Luther reaches the village as the outer gates shudder beneath repeated blows. Soldiers crowd the road beyond, while frightened families spill through the market, clutching bundles and children.
Smoke drifts between timbered houses. Inside the village, armed men force their way through stalls and doorways, searching faces as bells clatter without rhythm.
Luther's mother
Keep moving. Do not look back.
His mother emerges from a narrow lane, one hand gripping a hooded child, the other reaching toward his father. Their hurried protection has drawn notice.
the armed watcher
There! The blacksmith's family. They have the claimant with them!
A mailed man points across the market toward Luther's parents. Several others turn, weapons raised, while the gates groan and splinters burst from their hinges.
Luther's father
Luther, stand clear of this. The child is not what they believe.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the child's claim to the throne
“I snatched the child and run off with him”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled -2)
Luther surges across the market, seizes the hooded child from his mother, and turns toward a narrow passage between the smithy and the granary.
The child clings to his torn shirt as Luther runs. A thrown stone strikes his shoulder, raising a sharp bruise, but his grip does not loosen.
Luther's mother
Luther, take him through the back lane! Do not let them see where you go!
the armed watcher
Stop him! The claimant is fleeing!
Boots pound after them, yet the crush of fleeing villagers breaks the pursuers' line. Luther shoulders through a sagging gate and reaches the muddy lane beyond.
hooded child
They said you would come.
Behind them, the village bells and shouted orders blur beneath the gate's renewed thunder. Luther has the child, but pursuit now spreads through the streets.
“I would tell the kid what is he talking about”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +0)
Luther
What are you talking about? Who said I would come?
The child lifts the hood just enough to show a frightened face, while Luther’s question carries down the muddy lane. Behind them, boots strike the stones.
hooded child
Your father. He said you would come when the gates broke. He told me to find you, because I know where they hid the claimant’s seal.
The answer gives Luther the meaning of the child’s words, but the raised voice costs them secrecy. A shutter bangs open behind the granary, and a soldier calls from the market.
hooded child
The seal is under the old forge stone. Your father said it proves the claimant’s blood, but the armed men want it burned.
The child points toward the smithy’s rear wall. Smoke rolls over its roof, and hurried footsteps turn into the adjoining lane as searchers spread through the village.
hooded child
We must reach it before they do. Your mother said no one else could move the stone.
“Why are you even a claimant shouldn't you be protected?”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +0)
Luther
Why are you even a claimant? Shouldn't you be protected?
hooded child
Protected by whom? The king's men serve the men who want the throne. My father hid me because the lawful heir is safest where no banner flies.
The question carries farther than Luther intends. A soldier's shout answers from the market, and boots turn toward the lane. The child grips his shirt tighter.
hooded child
I am not a lord behind castle walls. I am a name they can erase. The seal is the only proof my blood still has a claim.
Smoke thickens around the smithy. Beneath the rear wall, the old forge stone shows a fresh scrape where someone has searched, but it remains firmly set.
hooded child
My father trusted your strength, not their protection. He said you could move it, and that you would understand why it must survive.
The soldiers enter the adjoining lane, their voices close now. The child points to the stone, while the searchers' attention remains fixed on the smoke-shrouded street.
“We need to get out of this village *we can head out*”
FAILURE (Fair Agility, rolled -3)
Luther turns from the forge stone and drives toward the village’s rear passage, carrying the child as smoke presses low over the rooftops.
The passage ends at a collapsed cart and a locked postern gate. Beyond it, the fields lie open, but armed men are already gathering outside.
hooded child
They reached the other side first. If we force that gate, they will see us before we reach the hedges.
A hammer strikes somewhere inside the smithy. The soldiers’ voices draw nearer, while the gate’s iron chain rattles under the pressure of men testing it from beyond.
the armed watcher
Search the forge yard! The claimant and the seal cannot have vanished.
hooded child
The old drainage cut runs beneath the granary wall. It is narrow, but it opens outside the palisade.
The child points toward a choked ditch beside the granary. Fallen beams and burning debris block its mouth, leaving no clear escape route yet.
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A sudden crash rolls through the village as the gatehouse bell tears loose and plunges into the market. The soldiers falter, staring toward the shouting crowd.
hooded child
They are afraid too. If the villagers rise now, the searchers cannot hold every street.
From behind shuttered doors, millers, coopers, and field hands emerge with poles, mallets, and old tools. Their fear hardens when they see the armed men closing in.
Luther's mother
Stand together! Keep them from the forge and the rear lane. The claimant must reach the fields!
A thrown stone strikes the nearest soldier’s shield. Another follows from the rooftops, then a dozen more, forcing the searchers to raise their arms and lose formation.
the armed watcher
Back to the square! Break these fools before they find courage!
The drainage cut remains choked, but villagers surge across the forge yard, drawing the soldiers away. Smoke parts briefly, revealing a narrow gap beneath the granary wall.
“Don't worry I'm the finest sword of my generation I can cut them down”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Weapons, rolled +0)
Luther
Do not worry. I am the finest sword of my generation. I can cut them down.
Luther draws his sword and advances through the smoke. The nearest searchers turn from the villagers, but his first sweeping strike knocks one weapon aside and sends its bearer sprawling.
A second soldier lunges at him. Luther slips past the thrust, strikes the man’s shield arm, and follows with a blow that drops him beside the forge stones.
the armed watcher
Hold the line! Bring him down!
The watcher and two remaining men close together, yet Luther breaks their formation with swift, disciplined cuts. Their weapons fall, and all three collapse or flee across the yard.
hooded child
The way is clear. The gap beneath the granary is open now.
Villagers press forward behind Luther, shouting as the armed searchers retreat toward the square. The narrow gap beneath the granary wall lies fully exposed, leading beyond the palisade into the fields.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get the child beyond the palisade
“*cut them down*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Weapons, rolled +1)
Luther drives through the smoke with measured force, cutting down the armed searchers who block the forge yard. Their line breaks, and the surviving men flee toward the square.
hooded child
The way is clear. The gap beneath the granary is open now.
Villagers surge behind Luther, shouting and striking shields aside with poles and mallets. The defeated searchers abandon the yard, leaving the granary wall exposed.
Luther's mother
Take the child through! We will hold the lane!
The hooded child slips toward the narrow opening beneath the granary wall. Beyond it, wet fields stretch toward hedges and low hills, free of soldiers for the moment.
hooded child
Your father was right. You are strong enough to carry the claim beyond their reach.
Behind Luther, the villagers keep the searchers scattered around the square. The passage stands open, and the child waits at its far side beneath the palisade.
“What I'm still not understanding is why you don't push your claim you can't just transfer your claim to me that's not how lordship is work how do I know politics when I can't read trust I'd be listening”
FAILURE (Good Willpower, rolled -4)
Luther
Why not press your claim? Could you transfer it to me? I do not know lordship or politics, and I cannot read. I would listen, if you trusted me.
His words carry through the gap and across the forge yard. Villagers falter, glancing from Luther to the hooded child as the question reaches ears meant only for family.
hooded child
No. A claim is not a sword to hand over. Blood, oaths, and recognition bind it. If I name you in my place, both claims become doubtful.
Luther's mother
Lower your voice, Luther. You have made the thing they fear sound like a bargain, and every frightened ear is listening.
Several villagers tighten their grips on poles and mallets. They do not retreat, but suspicion passes among them, turning their sudden courage brittle.
hooded child
You may stand beside the claim, but you cannot inherit it by agreement. And if you cannot read, others will place words before you and call them yours.
The child reaches the far side of the opening, yet stops instead of beckoning. Behind Luther, the villagers wait for his mother to explain what he has just proposed.
“It really doesn't matter *keep cutting through*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Melee Weapons, rolled -1)
Luther keeps cutting through the scattered searchers, driving them from the forge yard without pause. Shields turn, weapons drop, and the lane opens before him.
Luther's mother
Do not stop! Get the child through the wall!
He reaches the granary gap as villagers surge behind him. Their poles and mallets hold the remaining soldiers back while smoke rolls over the abandoned forge.
hooded child
This way. The fields are clear.
Luther passes beneath the low stonework with the child close beside him. Mud darkens their feet, and the palisade shuts out the shouting village behind them.
Luther's mother
Go to the hedges! We will follow when the lane is safe!
Beyond the wall, Luther and the claimant stand in the wet field, out of immediate reach. Behind them, the villagers keep the searchers from reclaiming the passage.
Preserve the villagers' support for the household
Quest Complete
Get the child beyond the palisade
Skill Upgrade: Survival Poor→Mediocre