Vardel's hands trembled as he gripped the edges of the report. He was the first to be arrested, the first to face the consequences of his actions. "What are we going to do?" Vardel muttered under his breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "They've arrested the servants. All 30 of them, taken for questioning. I'm the first to be targeted. What if they come for us next?"
His mind raced, trying to find a way out of this mess. If they were after the servants, it was only a matter of time before the merchants were under suspicion too. He knew what would happen next they would come for him, just like the others.
Vardel's thoughts became frantic as he paced back and forth. His once-profitable business was now a liability, a ticking time bomb. He had to move quickly, make decisions fast. He couldn't afford to be caught, not when everything he'd worked for was at stake.
"We have to get out," he whispered to himself, more determined than ever. "We need to leave before they come for us. We leave everything behind the stores, the business it doesn't matter anymore. Just survive. That's all that matters now."
Fear gnawed at him. He wasn't just running from the law; he was running from the consequences of his own greed. The arrest of the servants was only the beginning. The web was closing in, and Vardel could feel it.
As he made his plans to flee, he couldn't ignore the reality of the situation. The other stores were just like his own, part of the same illegal trade. If they were caught, he knew his time would come soon enough.
Vardel's mind raced as he paced the dimly lit room, his thoughts spinning wildly. He'd never imagined it would come to this. He had always thought the merchants could get away with their schemes, that they could play the system. But now, with his own men behind bars and the law closing in, everything was falling apart.
He didn't hear the footsteps at first the echo of boots against stone, growing louder. When he turned to face the door, his heart skipped a beat.
There, standing in the doorway, were two soldiers stern-faced, eyes locked on him with cold precision. Behind them, another soldier held a document in his hand, the weight of it undeniable.
"Vardel Daren," the captain said, his voice deep and unwavering. "By the orders of Lady Vivian and Commander Rendon, you are under arrest for smuggling and conspiracy to manipulate the market."
Vardel froze, his breath catching in his throat. His legs felt weak beneath him, but he forced himself to stand tall, to appear unshaken. He was the first, but would he be the only one?
"This… this is a mistake," Vardel stammered, his mind grasping for a way out. "I-I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't done anything illegal."
The captain stepped forward, unfazed. "The evidence says otherwise."
Vardel's pulse quickened. The arrest of the servants the reports of seized goods it all made sense now. His involvement was no longer hidden; they had everything they needed.
The soldiers moved to seize him. Vardel's heart pounded in his chest, the air growing heavier with every step. He wanted to fight back, to scream that he was being wronged, but deep down, he knew it was futile.
"Please," he pleaded, his voice shaking with a fear he could no longer mask. "I can explain. You don't understand. I was just trying to keep the business alive…"
The captain shook his head. "The time for explanations is over. You will be taken to the station, and you will face the charges against you."
As the shackles clicked around his wrists, Vardel's eyes darted to the window, the last sliver of freedom he'd ever have. His life, his business, it was all over now. There was no escape from the consequences.
The soldiers led him out of the room, through the corridors, and into the street. The weight of his arrest seemed to draw the very air from his lungs. He had been the first to fall, but he knew he wouldn't be the last. Every merchant involved in this web of lies and greed would soon face the same fate. The law was coming for them all.
As Vardel was escorted to the station, a deep, empty silence hung over him. There was no pride left, no fight in him anymore. He had been caught, and now, there was nothing left but to face the music.
This happen to all of the merchant that were involve ending this smuggling case in the Ravennest town.
Rendon stood in front of Vivian, his posture firm and respectful. The weight of the day's events hung over him like a thick fog. He had just returned from overseeing the arrests of the merchants involved in the smuggling operation, and now he had to deliver the news to Vivian.
"Lady Vivian," Rendon began, his voice steady but laced with an underlying seriousness. "Every merchant involved has been apprehended. Their servants have all confessed, and they've admitted to the smuggling operation. We've closed down all of their businesses, and I've made arrangements to ensure their properties are sealed."
Vivian nodded, her face unreadable. The room was quiet, save for the faint sound of the wind outside. She had expected this outcome, but now that it was done, the reality of it weighed heavily on her.
"Good. This needed to be dealt with swiftly." She crossed her arms, her gaze piercing. "But the people need to understand why their businesses are suddenly closed. These merchants had a foothold in the town, and their sudden disappearance will raise questions. It must be made clear to the public."
Rendon nodded, his face serious. "I understand. The town is peaceful now, but without clarification, rumors will start to spread. We'll need to issue a statement, but it's crucial that we make it clear these actions were taken for the safety of the town."
Vivian stood up from her chair, walking toward the window, her gaze drifting over the town below. "Yes. We cannot let the public believe these closures were anything other than necessary. If we do not address this properly, it could lead to unrest. Let them know that these merchants were involved in a plot that threatened the stability of Ravennest, and that their actions would not be tolerated. The town must see us as a beacon of order and justice."
"I'll have the proclamation prepared right away," Rendon said, already considering the logistics. "We'll ensure every resident is informed."
Vivian turned from the window, her face hardening. "Make sure the message is clear: no one is above the law. Not even those who thought they could manipulate the system for their gain. And remind them, the safety of the town and its people is our highest priority."
Rendon bowed slightly, his expression resolute. "I will see to it immediately."
As he turned to leave, Vivian's voice stopped him. "Rendon."
He looked back, his gaze meeting hers. She spoke quietly, but the gravity of her words was unmistakable.
"Make sure this doesn't happen again."
Rendon's jaw tightened, and he nodded. "It won't, my lady. I'll ensure this is the last of it."
The streets of Ravennest buzzed with the usual sounds of daily life. However, a dark cloud seemed to hang over the town, whispering in hushed tones among the townsfolk. The news of the recent arrests had spread like wildfire, and with it came the rumors.
In the marketplace, a group of local women huddled together, gossiping under the awning of a fruit stand. Their faces were filled with concern, and their voices lowered, as if afraid someone might overhear.
"Did you hear? The Lord is seizing businesses left and right," one woman whispered, her eyes darting around nervously. "Some say he's using his power to claim the merchant's shops for himself. No one's safe. Who knows if we'll have to give up our livelihoods next?"
Another woman, older and graver, nodded slowly. "I've heard the same. I don't trust this sudden crackdown. They say the merchants were dealing with something illegal. But we don't know for sure, do we?"
"Illegal? It doesn't make sense," a younger woman replied, shaking her head. "Why would they risk it all like that? And what's to say they weren't forced into it? People say the Lord is going too far. He's got too much control now."
As the gossip swirled through the streets, it wasn't just the women who were talking. Everywhere, people exchanged whispers, casting uneasy glances at the merchant stalls and the suddenly empty shops that had been closed without explanation. The word "seize" was used more and more frequently, and the suspicion that the Lord might be abusing his power began to take root.
The tension in the town continued to build, until it became impossible to ignore.
Later that morning, the town square filled with people, their faces anxious and confused. There was an uneasy energy in the air as people gathered to witness the announcement they had been waiting for. From one corner of the plaza, a town crier's voice boomed through the square, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.
"Hear ye, hear ye! By decree of Lady Vivian and Commander Rendon, an official statement will be made. Let the town be informed that the recent closures of several merchant businesses were due to their involvement in a serious illegal operation that endangered the safety and prosperity of Ravennest."
The crowd grew quiet, many of them unsure what to make of the announcement. The crier continued, his words measured and clear.
"These merchants have been arrested and their businesses sealed as a precaution. The town is now safe, and these actions were necessary to protect the peace of Ravennest. We ask all citizens to remain calm and to trust that the Lord's actions were in the interest of justice."
As the crier finished his proclamation, a series of guards moved throughout the town, posting notices on the doors of every merchant's shop. The notices were official, stamped with the seal of the Lord's office, and carried a brief but firm message.
"By order of Lady Vivian, the recent closure of these businesses was in response to illegal activities carried out by the owners. The town of Ravennest is now secure, and all citizens are urged to remain vigilant."
As the guards placed the notices on every shop, the town square slowly began to empty. People lingered for a while, reading the messages with varying expressions of doubt, relief, or frustration. The rumors had been silenced, at least for now. But the whispers would not fade entirely. The seed of suspicion had been planted.
However, as the day wore on, the usual bustle of the town resumed. The businesses that were still operating did their best to regain the trust of the citizens. The air of uncertainty that had plagued the streets began to lift, but a lingering unease remained.