After the quay’s farewell, the river path narrows between shuttered workshops and small household shrines. Carciel carries the repaired lute toward the room they chose. Serren carries the supper plate, careful not to spill it.
Serren Vale
The southern archive sent another note through Pell. They want an answer soon, but not an oath.
Serren lifts the folded invitation beneath the shrine light. Its seal is unbroken, and beside the travel terms, Pell’s added protections remain plainly written: paid passage, separate lodging, and departure by mutual choice.
Serren Vale
If we go, what must come with us so this still feels like our life? Not just our names in a distant record. This room, this quay, the people who know us here.
A shutter opens above the lane. The Chandlery Keeper recognizes them and calls down that a southern river barge leaves in six days, with space for two passengers and baggage. The opportunity is real, and so is its cost in time away from Bellmere.
Serren Vale
A voluntary journey should have a road home, not merely permission to leave.
“"Does the barge offer a return passage?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -1)
Carciel
Does the barge offer a return passage?
The question settles into the lane between shrine bells and river sounds. Serren lowers the invitation, listening toward the open shutter.
The Chandlery Keeper
It does. The barge returns from the southern towns eight days after it arrives, and the master will reserve two places if you pay the return fare now.
Serren Vale
Then Bellmere remains part of the plan. We would be visiting, not vanishing.
The Keeper taps the shutter frame toward the moored barge. Its departure in six days and its fixed return date make the journey workable, but leave little room for delay.
The Chandlery Keeper
I can send word to the master at first light. He needs your names, baggage count, and the return fare before tomorrow's tide. After that, the places go to whoever is ready.
“I look at Serren. "We would be able to come back home. It will just be for few days. Should we?"”
Carciel
We can come back home. It would only be a few days. Should we?
Serren Vale
Yes. Let Bellmere be the place we return to, not the place we leave behind.
Serren’s answer settles warmly between the river and the road home.
“I look at the keeper. "It will be two people and one bag each."”
Carciel
It will be two people and one bag each.
The keeper nods from the open window and marks the count on a slate. The barge passage now has a simple place in their plans.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the southern journey and return passage
“I pay the fair now”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +2)
Carciel counts out the return fare and places the coins on the sill beneath the keeper’s slate.
The Chandlery Keeper
Eight days after arrival, two berths home. Paid in full, and entered under your names.
The keeper weighs the coins, then marks the return passage beside the southern departure. The journey now has a road back to Bellmere.
Serren Vale
Then Bellmere remains waiting for us, even while we travel.
The keeper folds the slate note into a waxed travel receipt and sets it on the sill. Two passengers, two bags, six days until departure, and a paid return are recorded.
The Chandlery Keeper
I can send this receipt to your room tonight, or you can carry it now. Which suits you?
Quest Complete
Secure the southern journey and return passage
+ New Item Acquired
Waxed travel receipt