The elderly councilor leads Raedwulf through a narrow door into a cramped archive. The slim and broad councilors follow, while Captain Orven, Sava, and the others remain in the council chamber.
Treaty tablets crowd the shelves beside sealed ledgers and dust-covered maps. A single shutter admits gray light, revealing old wax, faded ink, and years of undisturbed dust.
the slim councilor
Search the allied-territory registers first. If Trisyran challenged Willowmere’s protection before, the answer may already be written here.
The councilors divide the shelves. Raedwulf finds a brittle map beneath a stack of tax rolls, while the broad councilor loosens a tablet sealed with green wax.
the elderly councilor
Here. An overlooked clause concerning endangered household members. It grants lawful passage between allied territories when return would place them in danger.
The wording promises more than refuge. It could let the household travel beyond Willowmere under allied protection, but the final line is worn where a witness or seal should be named.
the broad councilor
The clause is promising, yet unenforceable until we identify the proper witness or recover the missing seal. Raedwulf, examine the treaty marks and tell us what you recognize.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover the missing treaty seal
“Can the worn treaty mark identify which allied territory held the seal?”
YES (Likely, rolled 21)
The worn mark is a three-branched silver tree enclosed by a broken green circle. Beneath the grime, its surviving lines match the western seal of Elarin Vale.
the broad councilor
Elarin Vale held this seal. Its wardens joined the passage compact before the border wars, and their witness would make the clause enforceable.
The elderly councilor brushes dust from a faded margin note. A second impression, nearly erased, bears the same tree and names the Vale’s treaty warden.
the slim councilor
The missing witness was not Willowmere’s reeve. It was the Warden of Elarin Vale, authorized to confirm endangered travelers beneath allied protection.
the elderly councilor
Then the clause can carry this household beyond Willowmere. We must send a sealed request to Elarin Vale and recover its present warden’s recognition.
The discovery changes the archive from a dead end into a road. Elarin Vale lies west beyond the treaty hills, allied territory where Trisyran’s claim cannot simply follow.
the broad councilor
Your friends may have more than refuge now. If Elarin Vale renews this seal, the household can seek lawful passage and place distance between itself and House Trisyran.
Director's note
"Then let's do it"
The elderly councilor closes the treaty register and carries it back toward the chamber. The broad councilor follows with the green-wax tablet wrapped in linen.
the elderly councilor
We will send the request today. Until Elarin Vale answers, the household remains under Willowmere’s seal and may not be surrendered.
The archive door opens onto the council chamber. Sava, the scarred wolfkin woman, stands beside Veyra, Theon, and Krae as Captain Orven receives the tablet’s description.
Sava
Then our refuge must become a road. We will prepare for passage while the council seeks the Vale’s witness.
Captain Orven
I will assign escorts, provisions, and a route west of the treaty hills. No movement begins until the council confirms the wardens’ reply.
The slim councilor drafts two letters, one for Elarin Vale and one for the treaty council. Fresh wax seals the first with Willowmere’s mark, while the second records Trisyran’s claim and its limits.
the elderly councilor
Raedwulf’s household will remain together in the record. If Elarin Vale renews the compact, lawful passage will place them beyond House Trisyran’s immediate reach.
“I s”
The letters rest beneath fresh wax as the council chamber settles into purposeful quiet. The green-wax tablet remains wrapped beside the ledger, its promise now entered into Willowmere’s record.
Sava
We are ready when the council gives leave. The road west is better than waiting for Trisyran to tighten its claim.
The scarred wolfkin woman checks the gathered bundles while Veyra counts dried food and Theon secures the blankets. Krae studies the hall windows, alert but untroubled.
Captain Orven
The household will receive provisions before dusk. Two guards will guide the western route, and the sealed request will travel under my protection.
The elderly councilor adds each name beneath the household entry, preserving their unity under Willowmere’s seal. No one is separated, and no hand reaches for the petitioners.
the elderly councilor
Until Elarin Vale answers, you remain sheltered here. When its warden confirms the compact, Willowmere will open the road.
Beyond the chamber, rain softens against the shutters. For the first time, the western passage is not merely hope, but a lawful path being prepared for them.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure recognized passage through Elarin Vale
“"Good, that buys us time to gather coin for the journey." Say openly. I turn to the Captain and as to speak privately”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Raedwulf
Good. That buys us time to gather coin for the journey. Captain, may I speak with you privately?
Raedwulf turns toward Captain Orven. The request is quiet, but the chamber has settled enough that several faces notice the deliberate separation.
Captain Orven
Of course. Walk with me to the side passage. We can speak there without making your household part of the discussion.
Orven leads him beyond the council table, keeping the door within sight. Before they leave, the captain marks two provision sacks from the household allotment for the westward route.
Captain Orven
The delay gives you time, but provisions are not limitless. These sacks come from Willowmere’s stores and will be recorded against your household’s future labor.
The concrete cost settles into the ledger: food and travel goods now draw against work Raedwulf’s household has yet to perform. Orven lowers his voice in the passage.
Captain Orven
Now we can speak privately. Tell me what you need to earn before the road opens, and I will see which lawful work Willowmere can provide.
“"Any job that provides a large bounty of coin." "You must have other problems in Willowmere that would require a ranger?" "Dangerous beast, bandits? If I provides a service to you, that might strengthen your town claim even more." I tell him”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Raedwulf
I seek work that brings a large bounty of coin. What other problems in Willowmere require a ranger? Dangerous beasts or bandits? If I serve the town, it may strengthen your claim as well.
Captain Orven
You have named the work I need. Three merchant caravans have been struck on the western road, and a tusked marsh-beast has driven travelers from the ford.
Captain Orven unrolls a weathered road map in the side passage. Red marks cluster around the ford and the wooded rise beyond it, where trade has slowed to a crawl.
Captain Orven
Bring me proof of the bandits’ dispersal and drive the beast from the ford. Willowmere will pay a substantial bounty, record your service, and present it to the treaty council.
He places a sealed commission beside the map, bearing Willowmere’s blue mark. The document names Raedwulf a lawful ranger acting for the town, with payment due upon verified success.
Captain Orven
The commission is yours now. Take the western road at dawn, and your labor will earn coin while giving Willowmere stronger grounds to defend its household petition.
+ New Item Acquired
Sealed ranger commission
“"I'll need gear, a bow and quiver of arrows, if you can spare?"”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Raedwulf
I’ll need gear for the work, Captain. Can you spare me a bow and a quiver of arrows?
Captain Orven studies the commission, then nods toward the watchhouse armory. The scarred wolfkin woman waits near the passage entrance, listening without interrupting.
Captain Orven
A ranger cannot serve Willowmere empty-handed. We have a serviceable ash bow and a full quiver. They are yours for this commission.
He retrieves the equipment from a locked rack: a recurved ash bow, waxed bowstring, and leather quiver packed with straight-fletched arrows. The gear bears the town’s blue mark.
Captain Orven
Take them now. The bow belongs to Willowmere until the bounty is settled, but no one will reclaim it while you serve under my commission.
Captain Orven places the bow and quiver into Raedwulf’s hands. The weapon sits comfortably against his reach, while the arrows settle with a quiet wooden rattle.
Sava
Then let’s do it. With proper gear and a lawful commission, the western road has fewer advantages over us.
+ New Item Acquired
Recurved ash bow
+ New Item Acquired
Leather quiver
“I prepare our route west at first light. "You coming with me Sava? You taught me best old wolf." I say with a smug smile”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -2)
“I prepare our route west at first light. "You coming with me Sava? You taught me best old wolf." I say with a smug smile”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Before dawn, Raedwulf gathers the commission, ash bow, quiver, provisions, and a weathered road map. He marks the western ford, the wooded rise, and the safest route beyond the treaty hills.
Raedwulf
You coming with me, Sava? You taught me best, old wolf.
Sava studies the marked route, then checks the straps on her travel pack. Her scarred face holds a familiar, hard amusement at his smug smile.
Sava
I am coming. Someone must keep you from mistaking confidence for caution, and I know these roads better than any map.
Together they add the ford’s reed banks, the abandoned charcoal path, and a dry hollow for shelter. Sava supplies the landmarks; Raedwulf fixes the departure hour.
Sava
We leave at first light, follow the western road until the split stone, then cut south of the ford. The beast and bandits will both meet us prepared.
The route is packed and agreed upon. Outside, Willowmere’s lamps gutter in the rain while the first pale light gathers beyond the shutters.
“(Raedwulf and Sava leave before dawn raise, the next day) we make for the western road”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled -1)