**Chapter 3: Whispers in the Shadows**

As the council meeting reconvened, Connor's gaze lingered on Naoe, his mind still reeling from the unsettling encounter with the hooded figure. The air seemed to vibrate with tension, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the cusp of something momentous. King Arin's voice cut through the din, his words laced with a sense of urgency. "Representatives, we have before us a proposal that has the potential to reshape the very fabric of our realms. A petition has been submitted by a coalition of northern city-states, seeking to establish a new trade route that would span the Dragon's Spine mountains." The room erupted into a cacophony of discussion, with some delegates enthusiastically endorsing the proposal, while others expressed grave concerns about the feasibility and safety of such a venture. Connor's attention was drawn to the far corner of the room, where the hooded figure had reappeared, their eyes fixed intently on Naoe. Naoe, sensing his gaze, turned to him, her eyes narrowing slightly as she followed his line of sight. Her expression darkened, and she leaned in close, her voice barely audible. "The figure in the corner, I think I know who they might be. A member of the Umbra Collective, a secretive organization rumored to be manipulating events from behind the scenes." Connor's heart skipped a beat as he processed this information. The Umbra Collective was a whispered legend, a shadowy entity said to pull the strings of power from the darkness. As the debate raged on, Connor found himself growing increasingly restless, his senses on high alert. He excused himself, citing a need to confer with his advisors, and made his way to the edge of the room. Noah fell into step beside him, his eyes scanning the crowd. "What's going on, Connor? You seem... distracted." "The hooded figure," Connor replied, his voice low. "Naoe thinks they might be with the Umbra Collective. I have a bad feeling about this." Noah's expression turned grave. "If that's the case, we need to get to the bottom of it. I'll see what I can dig up. In the meantime, keep a close eye on Naoe. If she's connected to this, she might be in danger." As they spoke, the hooded figure vanished into the crowd once more, leaving behind only a whisper of unease. Connor's instincts screamed at him to take action, to protect Naoe and unravel the mystery that seemed to be unfolding before his eyes. The council meeting was on the brink of adjourning, but Connor knew that the real discussion was only just beginning. He made his way back to Naoe, his mind racing with possibilities, and his heart pounding with anticipation. The shadows were stirring, and Connor was determined to shine a light into their darkest recesses.