The fall of the Silent Hand’s northern base did not bring loud celebration, but it changed the tone of the region in a clear way. Reports from nearby territories showed a sharp drop in organized sabotage and fewer sudden shifts in loyalty among smaller factions. Trade routes that had felt tense and uncertain began to flow more freely again. Yet Marcus understood that the removal of one hidden group did not mean the end of hidden threats. Power, once gathered, always drew new challengers. The long night that followed was not a night of darkness alone, but of careful watching.
Marcus called a full session of the Central Table within two days of his return. The council chamber felt steady and focused, not shaken. Elena presented detailed findings recovered from the Silent Hand’s base, includ
