章 55: Probing the Serpents’ Veil
After weeks of countering Golden Serpent tests, Lyrus and his advisors agreed it was time to turn the tables. The Ember Circle would not strike blindly, but they would probe the Serpents' influence, gathering precious intelligence. A subtle, measured advance—no grand armies, just careful feelers extended into unfamiliar territories.
Alyra led a team of elite scouts, Ember Blazes chosen for their quiet footsteps and keen senses. They slipped into forested borderlands known to host Serpent agents. Their task: observe supply caches, note hidden signposts, and quietly mark potential safe houses. Armed not with banners, but with patience and stealth, they blended seamlessly with traders, hunters, and travelers.
They discovered a pattern: the Golden Serpents preferred to meet their contacts at twilight near certain streams, where carved stones bore hidden sigils. Alyra's scouts watched from treetops, unseen, learning the hand signals and subtle gestures the Serpents used. They did not confront them—merely gathered threads of knowledge.
Back in Ember territory, Kael and Lyrus studied the scouts' reports. They charted routes of Serpent couriers, identified likely poison-smugglers, and confirmed which villages harbored Serpent sympathizers. Rather than expose these collaborators immediately, Lyrus chose to wait. The Ember Circle would let the Serpents think their lines secure, while slowly weaving a trap of awareness around them.
This silent probing taught the Embers much: the Serpents had weaknesses in logistics, relying on hidden stashes and vulnerable messengers. Their greatest strength—subtlety—could be undermined by careful watchfulness.
With each new scrap of insight, the Ember Circle gained confidence. They had no desire for a hasty, reckless strike. Instead, they aimed for a long-term strategy. The Serpents were not omniscient, and their veil of secrecy could be lifted piece by careful piece.
As dusk fell, Lyrus contemplated these findings. Just as the Serpents had tested them, now the Embers tested the Serpents. The difference: Lyrus' people fought for open truth and genuine security, not hidden dominance. This moral foundation guided their hand, ensuring they moved with integrity and purpose.
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