The magistrate’s study opens onto a colder hall, and beyond it the city waits in uneasy hush. Frieda steps out with the sealed packet, the messenger close at her shoulder.
At the far arch, the usual watch is gone. In their place stand armored men in Bishop’s livery, silent and blocking the way to the gate.
The Messenger
We are watched already.
A clerk at the corridor end lowers his eyes, pretending not to see them. One of the armored men turns his helmet toward Frieda, waiting for her to move first.
Frieda
We carry court business for the Imperial court. Stand aside.
The Armored Man
No one leaves with sealed papers tonight. Not until the bishop’s will is answered.
The messenger tightens his grip on the packet. Frieda sees the choice at once, turn back into the magistrate’s protection, or thread the side streets before the Bishop’s men close the net.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get past the Bishop’s men
“Frieda peers at the Armored Man's tabard. "Gules, a Lion rampant Or, the arms of the Earl of Arundel. Are you an Englishman, or did you steal that somewhere?"”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +1)
Frieda studies the man at the arch, then lets her gaze drop to his tabard and back again. The hall seems to hold its breath with her.
Frieda
Gules, a lion rampant Or, the arms of the Earl of Arundel. Are you an Englishman, or did you steal that somewhere?
The armored man’s head tilts a fraction. His gloved hand lowers from the blocking gesture, and the badge on his chest catches the torchlight too plainly to be denied.
The Armored Man
You know your heraldry, chaplain. Better than I expected from a castle study.
The Armored Man
I am no Englishman. I wore that coat where it was given, and I wear it where it serves.
The messenger, still clutching the sealed packet, glances from the badge to Frieda with fresh alarm. The clerk at the corridor end keeps his eyes on his ledger, but his quill pauses.
The Armored Man
Now you know I am not a random hireling. So choose carefully, chaplain, before I am forced to choose for you.
“"So, a disguise. You could have chosen a more plausible one. As for my arms, I wear them on my chest. They are the Lord's, and it is His will I obey. If you mean to attack a priest of God and an Imperial messenger, here, in front of everyone in the Magistrate Hall, do it now. Otherwise, stand aside."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Frieda holds his stare, calm as a seal pressed to wax. The man in the arch shifts his weight, and the hard line of his shoulders loosens by a fingerbreadth.
Frieda
So. A disguise. You could have chosen a more plausible one.
Frieda
As for my arms, I wear them on my chest. They are the Lord's, and it is His will I obey.
Frieda
If you mean to strike a priest of God and an Imperial messenger here, before the magistrate’s hall, do it now. Otherwise, stand aside.
The Armored Man
Ha. Bold words from a woman with ink on her cuffs and a cross at her throat.
The Armored Man
No, chaplain. I did not come to spill blood in a clerk’s doorway.
He lowers his sword hand and steps aside from the arch, just enough to open a clear line through the hall. The messenger exhales and tightens his grip on the packet, while the clerk’s quill resumes its careful scratch.
Quest Complete
Get past the Bishop’s men
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Great→Superb