Before the caravans begin moving, the blood-handed swordsman steps into Durnan's path and presents the sealed parchment again. Behind him, both caravan lines remain at the well, their lowered weapons guarded but no longer ready.
Tavian Rusk
The older seal proves only that one agreement came first. It does not explain who arranged the contradictory rights, or why both caravans were sent here.
Tavian Rusk
Someone in Qasira engineered this scheme. The city council controls the wells and caravan roads, so that is where the truth will be found.
He turns the parchment once between his fingers, then holds out a small purse that clinks softly. The nearest merchants begin loading their wagons, while the rival caravan prepares to take the longer eastern track.
Tavian Rusk
I will pay you for an escort to Qasira. Protect me, keep this document in my hands, and I will add more when the council hears what happened here.
The nearest caravan guards remain behind with their merchants and wagons. The rival guards do the same, their caravan already turning toward the eastern road as dust veils its departing riders.
Tavian Rusk
The road to Qasira is open for now. Will you walk it with me, Durnan?
Tavian waits beside the road, wounded hand closed around the sealed parchment. The well, the merchants, and both caravan companies recede behind him, leaving the offer unanswered.
✓ Quest Accepted
Escort Tavian to Qasira
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn who engineered the contradictory caravan rights
“Let us comence. however, it seems your hand is injured. let me help. do you have medical supplies? if not, i can use a piece of your shirt or coat.”
FAILURE (Mediocre Crafting, rolled -1)
Durnan Scalabis
Let us commence. Your hand is injured. Do you have medical supplies? If not, I can use a piece of your shirt or coat.
Durnan steps closer and examines the swordsman's closed hand. The blood-handed swordsman has no bandages or salve, and the spare cloth Durnan expects is not among his own gear.
Tavian Rusk
Nothing useful. Take a strip from my coat, if you can make it hold.
Durnan reaches for the coat, but the blood-handed swordsman's arm tightens protectively around the parchment. The garment cannot be spared without loosening his grip on the document.
He tries to fold the available edge of cloth around the injured hand, but the rough makeshift wrap slips before it can secure. The blood-handed swordsman flinches and pulls away.
Tavian Rusk
Leave it. I can keep the hand closed until Qasira. A proper healer will do more than this road can.
The attempt has steadied nothing. The blood-handed swordsman tucks the parchment beneath his uninjured arm, forcing the wounded hand against his chest, and starts toward the eastern road at a measured pace.
“i follow him along the road, not in front or behind”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +1)
Durnan matches the swordsman's pace and settles beside him, close enough to guard the wounded hand without crowding the parchment. The eastern road stretches through dust-bright grass.
Tavian Rusk
Good. Beside me, then. You can watch the road, and I can keep this agreement where I can see it.
Their strides fall into an even rhythm. Durnan keeps the swordsman's injured side within reach while scanning the empty bends and low grass for movement.
Tavian Rusk
My name is Tavian Rusk, by the way. If we are to share a road, you should know who hired you.
The name joins the road's sparse landmarks: the well behind them, the eastern track ahead, and the sealed parchment tucked securely beneath Tavian's uninjured arm.
Tavian Rusk
Qasira should be reachable before nightfall if the road stays quiet. I would rather arrive with my hand still closed around this document.
Tavian continues at Durnan's side, neither leading nor lagging. Behind them, the caravans vanish into separate curtains of dust as the two travelers take the road toward Qasira.
“I would like to keep my eyes shifting and alert, between the horizon and our flank. im ready for any threats up until we make it there”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +0)