First Steps in Shadow

Elaris's hands trembled slightly as he worked the lock. Three weeks since Lysara's exile, and this was his first real mission alone. The archives beneath the fortress's war chamber had seemed less intimidating when she was here to guide him. Now every shadow held potential discovery, every distant sound made his heart race.

He'd overheard fragments during the war council that morning - whispered references to "Project Worldseed" between Lady Sylvaria and the king's master artificer. Something about the ley line network. Lysara would have known exactly where to look, but he had to figure it out himself.

"Stay calm," he whispered, remembering her lessons. "Move like you belong here." But his fingers felt clumsy on the lock picks, nothing like her practiced grace. Twice he had to start over when his nervousness made him rush.

The lock finally clicked open. He slipped inside, trying to remember everything Lysara had taught him about moving silently. The archives stretched into darkness, shelves looming with forbidden knowledge. Somewhere in here were the plans he needed to find.

A guard patrol passed above. Elaris froze, pressed against a shelf, cursing his obvious hiding spot. Lysara would have found a better position, would have planned her route more carefully. But he was still learning, still trying to fill the void she'd left behind.

The case he sought bore Lady Sylvaria's personal seal. Inside, he found what looked like technical documents - diagrams of the ley line network, tactical positions, supply line information. His eyes widened as he realized what he was seeing. These weren't just plans for magical experiments. This was a map of all the secret routes Kael's forces used to move through divine-controlled territory.

Footsteps on the archive stairs made him nearly drop the documents. Heavy steps. Armored. Coming this way.

Panic rose in his throat. Lysara had taught him how to hide, how to fade into shadow, but theory felt very different from practice. His hands shook as he quickly copied the most important details onto scraps of parchment, knowing he couldn't take the originals without being discovered.

The steps grew closer. He recognized them now - Dain's distinctive stride. His commander, coming directly toward the one place he absolutely couldn't be found.

He searched desperately for a hiding spot, knowing he was doing everything wrong. Lysara would have had an escape route planned. Would have known exactly where to conceal herself. He ended up crouched behind a shelf of ancient texts, feeling horribly exposed.

Dain entered carrying a lantern. Its light sent shadows dancing as he moved to the case Elaris had just searched. Every muscle in Elaris's body tensed as his commander passed nearby. One wrong move, one poorly-timed breath, and everything would be discovered.

Something caught Dain's attention. He paused, studying the case's contents with narrowed eyes. "The seal's been disturbed," he said quietly to himself. His hand moved to his sword hilt.

Elaris held his breath. Had he replaced everything exactly as he'd found it? Lysara had stressed the importance of leaving no trace, but in his nervousness, had he made some obvious mistake?

Dain's eyes scanned the room slowly. For a terrifying moment, they seemed to pause on Elaris's hiding spot. Then he shook his head and turned to leave. "I'll need to inform the guards to check the seals more regularly," he muttered, heading for the stairs.

Elaris waited until the steps had completely faded before letting out his breath. His legs shook as he stood. Too close. Far too close. But he had what he came for - proof of the kingdoms' plans.

Dawn found him at his regular duties, helping Dain prepare for the day's councils. Every movement felt stiff, his mind racing with the stolen information burning a hole in his pocket.

"You seem tired," Dain noted as Elaris fumbled with a buckle on his armor.

"Didn't sleep well, sir." At least that wasn't a lie.

"Understandable. These are troubled times."

Elaris nodded, focusing on his work to hide his trembling fingers. He still needed to find a way to get the information to Lysara. But for now, he had to maintain his cover, had to keep playing his role. One step at a time, just as she had taught him.