the old granary."
"Could be his contact. Could be nothing."
Auryn stood. His voice, calm and subtle.
"I'll handle it personally."
"Your Highness, this might be a trap—"
"Then I'll spring it." He moved toward the wardrobe. "But if there's an agent reporting my every move to Vaedon, I need to know who he is and what he knows."
In reality he wanted a chance away from the castle till he was prepared for Lyra's impending fallout.
Borin's expression hardened. "You're still healing lad."
"I'm a lot better." Auryn pulled out a dark cloak.
Borin let out a long, tired sigh. Like a father losing an argument to a stubborn son.
"At least let me position backup. Two blocks away. If things go sideways, you signal"
"Agreed." Auryn said. Dark cloak in hand.
Borin left. Muttering about reckless princes and dwarven blood pressure as he moved through the corridors.
While alone again, Auryn stared at the sketch. He tried to recall any features like this from the books. Nothing popped up.
"Minor character? Or someone Vaedon recruited after the timeline changed?"
---
Dusk came and left behind shadows that took over the granary district. The air was filled with rot.
Auryn crouched on a rooftop, dark cloak blending with shadows. And below, the old granary courtyard remained empty.
There were half-collapsed buildings, crates scattered around and a single lantern burning near the entrance.
A signal? Or bait?
He stayed positioned with no weapon in sight. Trusting just his wits and bravery alongside a concealed dagger in his belt.
The rooftop gave him the perfect vantage. At the back-end of the courtyard. Guards stayed hidden two blocks east but still close enough to respond.
Time went by and there was nothing. He could still feel his burned hands itched beneath his gloves. They were permanent reminders of the cost of power.
Focus. He psyched himself. And in a matter of minutes, there was movement from the east alley.
A man, limping slightly, emerged. He wore merchant clothing. Leather vest, simple tunic. He glanced around obviously nervous.
Auryn blinked, activating Author's Eyes.
The world shifted. Colors drained except for one aura. The merchant's glow appeared. Pale silver with crimson veins threading through.
Conflicted. Recently turned traitor. Not committed yet.
The merchant carried a small pouch. He stopped at the center courtyard. Waiting.
Soon there was movement from the west alley. A younger man appeared. Well-built. Confident stride. Traveler's cloak—brown, hood up. Hand near weapon. His sword hilt visible beneath the cloak.
Auryn focused Author's Eyes on him.
His aura was crimson. That's him. The agent. He spoke inwardly.
The men met at the center courtyard. The merchant handed over the pouch.
The agent examined the contents. Auryn couldn't see details through Author's Eyes—just aura movement and light.
The agent nodded. Then the merchant spoke.
"...everything from the past week." The merchant's voice was nervous. "Troop rotations, his schedule... Tell L.C daily updates might be too dangerous."
Auryn's dragon hearing sharpened. This was easier for him. Even from fifty feet, the wind carried their voices to him.
"L.C. is getting impatient," the agent said. His tone calm but still audible. "Lord Vaedon expects results."
So it really is Vaedon and Castor. Auryn confirmed.
The merchant shifted. "I've done everything asked. The reports are accurate."
"Keep it that way." The agent's tone went cold. "Next drop, same location, three days."
The merchant's aura flickered. Fear spiking. "And if I get discovered?"
"Then you're expendable. L.C. made that clear."
The merchant swallowed hard. Eager to leave. He hurried away east, disappeared into shadows.
The agent remained. Examined the pouch contents more carefully by the lantern light.
Auryn turned off Author's Eyes.
Now he saw the agent's face properly. He was young and yet moved like a trained fighter. He had balance and awareness of his surroundings.
This doesn't look just like an ordinary spy. Might be dangerous.
The agent pocketed the pouch. Started walking west. Away from the merchant's direction.
Auryn's mind screamed. Follow…
Once I know where he's staying, I can decide what to do next.
Auryn followed. Rooftop to rooftop. He moved silently through the most optimal paths.
They moved deeper into the abandoned district with fewer buildings and further from populated areas. The man he followed navigated the area like he had done it all his life.
This caused Auryn to raise a brow. He wondered how long this spy had been in his province before Borin discovered it.
Soon they arrived at a half-collapsed warehouse with heavy reinforced doors. There was no ground floor window, ,just a skylight allowing the moon's glow.
Lantern light flickered inside. The agent was settled in.
Auryn observed from an adjacent rooftop. Crouched behind a crumbling chimney. He remained concealed.
This was definitely his safehouse. Auryn thought.
Attack now or wait till I'm certain he is the only one in there? He contemplated while he arrived silently on the roof of the building.
Auryn positioned himself at the skylight edge. Ready to drop, but something held him back.
Something instinctive riled in his gut. There was more than what met the eye in there.
One more day. Observe his patterns. Learn his routine… No rush. He silently withdrew.
Just as he left, the agent stared upwards towards the skylight.
The retreating Auryn arrived at his castle. He couldn't use the excuse of running away from the castle to do something stupid like attacking someone he knew little to nothing about his opponent.
He moved through the castle corridors. No one noticing him.
I'll watch one more day. Find out his accomplices and then exterminate...