The courtyard remains crowded with King Theodan, Valia, Hildra, the Grathan rider, guards, and the clerk when Tilla Valren bursts through the eastern gate, breathless and pale.
Tilla Valren
Beareth! I heard you were wounded. I came as quickly as I could.
Before Tilla can explain what she found beyond the outer approach, black frost crawls across the eastern stones. Horned demons descend over the winter hall, scattering guards and sending witnesses scrambling.
Hildra Wulfharth
Demons. Father has sent for me, and I will not let the crown take what remains of our house.
the horned demon leader
Hildra Wulfharth, daughter of the southern bloodline, return to House Wulfharth. Abandon this court, or its records and witnesses will be silenced.
A demon’s shadow sweeps over Valia’s warded tome, while another tears through the guard line. Theodan raises a hand, ordering the royal records carried behind the inner wards.
Tilla Valren
They are not here merely to reclaim Hildra. They mean to destroy every witness who can connect your family to these commands.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the crown’s evidence from demonic seizure
✓ Quest Accepted
Save the crown’s witnesses from the horned demons
“Drawing my Sword I move towards Valia, Hildra may escape but the Wulfharth tome can not be lost”
SUCCESS (Fair Agility, rolled +1)
Beareth draws his sword and advances through the scattered guards toward Valia. Stormlight gathers along the blade as black frost cracks beneath his boots.
Valia Wulfharth
The tome is still sealed. I will hold the ward, but I need you between it and them.
Beareth reaches Valia’s side, placing himself between her and the descending shadows. His sword’s charged edge brightens, forcing the nearest demon to veer away from the warded alcove.
the horned demon leader
You choose parchment over blood, young Wulfharth. Your sister understands the strength of returning home.
Hildra looks from Beareth to the sealed tome, then toward the eastern breach. Under the demons’ summons, she withdraws into the storm rather than cross the royal guards again.
Valia Wulfharth
She is gone, but the evidence remains. Keep them from this circle, Beareth. The crown’s record must survive.
Valia’s runes flare around the tome as demons close through the snow. Beareth stands guard at the circle’s edge, sword raised, while Theodan orders the witnesses behind the inner wards.
Quest Complete
Keep the crown’s evidence from demonic seizure