Chapter 198: The Hunt Begins

The sanctuary was a hive of whispered conversations and wary glances. Every step Mira took seemed to echo with distrust and paranoia. The poisoning of the senior strategist had escalated the crisis, and now, even her closest allies seemed uneasy.

Mira stood at the central planning table, her fists clenched. Erynn, Solen, and Elara surrounded her, each wearing a grim expression.

"This has gone far enough," Mira said, her voice sharp. "Kaelen's spies are within our walls, and we've allowed them to manipulate us for too long. We need to find them. Now."

Erynn nodded. "Agreed. But we're chasing shadows. Whoever this is knows how to cover their tracks."

"They've gotten sloppy," Solen interjected. "Two attacks in rapid succession? That's desperation. We can use that against them."

Elara placed a map on the table, marking the locations of the recent incidents. "Both attacks happened near the storage and infirmary areas. If we narrow our focus to those with consistent access to these locations, we might find our traitor."

Mira leaned over the map, her mind racing. "We'll start with the storage rooms. Set up a watch, but discreetly. We can't let them know we're onto them."

Later that night, Mira walked through the sanctuary's corridors, her thoughts heavy. The tension among the coalition's members was palpable, and she knew morale was at its breaking point. If they didn't uncover the traitor soon, the sanctuary might collapse under the weight of its own mistrust.

She found herself outside Syra's quarters. The healer had promised to reveal her hidden supplies, and Mira intended to hold her to it. She knocked softly, and Syra opened the door moments later.

"Come in," Syra said, stepping aside.

Inside, Syra gestured to a small cabinet. She unlocked it and opened the doors, revealing rows of vials, jars, and dried herbs.

"This is everything," Syra said. "Unconventional treatments, yes. But nothing that could be used to harm anyone."

Mira scanned the contents, her eyes lingering on a few unmarked vials. "And you're certain none of this could be linked to the poisonings?"

"Positive," Syra replied firmly. "I've tested and cataloged every substance here. If I thought any of it posed a risk, I wouldn't keep it."

Mira nodded, but her instincts still nagged at her. "Thank you for being honest, Syra. I'll need to have Elara double-check everything, just to be safe."

Syra's expression darkened, but she said nothing, simply nodding in agreement.

While Mira focused on the storage and infirmary areas, Solen and Erynn coordinated the watch teams. Hidden guards monitored key locations, their eyes peeled for any suspicious activity.

On the second night, one of the guards stationed near the eastern storage room noticed a faint flicker of movement. A figure cloaked in shadows crept toward a barrel of water, their actions deliberate and calculated.

The guard waited until the figure bent over the barrel, then sprang into action. "Stop right there!"

The figure bolted, but the guard was faster. With a well-aimed tackle, the intruder was pinned to the ground.

Mira, alerted by the commotion, arrived moments later with Erynn in tow.

"Who is it?" Mira demanded, her heart pounding.

The guard yanked back the hood, revealing a young woman with sharp features and defiant eyes.

"Layla?" Erynn exclaimed in shock. "She's one of the kitchen staff."

Layla glared at them, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Why?" Mira asked, her voice low and cold. "Why betray us?"

Layla spat on the ground. "You think you're so righteous, so untouchable. But Kaelen is the future. You're just delaying the inevitable."

Erynn's fists clenched. "You poisoned your own people, spread fear, and nearly killed a strategist—for what? Loyalty to a tyrant?"

Layla smirked. "It's not about loyalty. It's about survival. Kaelen will crush you, and when he does, I'll be on the winning side."

Mira knelt down, her face inches from Layla's. "Not anymore. You'll tell us everything you know about Kaelen's plans, his spies, and his resources. Or I'll make sure you regret ever stepping foot in this sanctuary."

Layla's smirk faltered, but she said nothing.

"Take her to the cells," Mira ordered. "We'll see if she changes her tune after some time to think."

The capture of Layla brought a small measure of relief to the sanctuary, but it also raised more questions. If she was working for Kaelen, how many others were still hidden among them?

Mira convened a council meeting to discuss their next steps.

"Layla's capture is a start," Solen said, "but we need to assume there are more spies. Kaelen wouldn't put all his eggs in one basket."

Erynn nodded. "We need to interrogate her thoroughly. Find out how she communicated with Kaelen and who else might be involved."

Mira agreed. "I'll handle the interrogation myself. But we also need to tighten security. No one comes or goes without being vetted, and we double the guards at every critical point."

Elara spoke up. "I'll help with the interrogation. There are ways to encourage someone to talk without... excessive measures."

Mira glanced at her. "Do what you must, but keep it humane. We're better than Kaelen."

As Mira prepared for the interrogation, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Layla's defiance hinted at a larger network, one that Kaelen had carefully planted within their ranks.

In his war tent, Kaelen received news of Layla's capture. He smiled faintly, leaning back in his chair.

"She's served her purpose," he said to his commander. "By now, the seeds of doubt have already been sown. Let them tear themselves apart while we prepare for the final blow."