A disused alcove branches from the service passage, its shelves crowded with dry blankets, sealed water jars, and a cracked imperial map beneath a film of dust.
Numet settles on a folded blanket and cleans the cuts on his hands. Above, the river fort murmurs with boots, muffled orders, and the scrape of hauled crates.
Numet
These route marks still match the signet. My father’s couriers used this alcove when they needed to wait unseen.
Numet spreads the cracked map across his knees, tracing a line beneath the command rooms with one careful finger. His face remains drawn, but his attention is steady.
Numet
What will you do if my father offers surrender instead of a fight? Will you accept his terms, or refuse him and force the matter?
The question hangs beneath the fort’s distant footsteps. Numet folds his hands over the map and waits, leaving the narrow alcove quiet enough for an honest answer or a cold refusal.
“Losing my patience, I suddenly and violently seize Numet's throat, and threaten him that I am sick and tired of his questions and pestering. Leave me to my intentions, and I will leave him to save his father.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled -2)
Effruin crosses the alcove in a sudden blur and clamps his hand around Numet’s throat, driving the frail young man back against the stone shelf. The movement wrenches his wounded shoulder, sending a sharp jolt through his body.
Effruin
I am sick of your questions and your pestering. Leave me to my intentions, and I will leave you to save your father.
Numet
Understood. I will not question you again. Release me, and I will follow the route without interfering.
Numet’s hands rise slowly, empty and trembling. The cracked map slides from his knees, while Effruin’s grip leaves him breathless but conscious beneath the muted thunder of boots overhead.
Numet
I will lead you beneath the command rooms. After that, you may face my father as you intend. I will save him if I can, but I will not stand between you.
Effruin releases him. Numet folds over the fallen map, coughing quietly, then gathers the signet beneath his coat and points toward the concealed passage without another question.
“I let Numet lead beneath the command rooms”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
Numet lifts the cracked map and slips through a narrow seam behind the shelves. Effruin follows soundlessly, keeping to the wall as boots pass overhead.
The concealed passage descends beneath the command rooms. Its low ceiling forces Numet to stoop, while Effruin moves between shadowed pillars and avoids every loose stone.
Numet
The command rooms are directly above us. The courier stair ends beneath the western chamber, behind the old records wall.
Numet reaches a bricked arch and presses three fingers against a faded river mark. A hidden catch yields, opening a slit into a lamplit crawlspace below the fort’s command rooms.
Numet
We are beneath them. My father’s chamber lies beyond that wall, unless the Ashen Oath reached him first.
Through the narrow opening, lamplight cuts across stacked records and a guarded stair. Effruin and Numet have reached the space beneath the command rooms, unseen and within striking distance of Grahamin’s quarters.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get past the guarded stair
“With blinding speed, knock the guards unconscious to clear the way for Numet.”
SUCCESS (Superb Melee Combat, rolled -1)
Effruin slips through the crawlspace opening before either guard can turn. His hand strikes the broad-shouldered guard beneath the jaw, then drives the lean guard’s temple against the stone. Both collapse silently, unconscious.
The victory tears at Effruin’s wounded shoulder. Pain flashes down his back as he catches himself against the records wall, breathing once through clenched teeth while the two guards lie still.
Numet
You cleared the stair without raising an alarm.
Numet crawls through after him, stepping around the fallen guards. Beyond them, the guarded stair rises toward the command rooms, empty now except for lamplight and distant voices.
Numet
This way. My father’s chamber is beyond the records hall.
Numet points up the cleared stair. Effruin takes the lead, one hand low and ready, while Numet follows close behind toward Grahamin’s chamber and the reckoning waiting there.
Quest Complete
Get past the guarded stair