Numet sits against the fallen lintel while Effruin cleans his cuts with salvaged cloth and rainwater. The shelter smells of wet stone and iron.
Numet
My father’s last orders were clear. Reach him by the eastern road, trust no imperial patrol without his seal, and keep this signet hidden.
Numet conceals the bloodstained signet beneath his torn coat as his breathing steadies. Outside, rain whispers through the alder branches, and the road remains empty.
Numet
He believed someone had turned the empire’s colors against him. He wanted me alive before he could learn who gave the order.
Numet
You knew my father before today. Why did he treat you as an enemy, Effruin? What began your rivalry?
Numet watches Effruin closely, not accusing him, but searching his drawn face for an answer. The quiet shelter holds only their breathing and the patient rain.
Numet
Was it the rebellion, the empire, or something older between you? I need to understand whom I am asking to lead me to him.
Director's note
When Effruin speaks of Grahamin, he is filled with a great deal of sorrow.
“I explain my history with Grahamin: Grahamin and I adventured together, long ago, before he became such an influential figure in the Sosshan military. We fought side-by-side, and together we conquered insurmountable odds. We defeated dragons, liches, demigods and demons. But when the slaves rebelled, he chose to repair the Empire from within, and could not leave it. I felt compelled to fight with the slaves. I might love and respect Grahamin, Numet, but make no mistake; I will be the one to kill him.”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +0)
Effruin
Grahamin and I adventured together, long ago, before he became an influential figure in Sosshan’s military. We fought side by side.
Effruin’s account settles into the shelter with the rain. His voice carries sorrow beneath its cold restraint, as though each memory has a blade’s edge.
Effruin
Together, we overcame insurmountable odds. We defeated dragons, liches, demigods, and demons.
Numet
My father never told me that. He spoke of victories, but never of the companions who stood beside him.
Effruin
When the slaves rebelled, Grahamin chose to repair the Empire from within. He could not leave it. I felt compelled to fight with the slaves.
Numet lowers his gaze to his hidden signet. Outside, water threads down the stones, and the old shelter seems too small for the history between them.
Effruin
I might love and respect Grahamin, Numet, but make no mistake. I will be the one to kill him.
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring Numet to Grahamin
“I ask that Numet give me the signet, so that I may bring it to Grahamin myself. I do not want Numet in harm's way, but I also don't want him slowing me down on the way to the Eastern road.”
FAILURE (Great Reasoning, rolled -1)
Effruin
Give me the signet. I will bring it to Grahamin myself. You will not be in harm’s way, and you will not slow me on the eastern road.
Numet’s hand closes over the hidden seal beneath his coat. He shifts away from Effruin against the fallen lintel, guarding it without drawing a weapon.
Numet
No. My father ordered me to keep it hidden, and he sent me because the bearer matters as much as the seal.
Numet
If you carry it alone, they may take it from you or follow you straight to him. I will not surrender the only proof I possess.
Numet draws the signet briefly into view, turning its bloodstained face toward the dim light. A tiny groove circles the inner rim, shaped like a river splitting around a black stone.
Numet
But I can show you the courier path my father used. The groove marks an old river-fort passage, and it may bring us to Grahamin unseen.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep Numet alive
“I ask Numet to guide me while I guard him”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +3)
Effruin
Guide me by this courier path. I will guard you until we reach Grahamin.
Effruin rises, placing himself between Numet and the shelter entrance. Numet tucks the signet beneath his coat and gathers his torn cloak.
Numet
Then we go before the light fades. My father’s couriers used the alder stream, not the road. Its banks conceal our passage.
Numet leads through a narrow rear cleft in the hillside, its stones marked by old, shallow cuts. Effruin recognizes the signs as imperial waymarks.
Numet
These marks mean the next ford is watched only at dawn. By night, the river-fort passage should carry us beneath the patrols.
They enter the dripping alder shadows. Numet keeps close to the bank, while Effruin watches the trees, the water, and every open angle around them.
Numet
With him guarding me, I may reach my father before the Ashen Oath can close its hand.
Quest Complete
Keep Numet alive