"You want us to use Aunt Celestine as an intelligence source," Liliana said, understanding dawning on her.
"To position ourselves where we can monitor and potentially influence developments related to Jolthar and other matters affecting the clan."
"Precisely," Segarus confirmed.
"If Jolthar Kaezhlar somehow survives the Dreadland Depths and returns to the capital, you will be there to observe and to understand what new alliances he's forming and what protections he's gained. And through Celestine, you may find opportunities to... complicate his situation in ways that cannot be traced back to Naemarys."
He paused, then added with deliberate emphasis.
"The key to destroying someone powerful is not to attack them directly where they're strongest. It's to undermine them subtly—erode their support, create doubts among their allies, and ensure that when they finally fall, it appears to be through their own mistakes rather than anyone's active opposition."
