CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE - The Silent Alarm

Late one evening, Anna pored over a stack of reports in Erik's study, her brow furrowed in concentration. Erik paced the room, his restless energy palpable in the confined space. "Something's not adding up," Anna murmured, more to herself than to Erik. She spread out several documents on the desk, her keen eyes scanning for patterns or inconsistencies. Erik paused his pacing, leaning over her shoulder to examine the papers. "What do you mean?" Anna tapped a finger on one of the reports. "Look at these attack patterns. They don't match the modus operandi of the rogue faction Rowan described. There's something... different about them." Erik's eyes narrowed as he studied the documents. "You're right. These are more... personal. Less about acquiring power and more about..." "Revenge," Anna finished, a chill running down her spine. She locked eyes with Erik, seeing the same realization dawning on his face. "Ragnar," they said in unison. The name hung in the air between them, heavy wi