The pale light beneath the inner door dies. A bolt scrapes free, and footsteps begin pacing beyond the iron bands.
Serren points behind the cold hearth. Beneath soot and fallen brick, a narrow service passage slopes toward the shrine’s outer crypts.
Serren Vale
“The crypts lead to the archive district. Take Maelin’s proof, or the lord’s search will find it here.”
The inner door opens a handspan. No face appears, only a gloved hand holding a torn strip of treaty parchment, its matching wax seal unmistakable.
The Hooded Figure
“Maelin hid the whole truth in that packet. Give it to me, and Pell may still live to read it.”
Behind the figure, shelves burn with pale witchlight. A second packet lies open on a table, surrounded by fresh search marks and the lord’s black signet.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escape the keeper’s house with Maelin’s proof
“"Serren what about you?!"”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Carciel
Serren, what about you?!
Serren lowers their pointing hand. For once, they look away from the stranger and meet Carciel's gaze.
Serren Vale
I stay. If both of us vanish through that passage, the house tells them exactly where to look.
Serren Vale
I taught Maelin how to leave a trail that could be read. I should have followed it sooner. This much, at least, is mine to mend.
The hooded figure's hand tightens around the torn parchment, but the strip does not leave their grasp. Pale witchlight catches the black signet behind them.
The Hooded Figure
They mean to buy your passage with their own name. Do not mistake that for safety.
Serren Vale
I am not asking Carciel to trust my safety. Only to trust that I will not abandon them when the choice becomes costly.
Behind the half-open door, the shelves and their search marks remain still. Serren steps aside from the passage, leaving its dark descent clear while waiting for Carciel's answer.
“"I will find you!" I shout before taking off through the crypt.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +1)
Carciel
I will find you!
Carciel's shout rings through the keeper's house, then he turns and races into the soot-dark passage.
His agility carries him down the cramped stair before the old stones can betray his footing.
Serren Vale
Then go, Carciel! Make the proof matter!
Behind him, the passage mouth vanishes beneath the hearth's shifting shadow. The refuge falls away, and Maelin's packet remains secured beneath his lute strings.
The crypt opens around him in blue witchlight. One route climbs toward the shrine's outer crypts. Another descends beneath a fresh trail of black sealing wax.
From above comes the measured scrape of someone entering the keeper's house. The lower trail ends at a fork marked with Maelin's warning sigil, demanding a choice.
Quest Complete
Escape the keeper’s house with Maelin’s proof
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb