Aelwyn steps outside the Golden Hare into the brightening village lane. Loric follows a pace behind, while Elford remains inside with the breakfast and her basket of spices.
Near the old stone well, a wingless fae man emerges from between two cottages. He is athletic and medium-built, with short onyx-black hair, faintly glowing blue eyes, and a fresh wound beneath his travel-worn coat.
Veldrin keeps one hand pressed to his side. His luminous gaze sweeps across the lanes, the inn door, and the mist-softened fields as though expecting pursuers to appear.
Veldrin
You are the herbalist, yes? Please... can you help me before anyone notices I am here?
Loric’s hand moves near his weapon, though he does not draw it. His attention fixes on Veldrin’s missing wings, then returns to the fae’s guarded face.
Loric
Aelwyn, this stranger is frightened, wounded, and watching the road. We should know whether danger follows him before we bring him closer.
Veldrin
They may already be searching the village. I have no wish to bring harm here, but I cannot remain in the open.
✓ Quest Accepted
Shelter Veldrin from immediate danger and treat his wound
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover who is pursuing Veldrin
“*Aelwyn quickly reached into the pouch on her hip and crouched down in front of the Fae, making quick work of massaging poultice into the wound and sealing it with bandage.* "Is that tight enough for your liking?" *She asked quietly, glancing over her shoulder as she heard footsteps and hoofbeats getting closer.*”
SUCCESS (Good Healing, rolled +0)
Aelwyn drops into a crouch before Veldrin and works swiftly. Poultice fills the wound’s edges, then linen wraps firmly around his side, securing the treatment.
The last of her poultice is spent, leaving only a faint herbal scent on her fingers. From beyond the cottages, footsteps and approaching hoofbeats disturb the morning hush.
Aelwyn
Is that tight enough for your liking?
Veldrin
Yes. It holds, and the pain has dulled. You have my thanks, herbalist.
Veldrin tests the bandage with careful fingers, then straightens despite the ache. His blue eyes sharpen toward the road as the hoofbeats draw nearer.
Loric
The riders are close. Veldrin, can you move? We need somewhere less exposed than this lane.
Veldrin
I can move. But if they see me beside the inn, your village may become part of their search.
“"I'm not one to use magic frequently, but...have they got a mage with them? someone who could sniff it out?" *She asked standing up and buttoning her pouch closed again.*”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Aelwyn rises and buttons her pouch closed, brushing the last herbal dust from her fingers. The approaching hoofbeats grow clearer beyond the cottages.
Aelwyn
I'm not one to use magic frequently, but... have they got a mage with them? Someone who could sniff it out?
Veldrin
Aye. A court-taught spellwright rides with them. He cannot smell my blood, but he can follow the trace of fae magic if I draw upon it.
Veldrin’s luminous eyes flick toward Aelwyn’s pouch, then the inn, weighing every source of shelter against the danger gathering on the road.
Loric
Then we keep his magic quiet and move him somewhere hidden. Elford must know enough to protect the inn, without making the whole village curious.
Veldrin
There is an old root cellar beneath the eastern cottages. Abandoned, I think. If it still stands, its stone may blunt the spellwright’s sight.
“*Aelwyn nodded and began to turn the corner but it was too late. One of the darkly armoured knights chasing Veldrin grasped a handful of her hair and shoved her down into a pile of crates to get her out of the way.* *Aelwyn curled back slightly as the man crouched down briefly to look at her and then turned to Veldrin and Loric.*”
Aelwyn nods and starts around the corner, but a dark-armoured knight reaches her first. The broad-shouldered adult man seizes her hair and shoves her into stacked crates, scattering splinters across the lane.
The knight crouches only long enough to inspect her, his iron visor shadowing a square, bearded face. Satisfied she is no threat, he rises and turns toward Veldrin.
Loric
Take your hands off her.
Loric steps between the knight and the fallen crates, one hand near his sword but leaving it sheathed. His voice stays controlled, though the warmth has vanished from it.
Veldrin
Aelwyn. Stay down. Do not draw their spellwright’s notice.
Veldrin shifts nearer the well, keeping his injured side guarded. The knight squares his shoulders toward him while hoofbeats and mailed footsteps gather behind the cottages.
the dark-armoured knight
Wingless fae. You have nowhere left to run.
“*Aelwyn held the edge of Lorics cloak, hiding her face nervously, she hated conflict, she hated bloodshed it sickened her.*”
SUCCESS (Poor Stealth, rolled +2)
Aelwyn catches the edge of Loric’s cloak and draws it around herself, hiding her face against the worn fabric while the knight’s shadow stretches over the lane.
Loric
Stay behind me, Aelwyn. Do not look at them. I will not let this become your fight.
Loric plants his feet before the crates, cloak held taut where Aelwyn grips it. He keeps his sword sheathed, but his posture leaves no doubt that he will stand his ground.
the dark-armoured knight
Step aside, wanderer. The fae is wanted by order of the crown.
Veldrin
That order is false, or twisted. They hunt me because I survived what they did to me.
More riders enter the lane, their horses stamping beside the cottages. A robed spellwright rides among them, gloved fingers resting on a silver charm as his gaze searches the mist.
Loric
Then show your warrant without advancing. This village is not a hunting ground, and you will not drag an injured man through it.
Quest Complete
Discover who is pursuing Veldrin
Skill Upgrade: Stealth Poor→Mediocre
“*Aelwyn peeked out from behind Lorics cloak to watch the mess unfolding, she could see Elford had come to the door of the Tavern to see what all of the commotion was about.*”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled +1)
Aelwyn peeks from behind Loric’s cloak, keeping her face sheltered while she watches the riders crowd the lane. At the Golden Hare’s doorway, Elford has appeared, his breakfast forgotten.
Elford
What is the meaning of this? Lower those weapons and explain yourselves before you bring trouble to my doorstep.
The riders’ horses stamp and toss their heads. Elford steps fully outside, broad shoulders squared, while villagers gather cautiously behind him beneath the inn’s lintel.
the dark-armoured knight
Stand aside, innkeeper. This concerns crown business. The wingless fae is a fugitive, and we will take him.
Loric
Crown business does not excuse threatening villagers. Show the warrant, and let the injured man speak for himself.
Veldrin
They carry seals, perhaps, but not truth. Elford, sheltering me may endanger your people. I will not ask it lightly.
Elford
You came to my door under Aelwyn’s care, and that earns more than a soldier’s accusation. No one drags anyone from this village without proof.
“*Aelwyn gestured for Veldrin to go into the tavern and sheepishly began following avoiding making eye contact with the knight.*”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +0)
Aelwyn gestures quietly toward the Golden Hare, then follows with her gaze lowered, keeping Loric’s cloak and the inn’s warm doorway between herself and the dark-armoured knight.
Veldrin
Understood. Quickly, but quietly.
Veldrin slips through the doorway, one hand guarding his bandaged side. Elford steps aside to let him pass, his broad frame shielding the entrance from the lane.
Elford
Inside, then. No one lays a hand on a guest beneath my roof.
Aelwyn enters after Veldrin, shoulders slightly hunched beneath the knight’s notice. Loric backs in last, remaining between the threshold and the riders.
Loric
That is enough. We will speak here, where witnesses can hear every word.
The inn’s door settles shut behind them. Hearthlight replaces the hard morning glare, while villagers remain gathered nearby, watching the armoured party through the glassless windows.
Quest Complete
Shelter Veldrin from immediate danger and treat his wound
Attribute Upgrade: Perception Good→Great