Morning arrived with the weight of surveillance beginning, the tedious work of observation that would hopefully yield opportunity for contact. Mariabel left first, dressed in clothes that spoke to noble background without being ostentatious, someone who could loiter near the manor district without attracting suspicion or excessive attention from guards.

Aslan followed an hour later, taking a different route and positioning himself in locations where his silver eyes and distinctive appearance wouldn't be immediately memorable. His condition gave him excuse to rest frequently, to sit on benches or lean against walls while appearing to recover strength, perfect cover for extended observation.

Raze and Kael remained at the Copper Rest, spreading documents across their table and diving deeper into research about Baelor Crawford's background. What little information existed painted picture of competent administrator whose life had been systematically destroyed, but details were sparse and carefully scrubbed from public records.

"The Syndicate erased most traces of his family," Kael observed, frustration evident as he reviewed merchant guild records. "His wife's death is mentioned in accident reports but investigation documents are missing, his sons' deaths are noted but circumstances are vague, everything that might establish pattern of Syndicate involvement has been removed or altered."

"They're thorough about covering tracks," Raze agreed, his Absolute Genius working through implications. "Which means approaching Baelor requires being equally thorough about avoiding detection, one mistake and the Syndicate will know we're trying to recruit their asset."

The first day of surveillance yielded minimal useful information. Mariabel reported standard manor traffic, guards changing shifts at predictable intervals and servants coming and going on routine errands. She'd glimpsed Baelor twice through windows, always moving with purpose and always alone, the perfect secretary managing endless administrative tasks.

Aslan's observations matched hers with addition of noting guard patrol patterns around the manor's perimeter. "Security is tight but not excessive," he reported that evening. "They're watching for external threats not internal movements, suggests confidence that everyone inside is already controlled."

"That confidence creates gaps," Raze said thoughtfully. "If they're not worried about people inside the manor then surveillance focuses outward, which means less attention on Baelor's movements within controlled territory."

The second day brought similar results, hours of watching that revealed routine without opportunity. Baelor appeared occasionally in windows or doorways but always surrounded by the manor's operations, never isolated enough for approach that wouldn't be immediately noticed.

"This is tedious," Mariabel complained that evening, exhaustion from full day of careful observation evident. "I've memorized every guard's face and patrol route but haven't seen single moment where Baelor is accessible."

"Patience," Raze counseled, though his own frustration was building. "We knew this might take days, rushing creates mistakes that compromise everything."

The third day felt like repetition of the previous two, endless hours watching manor traffic that followed predictable patterns. Aslan positioned himself near the eastern entrance where service deliveries arrived, thinking perhaps Baelor might appear to verify shipments, but the secretary remained inside while lower staff handled actual receipt of goods.

The fourth day brought weather that complicated surveillance, rain making extended observation more suspicious as loitering nobles and resting cultivators sought shelter rather than standing in downpour. They were forced to reduce coverage and rely on brief observation periods between storms.

"We're running out of time," Kael said that evening as rain continued falling. "Three more days before we hit the one week limit and need to consider alternative approaches, and weather is reducing our observation windows significantly."

"The Syndicate doesn't stop operations because of rain," Raze countered. "If anything poor weather creates opportunities because visibility is reduced and people move faster between locations, we maintain surveillance and hope conditions work in our favor."

The fifth day dawned clear after night of heavy rain, the capital washed clean and streets less crowded as people recovered from being confined indoors. Aslan took advantage of reduced foot traffic to position himself closer to the manor than previous days, finding bench with clear sight line to the main entrance.

He'd been sitting there for perhaps two hours, appearing to rest while actually tracking every person who entered or exited, when opportunity finally presented itself in form of overheard conversation.

Two guards stood near the entrance, far enough from Aslan that they thought their conversation was private but close enough that his enhanced hearing caught every word.

"Secretary's got busy schedule today," the first guard said, adjusting his armor against morning chill. "Heading out into the city for meetings, Lord's got him finalizing deals all across the capital."

"Poor bastard," the second guard replied with mixture of sympathy and contempt. "Running around in this cold after yesterday's rain, at least we get to stay here where it's dry."

"Better him than us, I don't envy dealing with those merchants and their endless negotiations," the first guard continued. "Though I suppose that's why he's secretary and we're just guards."

They moved away, conversation shifting to other topics while Aslan's mind raced with implications. Baelor would be leaving the manor, moving through the capital on business, away from the concentrated surveillance and controlled environment of Venn's estate.

He forced himself to remain seated for another twenty minutes to avoid appearing suspicious by immediately departing after overhearing useful information, then stood and made his way back toward the Copper Rest with news that would change everything.

Raze was reviewing financial documents when Aslan burst through the door, silver eyes bright with excitement that was rare for his normally calm demeanor.

"We have our opening," Aslan announced before anyone could ask. "Overheard guards discussing Baelor's schedule, he's leaving the manor today to finalize deals across the capital."

"Finalizing deals," Raze repeated, his Absolute Genius immediately processing implications. "That's Syndicate business, they're sending him out to handle negotiations or transactions that require secretary's personal attention, which means he'll be moving between locations throughout the day."

"Away from the manor's concentrated surveillance," Mariabel added, understanding dawning. "Out in the city where Syndicate can't monitor his every movement without being obvious about tailing him."

"Exactly," Aslan confirmed. "The guards mentioned multiple stops, said he'd be running around the capital handling meetings, that gives us several potential contact opportunities instead of single chance."

Kael was already moving to the maps they'd marked with surveillance information. "We need to identify likely locations for these meetings, places where secretary would negotiate deals on behalf of Venn or the Syndicate."

"Merchant guild halls for legitimate business," Raze said, pointing to marked locations. "Banking institutions for financial transactions, warehouse districts for shipment arrangements, these are the probable stops on his route."

"How do we make contact without Syndicate noticing?" Mariabel asked practically. "Even if Baelor is away from the manor he might have escort or the locations themselves might be under surveillance."

"We observe first before approaching," Raze decided, his mind working through careful strategy. "Follow him discreetly, identify which locations he visits and whether he's accompanied, look for moment when he's isolated enough for brief conversation."

"That's risky," Kael warned. "Following him means potential exposure if we're spotted, and if Syndicate has people watching his stops they'll notice strangers taking interest in their secretary."

"Everything about this is risky," Raze countered. "But this is our best opportunity, possibly our only opportunity before the week runs out and we're forced into more aggressive alternatives that carry even greater risk of exposure."

"So we do it today," Mariabel said, not questioning just confirming. "We track Baelor's movements and find moment to make contact."

"We split into pairs," Raze began organizing rapidly. "Mariabel and I will handle actual contact when opportunity presents itself, Kael and Aslan provide support and watch for Syndicate surveillance, if we identify tail on Baelor we abort and try again another time."

"What do we say when we make contact?" Aslan asked. "Assuming we find isolated moment, what's the approach that convinces him to listen rather than immediately reporting us?"

"We tell him we've cured Thomas and Lady Anastasia is cooperating," Raze said, playing their strongest cards immediately. "We tell him we're working to destroy Venn and the Syndicate, that we need his help to complete the case, we offer him exactly what he's been wanting for five years which is revenge against the people who murdered his family."

"Just like that?" Kael's skepticism remained. "Approach enslaved man in public place and expect him to trust strangers claiming they can overthrow his masters?"

"We don't need complete trust immediately," Raze explained. "We just need him intrigued enough to hear more, his hatred of Venn isn't secret that requires uncovering, it's known quantity we leverage directly, if he's truly consumed by desire for revenge then offering genuine path to that goal will overcome initial caution."

They prepared quickly, gathering supplies and ensuring they had communication signals established for coordinating between pairs. The plan was forming rapidly, desperate improvisation based on unexpected opportunity but better than waiting days more for chance that might never come.

"When does Baelor typically leave for these trips?" Mariabel asked Aslan.

"Guards didn't specify exact time but mentioned it was happening today," Aslan reported. "Based on typical manor schedules I'd guess mid-morning to avoid both early chaos and afternoon fatigue, probably within the next hour or two."

"Then we need to position ourselves near the manor now," Raze decided. "Watch for him to depart and follow from sufficient distance to avoid detection but close enough to see where he goes."

They left the Copper Rest together, navigating through morning crowds toward the manor district. The streets were busier than yesterday with people emerging after the rain, perfect cover for observation as four cultivators could blend into general traffic without standing out.

They split into pairs once they neared the manor, Raze and Mariabel taking position near a merchant stall with clear view of the main entrance while Kael and Aslan found vantage point closer to the service gates. If Baelor left through either exit they'd be able to track him without obvious coordination.

An hour passed with standard manor traffic, guards changing positions and servants running errands. Raze bought items from the merchant stall periodically to justify continued presence, accepting bread and fruit while his eyes never left the entrance.

Then, just as morning stretched toward noon, a figure emerged from the main doors that matched descriptions they'd compiled. Baelor Crawford appeared exactly as reports suggested, man in his late fifties with graying hair and posture that spoke to decades of administrative work. He wore secretary's formal attire, carried leather case presumably containing documents, and moved with efficient purpose of someone managing tight schedule.

Two guards flanked him initially but stopped at the manor gates, allowing Baelor to continue alone into the capital proper. That was first good sign, if the Syndicate trusted him to conduct business without obvious escort then surveillance would be less concentrated than feared.

Raze caught Mariabel's eye and nodded slightly, they began following at safe distance while Kael and Aslan paralleled from opposite side of the street. The pursuit was careful, professional, four experienced people tracking single target without making it obvious through excessive attention or predictable patterns.

Baelor's first stop was merchant guild hall near the commercial district, he entered through main doors and remained inside for approximately twenty minutes before emerging and continuing to second location. The banking institution was next, another brief visit followed by movement toward warehouse district.

"He's efficient," Mariabel murmured as they tracked him to third stop. "Minimal time at each location, just enough to handle necessary business before moving to next appointment, suggests tight schedule without room for delays."

"Which means limited opportunity for extended conversation," Raze observed. "We'll need to make contact brief and compelling, get his attention and establish communication method for longer discussion later."

They continued following through three more stops, watching Baelor handle business with practiced efficiency at each location. His demeanor remained perfectly professional, the mask of competent secretary never slipping despite whatever rage might be building beneath surface.

"He's good," Aslan said quietly during brief moment when their pairs crossed paths. "Complete control over expression and body language, if we didn't know his history we'd never suspect anything beneath that professional facade."

"Five years of practice," Kael noted. "Five years of maintaining perfect appearance while planning revenge, that level of self-control is either impressive discipline or terrifying suppression of trauma."

The seventh stop brought opportunity they'd been waiting for. Baelor entered small office building in the merchant quarter, stayed inside for his usual twenty minutes, then emerged and began walking toward what appeared to be his final destination based on the leather case looking noticeably lighter.

But instead of heading directly to that location he turned down a side street, clearly taking shortcut through less traveled route. The street wasn't deserted but it was significantly quieter than main thoroughfares, businesses here were smaller operations with less foot traffic.

"This is it," Raze said to Mariabel, making decision rapidly. "Kael, Aslan, stay back and watch for Syndicate surveillance, if you spot anyone following him or us signal immediately and we abort."

They acknowledged silently, positioning themselves to observe without interfering. Raze and Mariabel increased their pace slightly, closing distance on Baelor while he walked through the quieter street focused on his destination.

They'd need to time this perfectly, approach close enough to speak without Baelor having room to flee but not so aggressively that he interpreted it as attack. The balance was delicate, everything depending on those first few seconds of contact.

Raze's heart hammered with anticipation and carefully controlled fear, this was the moment five days of surveillance had been building toward, the opportunity to recruit asset that could provide intelligence necessary to complete their case against Venn.

But first they needed Baelor to listen rather than run, needed those opening words to cut through justified paranoia and reach the rage they knew burned beneath his professional mask.

Raze took a breath, stepped forward, and prepared to offer a broken man the revenge he'd been dreaming about for five years.

They were out of time for further planning, the moment was now, and everything depended on Baelor's response to strangers offering impossible hope.

The game was about to change, for better or catastrophically worse.

And there was no turning back.

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