Rachel receives Traver inside Rostrum’s healing district, while Captain Gallahar remains at the gatehouse to confront the Hunter Guild and the patrol captain. Ezuri stays behind, watching the dispute with sharp curiosity.
Alena leads Belron through a narrow arch into a walled garden, leaving guards, wagons, and witnesses beyond the ivy-covered stones. Herbs perfume the quiet air.
Alena Knight
I wanted one moment where no one was watching you as a threat, a weapon, or a problem to be contained.
Alena stops beside a dry fountain, her warm expression turning thoughtful. Beyond the wall, muffled voices argue over Traver’s custody and Belron’s identity.
Alena Knight
Your protection changed my life, Belron. I would still be searching alone, and perhaps lost, if you had not left the Old Wood with me.
Alena Knight
But I do not want Rostrum to become another place where you only protect someone else. What do you hope to find here for yourself?
She gives him the silence to answer, standing beneath the garden’s pale blossoms while sunlight and shadow shift across the enclosing walls.
“"That is a tough question Alena. I guess I hope to find a reason not to return to the old wood. A reason to reconnect with the world. A future, one filled with happiness I never thought I would have a chance at."”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
Belron Valerion
That is a tough question, Alena. I hope to find a reason not to return to the Old Wood, and a reason to reconnect with the world. A future filled with happiness I never thought I would have a chance at.
The words leave Belron quieter than intended. His composure falters for one visible breath, and he looks aside as though the hope itself has cost him something to admit.
Alena Knight
Then you have found the beginning of an answer. Not a duty, not a hiding place, but a future you are allowed to want.
Alena steps closer beside the dry fountain. Beyond the ivy, arguments rise and fade, but within the garden her attention remains entirely on him.
Alena Knight
Rostrum cannot promise happiness, Belron. I cannot promise it either. But you do not have to face the world alone while you discover what might make you stay.
Alena Knight
If you choose to build that future here, I would like to see what it becomes. And I would like to be part of finding it with you.
“Belron stares into her eyes and gently takes her hand. "I have already discovered something that might make me stay, and I would be happy to have her help me find that future." Slowly Belron moves in for a kiss.”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled -2)
Belron Valerion
I have already discovered something that might make me stay, and I would be happy to have your help finding that future.
Belron holds Alena’s gaze and gently takes her hand. He moves slowly, giving her every chance to understand, then kisses her beneath the pale blossoms.
Alena Knight
Then let me help you find it.
Alena returns the kiss, warm and deliberate. When she draws back, her fingers remain intertwined with his, but her thoughtful expression restores the garden’s careful honesty.
Alena Knight
That was what I wanted, Belron. But do not mistake it for a promise that I know the ending. I still need us to move honestly, one choice at a time.
Beyond the ivy, voices rise around Traver’s treatment and the Guild’s accusations. Alena’s hand tightens around his, making the cost plain: their tenderness now carries a boundary he must respect.
“Belron nods his understanding. Just then Ezuri enters the garden.”
Belron nods, accepting Alena’s boundary without argument. Their joined hands remain between them as the garden’s quiet gives way to approaching footsteps beyond the ivy.
Ezuri slips through the archway, red hair bright against the garden’s muted stone. She pauses at the sight of their intertwined fingers, then wears a knowing smile.
Ezuri
There you are, handsome. I was beginning to think Rostrum had hidden you away somewhere private.
Alena’s fingers remain linked with Belron’s. She turns toward Ezuri with calm composure, though the warmth in her eyes carries a quiet warning against turning tenderness into sport.
Alena Knight
We were having a private conversation, Ezuri. You may join us, but do not expect to direct it.
Ezuri
Direct it? Never. I only wanted to see whether our handsome werewolf had found a reason to smile in this gloomy city.
Ezuri steps nearer with an exaggerated innocence, and Alena’s expression softens despite herself. Beyond the wall, the city’s disputes continue, but the garden remains peaceful.
“"I have found a reason to smile indeed."”
FAILURE (Fair No roll, rolled -1)
Belron Valerion
I have found a reason to smile indeed.
Belron’s words are quiet, but Ezuri’s knowing smile widens. Alena’s fingers remain linked with his, and the garden’s tenderness becomes suddenly visible between all three of them.
Ezuri
Have you? Then surely you can tell me whether that reason is standing beside you, or holding your hand.
Alena Knight
Ezuri, you heard him. Do not turn a private truth into another test of my patience.
Ezuri lifts both hands in surrender, though amusement still brightens her green eyes. Her question has drawn the answer into the open without allowing Belron’s quiet meaning to remain solely his and Alena’s.
Ezuri
Very well. I will not make him name it. But I reserve the right to wonder whether a reason to smile might discover another one.
Alena Knight
Wonder if you like, Ezuri. Just remember that what happens between Belron and me is ours to choose.
“Ezuri smiles and teasingly ask if there is room for a third.”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +2)
Ezuri
Ezuri’s smile turns impish. “If there is room for a third, I could make this quiet garden considerably more interesting.”
She gestures lightly toward their joined hands, making the tease unmistakable without reaching for either of them. Her green eyes stay on Alena, waiting for the reaction.
Alena Knight
“There is room for conversation, Ezuri. There is not room for you to decide what Belron and I are.”
Ezuri
“A fair distinction. Then I will ask properly. May I share the garden with you both, without pretending I can claim either of you?”
Alena studies her for a moment, then glances at Belron’s hand in hers. The tension softens as Ezuri’s teasing gives way to an honest invitation.
Alena Knight
“You may stay, Ezuri. But kindness is not permission to turn this into a contest.”
Ezuri
“Agreed. I can be charming without being cruel.”
“"What will you do now Ezuri? We have made it to the city, what will all of our next adventure be?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +2)
Belron Valerion
What will you do now, Ezuri? We have made it to the city. What will our next adventure be?
Ezuri
Our next adventure? I like the sound of that, handsome. Rostrum is full of abandoned roads, forgotten ruins, and people willing to pay for a ranger’s talents.
Ezuri’s smile turns bright with possibility. She glances toward Alena, clearly enjoying the chance to suggest a journey that might keep Belron close without turning the moment into a contest.
Alena Knight
If the work is honest and does not pull us away from Traver’s recovery, I would hear her proposal. Belron deserves an adventure chosen for more than survival.
Ezuri
Then let us begin with the city’s notice boards. I know a merchant seeking escorts, a scholar searching for a lost woodland shrine, and a village troubled by strange lights.
Ezuri
We can choose together. Though if you want my personal recommendation, handsome, take me into the woods and let me show you a place no map remembers.
Alena gives Ezuri a measured look, then keeps her hand linked with Belron’s. Beyond the garden, Rostrum opens before them, offering several paths and no demand that they choose alone.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find the lost woodland shrine
“"Perhaps we should investigate the woodland shrine. Why would you want to take me to a place in the woods no map remembers?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +1)
Belron Valerion
Perhaps we should investigate the woodland shrine. Why would you want to take me to a place no map remembers?
Ezuri
Because the shrine was built by elves before Rostrum’s walls stood. Its guardians vanished, but its spring still cures certain wounds, and old records may name roads lost to war.
Ezuri’s playful expression settles into earnestness. She points beyond the garden walls, toward the forested hills beyond Rostrum, where the forgotten shrine lies hidden.
Ezuri
I want to take you there because I believe it can help us understand the oldest paths through Etheldren. More plainly, I want to share a real adventure with you, not merely flirt beside a city gate.
Alena Knight
That is a better reason than your earlier invitation suggested. If the shrine can help Traver or reveal a safer road, I support investigating it.
Ezuri smiles, pleased that honesty has won her ground. She describes the shrine’s location clearly, and the route is now known: two days west through the old forest road.
Ezuri
We can leave once Traver is stable. I will guide you to the shrine, and I promise the place will offer more than forgotten stones.
“"Very well, let us check on Traver then and see if he is stable. If so we can head out tomorrow morning." The three head off to the infirmary to see Traver.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -1)
Belron Valerion
Very well. Let us check on Traver and see if he is stable. If he is, we can leave tomorrow morning.
Belron, Alena, and Ezuri leave the garden and cross Rostrum’s healing district. Belron’s keen senses catch the steady rhythm of Traver Knight’s breathing before they reach the infirmary.
Ezuri
A practical adventure, handsome. I admit, I expected our first city expedition to involve more forgotten magic and fewer worried faces.
Alena Knight
Traver comes first. Once Rachel confirms he is stable, we can make proper plans for the shrine.
Rachel meets them beside Traver Knight’s bed, her glasses catching the lamplight as she checks his pulse and the dressing around his wound. His fever has eased, and his breathing is regular.
Rachel
He is stable for now. The treatment is working, but he needs rest and observation tonight. You may travel tomorrow if he remains unchanged.
Ezuri
Then tomorrow we follow the old forest road west. Try to sleep, handsome. I intend to make our shrine adventure memorable.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Rachel’s approval for tomorrow’s departure
“"You make things memorable no doubt. Perhaps we should all go to a pub tonight? I have no had a beer in a long time."”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +0)
Belron Valerion
You make things memorable, no doubt. Perhaps we should all go to a pub tonight? I have not had a beer in a long time.
Ezuri’s eyes brighten at once, while Alena glances toward Traver’s bed and then back to Belron. The invitation eases the infirmary’s serious mood.
Ezuri
A pub, handsome? Now that is an adventure I can support. I know a lively one nearby, with decent music and excellent cider.
Alena Knight
I would like that. Rachel says Traver needs rest, but we can remain close and return quickly if his condition changes.
Rachel
He is stable enough for you to step out. Keep the evening peaceful, and have someone check on him before you leave.
Ezuri slips an arm through Belron’s, smiling as though she has won a private game. Alena takes his other side, calm but watchful, and the three leave together.
Ezuri
Come along, handsome. I intend to discover whether your taste in beer is as serious as your taste in company.
Quest Complete
Secure Rachel’s approval for tomorrow’s departure