Rain and smoke veil the yard as Grahamin’s surviving soldiers emerge from the mill and riverbank, forming a ring around Effruin’s fallen body. The veiled courier stands among them, staring at the cold relic clenched in his hand.
Grahamin’s surviving soldiers
Where is High Marshal Grahamin? What have you done with him? Does he live?
The Veiled Courier
I cannot say. He was there, and then the darkness took them both. I saw no return.
Effruin gives them nothing. He remains silent beside the extinguished black fire, one hand locked around the relic while rain runs through the blood and soot on his face.
Grahamin’s surviving soldiers
He has concealed the marshal, or murdered him. Either way, his blood answers for Grahamin’s.
Steel clears its sheaths around him. The soldiers close ranks, boots grinding through wet ash, while the veiled courier retreats half a step and lowers her hooded face.
Grahamin’s surviving soldiers
Rise, killer. Give us the truth, or die where our commander fell.
✓ Quest Accepted
Survive the soldiers' attempt to execute Effruin
“Injured and battered, I rise to my feet and stare down the soldiers surrounding me. As I rise, I speak to them: "Then come attack me, whelps. And know, even broken as I am, I will still kill you all. Come, attack me and I will fill another graveyard with the bodies of optimistic soldiers."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Effruin plants his hand on the wet stones and rises. His bruised ribs protest sharply, and the effort leaves his breath ragged, but he stands upright inside the ring of blades.
Effruin
Then come attack me, whelps. Even broken, I will kill you all. Come, and I will fill another graveyard with brave men.
The threat crosses the rain-soaked yard like a drawn edge. The nearest soldiers falter; one lowers his sword, and the others glance toward the dark place where Grahamin vanished.
Grahamin’s surviving soldiers
Hold. No one advances. Lower your blades.
Steel sinks reluctantly around him. The soldiers retreat several paces, abandoning the attack and leaving Effruin standing free within the ring, relic still locked in his hand.
For one visible instant, Effruin’s composure fractures into a hollow pause. The courier notices it, but says nothing; fear, not trust, keeps the soldiers back.
Quest Complete
Survive the soldiers' attempt to execute Effruin