Page 64 of Realms of Swords and Storms
Tarshi frowned, leaning forward. "What makes you think that?"
I glanced around, ensuring no one was close enough to overhear. "The increased patrols. The new checkpoints. The change in meeting location. And..." I hesitated, then pressed on. "Has anyone else noticed that the Empire seems unusually well-informed about our smaller demonstrations recently? They've had guards waiting at locations we've targeted, almost as if they knew in advance."
"Coincidence," Tarshi suggested, but I could see doubt in his eyes.
"Once or twice, perhaps. But it's been happening too consistently." I lowered my voice further. "I think someone in the resistance is feeding information to the Empire."
Livia's expression darkened. "A spy."
"It would explain a lot," Antonius agreed. "Including why the Emperor might still plan to attend the festival despite the unrest."
"If he knows what we're planning, he can prepare accordingly," I continued. "Turn our demonstration against us, make us appear violent and dangerous rather than legitimate protesters with valid grievances."
Tarshi's hands clenched on the table. "If you're right, we're walking into a slaughter."
"Not necessarily," I cautioned. "Even if the Empire knows something is planned, they may not know the specifics. And they'd still want to avoid obvious violence against citizens in the capital, especially during a public festival."
"Unless they could make it appear that we struck first," Livia pointed out, her mind following the same dark path mine had. "If they could provoke us into violence, or stage something to make it seem we were the aggressors..."
"Exactly," I nodded grimly.
A heavy silence fell over our table, each of us contemplating the implications. If the Empire knew about our plans and was allowing them to proceed, it meant they saw an opportunity to discredit the resistance, perhaps even to eliminate key members in one decisive action.
"We need to speak with Kalen," Antonius said finally. "Share these concerns."
I shook my head. "I've tried. He's convinced the demonstration must proceed as planned. He believes showing strength now is essential, that backing down would demoralize our supporters."
"He may be right," Tarshi said, though he didn't sound convinced. "If we cancel the demonstration because of suspicions we can't prove, what message does that send?"
"A better one than walking into a trap," I countered.
"So what do we do?" Livia asked, her gaze steady on mine. "If Kalen won't listen, if the demonstration proceeds as planned?"
It was the question I'd been wrestling with for days. My instinct was to withdraw, to protect myself and those I cared about from what increasingly felt like a doomed endeavour. But that would mean abandoning others who trusted in the plan, who might walk unknowing into danger.
"We prepare," I said finally. "We create our own contingencies. And we watch for any further signs that confirm our suspicions."
"And if those signs appear?" Antonius pressed.
"Then we warn as many as we can, and we get out." I met each of their gazes in turn. "No cause is worth dying for needlessly, especially if our deaths would only serve the Empire's narrative."
Tarshi nodded slowly. "I'll keep an eye on Kalen, see if I can learn more about the specific plans for the day."
"I can use my position at the academy to gather information about imperial security arrangements for the festival," Livia offered.
"And I'll watch our own people," I said, my gaze drifting to where Elan sat deep in conversation with another resistance member. "See if I can identify who might be passing information to the Empire."
Antonius followed my gaze. "The scribe?"
"Among others," I nodded. "He's new, has access to imperial information, and asks very specific questions about our plans."
"I've noticed him too," Livia agreed. "Too eager to know details, especially about who will be where during the demonstration."
"We'll need to be careful," Tarshi warned. "If we're right about a spy and they realize we suspect, it could accelerate whatever the Empire is planning."
"Agreed," I said. "We keep this between us for now. Watch and wait, gather what information we can."
As our small council broke up, I remained at the table, finishing my ale and watching as others gradually departed. Elan was among the last to leave, pausing briefly to speak with Kalen before ascending the stairs. Something about his manner—a certain careful precision to his movements, perhaps, or the way his eyes never seemed to settle for long on any one person—strengthened my suspicion.
