Chapter 17 The Informant

The heavy oak door to Gerry Lockwood's office creaked open, letting in a shaft of light from the hallway. Lena stepped inside, her posture straight and her hands clasped behind her back. Lockwood sat at his cluttered desk, puffing on a short-stemmed pipe, his eyes narrowed as he stared out the window that overlooked the city center.

"You wanted to speak with me, Guildmaster?" Lena asked, her voice cool and professional.

Lockwood nodded without looking at her. "Close the door."

She obeyed, the latch clicking shut behind her.

He finally turned in his chair to face her, leaning forward and tapping ashes into a worn metal tray. The room smelled like stale smoke and old paper, a mix that hinted at how long he'd been sitting in silence. He didn’t waste time.

"It’s about Kai," Lockwood said, his voice low and direct. "That man... there’s something about him. He’s not just strong—he changes the tone of a battle just by being in it. Like he’s writing the outcome as it happens."

Lena raised a brow. "You’re saying he manipulates fate?"

"I’m saying he bends reality," Lockwood replied. "Not in a flashy way. Not some giant magic wave or spell. He adapts. When things should go wrong, they don’t. When the odds shift, they shift toward him. I’ve watched him. It’s not luck. He’s in control, like he sees something no one else does. And the strange part is... he keeps it quiet. No bravado. No ego. Just calm. Until he isn’t."

"And when he’s angry?"

Lockwood looked Lena in the eye. "Then it’s like watching a force of nature. Everything tilts. He stops holding back."

Lena stood in silence for a beat. Then she stepped forward. "If we want to understand him, we need someone inside his group. Someone close enough to observe, but subtle enough not to trigger alarms."

Lockwood leaned back. "You already have someone in mind."

Lena gave a small nod. She turned, opened the door, and motioned for someone outside.

A small figure entered—barely four feet tall. Her skin had a pinkish hue, like light toast warmed by a fire. Short pink hair framed her face in a bob, slightly tousled from movement. Her yellow eyes, round and luminous, shifted around the room with careful curiosity. Petite horns curled from her forehead, and her pointed ears twitched slightly at every sound. A slender tail swayed behind her, ending in a small, barbed tip like that of a devil’s spear.

"This is Revoli," Lena said. "She’s an imp. Technically part-demon, but harmless. She’s sweet, clever, and knows goblin tunnel systems better than anyone else we’ve got."

Revoli gave a polite, earnest bow. "I won’t disappoint you. I know how important this is. I want to prove I can help."

Lockwood studied her for a moment, noting the careful way she moved and the cautious confidence in her voice.

"She’s even smaller than that cat girl, Skye," he muttered. "Sure she can handle the field?"

"She won’t be in the front line," Lena answered. "Her job’s to guide, to observe, and to offer support. She has a better excuse than most to join his party. Kai will need a tunnel guide soon anyway."

Revoli looked up, eyes bright. "I’ve mapped some of the old routes myself. I’ve even escaped from goblin dens when I was younger. I can help."

Lockwood tapped his pipe against the tray and gave a slow nod. "Alright. Ease her in. If Kai asks questions, say it’s a joint effort from the guild. He’ll grumble, but he’ll accept her."

Lena gave the smallest smile. "He’s stubborn, but he listens. He won’t refuse honest help."

Revoli beamed, standing a little straighter. "I’ll do my best."

As she left the room under Lena’s guidance, Lockwood exhaled deeply, puffing on his pipe again.

"Let’s hope your best is good enough. For all our sakes."