Adventure of Tau Heathsburough

Pale blue flames reveal the courier within the narrow chamber: a middle-aged woman with dirty, dark brown hair, travel-stained robes, and a silver-threaded scar across one cheek. She leans beside a stone reliquary carved with the black crown and silver eye.

The reliquary opens along a hairline seam. Within rests a dark, palm-sized tablet, its silver eye dimming with every breath of blue flame. Hirana steps nearer, listening without touching it.

The tablet gives one final pulse, and a line of silver script appears across its face: Bring the sworn guard, and let him decide whether the crown may be bound. The chamber waits for Tau’s answer.

Tau Heathsburough leaves narrow chamber within the moss-covered shrine behind and arrives at the palace.

The palace gates rise before Tau and Hirana as they arrive beneath a cold morning sky. Guards turn at the sight of them, while bells mark the changing watch. The tablet rests hidden beneath Tau’s cloak, its warmth muted against his chest.

Hirana’s hand remains in Tau’s as they cross the marble entry. Beneath his cloak, the tablet flares once, bright enough to outline the fabric, then settles into a restrained silver pulse.

At the far end of the hall, Ruouh emerges from a side gallery in royal attire, crow-colored hair neat and blue eyes immediately fixed on them. He has not yet summoned a search.

The tablet gives another quiet pulse beneath Tau’s cloak as Ruouh approaches. Hirana releases his hand, but stays beside him, leaving the hidden relic and the shrine’s warning between all three of them.

Tau steps close to Ruouh and lowers his voice, then turns to Hirana with a respectful inclination. The request leaves no room for delay.

Hirana’s eyes sharpen, but she gives Ruouh a guarded look and steps aside. Tau leads the prince through a small passage into an empty room, closes the door, and steadies his breath.

The tease breaks the room’s tension. Courtly Insight catches the prince’s pride beneath his expression, while Knightly Etiquette keeps Tau’s insolence measured. His phobia presses at the silence, but disciplined will holds it back, and the Dark Tablet’s muted warmth anchors his composure.

Tau smiles and draws the Dark Tablet from beneath his cloak, setting it on the wooden table. Its silver eye catches the room’s dim light.

Ruouh crosses to the table and traces one finger over the silver eye. The tablet brightens beneath his touch, answering as it did for Tau.

Tau offers his hand. Courtly Insight guides the quiet appeal, Knightly Etiquette keeps it respectful, and the Dark Tablet’s warmth steadies the fear pressing at his breath.

Ruouh takes Tau’s hand. Pressure draws a faint seep through Tau’s healing palm covering, but Legendary Willpower holds his composure as their joined hands hover over the glowing tablet.

The tablet flares white beneath their joined hands, then turns searing hot. Tau and Ruouh wrench back as it shudders violently across the table.

Tau steps between the shaking relic and Ruouh on instinct. The tablet bursts, blasting them to the floor as stone fragments hammer his Royal Guard Armor and drive pain through his already-hurt body.

Dust blacks out the room. His deep-seated phobia claws at his breath, but Knightly Etiquette turns protection into practiced care, while the armor takes the worst of the falling debris.

Tau tears the loose tablecloth free and wraps it over Ruouh’s mouth and nose, improvising a filter. He draws one careful breath, then hauls the prince upright through the settling grit.

Still shielding Ruouh, Tau advances through the dust toward the table’s remains. The tablet is gone. In its place, a dark stone ring and matching necklace wait amid the scattered fragments.

Blood slips from the cut at Tau’s forehead. He scans the settling dust, then presses the necklace beneath his cloak and places the dark ring inside Ruouh’s hand.

Tau catches himself against the wall as dizziness sways him. His re-opened palm seeps under its covering, while Royal Guard Armor steadies his bruised body and Knightly Etiquette keeps his movements deliberate.

The door bursts open. The scarred captain, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man in palace armor, enters with two Royal Guards. Tau’s phobia tightens his breath, but Courtly Insight shapes his account before panic can fracture it.

Ruouh closes his fist around the dark ring and slips it beneath his royal sleeve just as the guards turn toward the shattered room.

With the danger hidden and adrenaline gone, Tau’s legs release him. Royal Guard Armor catches the first impact as he slides down the wall, his bruised body settling heavily against the stone.

The captain presses two fingers to Tau’s pulse, then signals the other guards toward the corridor. Knightly Etiquette leaves Tau’s armor and posture orderly even as his strength fails.

Ruouh drops beside him, concern breaking through his courtly composure. He reaches toward Tau’s shoulder, careful not to disturb the concealed ring.

The captain’s voice recedes beneath the pounding in Tau’s ears. His deep-seated phobia tightens the last thread of composure, then darkness takes him while Ruouh remains at his side.