The Sanctum below the Tower of London had ceased to be a room; it had become a battlefield. The chilly untraceable light appeared severe casting pronounced shadows beneath Edgar Walker's forehead and accentuating the tense posture of Felicya Aurora's shoulders. The black obsidian table resembled less a site, for discussion and more a sleek barrier separating factions.
Arthur Cooper came in last the heaviness of the First Ledger lingering like a stone, in his stomach. He settled into his spot, the Fourth Seat sensing the rooms tension as if it were a hum. Edgar reclined with flair a vibrant red rose pinned to his lapel his eyes shining with open amusement. Alexa Solara sat rigidly her lapelled coat acting as a bold emblem her stare locked on Felicya with the relentless focus of a predator sizing up danger.
Felicya was not reclining. She stood, her palms placed on the surface knuckles pale against the dark stone. In front of her was a tablet its display off. Her typical steampunk grace was reduced to a design; even her brass glasses appeared less fanciful, more, like protection.
"We gather pursuant, to Article Seven of the Covenant " she started, her tone sharp lacking its melodic lilt. "Unauthorized. Violation of Confidentiality."
Arthur experienced an unrelated, to the ambient coldness. Article Seven. The sections concerning 'Ultimate Purification.'
"How Felicya " Edgar murmured, circling the edge of a water glass with a gloved fingertip. "Please do tell us. Has one of your cherished elves bruised a toe on a wayward relic?"
Felicya disregarded him. She touched her tablet. A holographic projection appeared above the table: the rain-soaked Leith alley, Colin Drurys corpse the data drive clutched in his hand. A shared quiet intake of breath passed among those around the table. Alexas face remained impassive. A twitch, in her jaw was noticeable.
"Two nights prior " Felicya declared, her speech. Exact "a minor O.R.C. Agent was discovered dead in a public area. Cause of death: disruption matching E.L.F.-tuned bio-dampening technology. On him was a data-drive holding proprietary E.L.F. Intellectual property—fundamental harmonic sequences of the Aurora Weave."
She fixed her eyes squarely on Alexa. "The security measures protecting that data are exclusive to Warwick Castle's archive. The intrusion wasn't cyber-based. It was an infiltration. An individual familiar, with the layout and security schedules of my facility entered a protected terminal and retrieved this information. The approach indicates a spy operation supported by… outside influence."
Alexa remained unmoved. "There's a body clutching your weapon and bearing my employee's expression. Your deduction is predetermined. Yet your reasoning is unsound." She inclined slightly the satin of her lapels gleaming in the light. "If I intended to obtain your data, Chairwoman Aurora I wouldn't dispatch a Level-Two analyst. I would simply seize it.. You wouldn't discover the corpse."
Edgar let out a chuckle, a admiring murmur. "She's right. It's missing Solara's grace. It's somewhat… awkward."
"Awkward or not the outcome remains unchanged!" Felicya's calm shattered, a fracture of sheer rage. "My efforts—the essential labor of ten years—have been compromised. An act of spying has occurred, leading to a killing that threatens to reveal the secrets of our technology to any scrutiny that examines it too thoroughly! This is no game, Edgar. This is a violation of the pact that prevents our four houses from erupting into outright conflict!"
Arthur observed, the ledger's phrases resonating in his thoughts. A Balance of Terrible Power. That balance was now breaking apart. He perceived not Felicya the perfectionist. Alistair P. Finch-Hatton's heir, safeguarding her Sylvan Dominion. He perceived not Alexa the pragmatist. Lady Vix St. Claire's successor, charged with breaching the pact.
"What is your suggestion Felicya?" Arthur's tone pierced the mounting tension, than the rest yet authoritative. "You brought up Article Seven. What are you asking for?"
Felicya inhaled deeply restoring her composure. "I insist on O.R.C. Adherence along with an independent audit of their data centers and recent takeovers. I require Alexa Solara's biometric records from the last seventy-two hours to be examined by an impartial entity.. I demand the person accountable for the physical intrusion, at Warwick—who is certainly an O.R.C. Agent—be handed over to E.L.F. Authority for… interrogation."
A death sentence. Politely phrased.
Alexa rose deliberately. The gesture was smooth strong. "You insist on a relinquishment of sovereignty " she stated, her tone chillingly composed. "You insist on searching my castle on grounds that might have been fabricated by any, among us." Her gaze moved to Edgar then to Arthur. Ultimately returned to Felicya. This 'awkward' move, as Edgar labels it serves those to watch the two groups, with the greatest stakes in avoiding open hostility dismantle one another. It brings disorder.. It diverts attention from other subtler activities.
"Are you charging me Alexa?" Edgar inquired, resting a hand on his chest, in hurt. "I am hurt. My endeavors are a text. Well an intriguing mysterious volume,. Open all the same."
"I blame the situation " Alexa retorted. ". I offer a counter-proposal. I intend to present my forensic examination of the scene and Drury's life. I will distribute it among all of you. What you'll discover is a man burdened by debt a man reached by calls, a man who was a pawn, not a player.. You, Felicya shall unlock your security logs for a collective examination—not only by yourself but, by a panel comprising one delegate from each house. Let us discover who truly accessed your archive."
A stalemate. Felicya, seeking retribution and security. Alexa, offering transparency but no submission.
Arthur recognized the stalemate. Perceived the chance—not, for A.G.L. but for the deteriorating equilibrium. The First Ledger had revealed the price of defeat. He could not allow this to ignite the flame.
"There exists a compromise " Arthur broke in. Both women faced him. "A collaborative probe. Not a review, not a capitulation. A quartet: one agent from each group. They collaborate, sharing information to track the breach to its origin. E.L.F. Supplies the security records. O.R.C. Delivers the analysis. D.M.N. " he glanced at Edgar "offers… insight, into deception techniques. A.G.L. Will offer an impartial protected analysis center, at Dover. The results are delivered to the Quadrumvirate collectively."
Edgar lifted an eyebrow. "A small truth-seeking panel. How quite… heavenly of you, Arthur.. What if the panel determines it was dear Alexa?"
"Then the entire force of the Covenant comes down " Arthur said, locking eyes with Alexa. ". If E.L.F. Is found to have been compromised or careless reparations follow.. We proceed based on proof discovered collectively not on allegations thrown blindly into the void."
The room felt tense. Felicya considered the proposal. It was below her expectation. It represented a step, toward progress. It pushed the matter beyond this stalled chamber. Alexa responded with a nod. It surpassed an audit; it was a pursuit.
"I consent to the inquiry " Felicya stated, her voice constrained.
"I feel the same " Alexa repeated.
"Wonderful " Edgar exhaled, sounding as if he regretted the fireworks had ended. "I'll dispatch my deceiver… pardon me my finest analyst."
As the meeting shifted to concerns Arthur reclined. He might have averted a war today. Yet he had also cemented the distrust. Confidence was lost, substituted by a council of spies. The Balance of Terrible Power now possessed an oversight group. It was a kind of advancement—the type their 19th-century founders would have fully comprehended. They hadn't constructed bridges. They had crafted a complex prison. And they were all now rattling the bars, wondering who had the key.