The clearing finally holds its silence. Moss softens the ground, and the thickets knit a green wall around the little refuge.
Wicy cradles her cut hand; blood dots her palm, and the shard’s hard edge has left it raw. The Retired Knight lowers himself against a tree with a shaky breath.
The Retired Knight
Easy now. Let me see that hand before it stiffens.
He fumbles for a strip of cloth at his belt, grimacing as he presses his side with the other hand.
Sable
The bargain stands. The shard stays with Wicy, for now. I want no blood wasted over it.
The hooded figure remains at the edge of the grove, staff dimmed, head angled toward Wicy and the knight as if measuring both.
The Retired Knight
If you are keeping score, then hear mine. I would know who you are, and why you know my face.
The forest answers only with leaves and distant birds. The three of them settle into the pause, close enough to talk, far enough to breathe.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn who the hooded figure is
✓ Quest Accepted
Reveal the hooded figure's true motives for the shard
“While the two discuss, I quickly wrap my hand up to stop the bleeding and pick up the rest of the knight's possessions. I returned them all to the knight including his sword and think about my side of the deal; to go with the hooded figure and what it would mean to me.”
SUCCESS (Fair Health, rolled +1)
Wicy strips a clean fold from the knight’s cloth and presses it to her palm. The bleeding slows to a dark, steady stain as she wraps it tight.
Then she gathers the fallen gear one by one, the knight’s scabbard, whetstone, and sword hilt nudging damp moss and leaves.
She sets each piece back within his reach, careful and efficient, like returning borrowed breath.
The Retired Knight
You should not be carrying all that with a wound in your hand... but thank you.
He takes the sword with both hands, then lays it across his knees instead of drawing it, as if choosing peace for the moment.
Sable
A sensible choice. Steel is less useful than a steady hand when truth is due.
Wicy
The cloth bites, but it holds. The sword is back where it belongs.
The hooded figure tilts their staff toward the shard in Wicy’s grip, its glow faint but watchful. The knight glances between them, waiting.
“"As the two of you mentioned I am ill fitted for physical chores. I have noticed that we vanquish the creature through mystical means." I look at the hooded figure, "You seem knowledgeable about that, do you know magic?"”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +1)
Wicy
You seem to know the workings of magic. Do you know it yourself?
The clearing holds its breath. Wicy keeps the shard low, its pale pulse skimming the bandage at her palm.
Sable
I know enough to keep a thing like that from choosing its own bearer.
The Retired Knight
That is no answer. Who are you, really?
Sable
Not an enemy, unless you force me to be one.
Sable
I escort the shard because it must reach the old seals before worse hands find it.
The staff tip brightens a little, and the light licks over the sword in the knight’s lap before fading again.
Sable
That is my motive. Preservation first, trust later.
“"I have already agreed to follow you on your quest, so there is no reason to argue over the shard. Instead would you teach me magic so that I can better be it's guardian?" I tell the hooded figure addressing them both.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Wicy
I have already agreed to follow you. There is no reason to argue over the shard. Teach me magic, so I can better guard it.
The clearing goes still again, but not with fear this time. Wicy keeps the shard steady, its pale glow brushing the bandage at her palm.
Sable
Bold request. Useful, too.
Sable
Yes. I will teach you what I can, and I will start with the shard itself.
The Retired Knight
Hmph. At least that sounds better than secret bargains in the dark.
Sable
It is not a gift without cost. I seek the old seals because something beneath them wakes when the shard is left alone.
Their staff light softens, no longer a warning flare, just enough to outline the sword across the knight’s knees and the shard between Wicy’s fingers.
Sable
If you want to guard it, learn to listen when it answers.
“"That sounds easy enough." I tell the hooded figure, "If I am to be your student, it would be best to get to know each other. "”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
Wicy lets the silence sit, then gives the hooded figure a small, careful nod. The shard’s glow trembles over her bandaged palm as she speaks, plain and steady.
Wicy
That sounds easy enough. If I am to be your student, it would be best to get to know each other.
The hooded figure’s staff lowers a fraction more. In the dim green of the clearing, their shoulders ease, but their free hand tightens once on the staff as if measuring the cost of honesty.
Sable
Reasonable. You may call me Sable, if names matter to you.
Sable
I was sent to keep the shard from hands that would break it open for power. That is the truth, and it is not a comfortable one.
The Retired Knight
Sent by whom? And why should we believe that is all?
Sable looks past the knight instead of at him, the staff’s glow catching on the sword across his knees. For a moment, the clearing feels smaller, as if the trees are listening too.
Quest Complete
Reveal the hooded figure's true motives for the shard
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb
Quest Complete
Learn who the hooded figure is
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Superb→Legendary