The rider removes his wet hood but keeps one hand near his belt. His face is travel-worn, and mud darkens his boots to the knee.
I am Elias, a courier from the upper road. Brother Konrad waits beyond Bruchsal, but the Bishop’s men are searching every bridge and market lane.
Sir Eleutherius steps nearer the table, placing himself between Elias and the covered ledger. The Witness remains by the sacks, silent and watchful.
Sir Eleutherius
If you know the Inquisitor’s road, name the last checkpoint, and tell us who guards it.
The old tollhouse at Karlsgraben is held by men wearing the Bishop’s colors. I avoided them by coming through the mill villages. Two riders followed until dawn.
Master Henn’s jaw tightens. Beyond the barred door, the horse stamps again, and a distant call rises from the market quarter before fading.
The Witness
Then his road may be safer than ours, or merely less watched. We need proof before we place the ledger in his hands.
“"Master Henn, do you know any way of leaving the town without being observed?"”
FAILURE (Mediocre Lore (Local), rolled -3)
Frieda
Master Henn, do you know any way of leaving the town without being observed?
Master Henn
Not truly. The back lanes are watched, and the river path ends beneath the Bishop’s eyes. I know one way, but it will not stay hidden.
He leads them through the mill to a low grain passage opening behind the waterwheel. Beyond its grate, the yard is visible, and two mounted men wait beside the road.
Master Henn
My flour cart leaves at once. It will carry you past the market, but every watchman will see it. I can give you honest cover, not invisibility.
Elias
That is enough. A marked cart draws fewer questions than fugitives on foot, and the upper road remains open beyond the town.
The hidden passage closes behind them. Master Henn loads sacks around the ledger and witnesses, while Sir Eleutherius takes the driver’s bench and Elias watches the road.
The cart rolls openly through Bruchsal beneath the miller’s name. Riders glance over, but find only flour, tired travelers, and a lawful road carrying the evidence onward to Brother Konrad.
“Having no better plan, she takes Master Henn's advice.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +2)
Frieda accepts Master Henn’s plain counsel and climbs into the flour cart. Sacks are packed around the ledger and witnesses, leaving only a narrow space beneath the canvas.
Master Henn
Keep still until we clear the market. My name will carry you farther than haste.
Sir Eleutherius takes the driver’s bench, while Elias settles near the rear flap to watch the road. Master Henn shuts the gate and gives the horse its rein.
The cart rolls openly through Bruchsal beneath the miller’s marked sacks. Watchmen glance inside, see flour and weary travelers, and wave it onward without searching.
Elias
The market is behind us. The upper road remains clear, and no rider has followed.
Beyond the last houses, the cart leaves Bruchsal behind. The witnesses and ledger are safely past the town’s watchers, and the road toward Brother Konrad lies open.
Sir Eleutherius
Master Henn gave us honest cover, and it served. We can carry the truth onward now.
− Story Quest Removed
Reach the Inquisitor with the ledger and witnesses
Beyond Bruchsal, the cart rolled into the open country, its flour sacks undisturbed and its secret still safe.
Elias
No riders behind us. The road is ours.
The Witness
Then let Konrad hear every word.
Sir Eleutherius
He will. And the ledger will speak first.
Frieda
We carried it through.
The watched roads and guarded gates fell behind Frieda, while the ledger and its witnesses remained beyond the Bishop's reach. Sir Eleutherius kept the cart steady, Elias kept watch, and the upper road led them safely toward Brother Konrad and the judgment to come. For this night, survival was victory, and the truth still traveled with them.