Kalazan leaves the tavern roar behind and steps out onto the causeway. Cold wind slaps his robes, and the scarred stone underfoot still bears the giant's fresh damage.
Below the battlements, gully dwarves hurry across the masonry with mortar, hammers, and damp cloths. The hold feels intact, but tense, like a shield held up one breath too long.
Unit Captain Brann
The wall holds, lord. I have the archers watching Willow Dale. If that brute comes back, he meets steel.
Brann keeps one hand on his sword hilt and does not look away from the dark tree line. His jaw is set, his shoulders tight with readiness.
The Server
Is the feast done for good, or do we bring the platters back out? The room is waiting on your word.
Kalazan
The gate repairs are starting fast. The wall can be sealed again.
A hammer rings once against stone, sharp in the wind, as the first patched section of wall begins to take shape.
+ Story Quest Added
Defend Hold Red Tide from the brute
“I say keep the heavy crossbows ready if that hill giant comes back and let me know as soonnas it does”
SUCCESS (Good Leadership, rolled +1)
Kalazan
Keep the heavy crossbows ready. If that hill giant comes back, I want word at once.
Unit Captain Brann
At once, lord. Crossbows stay loaded, and the watch will sound the horn the instant anything large moves in the trees.
The Server
Then the feast can wait. I will tell the hall to hold the platters and keep the lamps lit.
Brann snaps a sharp gesture to the battlements. Two crossbow crews shift into firmer positions, bolts set and ready, while the first repaired stones are packed tighter beneath the wind.
A Gully Dwarf
Lord, we found fresh drag marks by the outside turn. Big ones. Not ours.
The gully dwarf lifts a mortar-streaked hand and points toward the causeway bend. A crude scrape trail cuts along the scarred stone, leading into the cold shadow beyond the gate.
Unit Captain Brann
Then it was close. Close enough to test us, or close enough to spy. Your order stands, my lord.
A lookout horn hangs silent for the moment, but the battlements lean tense toward Willow Dale, waiting for the next sign from the dark line of trees.
“I finish talking to them and giving them defensive/repair orders and leave them heading for my quarters”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled -2)
Kalazan gives the last of his orders, and the causeway answers with motion. Brann jerks his chin toward the battlements, while the repair crew keeps packing fresh mortar into the scarred stone.
Unit Captain Brann
We hold the gate and the wall. Go on, lord, we will wake you if the dark so much as blinks.
The Server
I will see the hall knows the feast is delayed, not forgotten.
Kalazan turns from the cold wind and strides back through the gatehouse. Boots scrape stone, and the fortress warmth swallows the chill behind him.
A Gully Dwarf
We will keep the stones tight, lord. No gaps, no loose bits.
The gully dwarf ducks back to the wall, mortar clinging to his hands, while the crossbow crews keep their weapons trained on the trees beyond the bend.
Kalazan reaches the inner corridor leading toward his quarters. Behind him, Brann’s commands carry down the line, sharp and steady, and the repair work continues under watchful eyes.
A horn remains ready on the battlements, and from somewhere deeper in the hold comes the faint clatter of servants hurrying to hold the feast in reserve.
Quest Complete
Defend Hold Red Tide from the brute
Skill Upgrade: Leadership Good→Great