Peter studies the concealed turn beneath the trees, then steps ahead with his grandfather’s page clenched in one hand. Corrin and Desdemona follow only far enough to keep him in sight, while Fiona and Maddie remain safely behind at the farmhouse.
Peter Fellows
Wait. These hoofprints do not match ordinary farm traffic. The stride is too even, and they turn off the path instead of heading toward the fields.
He follows the prints between blue-pine trunks, ears angled forward. Damp leaves swallow the farmhouse sounds, and the narrow track bends away from the route he promised to show.
Peter Fellows
We cannot judge the shortcut from its entrance. I promised to show you the turn, and I need to know where it truly leads before I send you into danger.
Desdemona Blackwood
Peter, fulfilling your promise does not require walking beyond what you can safely explain. Stop there and let Corrin examine the signs.
Peter hesitates at the edge of deeper shadow, torn between obedience and responsibility. Ahead, the hoofprints continue beside a second trail marked by a faint drag through the moss.
Peter Fellows
I can stop here. But if those tracks belong to the thieves, the shortcut may be watched. We should know that before anyone leaves the orchard.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn whether the concealed shortcut is watched
Corrin's turn“He examines his surroundings carefully as he presses ahead, looking for signs of life or potential traps.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled +0)
Corrin advances a few careful paces, scanning the blue-pine shadows, disturbed moss, and silent branches. Peter waits ahead while Desdemona remains just behind him, both watching his examination.
His Keen Senses draw detail from the dimness: fresh boot impressions cross the hoofprints, then vanish beside a low branch. No breathing, movement, or watching silhouette answers from the trees.
Corrin kneels and brings out his thieves’ tools. A slim pick lifts a mat of moss, revealing a taut cord anchored between roots, while a second line leads toward a shallow pit hidden under leaves.
Desdemona Blackwood
The trap is meant to catch someone following the shortcut, not to warn the farmhouse.
He traces the cord to its harmless release knot and identifies the safe edge of the path. The prints belong to at least two recent travelers, but neither remains nearby.
Peter Fellows
Then the shortcut is watched by a trap, not a person at this moment. I can mark the safe turn and take you back without touching it.
Desdemona Blackwood
Good. We know the danger now, and the farmhouse remains unexposed. Corrin, show us the safe route back.
Quest Complete
CorrinLearn whether the concealed shortcut is watched