Scarred Dragon strains against her moorings as the last bundles are secured. Edda checks the lines, Tomas closes the account book, and Harl waits at the helm while Teren keeps the guards and recruits organized on deck.
A road-weary pilgrim hurries down the pier from the keep. Sister Maelin, a middle-aged woman with travel-stained robes, wind-chapped cheeks, and silver threaded through her dark hair, clutches a sealed letter against her chest.
Sister Maelin
Nilsar, I need you directly. I have come from Baron Edric Vale’s chamber with a message concerning your appearance before the king’s office.
Maelin reaches the gangplank and stops beneath the ship’s dragon-painted rail, breathing hard from the road. The rough red wax bears the baron’s seal beside a second royal device.
Sister Maelin
The authority is genuine, but the letter does not contain the answer it promises. The baron says the king’s office will decide whether you are summoned, received, or questioned under another order.
The crew falls quiet around the waiting helm. Edda keeps one hand on the mooring line, while Tomas studies the seal from a respectful distance and Maelin holds the unopened letter out toward Nilsar.
✓ Quest Accepted
Meet the King alongside Sister Maelin
Nilsar Yarb leaves Karosh behind and arrives at Karosh Port.
“Come sister maelin hop aboard you made it just in time, i am setting sail for the capital Karosh right now we can save you the travel back and meet with the king once we land in Karosh Port.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +2)
Scarred Dragon glides into Karosh Port beneath towering sea walls and crowded signal masts. Maelin stands safely aboard beside Nilsar, while the tired tollkeeper brings the vessel toward the assigned royal berth.
The harbor churns with merchantmen, royal cutters, dockworkers, and officials in blue-trimmed cloaks. Edda keeps the lines ready as Tomas protects the travel papers and Teren organizes the guards.
Sister Maelin
You have spared me the road back, Nilsar, and brought me directly to the capital’s harbor. I will stand beside you before the king’s office and testify to how this letter reached you.
A royal harbor officer, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build, weathered skin, a square face, and short brown hair, wearing a blue-trimmed wool cloak over a dark tunic approaches the gangplank with two clerks and a sealed board of berthing orders. His gaze settles on Maelin’s letter, then on the ship’s unusual dragon-painted rail.
The Royal Harbor Officer
Captain, identify your vessel and declare your business. The royal quay admits no ship without a recorded purpose, especially one carrying sealed correspondence for the king’s office.
The officer’s board bears a fresh royal crest and a notation directing any summons-bearing vessel to the examination quay. Behind him, a clerk prepares ink while the harbor watches Scarred Dragon settle against the ropes.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain admission to the king’s office
− Scene Quest Removed
Meet the King alongside Sister Maelin
“Greetings harbour officer i am here on official summons from the king and have no time to delay, Thomas my book keeper will handle the mooring payments.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -3)
Nilsar Yarb
Greetings, harbour officer. I am here on official summons from the king and have no time to delay. Tomas, my bookkeeper, will handle the mooring payments.
Nilsar presents the sealed royal summons and his signed commendation together. His command carries the authority of a proven officer, and the documents make his purpose unmistakable before the harbor officials.
The Royal Harbor Officer
Your authority is sufficient, Captain. Scarred Dragon is admitted directly to the royal examination quay. Tomas may settle the mooring charge with my clerks.
The officer signals the quay crew, who take Scarred Dragon's lines and guide her into the assigned berth. Tomas steps ashore toward the two clerks as the royal board records the arrival.
The Royal Harbor Officer
I will record that you invoked the king's summons while presenting the commendation as proof of standing. That places your vessel under direct royal notice from this hour.
The admission is secured, but the officer's entry gives Scarred Dragon a permanent mark in the capital's harbor register. Future arrivals will receive closer scrutiny, and the royal office will expect prompt reports.
Tomas
The mooring payment is entered and paid. The account remains separate from the royal examination, as ordered.
Tomas returns with the receipt while Maelin joins Nilsar at the gangplank. Scarred Dragon lies safely at the royal quay, and the harbor officer gestures toward the examination hall beyond the customs gate.
“I will go with Sister Maelin to the Kings office to bring forwards my evidence and protect my counterclaim.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Nilsar walks with Sister Maelin through the customs gate to the king’s office. His Royal Writ and Signed Commendation open the guarded passage, while Maelin presents the baron’s sealed letter.
Inside, a royal examiner, a middle-aged man with a narrow build, severe gray eyes, and a blue-black robe, his close-cropped iron-gray hair framing a long, angular face and a silver chain at his throat, receives them beneath the king’s seal. Nilsar lays out the Coastmere ledgers, Harbor Ledgers, and Rell Family Papers.
Nilsar Yarb
I am Nilsar Yarb, here to present my evidence and defend my counterclaim concerning Ivar Sorn and Caldus Merrow.
Darin Wyle
I am Darin Wyle, examiner for the king’s office. Your Identifies Authority is sound: the records distinguish Sorn’s grant from Merrow’s collections and show how protected shipments were diverted.
Reads Legal Records matches the warrant language and seal sequence across every ledger. Commands Respect gives Nilsar’s denial formal weight, while Maelin confirms how the baron’s sealed message reached him.
Darin Wyle
The king’s office accepts your counterclaim and will preserve these records with the royal examination. The cost is fixed: your name will be entered as a formal challenger of Sorn’s authority, requiring you to answer when summoned.
Darin seals a written receipt naming the evidence, the counterclaim, and Nilsar’s standing under the royal summons. The king’s office now holds the case open, and Nilsar has secured its hearing at the price of public scrutiny.
Quest Complete
Defend the counterclaim before the king’s office
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Superb→Legendary
Gift deepened: Interprets Legal Records (was Reads Legal Records)
Quest Complete
Gain admission to the king’s office
Skill Upgrade: Melee Weapons Fair→Good