Nocturne and Seraphine emerge onto the mountain gate road, where black stone terraces overlook a vast valley drowned in stormlight. Wind carries snow, iron, and the fading scent of dragonfire.
Nocturne still grips Seraphine's arm as the passage seals behind them in a shower of pale sparks. Above the road, ancient gate-pillars groan beneath veins of blue magic.
The Roadwarden
Seraphine Vaelcaryn. I bring a sealed command from your house. It concerns your immediate duties, and the road below is still open.
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
Then open the road and keep the command sealed. We descend now, before this mountain remembers another claim upon me.
The Roadwarden lowers his covered lantern. Its shuttered glow reveals a wax seal bearing House Vaelcaryn's silver hawk, unbroken despite the mountain's magic.
The Roadwarden
As you wish. But the seal bears a second mark, one I have never seen. Someone in your house expected this night to end differently.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a safe descent from the mountain
“I could try and teleport us to your estate young miss. If what your being called for is so urgent. *I raise my and and attempt to cast a spell only for the magic to fizzle out moments later* ... you have got to be fucking kidding me.”
SUCCESS (Great Magic, rolled +1)
Nocturne
I could teleport us to your estate, young miss, if what summons you is so urgent.
Nocturne raises his gauntleted hand. The unfamiliar mark on the sealed command flares, and the blue veins in the gate-pillars answer.
The road folds into a ring of white fire. Wind, snow, and dragonfire vanish from around Nocturne and Seraphine.
They arrive together in the moonlit forecourt of House Vaelcaryn, before its iron gates. Nocturne's scorched mithril gauntlet still smolders faintly.
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
You carried us cleanly across the mountain. I owe you more than thanks, Nocturne.
The Roadwarden
The road is secured, but the second mark crossed the threshold with them.
The sealed command lies between Seraphine's fingers. Its silver hawk remains unbroken, while the unfamiliar mark slowly darkens, pointing toward the manor doors.
Seraphine Vaelcaryn
That mark was not on any command I was meant to receive. Will you stand with me while I open it, or will you leave me to face what waits inside?
Learn the truth behind the sealed command
Quest Complete
Secure a safe descent from the mountain