Veyra leads Sakara away from the red shrine, its nine masked worshipers remaining behind to guard the basin and prepare the sealed message. The jungle trail climbs toward black mountain walls.
By dusk, the path reaches a fortified gate banded in gold. Veyra carries the Red Tide’s wax-sealed allegiance, while Sakara’s moon-scaled glaive rests across her sailing gear.
A young adult man, lean and rangy beneath his layered armor, with dark gauntlets and high boots stands before the gate in layered ochre armor, his face hidden by a polished gold mask shaped like a dragon’s stern visage. A black plume trails from his helm.
Marrek Sol
Envoys, halt. The Gold Order does not receive visitors beneath another sovereign’s banner.
Behind him, portcullis chains creak but do not rise. Narrow murder-holes puncture the gatehouse, and the mountain wind carries the dry scent of sun-warmed stone.
Marrek Sol
I am Marrek Sol, herald of Razuth’s tribe. Answer our formal challenge, and I will carry your names before the Order.
Veyra Ashmark
We carry an allegiance sealed by the Red Tide. If your challenge is the price of a hearing, state its terms.
✓ Quest Accepted
Answer the Gold Order’s formal challenge.
“*I roll my eyes under my mask* “a challenge of combat? I accept graciously. Send forward your tribe’s best””
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Combat, rolled -1)
Sakara
A challenge of combat? I accept graciously. Send forward your tribe’s best.
Though hidden behind her blindfold and sailing mask, Sakara rolls her eyes. Marrek’s gold mask tilts toward her, then he raises one gauntleted hand.
Marrek Sol
So granted. Razuth’s champion will meet you beneath the gate, and your victory will purchase the hearing you seek.
The gate opens onto a stone practice yard. A broad-shouldered young adult man steps through, his bronze-scaled cuirass bright against black trousers, a red cord binding his long dark hair. He carries a heavy crescent sword.
Tarek Voss
Tarek Voss, champion of Razuth’s tribe. I will give you a clean contest, moon-born.
Tarek advances, his bronze-brown skin and square, scar-notched face revealed beneath his long dark hair. Sakara’s glaive flashes from her back in one smooth arc, turning his first cut aside and hooking his sword free. The weapon skids across the yard.
Marrek Sol
Enough. The challenger has won. Raise the portcullis. The Gold Order will hear the Red Tide’s allegiance and the Moon Dragon’s terms.
Quest Complete
Answer the Gold Order’s formal challenge.