Chapter 56: Counter-Attack Planning
Tom's network delivered results within two weeks.
"The Red Falcon company," he said, spreading intelligence reports across the Oxenfurt planning table. "Mid-sized mercenary organization, based in Redania but operating across the northern kingdoms. They've been struggling for the past year—guild competition has stolen most of their profitable contracts."
"Our competition specifically?"
"Partially. But they were declining before we became significant. Poor leadership, reputation for cutting corners, internal corruption." He tapped a specific document. "What's interesting is their recent financial recovery. Three months ago, they received an anonymous payment of fifty crowns—roughly their monthly operating expenses. Shortly after, they accepted the contract to ambush you."
"Anonymous payment. From where?"
"The money moved through a Novigrad banking house, deposited by a man matching the description our captured assassin provided. Varen—the intermediary." Tom pulled out another document. "Varen is traceable. He works primarily for a specific client base: merchants and minor nobles who want violence without personal exposure."
"Names?"
"Several. But one stands out." He placed a name at the center of the table. "Aldric Voss. Merchant trader, Redanian by birth, operates primarily between Oxenfurt and Novigrad."
"Voss. Same family name as Mira, but not uncommon in Redania."
"No relation to our Mira," Tom said, reading my expression. "I checked. Different family entirely. But this Aldric has interesting history: he was allied with Baron Halsten before the Baron's... difficulties. When Halsten withdrew from politics, Aldric lost significant business connections."
"He blames us for Halsten's withdrawal."
"Almost certainly. But there's more." Tom produced financial records I didn't ask how he'd obtained. "Aldric has been quietly building coalition against organized adventure guilds. He believes guilds threaten independent contractors—the kind of work he used to broker."
"Independent contractors like the Red Falcons."
"Exactly. His client base included mercenary companies, freelance monster hunters, anyone who operated outside organizational structure. When guilds started dominating the market, his brokerage business collapsed." Tom's expression was grim. "He has personal motivation, financial resources, and established connections to both mercenaries and alchemists."
I visited Baron Halsten's estate under pretense of confirming our non-interference agreement remained in effect.
The Baron received me in his study—the same room where I'd presented his gambling debts and secured his compliance. He'd aged visibly in the months since our confrontation, stress etching deeper lines into his face.
"Master Colen." His voice carried none of the hostility from our previous meeting. Only weariness. "I assume this isn't a social call."
"Confirmation of our arrangement. Someone has made multiple attempts on my life. I want to ensure you're not involved."
His expression flickered—surprise, then something like bitter amusement. "You think I'd risk the consequences we discussed? After what you demonstrated you could do to me?"
"I think desperate people make desperate choices. Your situation has worsened since our agreement."
"My situation has worsened," he admitted. "But not because of your interference. My own mistakes, compounding over years." He gestured at the study's faded grandeur—paintings that needed restoration, furniture showing wear. "I lack the resources for assassination campaigns, Master Colen. And I lack the will to invite your retaliation."
I studied him, using Resource Scanner to verify his claims.
[SUBJECT SCAN: BARON HALSTEN]
[Financial Status: Critical (debts exceeding assets)]
[Political Status: Marginal (associates distanced)]
[Threat Assessment: LOW]
[Note: Subject appears genuine—insufficient resources for sophisticated campaign]
"What about your former associates? Anyone who might act on your behalf, with or without your knowledge?"
"Most of my associates abandoned me when the difficulties began. Only a few remained loyal." He paused, considering. "Aldric Voss stayed longer than most. He blamed organized guilds for the market changes that hurt his business."
"Confirmation. Aldric Voss, connected to Halsten, motivated against guilds."
"When did you last speak with Aldric?"
"Months ago. He wanted me to fund some kind of campaign against guild expansion. I refused—too expensive, too risky." The Baron's expression hardened slightly. "He didn't take the refusal well."
"Thank you for your candor."
"I have no interest in being caught between you and whoever's attacking you. My cooperation serves my survival." He stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Be careful, Master Colen. Aldric is smarter than he appears, and he holds grudges."
Back in Oxenfurt, I assembled the leadership team for strategic planning.
"Two confirmed sources," I said, mapping out the intelligence on the planning table. "Red Falcon company—the mercenaries who attacked me on the road. Aldric Voss—the merchant who funded them and likely orchestrated all three attempts."
"Direct retaliation?" Viktor asked through the message crystal. His tone suggested he already knew my answer.
"No. We don't assassinate enemies—that makes us criminals, gives them victim status, and invites escalation." I began outlining the approach I'd developed. "We destroy them through legitimate means. Completely, publicly, permanently."
Mira looked up from her notes. "How?"
"Two-pronged approach. First target: the Red Falcon company. They're struggling financially—we accelerate their decline through contract competition. Undercut them on every job, recruit their best people, expose their assassination work to potential clients. Within a month, they'll have no contracts, no talent, and no reputation. They'll dissolve voluntarily."
"And Aldric?"
"Second target. He operates as a broker, connecting clients with contractors. We isolate him from both sides—expose his assassination funding to clients who don't want that association, offer better terms to contractors who currently work with him. His business model relies on being useful. We make him useless."
"This will be expensive," Mira calculated. "Undercutting contracts means reducing our margins. Recruitment means signing bonuses. Isolation campaigns require time and resources."
"Cheaper than dying. Cheaper than continuing to defend against attacks we can't predict." I met her eyes. "The investment is worth it. When we're done, everyone who considered attacking us will see the consequences. Not death—something worse. Complete professional destruction while we grow stronger from absorbing their assets."
Tom nodded slowly. "Psychological warfare. Make the cost of opposing us so high that nobody wants to pay it."
"Exactly. We don't just survive assassination—we convert it into growth."
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