Mary reaches the mercenary camp outside Karravan’s walls as dusk stains the stones red. A broad-shouldered man blocks the gate, wearing battered plate beneath a threadbare cloak, his weathered face marked by an old cheek scar.
The Disgraced Knight
Stop there. You may enter once you understand what this camp is about.
He raises a torn contract between two gauntleted fingers. Around the fire pits, mercenaries turn to watch, hands settling near sword hilts and axe hafts.
The Disgraced Knight
These terms were broken before the ink dried. That breach is the only thing keeping the slave from being dragged away.
Beyond him, a woman’s shadow, her slight adult silhouette wrapped in a ragged shawl shifts behind the gatehouse bars, then goes still. The watching mercenaries form no line, but their attention closes around Mary like a drawn cord.
The Disgraced Knight
I was called a knight once. Now I am only a sellsword with one scrap of law left in my hand. Decide what that means to you.
The gate remains barred. The disgraced knight does not draw his blade, but every mercenary nearby waits to see whether Mary steps forward or turns away.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the slave's freedom
“A contract broken? What was it about. And how does it correlate to this woman freedom?”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +1)
Mary
A contract broken? What was it about, and how does it correlate to this woman’s freedom?
The Disgraced Knight
It was a labor bond, naming Nessa Vale as property for a fixed term and naming the duties owed by her master. The master sold that claim before the term ended, but the parchment forbids such a transfer without the crown’s seal.
The disgraced knight the disgraced knight turns the torn contract toward Mary. Beneath mud and creases, an intact royal seal and the transfer clause make the breach plain, while mercenaries watch in uneasy silence.
The Disgraced Knight
The master sold her labor to a caravan lord without that seal. The buyer therefore purchased no lawful claim under the bond, only stolen paper and a demand with no force behind it.
Behind the bars, Nessa remains still beneath her ragged shawl. The knight does not ask her to decide anything; the broken terms, not her consent, determine the claim’s validity.
The Disgraced Knight
That breach voids the buyer’s right to seize her here. She remains enslaved under the old bond until its term or a magistrate ends it, but this buyer cannot lawfully take her away.
The answer settles heavily over the gate: the contract has not freed Nessa from enslavement, but it has stripped this buyer of authority to claim her.
“Well while I am retired from the royal army. I was still a platoon leader. Which does grant me certain authorities even when retired. Such has dealing with this case.”
FAILURE (Mediocre Oratory, rolled +0)
Mary
I am retired from the royal army, but I was a platoon leader. That grants me authority to deal with this case.
The Disgraced Knight
It grants you standing, perhaps, but not a magistrate’s seal. You cannot command this camp to declare her free.
The knight lowers the contract instead of yielding it. Around the gate, the mercenaries shift their attention from Mary to the parchment, waiting for an order that does not come.
The Disgraced Knight
Still, a former platoon leader may examine the terms and testify to what they establish. That is authority enough to keep this claim from vanishing into a purse.
He turns the contract fully toward Mary, exposing the royal seal and the barred transfer clause. Behind him, Nessa remains silent beneath her shawl.
The Disgraced Knight
Read it as an officer, then. If your judgment agrees with mine, I will carry your testimony to the nearest magistrate.
The gate stays barred, but the contract comes within reach. Mary’s claim to command has failed; a narrower path has opened through scrutiny, testimony, and the law’s next hearing.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish that the contract bars the buyer’s claim
“*I go over the contract. Which goes on about the slave terms and what will breach it. After going over it I gave my statement.* I have to say you are right this is a breach of contract. And there is enough wiggle room for the slave to be freed due to that.”
FAILURE (Good Reasoning, rolled +0)
Mary studies the torn contract while the disgraced knight keeps it extended between them. The labor duties, fixed term, and barred transfer clause are clear, but the parchment never plainly grants freedom after an unlawful sale.
Mary
You are right. The sale breaches the contract, and its wording leaves enough room for Nessa to seek freedom from the bond.
The Disgraced Knight
Your testimony establishes the breach, but not freedom by itself. A magistrate could read that gap as grounds to void the bond, or as cause to enforce its remaining term.
He marks the transfer clause with one gauntleted finger, then folds the contract carefully. The mercenaries remain watchful, while the barred woman lifts her head at the word magistrate.
The Disgraced Knight
That is the opening: your statement gives the breach a witness with military standing. I will carry it with the parchment and petition the nearest magistrate to hear whether the bond survives.
The contract stays in the knight’s possession, and Mary’s judgment cannot unlock the gate. Yet the buyer’s claim is halted, and a formal challenge to the bond now has a witness and a legal path.
The Disgraced Knight
Until that hearing, no caravan lord takes her from this camp under that broken transfer. That protection is all the law grants tonight, but it is not nothing.
Quest Complete
Establish that the contract bars the buyer’s claim
“What about a duel. I fight on the behave of the slave. There is a role that if a contract is breach someone can fight for the slave freedom.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Oratory, rolled +1)
Mary
What about a duel? I will fight on Nessa Vale’s behalf. Is there a recognized role allowing a champion to contest a breached bond for her freedom?
The proposal cuts through the camp’s silence. Several mercenaries glance toward the barred gate, while the disgraced knight studies Mary with renewed caution.
The Disgraced Knight
There is such a custom, though not a right granted by this parchment. A champion may stand for the bound party and call the claimant’s title into trial by arms.
The Disgraced Knight
You may make that challenge. But understand the cost: if you lose, your testimony becomes the boast of a failed champion, and my petition loses much of its weight.
He turns toward the bars and raises his voice so the camp hears. The mercenaries draw closer, not as a mob, but as witnesses to a newly offered contest.
The Disgraced Knight
I will record your challenge as a lawful champion’s offer and carry it with the petition. If the caravan lord accepts, the duel will decide whether his claim survives.
The barred gate remains shut, but Mary’s challenge is accepted and entered as testimony. In exchange, her standing now rests publicly on the outcome of the coming duel.
“I nodded has I waited for for the duel to start.”
Mary nods once and waits beside the barred gate, her hand resting near her sword as the camp settles into readiness.
The disgraced knight folds the contract beneath his cloak and signals the mercenaries. They clear a hard-packed circle between the fire pits and the gate.
The mercenaries shift into place as witnesses, boots grinding over ash and gravel. No one draws steel yet, but every gaze fixes on the empty ground.
The Disgraced Knight
Hold steady, champion. The claimant’s answer is due before the first blade is raised.
Behind the bars, Nessa Vale watches in silence, her fingers tightening around the edge of her ragged shawl as the camp awaits the duel.
The Disgraced Knight
When they enter the circle, I will name the breach, your challenge, and the bond at stake. Until then, you have done all that can be done.
Mary remains ready beneath the red dusk. The circle stands open, the witnesses gathered, and the camp waits for the opposing champion to arrive.
“I polish my sword has I wait for the opposing champion to arrive.”
Mary draws her sword and works a cloth along its worn edge. Firelight crawls over the steel, revealing every nick and dull place left by old battles.
Around the circle, the mercenaries remain watchful but quiet, their boots planted in ash and gravel. The empty ground waits beneath the deepening red dusk.
Mary
The edge is sound, though the tip has seen harder use.
The Disgraced Knight
A careful blade serves its champion well. Keep it ready, but do not mistake patience for delay. The claimant will answer.
The disgraced knight stands beside the cleared circle, one hand resting near his concealed contract. Behind the bars, Nessa watches the sword’s slow gleam without speaking.
Mary finishes the polish and lowers the cloth. The sword settles into her hand, clean enough for the coming judgment, while the gathered mercenaries wait for distant footsteps.
The Disgraced Knight
There. When the opposing champion arrives, we meet them in the circle and let steel speak under witness.
The camp holds its breath around the open ground. No challenger appears yet, and nothing disturbs Mary’s readiness.
“The opposing champion finally arrive. It was one of the mercenaries is under the caravan lord. With the lord in question right behind him.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled -1)
Boots crunch beyond the firelight. A lean adult man in patched mail enters the circle, his shaved scalp marked by a pale cut, his narrow face set with weathered brown eyes and a crooked nose, while a heavyset older man follows in a crimson-trimmed traveling coat, one jeweled hand on his cane, his lined face framed by thinning silver hair.
Mary pivots toward them as the mercenary crosses the gravel. Her heel skids on ash; she catches herself, but the edge of the circle bites her knee through the worn fabric.
The Disgraced Knight
You are the opposing champion, then. State your name and the claimant’s authority before the witnesses.
Rusk Tal
Rusk Tal. I stand for Lord Hadrik Voss, who bought the bond and demands its return.
Lord Hadrik Voss
I demand nothing unlawful, knight. I demand the labor I paid for, and I will have this champion answer for denying it.
The mercenaries tighten their ring as Rusk steps fully into the circle. Mary’s knee throbs, but she has her footing, her sword, and both opponents before the witnesses.
“I fully step in the circle. Ignoring my throbbing knee. Has this fight begins.”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +1)
Mary steps fully into the circle, setting her weight despite the throbbing knee. Ash grinds beneath her boot, and her sword remains steady at her side.
The ring of mercenaries parts just enough to receive her. Firelight catches the worn iron of her armor as the disgraced knight raises one gauntleted hand.
The Disgraced Knight
The champion stands within the circle. Let the witnesses mark that the trial begins under the named breach and the disputed bond.
Lord Hadrik Voss
Then let her answer for the labor bought with my silver. Rusk, break her claim and bring this matter to its proper end.
Rusk Tal
No more speeches. Draw your steel, champion.
Rusk lowers his stance, patched mail rasping as he draws a broad, serviceable sword. The mercenaries fall silent, leaving only the fires and the scrape of steel.
Across the circle, Hadrik tightens his jeweled hand around the cane. The disgraced knight the disgraced knight drops his arm, and the first exchange is permitted beneath the watching camp.
“I eyed rusk to see any opening. When I did. I use my good leg to propel my self for a swing.”
SUCCESS (Great swordsmanship, rolled -2)
Mary studies Rusk’s stance and catches the opening beneath his sword arm. She drives off her sound leg, turning through the pain in her injured knee.
Her sword sweeps across the circle and catches Rusk high along the mail, tearing through a leather strap and scoring his shoulder before he can close the gap.
The force jars Mary’s knee hard. Her leg buckles as she completes the swing, and she drops briefly to one hand, ash grinding into her gauntlet.
Rusk Tal
A clean opening. You paid for it, though.
Rusk retreats two paces, one hand tightening near the damaged mail. The mercenaries murmur around the ring while Mary’s sword remains between them.
Lord Hadrik Voss
Do not mistake one cut for victory. Finish her, Rusk.
The disgraced knight watches without intervening. Mary regains her footing, knee throbbing, while Rusk raises his sword and circles toward her exposed side.
“I block his swing and then counter it. Hitting his arm.”
SUCCESS (Great swordsmanship, rolled +1)
Rusk cuts toward Mary’s exposed side. She braces through the injured knee, catches his blade on hers, and turns the impact away before his edge can reach her.
Her counter follows at once. Mary steps inside his guard despite the pain, guiding her sword across his weapon arm and biting through the sleeve to open a bright line of blood.
Rusk Tal
Damn you.
Rusk recoils, clutching his struck arm as his sword dips. The mercenaries’ murmur swells around the circle, while Mary keeps her blade leveled between them.
Lord Hadrik Voss
Rusk, stay on your feet. She has not won while you can still answer.
The disgraced knight raises one hand toward the witnesses, his gaze fixed on Rusk’s wounded arm. Mary’s knee throbs, but her footing holds and the challenge remains hers to press.
“I push forward. Using my opponent injure arm to over power them and strike them again.”
SUCCESS (Great swordsmanship, rolled +1)
Mary drives forward before Rusk can recover, planting through the injured knee and forcing his weakened arm high with a hard bind of steel.
She twists beneath his guard and strikes again across the same arm. His sword jolts free, spinning into the ash as he stumbles backward.
Rusk Tal
My arm... enough. I yield the circle.
Rusk drops to one knee, clutching his disabled arm. Mary’s knee burns beneath her weight, but her blade remains steady and his weapon lies beyond reach.
The Disgraced Knight
Witnesses, mark the yield. The opposing champion is defeated, and the claimant’s title has failed in trial.
Lord Hadrik Voss
A wounded arm does not erase my lawful purchase. I contest the judgment and demand the magistrate hear the matter.
The mercenaries answer with a low, uncertain murmur. Rusk’s surrender stands before them, while Hadrik’s objection turns the victory toward the promised magistrate’s hearing.
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring the bond dispute before a magistrate
− Scene Quest Removed
Secure the slave's freedom
“I ask for to rest and get some treatment for my knee first before going to the magistrate.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Oratory, rolled +1)
Mary
I ask for rest and treatment for my knee before we go to the magistrate. I can give testimony after I am steadier.
The disgraced knight the disgraced knight considers the request, then orders the circle cleared. A broad-shouldered adult woman with dark braided hair, a stained green healer’s coat, and a brass eye charm steps from the camp tents carrying a satchel.
The Disgraced Knight
Granted. The champion rests and receives treatment before the magistrate hears the petition. But the camp records that your recovery was bought by my protection, not your rank.
Drava
Drava. Sit by the fire, champion. I will bind the knee and judge whether you can travel without worsening it.
The mercenaries open a path from the circle. Rusk remains kneeling under watch, while Hadrik’s objection hangs unanswered and the disgraced knight’s public condition settles over Mary’s victory.
Lord Hadrik Voss
Rest, then. I will tell the magistrate that your champion’s judgment depends on the knight’s charity.
Drava leads Mary toward the fire and prepares clean linen, herbs, and a splint. The treatment is secured, but the disgraced knight’s record makes his protection a favor Mary now owes before the hearing.
“Thank you for your kindness. I said has I rested up has my knee is treated.”
FAILURE (Mediocre Oratory, rolled -2)
“Thank you for your kindness. I said has I rested up has my knee is treated.”
Mary
Thank you for your kindness, Drava. I have rested, and my knee is treated.
The fire has burned lower by the time the bandage is secured. Clean linen supports Mary’s knee beneath a firm splint, and the sharpest pain has settled into a heavy ache.
Drava
The swelling has eased. You may travel, but slowly, and keep your weight off the leg whenever the ground turns rough.
Drava tightens the final knot and closes her satchel. Around the fire, the mercenaries resume quiet camp duties, though several still glance toward the victorious champion.
The Disgraced Knight
Then we leave when you are ready. The magistrate will hear your testimony, and the petition will carry the mark of the trial.
Beyond the firelight, Rusk remains under watch, awake and subdued. Hadrik’s challenge waits with him, while the road to the magistrate opens without further delay.
“I nodded has I use my sword to help keep my off my injured knee. Has we walked to the magistrate.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +1)