The music falters as a mud-spattered young man rushes from the menagerie passage. Marek Sorn is slight and pale, with wet brown hair, a torn blue courier's coat, and a red scarf knotted at his throat.
Marek Sorn
Your Highness, the elder prince has been hurt near the animal pens. I cannot say yet whether it was an accident, an attack, or something arranged.
The last notes of the dance fade beneath startled whispers. Katarina remains beside Kaelen, one hand near her belt, while the green-sleeved courtier turns sharply toward the messenger.
The Green-Sleeved Courtier
Marek. You were sent for a physician, not to spread uncertainty through the gallery.
Marek Sorn
I was sent to bring word before the household heard it from anyone else. The prince's guards are sealing the pens, and no one knows whom to trust.
Katarina
The report reaches us too quickly to be simple concern. Someone wants the court watching Kaelen's answer.
Around them, nobles stop pretending to admire the lanterns. The courtier's hand closes around his silver-headed cane as every nearby gaze settles on Kaelen, awaiting his response.
✓ Quest Accepted
Verify the cause of the elder prince's injury
“"Marek get the physician now." *I command as I walk towards the animal pens.* "Katarina. Courtier. Follow my brother's clearly been injured and I do not know by who. We need to ensure that he receives healing as quickly as possible do either of you know how to heal?"”
SUCCESS (Great Oratory, rolled +0)
Kaelen Winterhide
Marek, get the physician now. Katarina, courtier, follow. My brother is injured, and I do not know by whom. We must get him healing quickly. Do either of you know how to heal?
Kaelen turns toward the animal pens, armor ringing across the gallery. Marek bows once and runs for the physicians' quarters, his wet scarf streaming behind him.
Katarina
I know enough to bind wounds, stop bleeding, and keep a patient steady until a physician arrives. I will come with you.
The Green-Sleeved Courtier
I am no healer, Your Highness. But I know the household protocols, and I can order the guards to admit the physician without delay.
Katarina falls into step at Kaelen's side, while the courtier follows with his cane striking sharply against the floor. The surrounding nobles part before them.
Marek Sorn
The physician will be sent directly to the pens, Your Highness. I will bring him by the shortest passage.
Ahead, iron gates stand open beneath the menagerie lanterns. Guards cluster beyond them, and the smell of disturbed hay carries into the gallery as Kaelen reaches the passage.
“"Watch for an assassing you two." *I softly whispered.* "That felt too quick and a proper servant would've gathered a physician first." *continued walking with them.* "Katarina I will assist you in the binding of wounds, but I will rely on you heavily on this since I only know minor wound care."”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled -1)
Kaelen Winterhide
Watch for an assassin, you two. That felt too quick, and a proper servant would have gathered a physician first.
Kaelen continues through the open gate, scanning shadows, guard hands, and the narrow spaces between iron bars. No hidden figure moves, but the silence feels carefully held.
Kaelen Winterhide
Katarina, I will assist you in binding the wounds, but I will rely on you heavily. I know only minor wound care.
Katarina
Then do exactly as I tell you, and you will help more than enough. Keep your hands steady and watch his breathing.
The Green-Sleeved Courtier
Guards, search the passage and admit no one without my order. Marek's haste may have been loyal, but haste is not proof of innocence.
They reach the disturbed enclosure, where the elder prince lies supported against a folded cloak. Katarina kneels, directs Kaelen's hands, and together they bind the visible wounds with clean linen.
Katarina
There. The bleeding is controlled until the physician arrives. Kaelen, keep watching the gates. Whoever arranged this may still be listening.
✓ Quest Accepted
Uncover who arranged the elder prince's injury
“"Katarina and Courtier can you assist with identifying his wound? It looks to be a blade to me. Brother do you know who did to you?" *I assist Katarina in banging relying on her expertise.*”
FAILURE (Poor Medicine, rolled +1)
Kaelen Winterhide
Katarina, Courtier, can you assist in identifying his wound? It looks to be a blade. Brother, do you know who did this?
Kaelen bends beside Katarina and follows her instructions, but the clean linen already used is exhausted. His gauntleted fingers meet only stained cloth as the dressing loosens.
Katarina
Hold him steady, Kaelen. Do not lift the binding. The wound is narrow and deep, but without fresh linen I cannot properly expose it.
The Green-Sleeved Courtier
The cut is made by a slender blade, likely thrust from close range. The torn coat shows the point entered from the prince's left.
The elder prince's eyes open beneath a strained brow. Kaelen's question reaches him, but pain and blood loss blunt his answer before it becomes useful.
The Elder Prince
I saw... a dark sleeve. No face. The blade came from beside the gate.
Katarina
That is enough to change our search. We need the gate examined, not the whole enclosure. Keep him still while the physician is found.
Quest Complete
Establish mutual boundaries for their loyalty
Attribute Upgrade: Perception Good→Great
“"Once the physician arrives we will make our search." *I continue to keep my brother still as insturcted then begin our searched once they arrive.* "We will find them brother."”
SUCCESS (Great Perception, rolled -2)
Kaelen Winterhide
We will find them, brother.
Kaelen keeps the elder prince still beneath Katarina's precise instructions, bracing his shoulders while the guards hold the gate. His gauntlet scrapes the stone once, a sharp noise that turns several heads.
Katarina
Steady. Keep his weight supported and do not let him twist toward the wound.
An elderly physician with a narrow frame arrives in a brown wool coat, silver spectacles, and a leather case. He kneels, examines the binding, and takes charge without ceremony.
The Physician
The dressing has held. I can treat him here, but he must remain under guard and free of needless movement.
Once the physician replaces the linen and secures the prince, Kaelen rises and searches beside the gate with Katarina. Beneath the hinge, they find a dark wool fiber caught on a splinter and a fresh smear of blood on the iron.
Katarina
There. The sleeve caught here as the attacker withdrew. The guards must seal this place and question everyone who passed through.
Quest Complete
Verify the cause of the elder prince's injury
Attribute Upgrade: Perception Great→Superb