Reed is halted on the worn arena stairs, cloak drawn tight. The Council Woman stands at one side, pale with certainty, while a tall hooded figure blocks the landing, silver-tipped staff humming softly in his hand.
The blindfold does not hide where he is listening.
Council Woman
This is him. The marked entrant.
The Inquisitor
No. This is the one the wards keep tasting.
He angles his head straight at Reed, though his eyes remain covered. The staff’s hum deepens, and the air around the stair rail prickles like stormlight.
The Inquisitor
Step closer, and let the seal answer for itself.
From below, the Registrar and the Attendant freeze in place. The Council Guard shifts his grip, but does not yet move. Reed stands at the center of their attention, one step from the landing.
✓ Quest Accepted
Evade the Inquisitor’s detection