Rainwater drips from the yew in steady threads. The garden gate remains barred, while the castle steward watches from the covered passage, half-hidden by shadow.
Maurice Headsman
I will risk my life against the Baron’s men, his hired blades, and any lawful challenge aimed at reaching you. I will not risk the Duchess’s household recklessly.
Maurice Headsman
I will refuse orders that make you a prisoner, a bargaining piece, or a weapon for someone else’s cause. Guarding you does not mean commanding you.
Maurice keeps his broad back toward the gate, but his attention returns often to Elianor. The rain darkens his cloak and beads along his shaved head.
Maurice Headsman
The priest at the old chapel was called Father Ceredan by one of the attackers. An elderly man, they said, with a scar across his cheek and a voice trained for judgment.
Maurice Headsman
I do not know whether he serves the Baron willingly. I know only that the men expected him to recognize the silver mark, and feared disappointing him.
the castle steward
Then the chapel may hold a witness, a conspirator, or bait. Choose carefully, both of you. I can keep this gate secure, but not forever.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn Father Ceredan's role in the Baron's capture order
“I ask Maurice what route reaches the old chapel beyond Blackmere.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Elianor Vale
Maurice, what route reaches the old chapel beyond Blackmere?
Maurice turns from the barred gate. Rain glints on his shaved head as he studies the garden wall, tracing the journey in his mind.
Maurice Headsman
Take the north road from the castle, then leave it where the alder marsh begins. A raised stone causeway crosses Blackmere’s wet ground.
Maurice Headsman
Follow the causeway west to a ruined tollhouse. From there, a narrow track climbs through birches to the chapel. It is the safest route for a traveler on foot.
He points beyond the garden wall, first toward the castle’s northern roofs, then toward the low country hidden beneath rain. His directions are precise, with no uncertainty.
the castle steward
The north road passes within sight of the outer watchtower. If you leave openly, I can arrange a household cart and a proper reason for your journey.
Maurice Headsman
The cart would shorten the marsh crossing. We should depart by the servants’ postern after dusk, when the tower guard changes. The route is known, and now so are our options.
“I ask the steward to arrange concealed transport”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Elianor Vale
Steward, arrange concealed transport through the servants’ postern. I want the cart and a lawful reason ready for our departure.
The castle steward leaves the covered passage and approaches the gate, lowering his voice beneath the rain. His wary glance passes from Elianor to Maurice and back.
the castle steward
I can do it. A covered household cart will carry provisions north, and your presence will be entered as a healing visit to a tenant family.
He takes a small brass key from his coat and closes his fingers around it. The arrangement costs him more than secrecy: the household’s spare cart and two days of stores will be committed.
the castle steward
The cart leaves after dusk, during the watch change. I will send word to the postern keeper and keep your names out of the written manifest.
Maurice Headsman
That gives us cover, but the empty stores may be noticed. If the Baron’s men question the household, someone will remember this journey.
The castle steward nods grimly and turns toward the castle doors. Beyond the garden wall, the watchtower bell marks the passing hour, while the promised cart waits to be prepared.
“we make our way to the old chapel in a cart”
FAILURE (Mediocre Survival, rolled +1)
After dusk, Elianor and Maurice reach the servants’ postern beneath the watchtower’s changing bell. Rain has thinned to mist, and the passage smells of wet straw.
The covered household cart is not waiting beyond the postern. A stable boy has taken it toward the tenant road with the provisions, leaving only fresh wheel ruts and a locked shed.
Maurice Headsman
We cannot follow those tracks without knowing whether the cart carries our cover or has already passed the marsh. The chapel will not wait for certainty.
the castle steward
The cart was released early. The postern keeper thought the tenant visit urgent and sent it ahead before my final word reached him.
The castle steward unlocks the shed, revealing harness and empty traces, but no spare cart. Beyond the postern, the north road disappears into mist toward the watchtower.
Maurice Headsman
The ruts show the driver took the north road, not the marsh track. We can reach the ruined tollhouse on foot and intercept the cart there, or use its trail to confirm the chapel road.
The intended journey by cart has failed before departure, but the visible wheel marks offer a choice: follow the cart toward the tollhouse, or abandon the road’s cover and seek another passage.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Maurice's agreement to proceed despite the lost cart
“I ask Maurice to proceed with me despite the lost cart and mist.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Elianor Vale
Maurice, proceed with me. We will follow the road despite the lost cart and the mist.
Maurice Headsman
Then we go on foot. The cart’s ruts give us a bearing, and the mist gives us cover from the watchtower.
Maurice Headsman steps through the postern first, testing the slick stones before placing his full weight. The mist folds around his dark cloak, swallowing the road beyond a few paces.
the castle steward
Keep to the wheel marks until the alder marsh. If the cart has stopped at the tollhouse, you may still reclaim your lawful cover.
The castle steward remains beneath the postern arch, brass key clenched in one hand. Behind him, the locked shed and empty harness mark the journey that failed before it began.
Maurice Headsman
Stay close enough to hear me, but do not step where the ruts break apart. Wet ground hides holes, and the Baron’s men may have used this road before us.
Maurice Headsman leads north along the fresh tracks, broad shoulders hunched against the damp. Elianor follows into the mist, and the servants’ postern closes quietly behind them.
Quest Complete
Secure Maurice's agreement to proceed despite the lost cart