Betram and the eight dragoons reach the village as outer homes burn. Villagers flee toward the chapel through smoke, while raiders gallop away across the fields beneath the reddening sky.
Elric Vane
Dragoons, split the defense. Two to the chapel, two to the wells, and the rest with me. Drive back anyone still inside the homes.
The scarred dragoon captain dismounts beneath a rain of sparks and points his spear toward the nearest flames. The dragoons move at once, forming a shield line as frightened villagers stumble past them.
A soot-covered middle-aged woman in a green wool mantle emerges beside the chapel path, gripping a crooked staff. Her sharp voice cuts through the panic as she points toward the fields.
Mara Pell
The raiders are retreating east! I am Mara Pell, the reeve. One of them is trapped beneath that beam, near the granary. He may know who sent them.
Near the granary, a broad young man in scorched leather lies pinned beneath a fallen timber, blood darkening his sleeve. He watches the approaching soldiers with defiance, while flames crawl along the roof above him.
Elric Vane
Betram, the prisoner is yours if you can reach him safely. Learn what drove this raid, but do not let the fire claim either of you.
✓ Quest Accepted
Rescue Hadrik alive
“Betram approaches the man trapped beneath the timbers. He points his spear at the man's throat. "Speak, ruffian, or I will skewer you here. Your people attacked this village. Why?"”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +2)
Betram Steelstream
Speak, ruffian, or I will skewer you here. Your people attacked this village. Why?
Betram reaches the granary through the sparks and levels his spear at the trapped raider’s throat. The timber pins the broad young man, but his defiance falters beneath the threat.
Hadrik Sorn
Hadrik Sorn. That is my name. Lower the spear and I will tell you what I know. We were ordered here by a Veldemarke officer calling himself Ser Jorren.
The man swallows carefully against the spearpoint. Behind him, burning rafters groan, while villagers hurry toward the chapel and smoke reddens the evening sky.
Hadrik Sorn
He said the village sheltered Sanbreque scouts and promised silver for proof. We found no soldiers here. When the reeve resisted, the order changed to fire the homes.
Hadrik’s confession comes plainly, stripped of the raider’s earlier bravado. The answer gives Betram the name behind the attack and confirms the village was burned to manufacture a pretext for war.
Elric Vane
You heard him, Betram. I will have the prisoner secured and the name sent to Oriflamme. Hold him alive; this may be the proof that stops the armies.
Quest Complete
Identify the force behind the village raid
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Superb→Legendary
“Betram extends a hand and shatters the timber with a small burst of light magic. Freeing the man so the other dragoons can take him into custody.”
FAILURE (Good Magic, rolled -2)
“Betram extends a hand and shatters the timber with a small burst of light magic. Freeing the man so the other dragoons can take him into custody.”
SUCCESS (Good Magic, rolled -1)
Betram extends one hand toward the fallen timber. A compact burst of white light cracks through the beam, shattering it into smoking fragments and freeing Hadrik, while the spell leaves Betram’s fingers rigid and pale with the first sting of the Curse.
The roof groans overhead, but Hadrik rolls clear as Elric and two dragoons seize his arms. Ash swirls around them, and the broken timber collapses harmlessly into the dirt.
Hadrik Sorn
You could have left me to burn. I will remember that, Sanbreque.
Elric Vane
Bind his wrists and move him beyond the fire. Betram, that light has marked your hand. Do not cast again unless the village truly requires it.
The dragoons drag Hadrik toward the chapel yard, securing him beneath the reeve’s watch. Betram’s hand slowly loosens, though a chalk-white line remains across his palm.
Hadrik Sorn
Ser Jorren will not wait for your report. If the fire was meant to provoke war, he will already be carrying the next order east.
Prevent Ser Jorren from provoking war
Quest Complete
Rescue Hadrik alive
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great
That Bearer begins to petrify from the Curse.