Music and conversation soften around a secluded table in Rostrum’s crowded pub. Traver remains at the infirmary under Rachel’s care, while Belron, Alena, and Ezuri share the quiet corner.
Ezuri
There, handsome. No patrol captain, no hunter, and no worried healer hovering over us. Almost like we are free to choose our own road.
Alena Knight
After the shrine, what do you want our life to become, Belron? Not merely the next danger or the next person who needs saving.
Alena rests both hands around her cup, watching him with open sincerity. Candlelight warms her face, while Ezuri leans back with a mischievous smile.
Ezuri
My vision is better. We travel together, take interesting work, explore forgotten places, and earn enough coin to sleep somewhere comfortable afterward.
Ezuri
No vows, no cages, no deciding that one person must carry everyone’s burdens. Just companions who choose the road again each morning.
Alena Knight
That sounds appealing, Ezuri, but shared work still needs shared trust. I want a life where we can choose adventure without losing sight of one another.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a shared plan for traveling with Alena and Ezuri
“I would like to travel with you, I enjoy being in this party. Though another part of me also yearns to start a family again."”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +2)
Belron Valerion
I would like to travel with you. I enjoy being part of this party, though another part of me yearns to start a family again.
The words settle beneath the pub’s music. Alena Knight’s expression softens, while Ezuri’s teasing smile fades into attentive quiet.
Alena Knight
Thank you for trusting us with that, Belron. Wanting a family does not make you weak, and it does not require you to abandon the life we are building on the road.
Ezuri
I enjoy having you with us too, handsome. A family can take many forms, though I understand you may mean something deeper than traveling companions.
Ezuri glances toward Alena Knight, choosing honesty over provocation. Alena Knight reaches across the table and rests her hand near Belron’s, leaving the choice of contact to him.
Alena Knight
I cannot promise what our future will become, but I can promise this: I will not treat your hope as something shameful. We can speak about it honestly.
Ezuri
And if you keep choosing this party, we will keep choosing you. The shrine can be our next road, but it need not be the end of the journey.
Quest Complete
Establish a shared plan for traveling with Alena and Ezuri
“Belron takes Alena's hand and finishes his beer. This was the perfect night. "Perhaps we should retire for the evening? A long day ahead of us tomorrow."”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +1)
Belron takes Alena’s hand across the table, then lifts the borrowed tavern cup and finishes the last of his beer. The evening’s warmth lingers between them.
Belron Valerion
Perhaps we should retire for the evening? A long day lies ahead of us tomorrow.
Alena Knight
Yes. Traver is stable, the shrine awaits, and I would rather meet tomorrow rested than stumble into it exhausted.
Alena’s fingers close around Belron’s hand. Across the table, Ezuri studies their joined hands, her green eyes bright with amusement rather than offense.
Ezuri
Retire already, handsome? I thought a perfect night deserved at least one more memorable story.
Alena Knight
You may tell it while we walk back, Ezuri. Quietly, if you can manage that.
Ezuri rises with a theatrical sigh and gathers her cloak. The pub’s music swells behind them as Alena remains beside Belron, ready to leave for the infirmary and tomorrow’s road.
“They walk back to the inn together where Ezuri playfully ask Belron if he wants to sleep in her bed tonight.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +1)
They walk together through Rostrum’s lamplit streets, leaving the pub’s music behind. Belron reaches the inn without trouble, with Alena at one side and Ezuri at the other.
Ezuri
So, handsome, would you like to sleep in my bed tonight? It is warmer than the inn’s common rooms, and I promise to behave badly only in conversation.
Ezuri’s green eyes gleam with mischief as she leans closer to Belron’s shoulder. Alena slows beside them, her expression composed but suddenly attentive.
Alena Knight
That is a generous invitation, Ezuri. Perhaps you should also mention whether Belron has any say in how memorable your hospitality becomes.
Ezuri
Of course he does. I am asking him, not claiming him. Though I admit, I hoped you might look a little jealous.
They enter the inn’s warm common hall. The keeper, a middle-aged woman with a sturdy build, warm brown skin, and a russet vest over a cream shirt, points them toward the rented rooms, while Ezuri waits with playful patience and Alena watches Belron’s answer.
“The Innkeeper tells them there is only two rooms available so Belron will have to share with one of them.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -2)
The innkeeper checks her ledger beneath the common hall’s warm lamplight, then counts the brass keys hanging behind her with a doubtful frown.
Innkeeper
I have only two rooms left. One for the elf, one for the young woman, and Belron will need to share with one of you.
She spends several moments comparing the ledger to her keys, delaying the arrangement while the crowded inn murmurs around them. At last, she sets two keys on the counter.
Ezuri
Well, handsome, that sounds wonderfully convenient. I would be delighted to share, provided Alena does not object.
Alena Knight
I object only if either of you treats a shared room as permission to ignore Belron’s choice. He should decide who he is comfortable with.
The innkeeper explains that both rooms are clean, though she cannot yet say which has the quieter neighbors. The choice remains open, but Belron must share tonight.
Innkeeper
Choose between them when you are ready. I will hold both rooms for a little while, but I cannot keep the keys waiting all night.
“"Would you be comfortable sharing a bed with me Alena or should I stay with Ezuri?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +0)
Belron Valerion
Would you be comfortable sharing a bed with me, Alena, or should I stay with Ezuri?
The question quiets the counter between them. Alena’s almond-colored eyes flick toward Ezuri, then return to Belron as the inn’s murmurs continue around their small circle.
Alena Knight
I would be comfortable sharing with you, Belron, if that is what you want. I trust you, and I would rather you ask me plainly than guess.
Ezuri
Well, handsome, there goes my chance to provide the warmer room. Still, I did say the choice was his, and I meant it.
Alena Knight
Ezuri, you may have the other room tonight. We should keep this simple, especially with the shrine waiting in the morning.
Alena accepts one of the keys from the innkeeper and offers her hand to Belron. Ezuri takes the second key with a theatrical sigh, her amusement undimmed.
Ezuri
Very well. But if either of you tells a charming story without me, I expect a full account at breakfast.
“Belron and Alena retreat to the room and lay down.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled -2)
Alena leads Belron upstairs with their key, keeping close as the inn’s crowded hall gives way to a quiet corridor. He catches his shoulder against the doorframe, scraping skin before they enter.
Inside, the room holds a narrow bed, a washstand, and a small shuttered window overlooking Rostrum’s lanterns. Alena sets the key aside and checks the reddened scrape.
Alena Knight
That is what I get for hurrying you along. Sit still a moment, Belron. It is only a scrape, but I would rather tend it now.
She dampens a cloth and gently cleans his shoulder, then folds the blanket back. Belron and Alena lie down together, leaving space between them until the room’s quiet settles.
Alena Knight
There. Better. Tomorrow, we check on Traver first, then speak with Ezuri about the western road if Rachel still approves our leaving.
Alena rests on her side facing him, her hand near his but not claiming it. From below, Ezuri’s laughter briefly rises through the floorboards, followed by fading footsteps.
Alena Knight
He chose to share this quiet with me. I should protect the trust between us as carefully as he protects everyone else.
“Belron takes her hand and slides closer to her, wanting to share a kiss”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled -2)
Belron takes Alena’s hand and slides closer across the narrow bed. He pauses only long enough to let her read his intention, then leans in.
Alena Knight
Belron, you do not have to ask twice.
Alena closes the remaining space and meets his mouth in a gentle kiss. Her fingers tighten around his, answering the desire he has shown without hesitation.
Alena Knight
He is choosing me tonight, and that makes this trust more precious, not less fragile.
When the kiss ends, Alena remains close, her forehead resting lightly against his. The inn is quiet except for distant footsteps and the muted city beyond the shutter.
Alena Knight
I wanted that too. But it changes what we owe each other. No guessing, no pretending, and no promises made simply because the night feels gentle.
Her hand stays in his, but the tenderness now carries a clear cost: Alena’s trust requires greater honesty, and their quiet room can no longer shelter uncertainty between them.
“They cuddle together and fall asleep.”
Belron gathers Alena gently against him, and she settles beneath his arm with her head resting near his shoulder. The narrow bed grows warm around them.
Alena Knight
Good night, Belron. Stay close, if you want. I am comfortable here.
Alena’s hand rests over his, her fingers loosely entwined with his. Her breathing gradually steadies as the inn’s distant sounds fade beyond the shuttered window.
Belron Valerion
Her breathing is slow and even.
Alena Knight
Tomorrow will bring the shrine and its uncertain road, but tonight he is here beside me.
Wrapped together beneath the blanket, Belron and Alena drift into peaceful sleep. Rostrum’s lantern glow slips through the shutters while the quiet room holds their shared warmth.
− Story Quest Removed
Determine what is moving beneath the trees