Audree suddenly climbs onto a gate step, flourishing a striped cloth above her head. Her bright costume catches the rain-muted light as frightened onlookers gather instead of following Mara.
Audree
Before anyone gets marched away, we need laughter! Fear makes people stumble, and laughter makes them stumble much more cheerfully!
She bows too deeply, nearly topples from the step, then catches herself with a painted cup. Applause breaks out, mixed with heckling, while Mara remains under the justice’s watch.
The Mounted Royal Justice
Clerk, record the testimony through this interruption. Audree, keep your performance clear of the prisoner and the evidence.
Audree
Of course! I am demonstrating lawful distraction, not unlawful obstruction. Observe this hat, which has never betrayed a courier.
Audree produces a battered hat from her case and sends it spinning toward an empty patch of stones. The crowd laughs and claps, keeping the gate road clogged and the mounted royal justice’s planned departure delayed.
The Royal Justice's Clerk
Recorded: the witness remains present, the crowd remains stationary, and the performer continues interrupting testimony with a hat.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the witnesses and evidence safe through the interruption
“I clear a path around Mara, the justice, and the evidence.”
SUCCESS (Good Strength, rolled -1)
Danny plants his feet before the Gate Crowd and drives his broad shoulders through the packed ring around Mara, the mounted royal justice, and the sealed evidence. The crowd parts in a rough lane, leaving the justice and prisoner unobstructed.
His bracers answer the effort with a firm lift of strength, while Arcane Aptitude carries that small reinforcement cleanly through his arms and back. His superstitious caution makes him check every reaching hand twice, slowing the push but not stopping it.
A shoulder clips the gatepost as the last onlookers stumble aside. Danny clears the passage completely, but the impact leaves his right shoulder sharply bruised beneath his armor.
The Mounted Royal Justice
Hold the lane open. The prisoner, the evidence, and my clerk remain visible.
The royal justice's clerk shifts his writing board through the cleared space and keeps his ink case upright. Mara stands exposed beneath the arch, while the mounted royal justice has room to face the gate road.
Mara Vale
You made them move without striking anyone. I will answer the rest of the inquiry plainly.
Quest Complete
Keep the witnesses and evidence safe through the interruption