The team returned to the Copper Rest separately, maintaining the careful operational security that had served them well during Baelor's recruitment. Raze arrived last, finding the others already gathered around their table with expressions mixing triumph and exhaustion from the day's successful surveillance and contact.

"We did it," Mariabel said as Raze entered, relief evident in her voice. "We actually recruited the Syndicate's own secretary to work against them, I wasn't certain that would succeed even with good approach."

"Baelor's hatred of Venn runs deeper than any loyalty to the Syndicate," Raze said, settling into his chair. "Five years of suppressed rage made him perfect recruitment target once we proved we were serious about bringing them down, his cooperation gives us current operational intelligence that transforms historical pattern into active criminal enterprise."

"Two elements secured," Kael noted, always focused on progress tracking. "Lady Anastasia provides testimony and historical evidence, Baelor provides current intelligence and insider perspective, that leaves only the third element before we can move to final phase."

"The Truth Ledger," Aslan said quietly. "Helena Graves's independent press operation, how do we approach a journalist known for paranoia about sources and elaborate verification processes?"

Raze stood and moved to the window, his mind already working through what he knew about Helena from the game's extensive lore database. She'd been interesting character in the original story, brilliant investigative journalist whose exposés had brought down corrupt officials across three kingdoms despite constant threats and assassination attempts.

"Helena Graves is a complicated target," he began, organizing information carefully. "She's built reputation on exposing corruption that powerful people want buried, which means she's developed extensive network of sources and extremely sophisticated methods for verifying information before publication."

"That sounds like it would make her receptive to our approach," Mariabel observed. "We have genuine evidence of Syndicate operations and corrupt lord, exactly the kind of story she's built career exposing."

"It would be," Raze agreed, "except she's also paranoid about approaches from strangers claiming to have explosive stories, she's been targeted multiple times by people trying to feed her false information or trap her into publishing something that could be used to discredit her operation, every approach gets subjected to intense scrutiny before she even considers meeting potential sources."

"So we need to prove legitimacy before she'll give us time of day," Kael understood. "Show her enough evidence that she knows the story is real without revealing so much that she could publish without our cooperation."

"Exactly, we need to intrigue her enough that she wants to investigate further while maintaining control over when and how the full story gets released," Raze confirmed. "That requires careful balance between revelation and restraint."

"How do we even contact her?" Aslan asked practically. "Does she maintain public office or does she operate from hidden location to protect against retaliation?"

"The Truth Ledger maintains legitimate storefront in the press district," Raze explained, pulling information from game knowledge about the capital's layout. "Helena works from there openly because trying to hide would just make her more vulnerable, she protects herself through visibility and careful documentation that would be released if anything happened to her."

"That's bold strategy," Mariabel said with grudging respect. "Most people in her position would try to disappear, she instead makes herself too visible to eliminate quietly."

"It works because she has backing beyond just clever operational security," Raze said, preparing to reveal the crucial detail that made Helena nearly untouchable. "She's the king's niece."

Silence fell complete as they processed that information, the implications spreading rapidly through tactical calculations about risk and protection.

"The king's niece," Kael repeated slowly. "King Harold's actual blood relative operates independent press that exposes noble corruption?"

"His younger brother's daughter," Raze clarified. "Helena grew up in the royal court but rejected traditional noble life to pursue journalism, the king tolerates her operation because killing his niece would cause political catastrophe and because her exposés actually serve royal interests by identifying corrupt officials before their activities become threats to crown stability."

"So she's protected by royal connection while maintaining enough independence that her reporting appears credible," Mariabel understood the political dynamics immediately. "That's why she can publish stories that would get other journalists killed, anyone who touches her faces royal retaliation regardless of how powerful they are."

"Exactly, Venn and the Syndicate can't eliminate her without declaring war on the crown itself," Raze confirmed. "Which means once she publishes our story the evidence becomes untouchable, they can't suppress it through their usual methods of intimidation and violence because doing so would require going through the king."

"That's brilliant tactical positioning," Aslan said with quiet admiration. "We're not just using independent press for distribution, we're using royal protection as shield against retaliation."

"Helena's built her entire operation around that protection," Raze explained. "She publishes explosive stories knowing that her blood connection to the throne makes her nearly invulnerable to the usual consequences, nobles hate her but can't act against her without risking royal displeasure."

"So approaching her is actually easier than expected because she operates openly," Kael noted. "We just walk into The Truth Ledger's office and request meeting?"

"Walking in is easy," Raze said. "Getting her to take us seriously is harder, Helena receives dozens of tips and supposed exposés every week from people claiming to have evidence of corruption, most are either fabricated or too weak to justify publication, she's developed extremely efficient screening process for filtering legitimate stories from noise."

"What's the screening process?" Mariabel asked.

"Initial submission requires written summary of the story including names, allegations, and preview of available evidence," Raze explained. "Helena or her staff review submissions and reject most immediately based on lack of credibility or insufficient evidence, the few that pass initial screening get invited for in-person interview where sources are questioned extensively about their information and motivations."

"So we need written submission that's compelling enough to get through initial screening," Kael summarized. "Something that demonstrates we have genuine story worth investigating without revealing so much that she could publish independently."

"Exactly, and that's where we have advantage," Raze said, his Absolute Genius already formulating approach. "Most people submitting stories are offering vague allegations or secondhand information, we have direct testimony from two sources including one inside Syndicate operations, that level of access is rare enough to trigger Helena's professional interest."

They spent the next hour crafting their submission, carefully balancing revelation with restraint. The document needed to demonstrate they had explosive story without providing enough detail that Helena could pursue it without their cooperation.

Raze wrote while the others offered suggestions and refinements, his knowledge of Helena's preferences from the game helping structure the submission for maximum impact. She appreciated directness over flowery language, specific allegations over vague accusations, and clear evidence over conspiracy theories.

The title came first, crucial hook that would either capture attention or get dismissed with dozens of other submissions. It needed to be provocative enough to intrigue while being specific enough to demonstrate credibility.

"Lord Regent's Criminal Empire: Syndicate Distribution Network Operating Through Capital's Highest Authority," Raze wrote at the top of the page.

"That's direct," Mariabel observed. "No ambiguity about what we're claiming."

"Helena appreciates clarity," Raze said. "Vague titles like 'Corruption in High Places' get dismissed immediately because they could mean anything, specific allegations about named individuals demonstrate we have actual information rather than general suspicions."

The summary followed, three paragraphs outlining the core allegations without revealing sources or detailed evidence. Systematic corruption of Lord Regent Venn by criminal organization known as Twilight Syndicate, distribution of illegal substances throughout Westia using noble authority as cover, murder and intimidation of potential witnesses including family members of those forced into cooperation.

"We need to mention we have insider sources," Kael suggested. "That's what separates this from typical accusations, we're not offering secondhand rumors but direct testimony from people inside the operation."

Raze added carefully worded paragraph about access to both historical documentation and current operational intelligence, sources including individuals with direct knowledge of Syndicate methods and ongoing criminal activities. Specific enough to demonstrate credibility without revealing Anastasia or Baelor's identities.

The final paragraph outlined what they were offering: comprehensive testimony from multiple sources, financial records proving illegal transactions, correspondence establishing Syndicate connections, and current intelligence about ongoing operations. Everything needed to build case that would withstand legal scrutiny and public examination.

"That should be enough to get through initial screening," Raze said, reviewing the completed submission. "It demonstrates we have genuine story with multiple credible sources and documentary evidence, Helena's professional curiosity should overcome her paranoia about potential traps."

"What if she dismisses it anyway?" Aslan asked. "Even with good submission there's no guarantee she'll consider it worth pursuing."

"Then we try more direct approach," Raze said. "Show up at her office with sample evidence and demand meeting, but I don't think that will be necessary, this story is exactly the kind of explosive exposé Helena built her reputation pursuing, corrupt lord with criminal connections operating in the capital itself, that's too good for her to ignore."

They finalized the submission, making minor adjustments to phrasing and ensuring nothing could inadvertently compromise their sources. The document was professional and compelling, offering tantalizing preview of story without revealing enough for independent investigation.

"When do we deliver this?" Mariabel asked.

"Tomorrow morning," Raze decided. "Early enough that we're among first submissions of the day but not so early that we appear desperate, we walk into The Truth Ledger's office, submit the document to whoever handles intake, and wait for response."

"How long before we hear back?" Kael pressed.

"Initial screening usually takes one to three days according to what I've learned," Raze said, pulling from game knowledge about Helena's operations. "If we're lucky and the story catches her attention immediately we might hear back within twenty four hours, if it gets stuck in queue behind other investigations it could take longer."

They spent the evening preparing for tomorrow's approach, reviewing their submission repeatedly and ensuring everyone understood their role. Raze and Mariabel would handle actual delivery since they'd become the team's primary representatives for external contacts, Kael and Aslan would provide support and watch for any signs their activities had attracted Syndicate attention.

"We're close now," Mariabel said as night deepened. "Two elements secured and third in progress, once Helena agrees to publish we'll have everything needed to bring down Venn and expose the Syndicate's operations."

"Assuming nothing goes catastrophically wrong in the meantime," Kael cautioned, his analytical mind identifying potential failure points. "Baelor could be discovered, Anastasia could reconsider her cooperation, Helena could reject our story despite evidence, any number of things could derail the plan before we're ready to move."

"That's why we work quickly without appearing rushed," Raze said. "We maintain operational security while pushing forward aggressively, every day we wait is another chance for something to go wrong, but moving too fast creates mistakes that compromise everything."

They settled into preparation and rest, tomorrow would bring them to the final element and potentially complete their framework for exposing corruption that reached the kingdom's highest levels.

Morning arrived with clear skies and busy streets, the capital waking to another day of commerce and politics and hidden crimes. Raze and Mariabel left the Copper Rest early, navigating through crowds toward the press district where various publications maintained offices.

The Truth Ledger's storefront was easy to identify, prominent location with large windows displaying previous exposés and current investigations. The building was three stories of functional architecture, nothing ostentatious but clearly successful enough to maintain legitimate operation in expensive district.

They approached the entrance where a simple sign indicated office hours and submission procedures. The door opened easily, revealing lobby that was organized chaos of journalism in progress.

Papers covered every available surface, stacks of correspondence and documents forming towers that threatened to topple with slightest disturbance. A clerk's desk near the entrance was similarly buried, the young woman seated there barely visible behind mountains of submissions and notes.

"Help you?" she asked without looking up, her attention focused on document she was reading while simultaneously making notes on three different papers.

"We're here to submit story for consideration," Raze said, approaching the desk carefully to avoid disturbing the precarious paper stacks.

"Summary form completed?" the clerk asked, still not looking up.

"Yes," Raze produced their carefully crafted submission.

"Leave it in the intake box," she gestured vaguely toward overflowing container already packed with dozens of other submissions. "Initial screening takes three to five business days, if your story passes review you'll be contacted at the address listed on your form."

"This is time-sensitive investigation," Mariabel said, using her noble authority voice. "Lord Regent Venn and Twilight Syndicate operations, we have insider sources and documentary evidence."

That got the clerk's attention, her head finally rising to actually look at them. "Lord Regent Venn?" she repeated, skepticism evident. "You know how many submissions we get claiming to expose corrupt nobles? At least a dozen per week and most are either fabricated or unprovable."

"Read the summary," Raze said, placing their document directly in front of her rather than in the intake box. "We have testimony from sources inside the operation and financial records proving illegal transactions, this isn't speculation or rumor, this is documented criminal enterprise."

The clerk sighed but picked up their submission, clearly preparing to skim it quickly before dismissing them. Her eyes moved across the first paragraph with professional efficiency, then slowed as she reached specific allegations and source descriptions.

"Wait here," she said abruptly, standing with their document clutched in hand. "Don't touch anything, don't move, just wait."

She disappeared through doorway behind her desk, leaving them standing in the chaotic lobby surrounded by towers of paper and the ambient noise of busy operation. Voices carried from upper floors, conversations about investigations and sources and publication deadlines.

Five minutes passed, then ten. Raze and Mariabel exchanged glances but remained patient, the clerk's reaction suggested their submission had triggered something beyond routine screening process.

Finally footsteps descended from upper floors, heavier than the clerk's light tread. A woman appeared in the doorway, mid thirties with sharp eyes and ink-stained fingers that spoke to hands-on involvement in actual writing and editing.

Helena Graves looked exactly as Raze remembered from the game's character portraits, attractive in angular way with intelligence radiating from every feature. Her clothing was practical rather than fashionable, designed for long hours working rather than appearing at court functions. Her expression was intensely focused, evaluating them with same professional assessment she'd presumably apply to any potential source.

But she said nothing, just gestured for them to follow as she turned and headed back upstairs without waiting to see if they complied.

They followed quickly, climbing stairs to second floor where the chaos intensified significantly. Multiple desks occupied every available space with journalists working at each one, papers and notes covering surfaces while conversations about various investigations created constant background noise.

Helena led them through this controlled chaos to private office at the building's rear, slightly less overwhelmed with paper but still clearly workspace of someone who lived buried in research and investigation. She gestured to chairs facing her desk while she settled behind it, their submission placed prominently in front of her.

"Lord Regent Venn and Twilight Syndicate operations," Helena said without preamble, her voice carrying edge of professional skepticism mixed with genuine interest. "You have insider sources and documentary evidence proving criminal enterprise operating through capital's highest authority."

"Yes," Raze confirmed simply.

Helena studied them for long moment, evaluating not just their words but their bearing and confidence. "I've investigated Venn peripherally for two years," she said finally. "Never found anything concrete enough to publish, he's careful about covering tracks and the few sources willing to talk were too frightened to testify publicly."

"We have sources willing to testify," Mariabel said. "Including someone with direct knowledge of Syndicate operations and access to current intelligence about ongoing criminal activities."

"Names?" Helena demanded.

"Not yet," Raze said firmly. "We provide preview evidence to demonstrate credibility but source identities remain protected until we're confident of publication timing and security protocols."

Helena's lips curved slightly, something like approval flickering in her expression. "Smart, most people walk in here ready to spill everything immediately, protecting your sources suggests you understand operational security and the dangers of premature exposure."

She pulled out fresh paper and began making notes while talking. "Alright, you have my attention but attention isn't commitment, I need to verify your claims before agreeing to publish anything, that means examining preview evidence and questioning you extensively about your sources and methods."

"We expected that," Raze said.

"Good, then let's start with basics," Helena leaned forward, her full professional focus now engaged. "How did you acquire sources inside Syndicate operations and what motivated them to cooperate with investigation that could get them killed?"

But before Raze could respond, movement from the doorway caught their attention. The clerk had returned carrying another stack of papers, her expression apologetic.

"Miss Graves, I'm sorry to interrupt but these urgent submissions just arrived and several require immediate attention for tomorrow's publication deadline."

Helena glanced at the stack and sighed, frustration evident. "Put them with the others," she gestured to already overwhelming piles covering her desk and every available surface. "I'll get to them after this meeting."

The office was buried in work, papers covering desk and shelves and floor in organized chaos that spoke to someone perpetually overwhelmed by volume of investigations and submissions. Helena clearly operated at capacity constantly, juggling multiple exposés while screening new stories and managing publication deadlines.

"Sorry," Helena said, turning back to them. "As you can see I'm somewhat buried at the moment, investigating corruption is full-time occupation and I'm perpetually behind on everything, but your story is interesting enough that you have my attention despite the chaos."

She pulled their submission closer, reviewing it again with professional focus while they waited for her to begin the questioning process that would hopefully convince her to publish their exposé.

The event was entering its final phase, all three elements nearly secured and strategy crystallizing toward moment when everything would be revealed.

They just needed to convince Helena Graves that their story was worth publishing despite the dangers involved.

And based on the interest in her eyes as she reviewed their submission, that convincing might be easier than expected.

‐‐‐

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