Kai and Eevy walked away from the crowded dance floor.

The loud music faded as they entered a quiet side hall.

City officials used this area to escape the loud party and discuss private business.

Kai saw his target group standing near a long table, drinking expensive wine and arguing loudly over trade taxes.

The group was a mixed council of different races.

A tall, high elf wearing elegant silver robes stood on the left.

He was the city magistrate with sharp features and cold eyes.

A stout dwarf with a braided beard argued with him.

The dwarf handled the merchant guild funds. He wore gold rings on every single finger. A human military general stood right between them.

The general had a scar across his cheek and wore a scowl.

’These are the people running the defence,’ Kai thought to himself.

’No wonder the city is failing.’

Kai walked right up to the table.

Eevy stayed one step behind him.

She kept her eyes scanning the room for any hidden threats.

Her hand hovered very close to her hidden dagger.

"There’s something y’all should know," Kai said, interrupting their argument.

"Your northern gate is going to fall in three days. A vanguard of vampires is marching toward the walls right now. They already have supply lines running under your feet."

The three officials stopped talking immediately.

"Who let this boy in here?" the high elf sneered.

He looked down his long nose at Kai.

"This is a private discussion for senior council members. We do not take advice from lost guests."

"I am trying to save your lives," Kai replied flatly.

"The Duke is selling you out. He is working directly with the vampires."

The dwarf let out a booming laugh.

He slammed his wine cup onto the table, "You expect us to believe a random stranger? You smell like a foreign schemer. You are probably trying to cause a panic so your merchant friends can buy cheap land in the outer ring."

"No, idiot," Kai said, keeping his voice very calm.

"If you do not listen, you will all die in your sleep. I have proof of the supply lines."

The human general stepped forward.

He rested his hand on the hilt of his steel sword.

"Watch your tone. We have the best scouts in the realm. If an army were that close, we would know. Go back to the dance floor before I have you arrested for spreading rumours against the Duke."

Kai looked at the three men.

He realised words were entirely useless here, so he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.

It was a quick sketch he made of the underground sewer map.

’They will not listen to reason,’ Kai thought to himself.

’They just want to protect their fragile egos.’

Kai gave them a fake smile.

He offered a small, mocking bow, "My mistake. Enjoy your wine, gentlemen."

As he turned away, he bumped his shoulder hard against the dwarf.

It looked like a clumsy accident.

In that split second, Kai slipped the folded map deep into the dwarf’s pocket.

Kai walked away.

Eevy followed him down the quiet hallway until they were out of sight.

"Well, that went terribly," Eevy whispered.

"They did not believe a single word you said."

"I did not expect them to," Kai replied.

"But I slipped a copy of the supply map into the dwarf’s pocket. He is greedy. He will look at it later to see if he can make money off the hidden tunnels. When the vampires finally attack, he will know I was telling the truth."

They turned the corner and bumped right into a woman.

She was leaning against the stone wall and looked to be in her late forties.

She wore a simple grey dress that stood out among all the bright party silks.

Her hair was pulled back into a bun.

She held a glass of plain water, watching Kai with sharp, calculating eyes.

"You have a terrible approach to politics," the woman said.

"You cannot just walk up to a high elf and tell him he is stupid. Even if he is very stupid."

Kai stopped walking.

He looked closely at the woman.

Eevy tensed up beside him.

"And who are you?" Kai asked.

"I am Mira," she said, taking a slow sip of her water.

"I am the senior court advisor. I spend my days trying to keep those idiots from ruining the city. It is a full-time job."

’She is observing everything,’ Kai thought to himself.

"So here is the thing," Mira continued.

"I heard what you said about the Duke. I also noticed you picked the lock on his private study upstairs. Do not look surprised. I pay attention to the small details."

Kai did not deny it.

"Then you know I am telling the truth about the vanguard."

Mira sighed.

She rubbed her temples like she had a terrible headache.

"I know the Duke is hiding something. I know the outer walls are weak. But you cannot just yell about vampires in a hallway. The council will just lock you in a dungeon to keep you quiet."

"I have hard proof," Kai said. He reached into his coat and pulled out the treasonous letters.

He held them up just enough so Mira could see the Duke’s wax seal.

Mira’s eyes widened just a fraction.

She quickly reached out and pushed his hand back down.

"Put that away, you fool," she whispered, looking around the empty hall to make sure no one was watching.

"If the Duke’s guards see you with those, they will kill you right here. You are playing a very dangerous game."

"Then where do we talk?" Kai asked.

Mira looked him up and down. Her sharp gaze lingered on his broad shoulders and the quiet confidence he carried. The strict advisor persona slipped just a little, revealing a very lonely, stressed woman underneath.

"I have a private suite in the guest wing of this estate," Mira said, her voice dropping lower.

"Bring the letters. We will go over them together." She glanced at Eevy.

"The rogue stays out here. She can secure the hallway."

Eevy looked at Kai.

She knew exactly how his class skills worked.

"I will watch the door," Eevy said smoothly, stepping back into the shadows.

"Take your time."

Kai followed Mira down the corridor.

The room was dark and quiet, lit only by a warm fire in the hearth.

Mira walked over to a small table.

She poured two glasses of red wine.

Her hands shook slightly.

She was holding a lot of political power, but she was surrounded by weak men.

Kai radiated authority, and she was clearly drawn to it.

’She is looking for an escape,’ Kai thought to himself, watching her take a nervous sip of wine.

"Show me the letters," Mira said, turning to face him.

The firelight caught the soft curves of her figure under the grey dress.

’Time for another exchange.’