Outside the cathedral, the cobblestones of the Place du Parvis are slick with rain. John Smith strides away from the sanctuary, his boots splashing in dark puddles. He halts before the iron gate of a nearby rectory, where a man in black cassocks waits with a flickering lantern.
Clergyman
You are late, Monsieur, and the scent of steel and stale incense follows you like a shadow.
John Smith
This priest knows too much about the fight. I should keep my hand near my pistol until I know if he is friend or foe.
John Smith
Keep your observations to yourself, Father. I have no patience for riddles after the morning I have endured.
Clergyman
A temper like yours is a heavy cross to carry, but inside, a letter awaits you. It bears a seal you would do well to recognize.
+ Scene Quest Added
Retrieve the mysterious letter
“Take the note and toss a coin to the clergyman. "There is some garbage in there you might want to pick up" (referring to the injured nobleman)”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +3)
John Smith
Tosses a gold coin toward the clergyman’s feet, the metal ringing sharply against the wet stone.
John Smith
There is some garbage back there you might want to pick up, Father. I suggest you fetch your broom before the crows find him.
John snatches the wax-sealed letter from the priest's trembling hand. The parchment is heavy, marked with a crest that stops the air in his lungs.
John Smith
This seal belongs to the Cardinal's own house. I was a fool to think this was a simple errand.
Clergyman
You handle the word of God and the word of kings with equal disrespect, Monsieur. Do you intend to read it here, or do you prefer the rain to wash away the secrets you are so eager to claim?
John Smith
I prefer not to be watched while I work.
+ New Item Acquired
Wax-sealed letter
“Take letter and shop away the father and read it”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +4)
John Smith
Shoves the priest’s shoulder with enough force to send the man stumbling backward into the damp rectory wall.
John Smith
He is shaking like a leaf. If I stay here, the Cardinal’s men will find me before I even break the wax.
John Smith
You have had your moment, Father. Stay inside and keep your prayers to yourself.
John turns on his heel, his heavy boots splashing through the mud as he sprints toward the narrow alleyway that cuts behind the rectory. He finds a sliver of cover beneath a sagging wooden awning and tears the seal open with his thumb.
John Smith
This is a hit list. And my name is underlined in blood-red ink at the very bottom.
A heavy metallic click echoes from the shadows of the alley behind him. John freezes, his fingers tightening around the parchment. A silhouette emerges from the gloom, long-barreled pistol leveled squarely at his chest.
+ Scene Quest Added
Survive the ambush
“Throw coins at assailant to distract and rush them 'is it coin that you want? Take it!"”
Missed — The Assassin struck back but missed
John Smith
Flings a handful of gold coins toward the assassin's face, the metal glinting sharply in the dim alley light.
The Assassin
Flinches as the coins ping harmlessly off his coat, his finger twitching on the trigger. A jagged hole in the stone wall behind him marks where his shot buries itself, missing John by an inch.
John Smith
He is too focused on the pistol to notice how much I despise him. I am going to break his hands.
The Assassin
Your temper is a poor shield for your secrets, duellist.
“Use brute strength to grab pistol”
Missed — The Assassin struck back for 2 damage
John lunges forward, his massive fingers locking onto the barrel of the assassin's pistol. He heaves with legendary strength, but the metal is slick with cold sweat and the assassin twists his wrist with unnatural precision. The weapon escapes John’s iron grip, and the assassin drives the heavy iron handle of the pistol into John’s ribs.
John Smith
Staggers back, his breath hitching as a sharp pain blooms in his side.
The Assassin
Smirks, clutching the pistol tightly against his chest, though his hand trembles slightly from the raw force of John’s failed charge. You are too slow, giant.
John Smith
My ribs scream, but my pulse is steady. He is breathing hard. He is afraid of me.
Clergyman
Watching from the shadows of the rectory archway, the priest grips his rosary, his knuckles turning white as the silence stretches.
“Tackle opponent and grapple using strength”
Missed — The Assassin struck back for 1 damage
John lunges forward, his massive fingers locking onto the barrel of the assassin's pistol. He heaves with legendary strength, but the metal is slick with cold sweat and the assassin twists his wrist with unnatural precision. The weapon escapes John’s iron grip, and the assassin drives the heavy iron handle of the pistol into John’s ribs.
John Smith
Staggers back, his breath hitching as a sharp pain blooms in his side.
The Assassin
Smirks, clutching the pistol tightly against his chest, though his hand trembles slightly from the raw force of John’s failed charge. You are too slow, giant.
John Smith
My ribs scream, but my pulse is steady. He is breathing hard. He is afraid of me.
Clergyman
Watching from the shadows of the rectory archway, the priest grips his rosary, his knuckles turning white as the silence stretches.
“Kick to throw of balance”
Missed — The Assassin struck back for 3 damage
John lunges, throwing his weight into a heavy kick aimed at the assassin’s midsection, but his boot meets only empty air as his opponent pivots with serpentine grace. Before John can recover his footing, the assassin lashes out, slamming the heavy pistol barrel into John’s already bruised ribs. The impact forces a sharp gasp of pain from the giant.
The Assassin
You throw your weight around like an ox, but you lack the grace of a matador.
John Smith
Winces, clutching his side as his boots scrape against the damp cobblestones.
John Smith
Every movement feels like fire. He is faster than he looks, but he is getting cocky. I need to force him into a corner where his footwork is useless.
Clergyman
Trembles, his fingers clutching the cold stone of the rectory wall as he watches the struggle, his eyes darting toward the street entrance for any sign of the Guard.
“Yell for guards ans defend”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +2)
John Smith
Let out a roar that shakes the very stones of the alley, his voice booming with a desperate, iron-willed ferocity.
John Smith
Guards! In the name of the King, bring steel to this alley!
The sudden, thunderous volume freezes the assassin for a split second. Capitalizing on the hesitation, John throws his entire muscular frame into a defensive stance, his rapier held high in a rigid, impenetrable guard that anticipates the next strike. The sudden shift in momentum makes the assassin stumble back, his eyes darting toward the distant street lamp for any sign of approaching reinforcements.
John Smith
That shout should buy me a breath. My ribs are screaming, but my blade is ready. Let him come forward and test my resolve again.
The Assassin
You fool. The city watch won't save you from what I have planned.
“Look for an opening while defending”
Missed — The Assassin struck back for 6 damage
John lunges forward, his rapier darting like a viper toward the assassin’s throat. His desperation lends his strike speed, but his wounded ribs betray him. The assassin barely twitches, his calm demeanor undisturbed by the frantic steel. With a rhythmic, calculated shift, he sidesteps the thrust, his own pistol barrel lashing out like a weighted club. It connects solidly with the side of John’s head, a sickening crack echoing against the alley walls.
The Assassin
Your temper is a slow poison, and you have finally finished the drink.
John’s vision swims into a blur of grey shadows and cold brick. His rapier slips from numb fingers, clattering against the stones as his legs lose their strength. He collapses heavily, the world dimming to nothingness while the clergyman watches from the periphery, his face pale with shock. Silence descends upon the alley, broken only by the sound of the assassin’s measured, calm breathing.
John Smith
Darkness comes too fast, and the list remains unfinished.
