Before Ren can follow the silver trail, a bloodied courier staggers from the eastern trees and collapses beside the ruined wagons. The injured rookie leader and his squad remain behind, guarding the wounded and watching the fleeing highwaymen vanish into the woods.
The courier's travel cloak is torn and mud-blackened. One shaking hand still clutches a sealed black letter, its wax marked with a sigil Ren does not recognize.
the injured rookie leader
Hold there! Nobody touch that seal until we know what it carries.
The courier forces himself onto one elbow and extends the letter toward Ren. His eyes flick toward the forest, where silver footprints fade between dripping roots.
Serren Vale
Ren Asura. Full name, just as written. I was told to place it in your hands, and no others.
Moonfang answers with a deep, hostile growl. The sound rolls through the trees, and the black wax glimmers faintly as the beast reacts to the seal rather than the wounded messenger.
the injured rookie leader
Sir, that creature heard the letter. Whatever waits in those woods, the message has drawn its attention.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn what the sealed black letter reveals
“I snatch the black letter from the courier's shaking hand, ignoring the faint glow of the wax, and shove it deep into my pack. The glowing silver footprints leading into the woods can wait. "Load the courier and the wounded onto the surviving horses," I order the rookie leader, firmly turning my back on the forest. "We are leaving the Weeping Pass right now. We're bringing the survivors back to the city guild to collect our escort coin." I need to get these people to safety, claim our reward, and buy some upgraded armor and a better weapon before I even think about hunting down whatever is waiting for me in those trees.”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled +1)
Ren snatches the black letter from the courier’s shaking hand. The faintly glowing wax leaves no mark as he thrusts the sealed message deep into his pack, then turns from the silver trail.
Ren Asura
Load the courier and the wounded onto the surviving horses. We are leaving the Weeping Pass right now. Bring everyone back to the city guild for our escort coin.
the injured rookie leader
At once, sir! You heard him. Saddle the sound horses, support the wounded, and leave the raiders’ gear behind.
The rookies obey with brisk, frightened purpose. They bind the courier securely, lift the injured beneath the wagon’s shelter, and distribute the survivors among the remaining mounts.
Serren Vale
The letter is yours, then. Whatever waits beyond those trees, it will not find me carrying its summons.
Moonfang growls from the dripping forest, but Ren does not pursue it. The silver footprints fade behind the departing column as the survivors ride east beneath the rain.
By dusk, the city’s gate towers rise through the mist. The rookie leader guides the weary party toward the guildhall, where safety, payment, armor, and a better weapon await.
+ New Item Acquired
Sealed black letter
“I drop my pack on a guildhall bench and break the glowing black wax of the letter. I unfold the cold parchment and silently read whatever message is written inside. As soon as I finish reading it, the paper instantly crumbles into black ash in my hand. I turn my beast-like golden eyes to the bloodied courier slouched against the stone wall, completely dropping my lazy, unremarkable facade. I grab him by his mud-stained tunic and haul him up to eye level. "The letter just burned itself," I growl, my voice echoing with a low, terrifying timber. "Now you talk. What is your name? Who exactly handed you that black seal, and how the hell did you know to find me in the middle of a cursed gorge?"”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +1)
Inside the guildhall, Ren drops his pack onto a scarred bench and breaks the glowing black wax. The cold parchment bears a single message: “Ren Asura, the Primordial Core stirs beneath the city. Trust no crowned servant. The Ashen Confessor already knows you read this.”
The final mark vanishes beneath his eyes. The parchment instantly crumbles into black ash across his palm, leaving no scrap behind. Ren turns toward the courier and abandons every trace of his lazy facade.
Ren Asura
The letter just burned itself. Now you talk. What is your name? Who exactly handed you that black seal, and how did you know to find me in the middle of a cursed gorge?
Ren seizes the courier by his mud-stained tunic and hauls him eye-level. His golden eyes narrow into beastlike slits, while a low, terrifying timber rolls through the guildhall and silences nearby tables.
Serren Vale
My name is Serren Vale. A veiled woman wearing an Obsidian Inquisition clasp gave me the seal beneath Saint Orra’s bridge. She knew your name before I did.
Serren Vale
She told me to follow the silver beast-mark to Weeping Pass, then wait for the man carrying a chipped greatsword. She said the gorge would force you to choose between pursuit and warning.
The injured rookie leader grips his sword as Serren’s boots leave the floor. Around them, guild patrons retreat from the bench, and beneath the city stones, something answers with a faint crimson pulse.
Quest Complete
Learn what the sealed black letter reveals
Attribute Upgrade: Strength Superb→Legendary
✓ Quest Accepted
Dismiss Serren