Jack follows the map’s trail past the gate and into a low hollow of brush and packed earth. The place smells like stale musk, damp soil, and cold metal. A young coyote stands over a heap of scavenged gear, dusty fur ruffled like she has not slept much.
The Coyote
You made it. Good. I left the map where somebody sharp might find it before the pack turns meaner.
She lifts one paw toward the stash, then lets it fall again, keeping her body small but her eyes steady on Jack.
The Coyote
If he is here, maybe this stops being just my problem.
Jack
So you made the map on purpose?
The Coyote
Yeah. I am done covering for them. They keep dragging in junk, scaring everyone, acting like that is strength.
She nudges a bundle of gear aside with her nose, exposing the folded map beneath it, then looks back up with a tense, hopeful flick of her ears.
The Coyote
I can point out who matters, where they meet, and which path keeps your dogs away from trouble. If you want help, I am here.
✓ Quest Accepted
Confirm the coyote's sincerity
“"Looks like they haven't treated you too nice either."”
SUCCESS (Good Consolation, rolled +1)
Jack
Looks like they have not treated you too nice either.
The Coyote
No. Not really. If I look tired, it is because I am tired of them.
She gives a short, humorless snort, then lowers her chin toward the map instead of the brush around them. The pack is not the thing she watches now, just Jack.
The Coyote
They like noise, bluster, and acting tough when somebody else pays for it. I am done paying.
Jack stays where he is, letting the words settle. The coyote’s shoulders ease a little when he does not crowd her or push for more.
The Coyote
He gets it. Good. I was hoping somebody would.
Her paw shifts off the map and rests beside the gear pile, no longer guarding it. She looks tired, but steady, and the stash feels less like bait than a confession.
Quest Complete
Confirm the coyote's sincerity
“Jack grabs one of the assault rifles, then loads rubber rounds from the fur in his flank "don't worry, this won't injure them, save maybe some bruises. It'll drive them off."”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled -1)
Jack reaches into the fur at his flank and draws out a neat little stash of rubber rounds, keeping them low over the gear pile.
He works the rifle open and feeds the rounds in one by one, quick and practiced.
Jack
Don't worry, this won't injure them. Maybe some bruises. It'll drive them off.
The Coyote
Good. That is exactly what I want.
She leans closer, eyes on the loaded rifle, then flicks her gaze past Jack toward the brush-choked hollow.
The Coyote
My old friends are not in the pack. If they answer, they will answer to me first.
The coyote stays beside the map instead of reaching for the rifle, giving Jack room to finish.
“"I'm Jack, what's your name?"”
SUCCESS (Good Conversation, rolled -1)
Jack
I’m Jack. What’s your name?
The Coyote
I am Coyote. That is all I have used out here.
The Coyote
A name is enough, if he keeps his word.
She gives a short nod, then nudges the folded map closer to Jack without touching the rifle. A few grains of dust slide off her paw onto the road.
The Coyote
You can call me that, or not. The pack used to call me worse.
The brush behind them stays still, but the coyote keeps one ear angled that way. Jack’s loaded rifle rests between them like a promise she is trying not to need.
The Coyote
If you want me to point out who stays where, I can do that. If you want stories, I have those too.
“"First we should get to the den and drive them off, I have friends in the area to protect." He gets going to the den.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +2)