The royal messenger strides into the inner yard, dust whitening her blue cloak and boots. She stops before the King and Queen, clutching Charlotte’s sealed order.
The Royal Messenger
Your Majesties, the crowd is growing restless at the monastery gates. The prisoner and the wounded man-at-arms must be brought here immediately.
Charlotte’s arms tighten around Adrian. Behind her, Arthur lowers his practice blade, Sebastian reaches for his sword, and Leo steps close to their father.
King George
You were ordered to hold them there. Why leave the gate before the Crown has heard both accounts?
The Royal Messenger
I did not abandon the order, sire. I came for the escort it requires. If judgment waits much longer, the crowd may force its own.
George takes the sealed parchment, breaks Charlotte’s wax, and scans the brief command. The practice yard falls silent except for leather creaking beneath Sebastian’s tightening grip.
Queen Charlotte
Then we go together. Adrian stays with me, and the princes remain at his side. No frightened crowd will decide a royal hearing.
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring the prisoner and wounded man-at-arms safely into royal custody
“Later that day we are in a meeting with the Prisoner and wounded man and my mother is holding me and not trusting the prisoner”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +0)
Later that day, Adrian sits in Queen Charlotte’s arms within the castle’s council chamber. King George stands behind the table, while Arthur, Sebastian, and Leo watch from nearby; the frightened prisoner and wounded man-at-arms face the Crown.
Charlotte keeps one arm firmly around Adrian and studies the prisoner without warmth. The young woman’s bound hands rest on the table, while the soldier remains pale and unsteady beside her.
Queen Charlotte
You will answer plainly. My child heard your claims at the gate, but his safety comes before your defense.
The Wounded Man-At-Arms
Your Majesty, I understand. The merchant’s death began with a secret love, and the girl was blamed because his purse appeared by her door.
Mira Venn
I swear I never touched that purse. I knew the merchant, yes, but only because he promised to help me leave the city.
King George
Adrian brought us the essential account, but the purse remains uncertain. We will check who owned it before judgment is given.
The hearing is secured, and Adrian remains safely held against his mother. Yet the exact ownership of the purse still escapes him, leaving one important detail to be verified.
Quest Complete
Bring the prisoner and wounded man-at-arms safely into royal custody