Dawn pales between the pines. Belron awakens with Ezuri snuggled against him, her injured shoulder carefully supported, while Alena rests nearby beside the sealed spring-water bottles.
A breathless young woman emerges along the forest track, wearing a mud-spattered blue-and-gold tabard over a travel cloak. Her pale face is flushed, and a silver royal seal hangs at her throat.
Mara
Belron Valerion? I bring urgent word from Rostrum. Queen Celene has fallen gravely ill, and Rachel says this spring water may be her only known chance.
Alena wakes fully and reaches for the nearest bottle. Ezuri sits upright with care, keeping her bandaged shoulder supported as the messenger struggles to catch her breath.
Alena
This water was meant for Traver. We must preserve enough for his treatments, but if the queen is dying, we cannot delay carrying the rest to her.
Ezuri
Then we travel quickly, handsome, and guard every drop. I can manage the road, even if my shoulder objects to the pace.
Mara
The palace physicians are waiting. How much can you spare for the queen, and who will carry it to Rostrum?
“"Alena will carry it. She has the gentlest hands."”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +1)
Belron Valerion
Alena will carry it. She has the gentlest hands.
Belron offers the sealed bottles toward Alena. She accepts them carefully, securing one inside her cloak and the other against her pack, where neither will jostle during the journey.
Alena
I will guard every drop. One bottle can go to the queen, and we will keep the other for Traver’s treatment.
Mara
That is more than I dared hope. The palace will accept your judgment, and I will make certain the physicians know how carefully it was gathered.
Ezuri rises and adjusts her cloak around the bandaged shoulder. She checks the forest track, then gestures toward Rostrum, ready to lead the quickest safe route back.
Ezuri
Then let us move, handsome. Alena carries the remedy, and I will make sure no branch, beast, or foolish detour delays her.
The messenger falls into step beside them, visibly relieved. Alena keeps the bottles close as the party leaves the hollow and turns south toward Rostrum’s walls.
“As the Travel Belron catches himself staring at Ezuris butt and shakes his head. Her flirting was starting to get to him.”
The party follows the forest track south, morning light slipping between the pines. Belron keeps pace beside Alena while Ezuri walks ahead, her red hair bright against the green shadows.
Belron catches himself staring at Ezuri’s figure as she navigates a low branch. He shakes his head and fixes his attention on the trail, though her earlier flirting has clearly begun to affect him.
Belron Valerion
Ezuri’s flirting is beginning to distract me.
Ezuri
Careful, handsome. If you keep looking at me like that, I may start believing you enjoy the view.
Ezuri glances back with a knowing smile but does not slow the group. Alena notices the exchange, then checks the bottle secured beneath her cloak before continuing toward Rostrum.
Alena
Keep your eyes on the road, both of you. The queen’s remedy still needs to reach Rostrum safely.
Mara
The western gate should be ahead before noon. Once we arrive, I will take the queen’s bottle directly to the palace physicians.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hand the queen’s bottle to the royal messenger
Belron Valerion leaves Forest Track behind and arrives at the palace.
“They arrive at the palace and Alena hands the messenger the bottle. They wait to hear if the water healed her.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +1)
The palace gates stand open beneath Etheldren’s blue banners. Inside, polished stone corridors carry hurried footsteps and the sharp scent of herbs toward the royal chambers.
Alena crosses the marble receiving hall and places one sealed bottle into the messenger’s hands. Ezuri stays near Belron, watching the palace doors while the messenger hurries inside.
Mara
I will deliver it directly to the physicians. With this much, they can treat Her Majesty immediately.
Time stretches beneath the vaulted ceiling. Servants carry basins and folded cloth through the chamber, while Alena keeps the second bottle secured against her pack for Traver.
Ezuri
If the palace keeps us waiting much longer, handsome, I may have to charm an answer out of someone.
The chamber doors open at last. Mara, a young adult woman with a slim build, dark braided hair, warm brown skin, and a pale blue palace dress with a narrow gold circlet emerges breathless again, but this time tears of relief shine on her face as bells begin ringing through the palace.
Mara
Queen Celene is awake, and her fever has broken. The physicians call it a remarkable recovery. She wishes to thank you herself, and the palace will provide whatever Traver needs.
Quest Complete
Hand the queen’s bottle to the royal messenger