Harold leads Heusbga sssi, Senkious, Ankura, Houk, and Lo away from the sanctum through the revealed inner route. The unconscious beholder remains secured beneath the watch of the sealed dais.
Harold carries the blessed eye-staff, its calm glow exposing hidden marks along the black passage. Lo scouts ahead, while Senkious guards the ceiling and Houk watches the rear.
Harold Blackhoof
The Brass Shield is days behind us by the safest route. If Crumm Vus used our authority, my ledgers may show who first handled the copied seal.
The passage rises through ancient masonry and opens into a forested ravine. Beyond it, the battered towers of The Brass Shield stand against the wild mountains, smoke thinning from its chimneys.
Harold’s remaining garrison gathers along the walls as the party approaches. Human and minotaur soldiers keep bows lowered but ready, studying the unfamiliar staff and the exhausted travelers.
Harold Blackhoof
Open the gate. These investigators carry evidence from beneath the city, and no one touches the archive until I have seen every seal.
Inside, old ledgers, seal-stones, and Wildthorn records fill a cramped chamber. Several familiar marks bear subtle alterations, while one recent ledger page shows the same copied authority as the dream-memory.