Mara steps through the misted Hedgeway, beckoning Alyce after her. Three pale inhabitants remain beneath the lanterns, watching as gold and violet fog closes behind them.
The passage opens into a root-built waystation suspended above immeasurable darkness. Its living walls curve around a balcony overlooking branching roads that stretch toward impossible horizons.
the Brownie woman
The others stay to guard the Hedgeway. I will accompany you as far as the first gate, and no farther unless the road permits it.
Mara lays both hands upon a wooden table. Its surface unfurls into a green, breathing map, while ink-crows scatter across it and reform as winding roads.
the Brownie woman
There. This route bends toward Arcadia's outer roads, and here is the trail to records concerning travelers who came from the Human World.
A black-green mark crawls toward the first gate. The gate remains a blank arch of woven roots, sealed beneath a single silver leaf.
the Brownie woman
It opens only for a meaningful offering left behind, or for a binding favor owed to the waystation's keepers. The choice must be yours, Alyce.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach Arcadia's outer roads
✓ Quest Accepted
Find records of travelers from the Human World
“"Do you have anything to heal my wounds first before I can go?"”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Alyce
Do you have anything to heal my wounds first before I can go?
Mara's guarded expression eases. She opens a root-carved drawer beneath the map table and takes out a small clay jar sealed with green wax.
the Brownie woman
Yes. This salve will close the scrape and soothe the bruise enough for the road. But the waystation does not give aid freely.
Mara breaks the seal and gently works the fragrant salve over Alyce's scraped palm, then presses the remainder through the fabric at her bruised shoulder. The sting fades into cool numbness.
the Brownie woman
The healing is yours now. In return, you owe me one binding favor, to be named when the road brings us together again.
Alyce
The salve has already taken the sharpness from both wounds.
the Brownie woman
That is the cost, Alyce. Accept it, and you may leave through the first gate with your strength restored.
“"Alright, fine, but in that case, I guess I'll go through the Hedgeway and take my chances with the Keeper"”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled -2)