After the walk home, Klause sits carefully in Rebecca’s study, one hand near his aching side. Liora remains in the village with her mother, while Jacob accompanied him back.
Rebecca spreads copied impressions of the Little village boundary ward across the desk. Inked lines reveal the posts, channels, and the uneven mark Klause noticed.
Rebecca Larent
Do not repair it yet. First, follow the circulation with your senses and identify where the mana loses its rhythm.
Jacob Larent
And keep your hands still unless your mother gives permission. A protector must understand a danger before trying to correct it.
Rebecca places a crystal weight over the eastern section of the copy. The drawn lines brighten faintly, reproducing the ward’s unstable pulse without summoning the original.
Rebecca Larent
This is observation, not a contest. Tell us what you detect, and let your answer come before your magic.
Jacob Larent
He wants to help quickly. Now he must learn that trust is built by restraint as much as by courage.
✓ Quest Accepted
Diagnose the village's failing boundary ward
✓ Quest Accepted
Restore the village's failing boundary ward
“I find and restore it quickly then head off to go meet my elf friend”
SUCCESS (Superb Arcana, rolled +0)
Klause traces the copied ward with his senses, following the broken rhythm beneath the eastern post. The fault is a narrow mana channel twisted out of alignment.
He carefully reconnects the channel, guiding its flow through the crystal’s reflected pattern. The boundary mark steadies, but the effort drains his reserves and sharply tightens the bruising in his side.
Rebecca Larent
You restored it correctly, and quickly. That cost was too high for your condition, but you stopped before the damage worsened.
Jacob Larent
The village ward is safe for now. If you go to see Liora, you walk there. No running, no further spells.
After securing the copied diagrams, Klause leaves the study and sets out along the country path. His side aches with each step, while the mansion’s healing charm keeps the pain contained.
The Little village comes into view beneath the afternoon light. Near the herb sheds, Liora, Liora with silver hair and a blue dress, spots him and lifts one hand.
Liora
Klause! You came back. Mother is inside, but I finished gathering the willow leaves. Did your side heal?
Quest Complete
Diagnose the village's failing boundary ward
Quest Complete
Restore the village's failing boundary ward
“Yeah, how have you been since yesterday I ask her while looking at her”
SUCCESS (Fair Persuasion, rolled +3)
Klause larent
Yeah. How have you been since yesterday?
Klause looks at Liora as he asks. Afternoon light catches her silver hair, and she hugs the gathered willow leaves against her blue dress.
Liora
I have been well. My bruises are gone, and Mother says the willow leaves are good enough for the herb sheds.
Liora
I told Father what happened when he returned from the boundary watch. He wants to thank you himself.
Liora’s cautious smile brightens into open relief. From the drying shed, her Liora's mother watches them, then steps outside with a sealed scrap of blue paper.
Liora's mother
Rebecca may expect this message. Liora’s father agrees she may visit Larent Mansion, provided I accompany her.
Liora
So I can come after all, Klause. Your mother can show us the grounds, and I can see where you practice.
“Ok lets go then, I say smiling while holding her hand and running to my house with her mom following”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +2)
Klause larent
Okay, let’s go then.
Klause takes Liora’s hand and runs toward Larent Mansion. Her willow leaves rustle against her blue dress, while her mother follows briskly along the country path.
The pace pulls sharply at Klause’s healing side. His breath catches, and a hot ache spreads beneath the old bruising, but he keeps hold of Liora and reaches the mansion gates.
Liora
You’re hurt again, aren’t you? You should have told me before we ran.
Liora's mother
Liora is right. Thank you for bringing us here, but her visit must begin with rest, not another injury.
The gates open beneath their family ward. Rebecca steps from the mansion entrance with her spellbook, while Jacob appears behind her, his expression sharpening at Klause’s guarded posture.
Rebecca Larent
Welcome to Larent Mansion. Liora, your mother may enter freely as your guardian. Klause, release her hand and let me examine that side before the tour begins.
Allow Rebecca to assess Klause's injured side