Chapter 20: Ripples in the Dark

The body of Vask lay still in the alley, blood pooling beneath him, soaking into the cracks between the cobblestones. The sharp scent of iron lingered in the air, mixing with the damp, rotting stench of the slums.

Aedric stood over the corpse, watching as the life drained from the once-feared enforcer. Even in death, Vask's presence felt heavy, as if the weight of his reputation still clung to the air.

Lirian let out a breath, wincing as she pressed a hand to her ribs. "That bastard threw me like a sack of grain," she muttered. "Remind me to stab him a few more times when I've caught my breath."

Varen crouched beside Vask, his expression unreadable as he wiped his blade on the dead man's tunic. "We should move. His men will notice he's missing before long."

Tessa scanned the alley, eyes sharp and calculating. "They'll find him soon enough," she said. "And when they do, they won't just be looking for a fight—they'll be looking for revenge."

Aedric knew she was right. Vask was Gorran's right hand, a brute who ruled Silk Row through fear and bloodshed. With him gone, there would be a power vacuum. Others would try to take his place. Unless they moved first.

"We're not running," Aedric said firmly. "Not this time."

Lirian let out a dry chuckle. "Didn't think so."

Varen stood, rolling his shoulders. "Then what's the next move?"

Aedric looked down at Vask's body, then toward the mouth of the alley, where the city beyond still hummed with life, unaware of what had just been set into motion.

"Word will spread fast," he said. "By tomorrow, every thug in Gorran's ranks will know Vask is dead. They'll be scared, confused. Some will want to strike back immediately, but others…" He narrowed his eyes. "Others will see an opportunity."

Tessa caught on quickly. "You're saying we turn them against each other?"

Aedric nodded. "Vask was Gorran's enforcer, but he was also a brute who ruled through fear. I'd wager there are plenty in his ranks who hated him just as much as they feared him. With him gone, they'll be scrambling to fill the gap."

Lirian smirked. "And if we nudge them in the right direction, they'll tear each other apart before they even think about coming after us."

Varen crossed his arms. "That's a dangerous game. If we play it wrong, we'll have Gorran's full attention before we're ready."

Aedric met his gaze. "We already have his attention. This way, we control the battlefield."

A silence settled over them as the weight of the decision sank in. They had struck a blow tonight—one that would shake the underworld of Velmire to its core. But it also meant they were all in now.

No turning back. No second chances.

Tessa sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Fine. But we need to be smart about this. If we want to stoke the fire, we need information."

Aedric's mind was already working. There were informants, thieves, and desperate men who would sell secrets for the right price. They needed to find out who within Gorran's ranks wanted power—and who was just waiting for the right push.

"Then we start tonight," he said. "We split up, keep our ears open. We need names—anyone who had a grudge against Vask, anyone who might think of stepping up."

Varen nodded. "I'll check the taverns. The lower ranks talk when they drink."

Lirian grinned. "I've got a few old 'friends' who might be willing to spill something—if I ask nicely."

Tessa rolled her eyes. "Just don't leave another body trail."

Aedric adjusted the cloak around his shoulders. "We meet back at the safe house before dawn. Be careful. The city will be crawling with eyes tonight."

With that, they slipped away into the shadows, disappearing into the tangled streets of Velmire.

---

The city felt different now.

Even though most of its people had no idea what had just happened in that alley, there was a tension in the air. It was in the way people moved, in the whispers that flitted through darkened doorways, in the wary glances exchanged in taverns.

Aedric moved carefully, keeping to the less-traveled paths. He wasn't looking for a fight tonight. He was looking for answers.

His first stop was a gambling den nestled deep in the slums. It was a filthy place, filled with the stink of sweat, ale, and desperation. Perfect for gathering information.

He slid into a dark corner, watching. The men here were low-level thugs, enforcers for hire, smugglers looking for work. They weren't important—but they knew things.

It didn't take long to hear what he was looking for.

"—I'm telling you, Vask is gone. Dead."

"That's not possible. No one could take that monster down."

"Well, someone did. Found him in the alley, throat cut, blood everywhere. Gorran's men are pissed."

Aedric leaned in slightly, his hood casting a shadow over his face.

"Who do they think did it?" another voice asked.

"That's the thing—no one knows. Some are saying the city watch, others think it was one of his own men. You know how many people hated him?" The man let out a low laugh. "Wouldn't surprise me if one of them decided it was time for a change."

Aedric smirked. That was exactly what he wanted to hear.

The seeds of doubt were already there. Now, he just had to water them.

He slipped a few coins onto the table, catching the gambler's eye. "Who do you think steps up next?" he asked casually.

The man eyed the money before shrugging. "Hard to say. Jorik might try, but he's got too many enemies. Then there's Brath, but he's all brawn and no brain." He lowered his voice. "If I were a betting man? I'd put my coin on Dorn."

Aedric didn't react, but inside, his mind was already working. Dorn. He knew the name—a lieutenant in Gorran's network. Cunning, ruthless, but patient. Unlike Vask, he wasn't a brute who ruled with his fists. He was a schemer.

And schemers could be played.

Aedric left without another word, slipping into the night. The first piece of the puzzle was in place. Now, he had to use it.

By the time he returned to the safe house, the others were already waiting.

Lirian was lounging on the table, spinning a dagger between her fingers. Varen leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Tessa had maps and notes spread before her, her sharp eyes scanning the pages.

"Well?" Aedric asked.

Varen was the first to speak. "Tension is high. Half of Gorran's men are looking for a fight, but the other half?" He shook his head. "They're waiting. They know this is a chance for a shift in power."

Lirian grinned. "I've heard the same. And from what I gathered, there's one name on everyone's lips—Dorn."

Aedric nodded. "Then he's the one we focus on."

Tessa frowned. "And if he doesn't bite?"

Aedric's expression darkened. "Then we make him."

The room fell silent. The next move was theirs.

And if they played it right, they wouldn't just be taking down Gorran's empire.

They'd be taking it for themselves.