Frieda slips through the raised gate into the rain-dark street, the sealed packet tight against her chest. Ahead, the Canon stands squarely in the road with his men, calm as a nailed door.
The Canon
No further. That warrant and those papers are not to leave this court.
The rain runs in threads off his sleeves. Behind him, the lane to the magistrate's hall is visible, close enough to reach, far enough to cost blood.
Frieda
I bear Imperial evidence to Magistrate Hauer. Stand aside.
The Canon
You bear only scandal, and a priest's blood on your name. Hand it over, and this ends cleanly.
One of the Bishop's men edges a step nearer, but does not draw. The street tightens around Frieda, every eye fixed on the packet in her hands.
Frieda
The court lies straight ahead. He wants the seal before I reach the door.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get past the Canon’s blockade
“Frieda hears hoofbeats approaching and, tuning, is delighted to see a Christian knight approaching. Surely a miracle of God! "Good Sir Knight, I am Frieda, a chaplain of the Templar Order, and I urgently need your assistance!"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Hooves strike the wet street from the far end of the lane. Frieda turns, and a mounted knight rides out of the rain, cross gleaming faintly under a travel cloak.
Frieda
Good sir knight, I am Frieda, a chaplain of the Templar Order. I urgently need your assistance.
The knight reins in hard, eyeing the Canon and his men, then Frieda's sealed packet. His posture eases at the cross on her breast.
Sir Eleutherius
A Templar chaplain, here, and under blockade? Then I ride into poor company.
Sir Eleutherius
My name is Sir Eleutherius. Speak quickly, lady, before these clerics turn the street into a court of their own.
The Canon's expression tightens as he recognizes another Christian arm between Frieda and the hall. The knight keeps one hand on his reins and the other near his sword, waiting.
Sir Eleutherius
If that packet bears lawful seal, I can see it carried. If it does not, I still would hear your account before I choose a side.
“It bears the seal of the imperial magistrate's court. I am charged to deliver it the Inquisitor, but these scoundrels seek to impede me, for this message contains evidence of their crimes!”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +2)
Frieda
It bears the seal of the imperial magistrate's court. I am charged to deliver it to the Inquisitor, but these men seek to hinder me, for this packet holds proof of their crimes.
Sir Eleutherius
The knight leans from the saddle, gaze fixed on the seal first, then the Canon's face. His jaw tightens, not in doubt now, but in recognition of trouble dressed as piety.
Sir Eleutherius
A court seal, then. That changes the weight of this lane at once.
He rides one measured step nearer the gate, rain beading on his cloak, and keeps his horse angled between Frieda and the clerics without quite drawing steel.
Sir Eleutherius
Canon, if you speak for law, you will let the packet pass. If you speak for yourself, I will hear that plainly too.
The Canon
You are a fool on a wet horse, sir. She carries scandal and theft, not justice.
At that, Eleutherius' eyes narrow, and the Bishop's men lose another step of boldness under his quiet stare.
Sir Eleutherius
Then let the seal and the testimony speak in the magistrate's hall. I will see her through.
Quest Complete
Get past the Canon’s blockade
New Gift: Diplomatic Mediator