The two killers shoulder the marked bale and disappear along the river road, glancing back only once. The silk-route merchant stays beneath a rough warehouse awning, while Comaetho remains alone beside him.
Mud darkens the merchant’s robe as he drags the surviving bales into a huddled stack. He repeatedly checks the road, the river mist, and the empty path behind the warehouse.
The Silk-Route Merchant
You have the look of a man who dislikes unfinished accounts. Ask, then. I will answer what keeps me breathing.
The Silk-Route Merchant
The marked bale was not silk alone. A packet was sewn beneath its inner lining, meant for men who never show their faces.
The Silk-Route Merchant
The debtor? He hauled cargo for me. He stole nothing. The chain was punishment demanded by those who bought my silence.
The Silk-Route Merchant
I never saw their paymaster. Roman coin changed hands through a freedman, and the freedman spoke of a house near the Forum.
The Silk-Route Merchant
If he is truly what the road whispers, perhaps truth is safer than another lie.
✓ Quest Accepted
Uncover who ordered the merchant's silence
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover the hidden packet
“"Your response is sufficiently delivered, merchant. I do not care for the depths of your story." Every word is delivered with the same calm. "I seek passage into the city. I am a traveler. Given you were on your way, you would do well to accompany me, and bring your hidden packet with you."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled +0)
Comaetho
Your response is sufficiently delivered, merchant. I do not care for the depths of your story. I seek passage into the city. I am a traveler. Given you were on your way, you would do well to accompany me, and bring your hidden packet with you.
The silk-route merchant’s mouth closes. Comaetho’s calm does not rise, yet it presses upon the awning like the weight of the river sky, leaving no room for refusal.
The Silk-Route Merchant
Yes. I will accompany you. The packet comes with me, and no word of it leaves my mouth.
He hurries to the nearest bale and tears open its inner lining with a small trade knife. From beneath the silk, he withdraws a waxed leather packet, flat and tightly sewn.
The Silk-Route Merchant
It is here. Hidden, as promised. I will carry it beneath my robe until we reach the city.
The silk-route merchant knots the packet beneath his belt, gathers the remaining bales, and falls into step beside Comaetho. Together they leave the warehouse awning for the road toward Rome, while the river mist closes behind them.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach Rome
“"You are to remain silent until we reach the gates. In accompanying me, you shall speak only when spoken to. Announce the purpose of your delivery to the present guards when we reach them. If they refuse my entry, stay put where you last were and do not interfere by any means with what follows. Disobey me, and I will kill you. If you perform what I have requested successfully, you may leave." I do not look at the merchant as I say this, and retain my calm, even tone.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled -1)
Comaetho
Remain silent until the gates. Speak only when spoken to. Announce the purpose of your delivery to the guards. If they refuse me, stay where you are and do not interfere. Disobey, and I will kill you. Comply, and you may leave.
Comaetho does not look at him. His calm voice passes beneath the merchant’s robe like a drawn blade, and the merchant nods without testing its edge.
The Silk-Route Merchant
Understood.
They continue toward Rome in silence. By dusk, the city gates rise ahead, crowded with carts, petitioners, and armed sentries beneath the red wash of sunset.
Two gate guards watch the road: a thickset middle-aged man with a gray beard, a human man with a weathered square face, ruddy skin, and a gray wool tunic cinched by a broad leather belt and a younger woman in a faded red cloak, a young adult human woman with a sturdy build, brown hair braided close to her head, and a freckled face, both carrying short spears.
The Silk-Route Merchant
I bring a delivery of silk and a sealed packet for its intended recipient within the city.
The Gray-Bearded Gate Guard
Then show the goods, merchant. The tall traveler may pass if he has no business with your cargo.
“"I do not." I fold my hands behind my back. I do not say anything further, just keep my eyes burrowing into the merchant's back enough for him to sense my stare, and keep the weight of my conditions heavy. Once he has delivered the packet, I will proceed.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intimidation, rolled -1)
Comaetho folds his hands behind his back and says nothing. His luminous gaze settles between the merchant’s shoulder blades, making the silent command heavier than any raised voice.
The Silk-Route Merchant
The packet is sealed for delivery. I carry it beneath my belt.
The merchant’s fingers tremble as he unties the packet and presents it to the gray-bearded guard. He does not look back at Comaetho.
The Gray-Bearded Gate Guard
A sealed packet, then. Who is its intended recipient?
The Silk-Route Merchant
I was instructed to place it in the hands of its recipient within the city. I know no name beyond that.
The guard weighs the waxed leather in his palm, then returns it. His eyes pass over the bales and pause briefly on Comaetho’s impossible height.
The Gray-Bearded Gate Guard
Proceed, merchant. Keep the packet concealed and cause no disturbance inside the walls.
“I enter Rome with the merchant, my steps measured. Just as we cross the guards and I'm still beside his shoulder, I lean down just slightly while walking and whisper into the ear: "You may leave." After, I turn in the opposite direction and slip into the passing crowd.”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +0)
Comaetho crosses beneath the gate beside the merchant, his measured steps unhurried. Once beyond the guards, he bends slightly, and the crowd folds around their dark silhouettes.
Comaetho
You may leave.
The whisper reaches the merchant alone. As Comaetho turns away, a laden handcart clips his exposed forearm, scraping skin and jolting his stride before vanishing into the press.
The Silk-Route Merchant
Yes, lord.
The merchant stops only long enough to clutch the packet beneath his robe, then moves with the bales toward the inner market, obeying without another question.
Comaetho slips opposite through Rome’s passing crowd. Voices, sandals, mule bells, and evening smoke break his outline until the gate, merchant, and guarded road disappear behind him.
Quest Complete
Reach Rome
Skill Upgrade: Survival Mediocre