Rain needles the magistrate's courtyard as Frieda and Sir Eleutherius reach the river gate. Beyond the postern, the Rhine is black and swollen, and Bishop's men linger in the torch-glow like wolves at a ford.
Marten, still pale from the revelation, clutches the stolen packet and points toward the water. On the far bank, a waiting skiff rocks against the current, its hooded passenger half-hidden in shadow.
Marten
There. If it leaves now, the Bishop's hand reaches the Inquisitor before we do.
Sir Eleutherius shifts his horse across the lane, blocking the postern mouth. Frieda is left with a clear line to the gate, the skiff, and the men trying to buy time with their silence.
The Bishop's Man
Stand back. This passage is sealed by order higher than your little court.
Frieda
Open the gate. By Imperial warrant, this evidence goes to the Inquisitor.
At her words, one of the Bishop's men glances toward the river, uncertain, while the skiffman reaches for his pole as if ready to vanish into the dark.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the evidence from the river
“Maybe God will forgive one little lie? She waves her hand to attract the boatman's attention and yells, "Wait! Stay where you are! Beware the nixies!" (She knows from local lore that Rhine boatmen are afraid of nixies, especially the terrible Lorelei) To the Bishop's Man, she says, "I have no time for you. Stand aside, or taste my spear!"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -2)
Frieda snaps her arm toward the river and shouts the warning. The boatman jerks in the skiff, pole halfway lifted, and his hood turns toward the dark water instead of the gate.
The Bishop's Man
Nixies? Hold fast, fool, do not drift a hand’s span!
The man at the postern flinches at the cry, and Sir Eleutherius drives his horse harder across the lane, cutting off the gate with a loud scrape of iron-shod hooves on stone.
Frieda
I have no time for you. Stand aside, or taste my spear!
Her point leaves no room for bargain. The Bishop's man falters and steps back from the latch, just as the skiffman tosses down his pole and grabs the gunwale to keep from being swept broadside by the current.
Marten
He means to flee. If that boat leaves, the packet is lost to the river.
Rain hammers the stones harder. The river boat rocks, pinned in place by fear and current alike, while the postern stands momentarily clear and the Bishop's man glares for a new move.
“"Hold this!" she says to Sir Eleutherius, passing him the packet of evidence. She runs to the shore and wades into the water, yelling, "The nixies have you in their grasp! Grab this, and I will pull you ashore!" She offers him the blunt end of her spear.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +2)
Frieda thrusts the packet into Sir Eleutherius’s hand, then slips past his horse and into the rain-slashed edge of the Rhine. Her boots strike slick stone, then mud, then water.
She wades deeper, spear lowered with its blunt end out first, and calls the skiffman to grab hold before the current takes him broadside.
The Bishop's Man
Take it, man, take it! Do not let that boat swing free!
The boatman lunges for the offered shaft, fingers closing on wood as the skiff jerks against the water.
Marten
Pull him in, Frieda, the river is trying to steal both of us!
Frieda braces in the shallows and hauls back hard. The skiff scrapes toward shore, its bow turning in under her pull.
Sir Eleutherius
Hold fast, I have the packet!
Above the rush of rain and river, the boat steadies at last, close enough for hands to reach from shore.
Quest Complete
Secure the evidence from the river
New Gift: River Navigator