The witness dais separates with a deep stone sigh, revealing a narrow silver-lit gallery beneath the chamber. Celeste’s submitted seal rises above a basin of perfectly still black water.
Theodore and the Veiled Figure remain near the gallery entrance, outside the brightest light. Behind them, the thief-mask door closes, leaving the Writkeeper’s chamber beyond reach.
Celeste
The seal will summon its last renewal. Whatever was written then must stand before the First Witness without alteration.
Silver inscriptions kindle along the gallery walls, line by line. Dates, offices, and witness marks gather around the suspended seal while the black basin reflects no face.
Wolf King Theodore
Evidence, not accusation. Let the record show who renewed the oath, under which authority, and whether the Nightshade line consented.
Veiled Figure
The First Witness is listening. Do not touch the water or the seal until the final inscription appears.
The basin trembles without rippling. A final inscription begins to form above it, its first words naming the prior renewal and leaving the gallery waiting for Dotti’s next move.
“I read the final inscription aloud, "The Nightshade line has never consented, no will they ever. These are the chains that bind and only blood of a wolf may break them".”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -3)
Dotti Nightshade
The Nightshade line has never consented, nor will they ever. These are the chains that bind, and only the blood of a wolf may break them.
Dotti’s words enter the silver-lit gallery and settle into the inscription. The final line completes, and the basin’s black water rises around the suspended seal without spilling.
The First Witness records the declaration in bright script. A sharp pulse travels through Dotti’s marked palm, splitting the gray shell and leaving her hand numb to the wrist.
Veiled Figure
The record accepts the truth. No consent was given, and the blood of a wolf is named as the lawful breaker of the chains.
Wolf King Theodore
Then the old oath points to my blood, or to the bloodline I carry. The First Witness has made that condition plain.
The suspended seal turns toward Theodore. A narrow silver thread extends from it across the gallery, stopping just before his hand as the inscriptions gather around his name.
Celeste
So the oath cannot be dissolved by office, decree, or succession. It requires a wolf’s blood to break what the Crown bound.
“I bow towards the wolf King, "Theodore, will you do me the pleasure of breaking my chains?", I ask as charmingly as possible.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +0)
Dotti Nightshade
Theodore, will you do me the pleasure of breaking my chains? I ask as charmingly as possible.
Dotti bows toward the Wolf King. The silver thread brightens between them, and the suspended seal turns fully toward Theodore’s outstretched hand.
Wolf King Theodore
With pleasure, Dotti. I will break what the Crown bound, and answer the First Witness with my blood.
Theodore presses his palm to the silver thread. A single red drop falls into the black basin, and the water flashes silver without touching the stone.
The chain-mark in Dotti’s hand splits apart. Dark lines lift from her skin like loosened ink, then vanish into the basin as the suspended seal cracks cleanly in two.
Veiled Figure
The binding is broken. The First Witness has accepted the wolf’s blood, and the Nightshade line stands free of the Crown’s oath.
Celeste
Then let the record show it plainly: the Nightshade bloodline is released, and no Regent may claim it again.
✓ Quest Accepted
Leave the witness gallery safely
“I help Theodore withdraw from the broken seal and leave the gallery. I turn to look at him, then I hug him. "Thank you, I owe you a debt".”
Dotti helps Theodore withdraw from the broken seal. The silver thread fades behind them as they leave the gallery, while the released basin settles into stillness.
At the gallery entrance, Dotti turns to look at Theodore, then steps close and embraces him. His hand pauses before resting carefully against her shoulder.
Dotti Nightshade
Thank you. I owe you a debt.
Wolf King Theodore
You owe me no chain, Dotti. The Crown took enough from your family without adding another bond between us.
Theodore returns the embrace briefly, then releases her. Behind them, the broken seal dims, its two halves resting apart beneath the First Witness’s completed record.
Celeste
The record is sealed. Your family is free, and the debt belongs to the Crown’s history, not to either of you.
Together, Dotti and Theodore leave the gallery. Celeste remains beside the witness dais as the thief-mask door opens toward the upper exchange.
Quest Complete
Leave the witness gallery safely