Hollow Ascension

Chapter 21: The Council’s First Steps

The dawn broke over the guildhall, casting its light on a scene transformed. Where chaos and discord had ruled only days before, there was now an uneasy calm. The courtyard, which had been the battleground of the rebellion, was being cleaned and reorganized. Adventurers moved with purpose, the remnants of the conflict still visible in their tense expressions and guarded movements.

Kael watched from a balcony high above, his eyes scanning the courtyard below. Finn, the scarred woman, and the newly formed council were already hard at work, meeting in the open air to discuss their next steps. From this vantage point, Kael observed them quietly, noting every detail. The guild was rebuilding itself under the council's guidance, and he intended to shape every decision they made.

This is only the beginning, he thought, his eyes narrowing as he saw Finn unfurl a map on the table. The guild's resources, missions, and priorities were being restructured, and with each move, Kael's influence would seep further into the fabric of the guild's new order.

He turned away from the balcony, retreating into the hallway. The council had a monumental task ahead—restoring order, distributing resources, and most importantly, quelling any lingering loyalties to the old leadership. For Kael, this was an opportunity to embed himself deeper into the guild's core, to ensure that the power he held in the shadows remained unchallenged.

As he moved through the guildhall, he spotted groups of adventurers talking in low voices, their expressions guarded. Some were bronze-ranked, still wary of the nobles' loyalists, while others were silver-ranked, carefully gauging how the changes would affect their status. The guild was fragile, its unity delicate, and Kael knew he would need to work quietly to keep the factions from splintering further.

He made his way toward a small chamber near the rear of the hall, where Finn had taken up temporary residence to handle council affairs. Kael's footsteps were nearly silent as he approached the door, his Stealth Ability still partially active, allowing him to listen in unnoticed.

Inside, he heard Finn's voice, steady but tense. "We need to address the supply lines first," Finn was saying. "The outposts are still understocked, and if we don't provide them with what they need, we risk losing our foothold in the frontier."

"And what about the nobles' resources?" the scarred woman asked, her tone laced with suspicion. "They've been hoarding supplies for years. Shouldn't we redistribute that to the outposts?"

Finn hesitated. "We have to be careful," he replied. "If we move too aggressively, we'll provoke resistance from the nobles' loyalists. We need to maintain some semblance of stability while we reorganize."

Kael's lips curled into a faint smile. Exactly as I expected, he thought. The council was already grappling with the complexities of power. They wanted to reform the guild, but they were wary of pushing too far, too fast. This was where he would exert his influence, guiding their decisions from behind the scenes.

He allowed his Stealth Ability to dissipate and knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside. Finn and the scarred woman looked up, surprise flashing across their faces.

"Kael," Finn said, nodding in acknowledgment. "I was hoping to speak with you. We're in the midst of planning our next steps, and your input would be invaluable."

Kael inclined his head, moving toward the table where the map lay spread out. "I overheard some of what you were discussing," he began smoothly. "You're right to be cautious about redistributing the nobles' supplies. If you move too quickly, you'll face pushback. But there is a way to approach this strategically."

The scarred woman raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Go on," she said, her eyes locked on Kael's.

Kael tapped a finger on the map, indicating the locations of the key outposts. "The key is to start small," he explained. "Redistribute supplies to the most isolated and vulnerable outposts first. Frame it as a gesture of goodwill from the council—a demonstration of your commitment to supporting all members of the guild. This will build trust among the lower ranks while avoiding immediate confrontation with the nobles' loyalists."

Finn nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "You're suggesting we test the waters," he said. "Gauge the nobles' reaction while securing the outposts' loyalty."

"Precisely," Kael replied. "It's about balance. You need to show strength without outright challenging the nobles. If they resist, you'll have the support of the guild behind you, because you'll have proven that your actions are for the greater good."

The scarred woman studied him for a long moment before nodding. "It's a sound plan," she admitted. "But what if the nobles try to undermine us behind the scenes?"

Kael allowed a small smile. "That's why we keep a close watch on them. I've already gathered information that suggests some of the nobles are still attempting to secure their old trade routes. Use this knowledge to apply pressure subtly. Let them know that the council is aware of their dealings and that further subterfuge will not be tolerated."

Finn exchanged a glance with the scarred woman, and she nodded. "All right," she said, her tone resolute. "We'll move forward with your plan. We start with the most vulnerable outposts, and we use the nobles' own actions against them if they push back."

"Good," Kael replied, stepping back. "And remember, your strength lies in the unity of the guild. Keep the adventurers informed and involved, and the nobles will find themselves increasingly isolated."

[Contract Progress: New Objective – Solidify Control Over Guild Reforms: 25%]

As he turned to leave, Finn reached out, catching his arm. "Kael," he said quietly, his eyes searching. "I know you prefer to work behind the scenes, but your guidance has been invaluable. Are you sure you don't want a more formal role in the council?"

Kael smiled faintly, shaking his head. "I'm exactly where I need to be," he replied. "The council must be seen as representing all ranks, free of any one person's ambition. I'm here to help, but my place is in the background."

Finn released his arm, nodding in understanding. "Very well," he said. "Just know that we value your counsel."

Kael nodded and exited the room, his smile fading as he stepped back into the hallway. They think they hold the reins, he mused as he moved away. But it is I who guides the horse.

He made his way toward the lower levels of the guildhall, where the records and archives were kept. Now that the council was moving forward with his plan, he needed to prepare for the next phase. The nobles' power wasn't yet fully broken, and to ensure that the council's reforms succeeded, he would have to continue gathering leverage against any who might oppose the new order.

The archive room was dim and musty, its shelves lined with scrolls and books detailing the guild's history and operations. Kael moved quickly, his eyes scanning for anything related to the nobles' dealings. His fingers brushed over old tomes and ledgers until he found what he was looking for—a detailed logbook containing records of trade agreements and supply routes controlled by the nobles.

He leafed through the pages, his mind racing as he absorbed the information. Here was the evidence he needed to pressure the nobles into compliance. With this, he could indirectly guide the council's policies, ensuring that the guild's restructuring aligned with his vision.

[Contract Progress: New Objective – Solidify Control Over Guild Reforms: 50%]

Tucking the logbook into his cloak, Kael slipped out of the archives, his footsteps light and purposeful. He would not present this information directly; instead, he would use it to influence the council's decisions subtly. A whisper here, a suggestion there—enough to keep them on the path he had laid out.

As he emerged into the upper levels of the guildhall, he paused to listen to the distant murmur of voices from the courtyard. The council was addressing the adventurers, outlining their plans for the redistribution of supplies and the guild's future direction. The tone was one of cautious optimism, a fragile hope that things were finally changing.

Kael allowed himself a brief smile. Yes, he thought. Change is coming, but on my terms.

He moved back toward his quarters, his mind already calculating the next steps. The council was taking its first steps under his unseen guidance, and with each decision they made, his influence grew stronger. But he knew he had to remain vigilant; power was a slippery thing, and the guild's new order was still in its infancy.

"The game has just begun," he murmured as he entered his room, the logbook still clutched in his hands. "And I will be the one who decides how it ends."

With that, he set the logbook aside, preparing for the work that lay ahead. The guild was rebuilding, and as it did, Kael would be there, shaping its future from the shadows.

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