Caedryn did not raise his voice when the report reached him.
He stood by the tall window of his private chamber, hands clasped behind his back, watching the pale light bleed slowly across the distant ridges beyond Solcarth. The chamber was quiet except for the faint hum of wards buried deep within the stone, old protections layered on top of one another until even sound seemed reluctant to linger.
"Say it again," Caedryn murmured, not turning.
The attendant swallowed. "Archivist Finley has begun searching openly. Prince Valeyn granted him movement within the palace. Captain Edrin Ward, Lyra, and Tomas were assigned as escort."
Caedryn's lips curved, not quite a smile.
"So," he uttered softly, "he was looking for her after all and he knows she's within the palace ground."
He turned then, slowly, eyes sharp with interest rather than anger. "That means he knows more than he shows, or at least suspects enough to be dangerous."
The attendant hesitated. "Should we intervene?"
