The passage opens beneath tangled roots at the woodland edge. Sapphire king moves ahead and plants himself across the safest-looking trail, one hand visible and well away from his weapon.
Pale daylight filters through the branches, revealing several narrower paths beyond. Blair stops behind Ashe, wary and tense, while June circles behind Ashe with her tail low and yellow eyes fixed on Sapphire king.
The Wolf Beastkin
This trail is the safest, so it is the one I am blocking. The woods are not kind to strangers, and I need protection crossing them.
He keeps his stance loose, but the blocked path leaves little doubt that this is a negotiation. Behind Ashe, June slips from one side to the other, tracking every shift in his posture.
The Wolf Beastkin
I will not spend my limited knowledge guiding fugitives for nothing. Keep me safe through the western woods, and I will lead you to the next clear opening.
Blair
That sounds less like a request and more like an ambush with polite wording. How exactly do you expect us to protect you?
Blair’s fingers hover near her magic without casting. Sapphire king does not draw his weapon, but neither does he yield the trail, leaving the woodland silence waiting for Ashe’s answer.
“"If I were you Blair I would not fight. if these woods are dangerous then we shouldn't risk devistating injury through combat even if we could take him in a two on one and just obey his demands."”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +3)
Ashe
If I were you, Blair, I would not fight. These woods are dangerous, and we should not risk devastating injury when we could take his demands and leave safely.
Blair
I dislike it, but you are right. No fighting. We accept the bargain and keep moving.
Blair lowers her hand from the ready position. June remains close behind Ashe, watching Sapphire king, while the young beastkin studies them with guarded surprise.
The Wolf Beastkin
Sensible. Keep me safe, and I will guide you without delay. I know a concealed route that avoids the hunters and reaches open ground before dusk.
Sapphire king steps aside and reveals a narrow track hidden beneath fern fronds. Its bent grasses show recent passage, but no footprints lead toward the town.
Blair
Then we have terms. Ashe keeps you alive, you lead us out, and nobody starts a fight unless the woods force one.
Sapphire king nods and takes the concealed trail. Blair follows, and June moves at Ashe’s heels as the woodland closes quietly around the four travelers.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach open ground away from civilization
“"Lets walk and maybe we can discuss ourselves along the way. I know that we have not gotten the chance to talk much"”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +0)
Ashe
Let’s walk, Blair. We have hardly had a chance to talk about ourselves, and we can do that along the way.
Ashe follows the concealed trail with June close at her heels. The trees swallow the clearing behind them, and Sapphire king leads at an unhurried pace beneath the fern-shadowed branches.
Blair
All right. I’m Blair, a witch, and apparently very bad at keeping quiet around suspicious ponds. I was living near town before they discovered what I am.
Blair walks beside Ashe, gathering her cloak away from the brambles. Her guarded expression eases as she speaks, though her eyes keep checking the spaces between the trunks.
The Wolf Beastkin
I am Sapphire king, a mercenary without a registry. I know these woods well enough to cross them, but not well enough to promise every path is safe.
The conversation costs them time. By the time Blair finishes describing her flight, Sapphire king has passed two landmarks Ashe meant to remember, leaving the exact route uncertain even as the group continues west.
“"I am Ashe I am fond of animals but not so much people. I will not hunt or eat any animal."”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Willpower, rolled +1)
Ashe
I’m Ashe. I’m fond of animals, but I do not care much for people. I will not hunt or eat any animal.
Blair
That is a clear line to draw. June seems to approve of it, at least.
June threads between Ashe’s boots, brushing her black flank against one ankle before returning to the trail. Her yellow eyes remain alert, but her tail rises a little.
The Wolf Beastkin
Then you will not take game if we go hungry? The woods offer other food, but refusing meat may make the crossing harder.
Blair
We can manage. I know plants well enough to recognize several safe roots and berries, and magic can help with the rest.
Sapphire king studies Ashe for a few quiet steps, then turns his attention back to the concealed path. Ferns whisper against their legs as the trail descends toward darker woodland.
The Wolf Beastkin
Very well. I will watch for plants and safe water. Keep close, and your principles need not slow us.
The group continues west beneath the thickening canopy. No snare is set, no bow is drawn, and June keeps pace beside Ashe as the forest closes around them.
“"I will not stop you two if you wish to eat meat but do not expect me to get it for you."”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Willpower, rolled +0)
Ashe
I will not stop either of you if you wish to eat meat, but do not expect me to get it for you.
The words leave Ashe evenly, though holding her ground takes a visible breath of effort. Her fingers tighten once around the strap at her side before she releases it.
Blair
Fair enough. I can gather roots, and I will not ask you to betray a line you have plainly drawn.
The Wolf Beastkin
Understood. If I hunt, I hunt for myself. Your hands remain clean of it.
Sapphire king scans the fern beds without slowing. Blair watches Ashe for a moment, noticing the strain she tried to hide, then turns her attention to the shadowed trail.
Blair
There are sorrel leaves ahead. Not a feast, but enough to keep us moving until I find something more substantial.
June pauses beside a mossy root, sniffs the air, and then trots onward. The forest remains quiet, and the four travelers continue west beneath the thick canopy.
Director's note
maybe introduce conflict soon
“I continue to walk foward as a group my pace slightly quicker than the other two.”
Ashe lengthens her stride along the concealed trail, moving a little faster than the others. Ferns brush her legs as she keeps the western path ahead in sight.
Blair
You are eager to put distance between us and the town. I cannot blame you, but do not vanish around the next bend.
Blair gathers her cloak and quickens to match Ashe without complaint. Sapphire king follows behind them, checking the fern-shadowed ground while June pads close beside Ashe.
The Wolf Beastkin
The trail bends around a stand of ash trees. Stay together there, and we should reach the safer descent before dusk.
Ashe keeps the lead, her quicker pace drawing the group deeper beneath the canopy. The forest floor rises gently, and pale light flickers between the trunks ahead.
Blair
There, the ash trees. Once we pass them, I can gather the sorrel without slowing us down.
June slips ahead for a few paces, then returns to Ashe’s side as the group approaches the ash stand. No voices follow, and the hidden trail remains open before them.