The charcoal hollow settles into a hush. Beside the mossy kiln wall, the traveler unfolds a strip of clean cloth and offers it to Azamaria.
Iven Marr
Could you tighten the dressing? My hands are not steady enough.
Azamaria draws the cloth snug around the wound. The traveler holds still, breathing carefully, while pale evening light filters through the branches.
Iven Marr
The village headwoman keeps a record of those who pass through. Names, roads, destinations. If anyone knows routes beyond this region, it will be her.
Iven Marr
There is something else. A few days ago, someone matching your brother's description was seen on the high woods track.
The traveler leaves the words between them, then rests their shoulder against the warm stone. The cloth holds. Beyond the hollow, the forest breathes softly in the dusk.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find Azamaria's brother
“I help the traveler prepare to reach the village.”
SUCCESS (Good Health, rolled +1)
Azamaria checks the dressing, folds the spare cloth into a firm pad, and knots it where the traveler can reach it. The wound is supported, and the journey can begin.
She clears a walking branch from the kiln's edge and plants it within the traveler's grasp. The traveler tests their weight against it, then rises carefully.
Iven Marr
That will hold. Better than what I had before. My name is Iven Marr.
Iven steadies themself, gathering the folded cloth and checking the darkening path toward the village track. Their breathing remains controlled.
Iven Marr
The person who asked about your brother wore the same ash-gray cord as the hunters who chased us.
The warning sharpens the quiet. At the muddy forest fork, far beyond the hollow, the toppled waymarker catches the last pale light.
Iven Marr
I did not tell them where I saw him. If we take the village track, we can reach the headwoman before full dark. Will you lead, or should I?
“I lead Iven along the village track”
SUCCESS (Good Survival, rolled +0)
Azamaria leads Iven onto the village track, choosing the firmer ground beneath the trees and avoiding the exposed mud around the toppled waymarker.
Iven Marr
You know these woods well enough to keep us unseen. I was right to trust you.
Therefore, the climb passes without another whistle or footprint behind them. Iven's steps grow steadier as the forest thins.
By the time the first village fences appear, the last daylight rests across the roofs and watchfires glow beyond the gate.
Iven Marr
There. The headwoman's hall is beside the well. We made it before dark.
At the village gate, Iven lowers the branch and faces Azamaria, their guarded relief softened by gratitude.
Iven Marr
When we speak to her, do you want me to tell her about the ash-gray cord?
✓ Quest Accepted
Have Iven disclose what they know about the ash-gray cord
Quest Complete
Bring the wounded traveler to the village
Attribute Upgrade: Strength Superb→Legendary
“I lead Iven through the gate toward the headwoman's hall.”
Azamaria leads Iven through the gate and along the packed path toward the headwoman's hall. Behind her, Iven follows with the branch, their steps steadier now.
“I ask Iven to disclose everything now”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Persuasion, rolled +2)
Azamaria
Tell me everything now, including what you know about the ash-gray cord.
Iven stops beneath the hall's shadow. Their branch plants hard against the packed earth, and the request leaves no room for another careful omission.
Iven Marr
The cord is not merely a hunter's sign. I wore one once. They gave it to couriers who carried names, routes, and orders between the kidnappers' camps.
Iven Marr
Your brother's description came from a man who had seen him alive on the high woods track. That man asked whether you had escaped. I lied and said I knew nothing.
Iven's voice carries across the approach. A few villagers turn toward the hall, and the traveler's confession becomes a public risk instead of a private warning.
Iven Marr
The hunters were not searching at random. They were following the cord's instructions, and someone in this village may still be listening for them.
Before Iven can lower their voice, the headwoman's hall door opens. Lamplight spills over the stones, stopping just short of Azamaria's boots.
Quest Complete
Have Iven disclose what they know about the ash-gray cord
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Mediocre→Fair