Ash skates over the plain in thin gray ribbons. Embers crouches beside the broken roots of a petrified tree, her small bundle hugged tight to her chest. The Royal Courier stands a little apart, letting the wind pass while she studies the Woodsman.
The Royal Courier
You keep stepping between us and danger, but you never say what you want for yourself. Why?
The Woodsman
Because danger keeps finding you first. Someone has to be rude enough to stand in its way.
The Woodsman gives the faintest shrug, half grin hidden by his beard. He does not look at Grayman, or the white arch far behind them. He looks only to Embers, as if checking she is still there.
Embers Firestarter
Her bundle feels lighter than the road ahead.
The Royal Courier
That is not an answer. Not really.
The Woodsman
No. It is the honest part.
The courier huffs a short breath that might be a laugh, then softens. The wind thuds on the dunes beyond the trees, but here the three of them have a pocket of stillness. Embers stays close to her things, and the pause stretches, warm enough for another question.
+ Story Quest Added
Find a place to call home
+ Scene Quest Added
Learn what the Woodsman wants for himself
“Why do you help me? she whimpers. Why do you care? No one has ever cared before so why do you care now?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Embers Firestarter
Embers' whisper trembles in the ash. Why do you help me? Why do you care?
The Woodsman’s grin fades into something gentler. He tips his head, as if the question deserves careful hands.
The Woodsman
Because you are small, and the world is sharp. That should have been enough, once.
The Royal Courier
Once? Then what changed?
The Woodsman
I saw too many children left to the mercy of bad roads and worse men. I chose not to be one of them.
The courier’s brows knit, but her voice stays soft. Embers’ answer hangs in the wind, and no one tries to rush her past it.
The Woodsman
As for what I want, I want a place where I can stand watch and know you are safe nearby. A hearth. A door. A morning that does not begin with fear.
“Fighting against her nature and her fear of people embers tentatively reaches out a small hand and grass the Woodsman arm and gives it a gentle squeeze. Thank you. Her words barely above a whisper but heartfelt nonetheless then she turns her questioning eyes to the royal Courier”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Embers lifts her tiny hand and rests it against the Woodsman’s arm. The ash wind hushes around the three of them.
Embers Firestarter
Thank you.
The Woodsman’s shoulders ease. He covers her hand with his own, careful and steady, as if he is holding something fragile and precious.
The Woodsman
You do not need to thank me for that. I meant it.
The Royal Courier
That is the first plain answer he has given all afternoon.
A faint, surprised smile tugs at the courier’s mouth. She turns toward Embers, her posture open now, less guarded than before.
The Royal Courier
What sort of home would make you feel safe, little one?
Quest Complete
Learn what the Woodsman wants for himself
New Gift: Woodsman's Insight