Hoofbeats strike the gate stones. A mounted royal justice, a broad-built man with close-cropped iron-gray hair and a square weathered face, dismounts beneath the arch, a stern middle-aged man in a dark wool coat, silver badge, and rain-marked riding boots. A young adult clerk, a young man with a narrow face, dark brows, and a blue wool tunic beneath his hood, follows, thin and pale beneath a blue hood, carrying an ink case and writing board.
The Mounted Royal Justice
By the king's mark, surrender the sealed message. Mara Vale will give her account, and every witness to this courier arrangement will be named for the record.
He raises the sealed writ, its red wax bearing the king's mark. The clerk opens his board and waits, while the gate crowd quiets around Mara, Woman in Green, the black-haired woman, Audree, and Danny.
Mara Vale
An honest inquiry will uncover more than the assignment I accepted.
Woman in Green
The message is evidence of the planned diversion. I will surrender it, but Mara's statement should be taken before anyone supplies her answers.
The Mounted Royal Justice
Agreed. Clerk, record that the witness requests an unprompted account. You there, woman in the green coat, state your name and what you personally observed.
The clerk's quill touches the page. Mara lowers her eyes, the justice waits beside the arch, and Woman in Green keeps the sealed message poised between surrender and delay.
✓ Quest Accepted
Have the royal inquiry establish the truth of the courier conspiracy
✓ Quest Accepted
Ensure the sealed message becomes official evidence
“I will stand witness and let Woman in Green give her account.”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +1)
Danny remains beneath the arch with his hands visible, standing as a witness while Woman in Green faces the justice. The clerk’s quill waits above the page.
Woman in Green
I am called Woman in Green. I observed Mara Vale near the north gate, and I followed the evidence from the market’s attempted theft to the sealed message bearing her name.
The royal justice's clerk records each sentence without interruption. The mounted royal justice watches Woman in Green steadily, while Mara remains beneath the arch with her account still pending.
Woman in Green
I personally saw the message opened and read. It directed a courier through the gate while attention was drawn elsewhere, and Mara admitted she accepted that assignment.
The Mounted Royal Justice
Recorded as firsthand observation. You have separated what you saw from what Mara told you, which is precisely what this inquiry requires.
The clerk finishes the entry and sands the wet ink. Danny’s witness stands accepted beside Woman in Green’s account, while the sealed message remains evidence in the justice’s keeping.
Quest Complete
Ensure the sealed message becomes official evidence
“I ask Mara to give her full account”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +2)
Danny Black
Mara, give the justice your full account of the courier arrangement, from your recruitment to the intended delivery.
Danny keeps his voice even beneath the arch. His Willpower holds steady under the gathered attention, while Motive Discernment separates Mara’s guarded caution from deliberate concealment.
Mara Vale
A broker called Oren Pell approached me three nights ago. He offered silver to move a sealed list through the north gate before nightfall, using the market disturbance as cover.
Mara Vale
I recruited the courier myself, a young man who knew the gate road. I was to watch the sentries, keep the road clear, and signal when the crowd’s attention shifted.
Mara’s account comes without the pauses that marked her earlier defense. The clerk records each detail, and the justice’s expression hardens at the mention of a sentry list.
Mara Vale
I did not know the list’s contents when I accepted. I learned its purpose only after Oren said it identified weak points in the gate watch. I was paid half in advance, and the rest waited at the old lime kiln.
The Mounted Royal Justice
Clerk, record Oren Pell and the lime kiln. Mara Vale, you will lead us to the payment when this statement is complete.
Quest Complete
Have the royal inquiry establish the truth of the courier conspiracy
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great