Adventure of Tau Heathsburough

Early light slips through the barracks shutters. Tau stands dressed and recently healed, bruises hidden beneath his uniform, the black stone necklace secured beneath his shirt while Ruouh remains elsewhere in the palace.

A knock sounds, followed by the entry of a middle-aged woman with a prominent scar through one brow, dark brown hair braided close, and a dark duty coat fastened to the throat. She carries a sealed packet.

She breaks the wax and unfolds the appointment. The duty places Tau at the eastern palace gate, beginning this morning, with orders to report there equipped and ready before the second bell.

The eastern gate lies opposite the old west archive, making the order more than a routine post. The necklace rests cold against Tau’s chest, while the promised meeting with Ruouh draws steadily nearer.

Tau nods once to Serah Vale and runs from the barracks. The words before the second bell strike him as deliberate, matching the hidden council’s timetable too closely to ignore.

He scans the passing guards and spots the broad-shouldered sentry from last night near the bridge approach. Tau’s deep-seated phobia tightens his breath in the crowded corridor, but Knightly Etiquette gives his stride formal authority, Courtly Insight chooses the appeal, and his Royal Guard Armor marks him as credible.

The guard studies Tau’s uniform, then the urgency he keeps carefully controlled. Persuasion turns the request into an honorable exchange, while composure prevents the phobia from showing more than a quick breath.

With the post covered and a useful vantage secured, Tau turns toward the prince’s tower and runs. The route to Ruouh is open before the second bell.

Tau slows to a brisk walk, but the Dark Stone Necklace warms beneath his shirt and pulls him toward Ruouh waiting beside the narrow corridor to the first witnesses chamber. The tug overcomes his control, sending him into the prince.

They stumble into the corridor together. Tau’s deep-seated phobia constricts his breath in the confined passage, while Knightly Etiquette turns his arms into a careful brace and Royal Guard Armor cushions the collision.

Tau rises first, rubbing his head, then realizes he has knocked the prince down. He springs upright at once, his formal training restoring order to the awkward moment.

Tau extends his hand. Ruouh accepts it, and Tau hauls him upright with controlled strength, keeping his grip respectful despite the necklace’s lingering warmth.

Ruouh steadies himself against the corridor wall, then studies the dark necklace beneath Tau’s shirt. Beyond them, the passage toward the witnesses chamber remains clear.

Tau motions down the hallway, and he and Ruouh proceed toward the witnesses chamber. At its entrance, the crimson-robed councillor, the blue-robed councillor, and three dark-robed council members are already inside.

Tau catches Ruouh and pushes them both behind the wall before they are noticed. Peering around the entrance, he sees the councillors tearing books and scrolls from the shelves in a frantic search.

Keen Senses separate scraping parchment from hurried footsteps, while Royal Guard Armor keeps Tau’s movements quiet against the stone. His phobia tightens the confined darkness around him, but he steadies his breath and scans higher.

Far up the shelves, a soft silver glow outlines one book. Tau narrows his eyes and identifies it clearly; Ruouh peers beside him, but sees only shadowed bindings.

Tau slips along the shadowed wall, Keen Senses tracking every scrape and breath. His Deep-seated Phobia tightens the confined dark around him, but Royal Guard Armor muffles each careful shift.

As the council members turn toward Ruouh, Tau reaches the silver-lit shelf. He climbs, snatches the book, and hides it beneath his cloak, scraping his forearm hard against the shelf edge. The cost stings, but the book is his.

Ruouh draws the council members’ attention deeper into the chamber while Tau descends and circles toward the other exit, the hidden book secured against his chest.

The second bell chimes as Tau reaches the far exit. The Silver-lined Book flickers beneath his cloak but keeps its pale glow. Keen Senses catch the council members turning behind him, while Royal Guard Armor quiets his hurried steps through the doorway.

Tau slips into an empty side room and draws the door nearly closed. His Deep-seated Phobia constricts the narrow hiding place, but he follows the fading footsteps and holds perfectly still.

Ruouh emerges moments later, keeping the council members’ attention on himself until they file out behind him. When their footsteps fade, he enters the room and closes the door.

Tau brings the Silver-lined Book into the dim room. Its glow steadies across the cover, revealing fine silver lines beneath the dust as Ruouh leans close without touching it.

Tau opens the Silver-lined Book. Every page is blank. He flips through the entire volume, finding no ink, diagram, or hidden mark, then lowers himself into a wooden chair.

Frustration tightens his composure, while the Deep-seated Phobia makes the enclosed room feel smaller. Keen Senses catch the faint scrape as Ruouh crosses to the table and lifts the book.

Tau rises and moves behind Ruouh, seeing only empty pages until he grips the book with him. Courtly Insight guides their shared angle, and the Silver-lined Book answers both relics.

The Black Stone Ring and Dark Stone Necklace flare together. Silver lining blooms across the cover, and words appear beneath Tau’s hands: riddles describing how the relics may control succession or protect their wielders.