The magistrate hall fills beneath rain-muted rafters. Brannic, Pell, and Ors stand bound under guard, while the clerk arranges treaty papers, the sealed green-wax tube, and Dalmor’s summons before the magistrates.
Ilyan Voss arrives between two gate guards, pale and stiff from his injury, his torn ochre cloak replaced by a borrowed gray mantle. Sava follows close behind him.
Reeve Maelin
Let the record show that the courier has arrived under Willowmere’s protection. No document, witness, or prisoner leaves this hall before judgment.
Captain Orven takes position beside the prisoners, broad shoulders squared beneath his red-trimmed cloak. His eyes measure every restraint, then settle on the guild summons.
Ilyan Voss
Those are my papers, and that tube bears the treaty seal. The thieves took them at the ford after Factor Dalmor’s men sent them there.
Sava
I witnessed their capture and heard each confession. Raedwulf recovered the evidence, secured the prisoners, and returned everything beneath Willowmere’s law.
Clerks and townsfolk lean forward as the magistrates examine the seals. Captain Orven remains beside the bound men, leaving Raedwulf’s lawful authority and the westward passage claim ready for formal hearing.
“I remain silent and the proceedings continue”
Raedwulf remains silent beside the evidence table, his ash bow secured at his back. The hall settles into attentive quiet as rain whispers against the shutters.
the magistrates
The courier’s testimony is entered first. Let the accused answer afterward, with the recovered papers and seal held before the court.
The clerk records each statement in careful lines, then places the green-wax tube beneath the magistrates’ seal. Sava stands near Ilyan, watchful and composed.
Ilyan Voss
I carried those documents toward Elarin Vale under lawful commission. Dalmor’s hired men intercepted me at the ford and took the case.
Captain Orven directs the guards to bring Brannic forward without loosening his bonds. Pell and Ors remain visible beside him as townsfolk listen from the benches.
Brannic
We were hired by Factor Dalmor. He wanted the treaty seal stopped before it reached Elarin Vale, and he promised silver for the work.
Reeve Maelin
The testimony is consistent, the evidence preserved, and the prisoners remain under Willowmere’s protection. The hearing proceeds under the town’s law.
✓ Quest Accepted
Win the magistrates' formal ruling on the westward passage claim
“I present the treaty seal and papers as proof of our passage claim.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Raedwulf steps to the evidence table and presents the sealed green-wax tube, treaty papers, and route map before the magistrates. The silver tree and broken circle catch the lamplight.
Sava
These are the documents recovered from the thieves, and this seal establishes the passage claim toward Elarin Vale.
The clerk lifts each paper for the benches to see, then compares the treaty marks with the seal before placing them together beneath the court’s protection.
Ilyan Voss
I carried that seal under lawful commission. With it and the papers restored, the household’s claim can be recognized by the treaty wardens.
Captain Orven
Enter the seal and every page into the record. No guild summons can erase a lawful passage claim supported by recovered treaty evidence.
the magistrates
The seal and papers are accepted as proof of the claimed passage. The record will be sent to Elarin Vale with Willowmere’s protection plainly attached.
Reeve Maelin
Then the household’s westward passage stands formally before this court. We will preserve the evidence and seek the treaty warden’s recognition.
Quest Complete
Win the magistrates' formal ruling on the westward passage claim