The shrine settles into evening hush. The wardens wrap the blood-marked fragments in oilskin while the last gold light slips between the boundary stones.
Hadrik
Before the mark was planted, I saw someone near the human trail. Not a hunter. Too still for that, and cloaked against the rain.
Hadrik stops a respectful distance from Genova. His hands remain empty, his bow unstrung at his side, and his voice carries none of the earlier challenge.
Hadrik
They watched the trail, then crouched beside the stones. I looked away only long enough to check the deer. When I turned back, they were gone.
The Elder Warden
You should have spoken sooner, Hadrik. Still, a delayed truth is better than a polished lie.
The Younger Warden
Was the figure human, or only shaped like one?
Hadrik
I cannot swear to it. The hood hid the face. But the boots left a narrow heel mark, and the person carried a small spade or pick.
The wardens exchange a grave look, then turn toward the boundary stones. Hadrik remains beside the shrine, leaving the silence open for Genova to question him before the road divides them.
“I look at the human with a displeasing look and ask "why did you hide the truth human?" "I cannot handle these matters myself too much longer, I am needed back at my tribe and my husband will start to worry if i am gone too long"”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +0)
Genova
Why did you hide the truth, human? I cannot handle these matters much longer. I am needed back at my tribe, and my husband will worry if I am gone too long.
The reproach lands quietly, but Hadrik flinches as if struck. Genova's cut palm tightens around her bow, and the old wound opens enough to stain the grip red.
Hadrik
Because I thought the wardens would hear only the part that condemned me. I had crossed your stones. My arrow had struck first, but I knew how that truth would sound beside my trespass.
Hadrik
I told myself silence was caution. It was fear, and fear made me useful to whoever planted that mark.
Hadrik
You have earned the right to leave, Genova. Before you do, know this. The cloaked figure watched me, not the deer. They waited until I was looking away, then worked beside the stones as though they knew exactly what the wardens would trust.
His admission makes the account more useful, but the blood on Genova's bow announces the strain of lingering here. Hadrik lowers his gaze, then meets hers again.
Hadrik
If you return to your tribe, tell them I saw the deceiver's hands, not their face. Will that be enough for your people to judge what I am worth?
✓ Quest Accepted
Return to the tribe
“"I am unable to make that decision, and not only will you have to wait for the warden's judgement but my tribe elders as well" "more than likely since this matter was resolved without bloodshed, they will only ask that you not trespass again and that you apologize to me, my husband, and the children of the tribe for trying to withhold a pelt that would become a blanket for them"”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
Genova
I cannot decide your worth. The wardens must judge this, and my tribe elders must judge it too.
Her voice stays level, but the effort costs her. Blood slips from the reopened cut and runs along the bow grip into her palm.
Genova
Because no blood was shed, they will likely ask only that you never trespass again, and that you apologize to me, my husband, and the children who needed that pelt as a blanket.
Hadrik
Then I will give them that apology. Not because the wardens frighten me, but because the children were never part of my quarrel.
Hadrik
I expected judgment to leave me no honorable road. You have shown me one, though it narrows beneath my feet.
The admission settles between the stones. Hadrik's account now carries a witness's shame as well as a witness's warning, making it harder to dismiss and harder to accept without question.
Hadrik
Go to your tribe, Genova. Tell them I will face their elders when called. If they ask what I am worth, tell them I was afraid, and still chose to speak.
“"if you want to prove your worth to my tribe elders and to lessen their anger, then if bring more deer pelts it should convince them that you are truly sorry" "my people may be wary of non-centaurs and some of us may even have prejudices but we are not unreasonable"”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Genova
If you want to prove your worth to my elders and lessen their anger, bring more deer pelts. That will show them you are truly sorry. My people may distrust non-centaurs, and some may carry prejudice, but we are not unreasonable.
The offer is practical rather than warm, but it gives Hadrik a clear road toward repair. Genova's bleeding hand remains between them, proof that trust still has a cost.
Hadrik
Then I will bring them, lawfully, and place them before your elders. Not as payment for forgiveness, but as proof that I understand whose winter needs come first.
Hadrik
She could have called me a trespasser and left me with that name. Instead, she has told me how to answer for it.
His shoulders ease. The promise does not erase his trespass, but it makes his account more useful: he now offers both a witness's testimony and a hunter's willingness to repair the harm.
Hadrik
I know a sheltered valley beyond the human road where the herds pass before snow. I will hunt there alone, and bring every pelt to your boundary wardens. Will that be enough for your elders to hear me without hatred?
“"yes, it will, and in fact by doing that you would potentially be allowed back on lands with our blessing, you could be allowed to hunt so long as you share the materials with us if we ask of it" "the children of the tribe however would more than likely want to hug you" "my tribe elders would see you doing that for our children as noble" "i would see it as noble as well given me and my husband are trying to have our first child as well"”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
Genova
Yes, that would be enough. If you bring the pelts lawfully, my elders might bless your return to our lands. You could hunt here again, provided you share materials when we ask. The children would likely hug you. My elders would call that noble, and so would I. My husband and I are trying to have our first child as well.
The admission settles between them, more personal than any bargain over hides. Genova's wounded hand remains near her bow, but her offer has become a path back rather than merely a debt.
Hadrik
Then I will remember that children may judge a hunter by what he gives them, not only by where he first went wrong.
Hadrik
She trusted me with a hope meant for her own household. I will not turn that trust into another concealed truth.
Hadrik
I will give the wardens the valley's name, its trail, and the season the herds cross it. They can verify every pelt before it reaches your elders.
His account gains a useful shape: not only a witness to the forged mark, but a hunter offering verifiable restitution. The shrine falls quiet around them, and Hadrik waits without pressing his promise.
Hadrik
When your child comes, will you tell them that one frightened hunter learned how to make amends?