Cassian's response arrived by midday.
He didn't send soldiers.
He didn't send an assassin.
He sent a letter.
It had been left openly at the checkpoint gate, placed where both sides would be forced to see it. The envelope was sealed and addressed to Maren and Rurik by name.
The handwriting belonged to neither of them.
Neither recognized it.
Both seemed to dread it anyway.
The guard who found the letter had refused to touch it directly. Instead, he carried it back on a flat wooden board, holding it with the same uneasy care a person might use for something they suspected was dangerous without knowing exactly why.
By the time the party reached Maren's meeting room, the letter was already waiting on the table.
Valerica read it first.
Alone.
When she finished, she remained silent for several seconds.
Then she folded the paper once and placed it between Maren and Rurik.
"He isn't threatening force."
Rurik's eyes narrowed.
"Then what?"
"Certainty."
Maren looked at her.
