The crow-form falters above the forest bordering Clan Blue Feather. Black feathers unravel into shadow, forcing Chan Hoa onto a mossy branch before his stolen burdens fall.
He lands among cedar trunks and paces beneath the boughs, carrying the wrapped ear, lacquered seal, eastern keys, coin purse, and unfinished letter.
Chan Hoa
The eastern house sent no answer. It sent orders through this castle instead.
By firefly-light, the letter reveals its precise connection: the eastern house supplied names, routes, and a sealed timetable for opening Blue Feather's mountain approaches.
Far behind him, red dragon-shaped fireworks burst above the castle. Flowing lanterns spread across its grounds as the severe alarm announces the leader's death.
Chan slips into headquarters through a concealed threshold. A middle-aged woman in layered indigo robes, her silver-streaked hair bound tightly, waits in the dim chamber.
The Deeper Voice
You returned with proof. Give me the seal, keys, purse, letter, and your account of the leader's passing.
“"The grounds were large and full of troops but i managed to get past them all and kill their leader. We must ready for retaliation, they will spread out like frenzied ants tonight" i hand over the items”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +1)
Chan Hoa
The grounds were full of troops, but I passed them all and killed their leader. We must ready for retaliation. They will spread like frenzied ants tonight.
Chan Hoa places the lacquered seal, eastern keys, coin purse, and unfinished letter into the woman's waiting hands. The crimson-wrapped proof follows, its presence confirming the report without ceremony.
The Indigo-Robed Woman
You brought everything. Good. The eastern house has exposed its hand, and the castle will not remain blind for long.
She studies the seal and letter beneath the dim lamp, comparing the marked timetable with the keys. Her expression hardens as the mountain approaches become clear.
The Indigo-Robed Woman
Wake the outer watchers. Seal the silent paths, move the families inward, and send runners to every hidden post.
Outside, Blue Feather's concealed headquarters stirs into disciplined motion. Shutters close, sandals hurry across passages, and signal cords answer one another in measured patterns.
The Indigo-Robed Woman
You have bought us this night, Chan Hoa. Now we use it before their panic becomes an army at our gates.
✓ Quest Accepted
Prepare Clan Blue Feather for retaliation
“I ready by switching to combat gear and armor, trading in my stealth gear. I put on light and medium armor and meet with the clans leader for instruction”
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled -1)
Chan Hoa withdraws from the concealed threshold and changes beneath the headquarters' disciplined bustle. His stealth gear comes off, replaced by fitted light and medium armor over his combat clothing.
He secures his climbing claws and remaining tools where armor will not hinder them. Plates settle across his chest and shoulders, trading silence's softness for protection and readiness.
The headquarters has become a quiet war machine. Watchers take posts, families move inward, and runners vanish through passages while Chan crosses to the command chamber.
The Indigo-Robed Woman
Good. Keep the armor light enough for the mountain paths. We defend the approaches, not a single doorway.
She spreads the stolen letter beside the lacquered seal and keys, then marks three routes on a cedar map with a charcoal stick.
The Indigo-Robed Woman
The eastern house will test the lower trails first. Take the western watchers, inspect the silent paths, and report any force before it reaches the inner thresholds.
The Indigo-Robed Woman
You know what their leader planned. Now make that knowledge our shield. Move when ready, Chan Hoa.
Quest Complete
Prepare Clan Blue Feather for retaliation