The campsite wasn't hard to find.
That bothered him.
The posting had given a landmark reference, nothing more. But the trail leading south off the ridge road was recently used — grass pressed flat on both sides, a clean line through the undergrowth where feet had passed more than once.
Alex stopped at the tree line.
Two shelters, still standing. A fire pit. Bedrolls laid out flat. A pot hanging over cold ash.
He waited.
Nothing moved.
He pressed two fingers into the ash. Dry underneath, thoroughly cold. Not hours — days.
The bedrolls were laid out with the kind of order that came from habit. Packs buckled beside each one. A pair of boots sitting upright near the closest shelter.
He looked at the boots for a moment, then moved to the fire pit.
The pot held grain that had been set to soak. The water had long since gone. A dry grey crust lined the bottom.
He stood and looked at the site again.
No blood. No sign of struggle. The dirt was undisturbed except for footprints leading away from the camp in a loose group, no scatter, no drag marks.
They'd just walked off.
The three items from the posting were exactly where he'd expect them — satchel hanging from a tent pole, personal effects bag beside it, document case near the far bedroll. He went through the first two quickly. Tools, coins, a letter home, clothes, a wooden bird worn smooth, a journal full of road notes.
He set them down and picked up the document case.
The seal was intact.
He broke it.
Inside: a transport contract and a smaller slip tucked beneath it. The contract listed two parties by initials only, the cargo as archive materials — classified, non-commercial, destination the Imperial Academy.
He turned to the slip.
Different ink. Added later.
The third heir carries what was taken from him. Find it before the examination.
The clearing was quiet. Wind moved through the grass at the edge of the site.
He read it again.
Then he folded both documents and put them inside his robe, left everything else where it was, and walked back toward the city.
He didn't go to the Hunter hall.