At Willowmere’s west gatehouse, Raedwulf leads Brannic, Pell, and Ors toward the magistrate hall with their hands secured. Sava follows under guard, carrying the recovered papers and sealed treaty tube.
Reeve Maelin steps from beneath the gate arch before they reach the hall. Rain beads on his council cloak as he raises a sealed parchment bearing the western trade guild’s mark.
Reeve Maelin
Stop here. The guild has issued a sealed summons and requests that these prisoners be transferred into its custody pending inquiry.
The gate guards halt their spears across the passage, waiting for Raedwulf’s answer. Sava keeps the documents close while her eyes move from Maelin to the uneasy prisoners.
Brannic
That seal is Dalmor’s authority. He promised magistrates, not a guild cellar. Do not hand us over without witnesses.
Pell
If the factor controls the hearing, the papers may vanish before anyone reads them.
Reeve Maelin
The request is lawful on its face, but the recovered treaty papers concern Elarin Vale and Willowmere’s protection. Raedwulf, the decision now stands before you.
“"You said "on its face", this is a lawful request." "Wihci mean that's a half truth." I say stand calm and composed. "Unit the captain says other wise." "This these are under my guard."”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -1)
“"You said "on its face", this is a lawful request." "Wihci mean that's a half truth." I say stand calm and composed. "Unit the captain says other wise." "This these are under my guard."”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Raedwulf
You said “on its face.” That means this is a lawful request, but only on its face, which makes it a half-truth. Until Captain Orven says otherwise, these prisoners remain under my guard.
Raedwulf stands calm and composed in the rain, keeping the bound road hands together beneath Willowmere’s authority. He does not yield the prisoners or the recovered evidence.
Reeve Maelin
A fair distinction. The guild’s seal grants them a request, not possession of prisoners already held under a town commission.
Brannic
Then keep us in sight. I would rather face a magistrate than disappear behind Dalmor’s doors.
Reeve Maelin
The prisoners remain under Raedwulf’s guard until Captain Orven directs otherwise. Gate guards, clear the passage and escort them to the magistrate hall.
The spears lower. Sava keeps the treaty papers and sealed tube close as Maelin breaks the guild parchment’s seal, preparing to place both claims before witnesses.
Reeve Maelin
Bring the guild summons with the stolen papers. If Dalmor seeks custody, he can answer publicly for why his seal followed a courier’s stolen treaty documents.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a public hearing for the prisoners and evidence
Director's note
I look at Reeve directly and speak
“"I have evidence of Dalmor corruption." "Sava as a witness. A confession from the thieves. And Ilyan Voss as a witnes andan victim"”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Raedwulf
I have evidence of Dalmor’s corruption: Sava as a witness, the thieves’ confession, and Ilyan Voss as both witness and victim.
Raedwulf looks directly at Reeve Maelin while the rain patters over the gate stones. Sava stands beside the recovered papers, and the bound thieves remain within the guards’ sight.
Sava
I witnessed the thieves’ capture, their admission, and the recovery of the treaty papers. Their account named Factor Dalmor without contradiction.
Reeve Maelin
Then the guild summons is no longer a simple custody request. It is evidence that Dalmor’s seal stands beside a stolen courier’s testimony.
Maelin turns toward the magistrate hall and raises the opened guild parchment beside the document case. A clerk, a young adult woman with medium-brown skin, curly black hair, and a russet vest over a cream shirt hurries forward as the gate guards keep the prisoners secured.
Reeve Maelin
Ilyan Voss will be summoned as the injured courier and victim. His testimony, Sava’s witness, and the thieves’ confession will be entered together.
Brannic
That is the truth of it. Dalmor hired us for the seal and papers, and he must answer before witnesses rather than hide behind the guild.
Quest Complete
Expose Factor Dalmor’s scheme
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Great→Superb
“I insist on a public hearing before witnesses, upon thieves request”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Raedwulf
I insist these prisoners be heard publicly before witnesses, with the recovered papers, their confession, and the courier’s testimony entered into the record.
Raedwulf looks directly at Reeve Maelin as rain drums upon the gate stones. Sava stands beside the document case, while the bound thieves remain plainly visible to the guards and gathered clerks.
Reeve Maelin
Granted. This matter will be heard publicly in the magistrate hall, before witnesses, with the evidence preserved and every claimant named.
Sava
I will testify to the capture, the confession, and the recovery. Ilyan must speak for himself, and no guild seal will silence either account.
The clerk records Maelin’s order beneath the guild summons. Gate guards escort the prisoners toward the hall, keeping them together and visible as Sava carries the sealed treaty tube.
Brannic
That is all we asked. Let Dalmor face the truth where witnesses can hear it, and let the magistrates decide what our testimony is worth.
Reeve Maelin
The hearing begins now. Send for Ilyan Voss, Captain Orven, and the magistrates. No evidence leaves this hall until judgment is recorded.
Quest Complete
Secure a public hearing for the prisoners and evidence
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Superb→Legendary