Adventure of Frieda 1

The cloaked monk lunges from the shadows, dagger flashing low toward Brother Konrad's ribs. The sudden strike shreds the hush in the crypts.

Sir Eleutherius surges across the landing, shoulder first, taking the blow off line before it reaches the Inquisitor. The ledger jerks in Konrad's hands as men shout and shuffle on the steps.

Frieda clamps down on the packet at her side, turning her body into a shield. Boots scrape stone all around her, and the lantern light wavers over faces gone hard with alarm.

The cloaked monk twists free, knife still in hand, while the nearest men recoil from the sudden treachery. Sir Eleutherius keeps between the Inquisitor and the blade, and the crypt landing becomes a crush of steel, cloth, and shouted orders.

Frieda steps into the line of steel and stone, sword coming free in one smooth motion. The evidence packet stays pinned tight against her ribs, untouched.

The cloaked monk’s knife misses its true mark and scrapes past empty air as her body blocks the way to Brother Konrad.

Sir Eleutherius keeps driving the assassin back, forcing him off balance against the landing wall.

Brother Konrad snatches himself fully behind Frieda’s shield of blade and shoulder, clutching the ledger close.

On the steps, the Bishop’s men break their hesitation. One man backs up a stair, another lifts his hands, and their formation starts to loosen under the sudden confusion.

Lantern light jumps over the crypt landing, catching the drawn weapons on the stone and the assassin’s retreating shape as the opening widens.