Roma nodded. "Few have. It's an ancient order—maybe older than House Tigerin itself. They worked in the shadows to preserve the balance of power between bloodlines."
Eren leaned in. "You think they still exist?"
"I don't just think," Roma whispered. "I know. Someone from Forgeholm sent me this symbol in a sealed letter, three weeks before Aldo was attacked. No words. Just the seal."
Sofiya frowned. "So they're trying to warn you?"
"Maybe," Roma said. "Or lure me."
Eren tapped the table. "Either way, they know something."
Roma nodded. "There's a place—beneath the old forge tower at the edge of the city. They call it 'The Deepbellows.' No one goes there anymore. Too unstable, they say."
Eren stood up. "We're going."
That night, while Aldo slept under the protection of House guards at the inn, the trio snuck out through the dark alleys of Forgeholm.
