Baron Edric rises from the chamber table and clears a space among the ledgers. Hessa, Deren, and the wagon driver remain under custody before him, while Nilsar stands with the recovered records.
Baron Edric Vale
Osric Pell and the Harris leaseholders will receive warrants today. Delay will scatter everyone connected to these altered station entries before we can question them.
He draws fresh parchment toward himself and begins drafting, setting the station seal evidence beside the Coastmere ledgers. His pen moves quickly, but each charge is written with deliberate care.
Merchant Hessa Vale of Coastmere
Then preserve my ledgers and my testimony under seal. They are my bargaining protection, and I will not surrender them without assurance that my cooperation is recorded.
Deren Pell
I can identify Osric’s station seal, the altered account marks, and each receiving entry copied into Hessa’s books. My evidence can separate his hand from every lawful record.
Baron Edric Vale
Your ledgers will be sealed, copied in your presence, and entered as cooperation. Deren’s identifications will stand beside them in the warrant record.
The Wagon Driver
Issue the warrants, Baron. I can name the collection hours, the station instructions, and every night I carried a sealed load south.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the witnesses’ testimony and ledgers under seal
“Baron if you will seal all these documents and tesitimonies into a box i have a royal agent that can collect them from me. I swear to protect these files and i will even allow you to send guards like Beren and Sella into my house to make sure i dont tamper with them but i must be in my house for collection.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -3)
Nilsar Yarb
Baron, seal all these documents and testimonies in a box. A royal agent can collect them from my house. I swear to protect the files, and I will permit Beran and Sella to inspect the box and house, but I must be present when it is collected.
Nilsar places the Royal Writ beside the ledgers and lists each document, testimony, seal, and custody transfer in order. Keeps Reliable Accounts makes the proposed collection chain plain, while Reads Legal Records shows the writ permits royal custody.
Baron Edric Vale
You ask me to move sealed evidence beyond my chamber and trust your custody. Why should I accept your house as its temporary repository?
Nilsar Yarb
Because the Royal Writ gives the collection a lawful destination, and my accounts preserve every item without alteration. Send Beran and Sella with the box, and I will remain present until the royal agent receives it.
The baron studies Nilsar’s ordered list, then compares its custody wording with the Royal Writ. The argument succeeds, but its narrow margin leaves Nilsar publicly responsible for any discrepancy or delay.
Baron Edric Vale
Granted. I will seal the ledgers and testimonies in a locked evidence box, send Beran and Sella to guard it at your house, and require your presence at collection. If anything is altered, missing, or delayed, your standing bears the first blame.
The baron presses his seal into fresh wax across the box and records Nilsar’s personal custody obligation. The evidence is now secured for transfer at Nilsar’s house under the stated guard and royal collection terms.
Quest Complete
Secure the witnesses’ testimony and ledgers under seal