The black carriage rolls from the ruined chapel, its wheels whispering over frost-stiffened earth. Artania sits within, his bandaged witness-mark held carefully above the quiet ash-streaked pebble.
Lord Vael
Arch keeps records older than its royal line. If the Ashen Choir left a surviving purpose, its final trace may rest in those sealed archives.
Lord Vael guides the carriage down the winding road. Seris travels beside him beneath the dark canopy, her restored presence reflected faintly in the window’s glass.
Seris
Then we seek the truth before another voice finds it. I would rather face an old purpose in daylight than let it awaken unseen.
Behind them, Keeper Maelin’s apparition stands at the chapel’s broken entrance. Her ash-gray robes stir in the evening wind as she watches the ruin recede, while Al rests near Artania’s feet.
Keeper Maelin
The chapel has released what it could. The records may reveal whether the Choir served a master, a vow, or the buried voice itself.
The road descends toward Arch, where distant lights begin to kindle beneath the deepening sky. The carriage carries the living, the restored, and one silent witness-mark toward answers not yet written.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach Arch
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover the Ashen Choir’s remaining purpose
“My Lord, my Lady. If it pleases the two of you may I ask you both something?”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +1)
Artania Nero Thornson
My lord, my lady. If it pleases you both, may I ask you something?
The carriage continues its steady descent toward Arch. Lord Vael glances back from the reins, while Seris turns beneath the dark canopy to regard Artania attentively.
Lord Vael
It pleases me, Art. Ask what you must. The road is long, and honest questions are safer than unspoken ones.
Seris
You have my permission as well, Artania. Speak freely. I would rather hear your question plainly than have you carry it in silence.
Al lifts his head near Artania’s feet, listening as the carriage wheels whisper over frozen earth. Beyond the window, Arch’s distant lights multiply beneath the darkening sky.
Lord Vael
Whatever concerns you, we will answer as truthfully as we can. The Ashen Choir has left enough secrets in our path already.
“Why bring me along? Sure we are heading the same way, and I helped you out a little, but you don’t owe me anything. I feel a little to humble to be riding around with nobles.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -2)
Artania Nero Thornson
Why bring me along? We are heading the same way, and I helped you, but you do not owe me anything. I feel too humble riding with nobles.
The carriage rolls over a rut, jolting the lantern and scattering a brief spray of sparks from its iron bracket. Artania’s bandaged hand knocks against the carriage wall.
Lord Vael
Because you are not a debt, Art. You witnessed the Choir’s work, carried its mark, and know dangers that may follow us. I asked you to come because your presence matters.
Seris
And because you defended us before you knew our titles. If nobility makes this carriage feel too grand, then regard it as shelter shared by travelers, not a throne room.
The carriage settles into its rhythm. A thin line of blood appears beneath the bandage where the jolt reopened Artania’s healing cut, while Al presses closer to his boots.
Lord Vael
You owe us nothing for the ride. Let us instead owe one another honesty until Arch reveals what the records conceal.
“I grab my injured hand. And a small smile curves the sides of my mouth. Yes, that sounds nice. I again reach down to where my pants were cut previously, tearing a new bandage and replacing the old one.”
SUCCESS (Great Healing, rolled +1)
Artania Nero Thornson
Yes, that sounds nice.
Artania grips his injured hand, and a small smile curves his mouth. Al presses closer as the carriage sways gently along the frozen road.
He reaches to the torn portion of his trousers and tears away a fresh strip of cloth, keeping the wounded palm steady despite the lingering sting.
Artania removes the old bandage and winds the new one firmly around his hand. The clean fabric covers the witness-mark and holds the reopened cut closed.
Lord Vael
That is settled, then. Shared shelter, honest company, and no debt between us. I am glad to have you beside us, Art.
Seris
So am I. A quiet road, a steady hound, and companions who speak plainly are a fine beginning after such darkness.
The carriage lantern rocks overhead, casting warm gold across the fresh bandage. Ahead, Arch’s lights gather beneath the deepening sky as the road carries them onward.
“So how long until we reach the city? I was going to ask if I could practice different benign magics, just to pass the time. I am sure it became obvious while I fought in the snow, and moved beneath the chapel. I do so love magic and fighting for a righteous cause.”
FAILURE (Good Reasoning, rolled -4)
Artania Nero Thornson
How long until we reach the city? May I practice some benign magics to pass the time? I love magic and fighting for a righteous cause.
Lord Vael glances toward the road while Artania gathers a small working above his bandaged palm. The spell should form a harmless blue-green flame, but the witness-mark answers first.
Amber-black light leaks through the cloth and twists the practice spell into a silent ring. The carriage lantern gutters, and every window fills with the buried chamber’s silver ash.
Lord Vael
Stop the working, Art. That is not your magic alone. The mark is reaching through the spell, and it is drawing the carriage toward the old memory.
The horses shy as the road beneath the wheels briefly resembles the chapel stair. The carriage slews sideways, its iron rim biting into frozen earth, while Al braces against Artania’s boots.
Seris
The vessel is silent, but something of its joining remains in you. Do not feed it another spell until we understand what it takes.
Lord Vael
Arch is less than an hour ahead, if the road holds. For now, keep your hands still and let me bring us back onto the road.
“Whoops. Hehe. Sorry I got overly excited. In that case I will stick to conversation. Since you two are nobles, would it be ignorant to ask what rank you are. I am simply educated and am less aware of things like etiquette, and noble titles, and houses.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -1)
Artania Nero Thornson
Whoops. Hehe. Sorry, I got overly excited. I will stick to conversation. Since you are nobles, would it be ignorant to ask your ranks? I am educated, but less familiar with etiquette, titles, and noble houses.
The amber-black ring collapses into a few cold sparks. The carriage stops while Lord Lord Vael steadies the frightened horses, and Artania’s bandage tightens around the reopened cut.
Lord Vael
It is not ignorant, Art. I am Lord Vael, a landed noble sworn to Arch’s crown, though not of the royal house. You may call me Lord Vael or simply Vael in private company.
Seris
I was Lady Seris by marriage and birth, though titles feel less certain after what was taken from me. Seris is welcome; formal courts would expect Lady Seris until I choose otherwise.
Lord Vael
Etiquette is mostly attention. Use a title until invited to do otherwise, do not touch a noble’s seal or weapon without permission, and let rank guide introductions.
Seris
Houses matter because their promises, feuds, and obligations outlive one person. Asking plainly is safer than guessing, especially among nobles who hide insult beneath courtesy.
Lord Vael guides the horses back onto the road. The delay costs them several minutes and leaves the carriage lantern dim, but Arch’s lights remain visible ahead.
“Wow, you made it sound incredibly simple. I thought it would be more complex.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -2)
Artania Nero Thornson
You make it sound incredibly simple, my lord. I thought noble etiquette would be far more complex.
Lord Vael
It is simple when explained plainly, Art. The complexity begins when people use etiquette to conceal what they truly want.
Lord Vael resumes the carriage’s slow progress. The horses settle, but the delay has cost them precious time, and the lantern burns noticeably dimmer.
Seris
You will find courtly manners less forgiving than Vael suggests. A misplaced title may be harmless, while an overlooked obligation can become a weapon.
Lord Vael
Seris speaks truth. Still, you need not master every custom tonight. Listen carefully, speak honestly, and ask when uncertain.
Seris
He asks without scheming. That is rarer among nobles than any polished courtesy.
Arch’s lights grow larger beyond the window. Beneath Artania’s fresh bandage, the witness-mark gives one faint pulse, then falls quiet as the carriage enters the city road.
“Okay, since I cannot use magic for now I may just have to rely on my wits, and my sword arm. Of course that means Al as well. The thought brings me some excitement since I haven’t been without magic in a long time.”
The carriage enters Arch’s outer road, where stone walls and crowded torchlight replace the open frostland. Artania keeps his bandaged hand still and studies the passing gates, guards, and alleys.
Artania Nero Thornson
Without magic, my wits, sword arm, and Al must carry their share.
Al lifts his head at his name and settles more firmly near Artania’s boots. His steady presence answers the thought without needing command.
Lord Vael
That is no small strength, Art. Magic may open possibilities, but judgment, steel, and a loyal companion have carried many defenders through worse roads.
Seris
And you are not helpless without it. You watched the chamber, protected us, and recognized danger before any spell could have warned you.
The carriage passes beneath Arch’s outer archway. Guards glance toward Vael’s seal, then wave the party onward as the city’s warm lights gather around them.
Lord Vael
Rest your hand, keep your sword ready, and trust what you can plainly observe. Tonight, that will be enough to reach safety.
Quest Complete
Reach Arch
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Good→Great