Justin followed Alistair through the winding streets of Mudside, past Saint Muriel's Cathedral, and into a maze of alleys where the street lamps barely illuminated the path. He recognized this area from his delivery routes but was surprised when Alistair approached a door belonging to a customer he knew well—a little old lady named Mistress Belaria. He had made several deliveries to her residence over the past couple of weeks.

"Is this the right place?" Justin asked.

Alistair placed his hand against the wood. The door glowed, apparently responding to some sort of magical warding. The latch released on its own, and Alistair pushed it open, stepping inside while expecting Justin to follow.

"I guess so," Justin muttered.

Inside, they found a humble living room. A fire crackled in the hearth, with a pot hanging from a hook above it. A wooden table with mismatched chairs occupied the center of the space, surrounded by bookshelves packed with leather-bound volumes. A window with leaded glass panes looked out onto the alley.

They waited only a moment before Mistress Belaria herself shuffled in from a back room, her eyes heavy with sleep. The woman wore a nightgown and shawl, her gray hair contained in a nightcap.

"What's this, then?" she asked, squinting at them in the firelight.

"We're here to see Tiffany," Alistair said. "It's urgent."

Mistress Belaria's expression shifted immediately to one of understanding. "Of course. Were you seen approaching?"

"No, Mistress Belaria."

"That is well." She nodded. "Wait here; I'll inform the lady and have tea brought."

She withdrew through a doorway concealed by a curtain, and Justin turned to Alistair. "I suppose Mistress Belaria serves as cover?"

Alistair nodded. "She's been a trusted informant for the Templars for years."

"And one of our first ten members, if I remember correctly."

Alistair smiled faintly. "Yes. The Templars were interested in observing your operation from the start. It seems the timeline for our progress report has been... accelerated."

At that moment, Templar Tiffany entered the room through the concealed doorway. She was dressed for combat in chainmail adorned with the insignia of the Phoenix of Light. A longsword with a glowing blade hung at her waist. She cut an imposing figure—sturdy and muscular, with dark hair cropped short in a military style. Standing at least six feet tall, she matched Justin's height. His monocle revealed her to be a Level 29 Paladin.

"Report what you've learned," Tiffany said.

"We've uncovered troubling intelligence regarding the conspiracy," Alistair replied. "Justin will explain."

Justin nodded. He skipped introductions, confident that Templar Tiffany knew who he was and why he was in Belmora.

At that moment, Mistress Belaria returned with a tea service, setting a clay pot and cups on the table before quietly retiring. Tiffany gestured to the chairs.

Justin took a seat and began recounting everything that had transpired throughout the day: the Vault discovery, the vampire's deception, the rescue of Theric Wren, and finally, the appearance of the undead drake. He also relayed Eldrin's testimony about Valdrik commanding Vorthyrn. Tiffany's expression grew troubled as he spoke, her jaw tightening with each new revelation.

After a long silence, during which Tiffany appeared to be assembling the pieces in her mind, she finally spoke.

"You're right; High Priest Kaive needs this intelligence immediately," Tiffany said. "However, that will take time—not just to deliver the message, but for him to deliberate and formulate a response. Weeks at best." She fixed Justin with an intense stare. "The Cult knows their mining operation has been compromised. The critical question is whether they believe it was discovered by random Vault-runners or by forces that could genuinely threaten their plans. If they suspect the latter, they'll have time to fortify their defenses or relocate operations entirely."

"What could they be using those crystals for?" Justin asked.

"That's another complication," Tiffany replied. "If we eliminate Valdrik now, we may never discover their purpose." She turned to Alistair. "However, as you know, we're not the only ones aware of the Belmoran Gate's location. If they see us attempting to use it, they'll certainly realize their cover is blown."

"So the gate is off-limits?" Justin asked.

Tiffany nodded. "The safest route to Mont Elea is by ship—approximately two weeks with favorable winds. The journey can also be made on horseback in about ten days, assuming no complications. With an undead drake patrolling the skies, that poses a risk. Even this close to the capital, there can be trouble on the roads, especially north of Aetherhold. That area is sparsely populated and has been experiencing increased monster incursions."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"So, best case scenario," Alistair summarized, "we can have a response and action plan from Mont Elea in roughly a month, assuming we don't use the gate."

"Correct, though a month is optimistic. We do use the gates despite knowing our enemies might be monitoring them. However, having one of our agents use a gate right after the Cult loses a key resource would be an unacceptable risk. It would confirm their suspicions."

"Is there another gate we could use?" Justin suggested. "Perhaps not the Belmoran Gate, but the next closest one?"

"That would be in Drakendale," Tiffany explained. "It's a shorter journey, yes, but the gate itself is located within the Basilica of Light and can only be accessed by direct order of the Grand Phoenix. There's no way to obtain such authorization without our enemies learning of it."

"Which leaves one final gate," Alistair added. "In the Silverwood south of Silverlake. But if we travel that way, we might as well ride directly to Mont Elea or sail there."

"What does this mean for us?" Justin asked. "Are we operating independently?"

"For the immediate future, yes," Tiffany confirmed. "I'll dispatch some Paladins to Mont Elea with your intelligence, ensuring it reaches Kaive. In the meantime, continue your work here." She frowned. "Your first priority must be securing the remaining blood crystals. In fact, it may already be too late. The fact that they are in the hands of some of Belmora's youngest nobles greatly complicates matters."

"I didn't know what we'd uncover," Justin said. "But I take responsibility."

"You couldn't have anticipated what you'd find in that Vault. However, you must retrieve those crystals without the nobles realizing the truth. The problem is, if even one of them is discovered, it becomes trivial to trace everything back to you, Justin."

Justin could envision how that might unfold: Tennyson showing off a crystal at some gathering, the wrong person taking notice, and then Tennyson casually name-dropping "Justin Talemaker" as the source.

The thought made him feel ill. Valdrik might already be aware of his presence in Belmora, especially if news of the Queen's interest in him had reached Silverton. If Valdrik had shared anything about Justin with his allies at court, he could already be in a precarious position.

But that raised an uncomfortable question: if Valdrik did know about Justin, wouldn't Justin already be dead? At this point, he couldn't be certain either way.

"So my next priority," Justin said grimly, "is fixing my mistakes."

"Lady Myrelle should be manageable," Alistair suggested. "It might be a matter of gathering all three together and binding them under a Gentleman's Agreement."

"That's something you should have done before leaving the Vault," Tiffany said.

Apparently, she was well-informed about Justin's abilities.

Justin sighed. "Understood. I'll handle it first thing tomorrow."

"There's likely still time," Tiffany said. "Especially if you act quickly."

"I'll take care of it at first light."

Tiffany nodded. "I want every blood crystal accounted for and secured. Make sure those nobles aren't hiding anything, especially Lady Celine. She and her father are taking an interest in them. That could be a problem."

"We'll need a convincing cover story for why Justin wants them," Alistair said.

Tiffany considered this for a moment. "Tell them the truth—partially. Explain that crystals are dangerous contraband, strictly forbidden by royal decree. Possession alone carries severe penalties, including imprisonment and confiscation of noble titles. Emphasize that you're trying to protect them from legal consequences by disposing of the crystals properly through... appropriate channels." She paused. "Which isn't entirely false. Play on their fear of scandal and legal repercussions rather than revealing the Cult connection."

"That could work," Justin said. "Especially with Celine and Myrelle. They'll understand the social and legal implications."

"Tennyson will be more difficult," Alistair observed. "He strikes me as the type who might resist out of stubbornness."

"Then emphasize the danger to his family's reputation," Tiffany suggested. "Nobles often care more about their house's standing than their safety. Make it clear that if these crystals are discovered, the scandal could affect his entire family, not just him."

Justin nodded. "That might be enough leverage."

"Move quickly," Tiffany said. "Every hour those crystals remain unaccounted for increases the risk. And Justin—be prepared for the possibility that one or more of them has shown the crystals to someone else. If that's the case, I'll need to know immediately."

"And what then?" Justin asked.

Tiffany's expression was grave. "Pray to the Six it isn't so." She gestured toward the door. "Dismissed."

They departed, walking in silence through the shadowed streets of Mudside. Neither spoke until they returned to Summon & Supply, the door locked behind them, and rejoined Eldrin and Lila in the office.

Once the two were brought up to speed on Templar Tiffany's directives, Alistair voiced his concerns. "I was hoping for something more concrete. Clearer instructions or more support."

"None of this should come as a surprise," Eldrin said. "She's playing it safe."

"She wants to catch the bigger fish," Lila observed. "Strike at Valdrik now, and it alerts whoever's orchestrating this conspiracy."

"I understand her reasoning," Alistair said, "but it means we're operating independently for at least a month, possibly longer."

"Which isn't necessarily a problem," Justin said, "as long as we maintain our cover."

"Which means acting at first light," Lila said. "Justin, you need rest after everything that happened today."

"All of us do," Alistair agreed. "Eldrin's been traveling for weeks, and Lila's been working herself to exhaustion with potion production."

"Atlas will stand watch," Justin said. He let out a sigh. "Tomorrow brings new challenges, I suppose."

"Then let's be ready for them," Lila said, rising from her chair. "Get some sleep, everyone. We'll need clear heads for what's to come."

As they dispersed to their rooms, Justin summoned Atlas, instructing the construct to stand guard in the main showroom.

He went to his room upstairs, settling into bed, still wearing most of his clothes. He wanted to be ready for anything.

Despite his exhaustion, sleep eluded him. His mind kept replaying the day's events: the vampire's deception, the revelation of the drake, Eldrin's arrival, and Templar Tiffany's warnings.

He could only hope that by the time the sun rose, it wouldn't be too late.

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