“I follow the Abbot to the Chapter House, but we are both surprised by a commotion on the way there.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -1)
Timothy walks behind the Abbot, his head bowed low as they cross the courtyard toward the Chapter House. Suddenly, a chaotic shout rings out from the kitchens, followed by the clatter of dropped iron pots.
Abbot
What madness is this, boy?
Timothy
The kitchen staff is usually silent as the grave. Something has gone terribly wrong.
A frantic kitchen scullion sprints around the corner, nearly colliding with them. He stops, breathless, pointing a trembling finger back toward the billowing black smoke rising from the pantry roof.
Scullion
The vats! The oil has spilled into the hearth!
Abbot
Stay here, Timothy. Do not move from this spot until I return.
The Abbot gathers his robes and charges toward the growing inferno, leaving Timothy alone in the courtyard as the heat begins to prickle against his skin.
+ Scene Quest Added
Investigate the kitchen fire
“I quickly hide the Ledger in a good hiding place not too far from the Chapter House.”
SUCCESS (Good Stealth, rolled +2)
Timothy
The Abbot is distracted by the flames. This is my chance to rid myself of this incriminating burden.
Timothy slips behind a stack of cordwood near the Chapter House wall. He scans the surroundings, his movements fluid and silent. Finding a loose stone behind the rotted timber, he pries it free. He slides the heavy leather-bound ledger into the dark recess, then shoves the stone back into place, kicking loose dirt over the seam with his boot.
Timothy
It is hidden. If they search me now, they will find nothing but my own skin.
He slips back to his previous position just as the heat from the pantry intensifies, the wooden doorframe beginning to char and crack. The scullion is screaming for buckets of water, his voice shrill against the roar of the fire. Timothy stands still, his hands clasped behind his back, waiting to see if his absence was noted.
Quest Complete
Investigate the kitchen fire