The crawl space falls still. Mud drips from the broken stair seam, and the humming satchel in Neko’s grip seems louder in the silence.
Boots crunch on the porch. A tall cloaked figure steps into view, one hand raised, the other holding a white cloth of parley.
The Stranger
Hold. I come under truce. I mean no rush into your house.
Harrow stands in the mud below, tense and watchful, but his stare stays locked on the humming satchel, not on Neko.
Harrow
That thing is the only reason I am here.
The Stranger
Then let us speak before it wakes worse company. I am Brann, and I bring a word from the road.
Inside the hall, Neko’s family and Iri hold their breath at the stairs, listening to the porch settle into a tense, fragile pause.
Learn what Brann wants from the relic
+ New Item Acquired
Humming satchel