Before the first summoned witness reaches the gatehouse, a narrow side door opens within the palace wall. Ulkesh’s brother steps through beneath the truce colors of Elaris Ford.
Ulkesh’s brother
Do not mistake my arrival for a petition. I left the ford when the chapel’s warning reached me, and no herald was told to announce it.
The covenant script circling the palace threshold flares violet. It crosses his name from the council roll, then brands him royal witness rather than petitioner.
The Palace Herald
The covenant has entered him into the inquiry. By what authority did you leave Elaris Ford, and through whose message?
Behind the herald, the chapel doors slam shut. Their locks glow with ancient script, rejecting the herald’s command, the physician’s signet, and every ordinary appeal.
Ulkesh’s brother
The message came through no scribe or chamberlain. Father’s warning reached the succession struggle by a channel the administrators never recorded.
The Royal Physician
The king spoke of the keeper’s return, yet his command has summoned the rival claim as witness.
“I invoke the covenant to open the sealed chapel doors”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Ulkesh raises the covenant-marked hand toward the sealed chapel doors. Violet script gathers around his fingers, answering the eastern covenant’s authority.
The marks across the doors rearrange themselves into ancient administrative law. The locks release in sequence, and both doors swing inward without a sound.
The Palace Herald
The covenant has obeyed you. The chapel stands open to its appointed keeper and every witness named in the inquiry.
Beyond the threshold, violet fire illuminates the royal chapel. The king’s private signet glows on the altar, while sealed witness tablets line the walls.
Elyr Tann
The doors opened because you invoked the covenant as keeper, not because the council granted permission. Remember who now answers to whom.
The Royal Physician
His Majesty is within the inner chamber. The old tongue has ceased, but the lamps still burn with that same violet flame.
From inside the chapel, a bell sounds once. The open passage remains clear, and the gathered administrators fall silent as the covenant’s script settles above the entrance.
✓ Quest Accepted
Hear the king’s testimony
“I gather the named witnesses before the altar for the inquiry.”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Ulkesh extends the covenant-marked hand toward the witness roll. Violet script lifts from the tablets, binding each named witness to the chapel’s altar.
The royal physician, Lethan Or, Miravel Senn, Odran Pell, Tavar Eln, Sira Vey, and Halen Dorr enter beneath the violet lamps and assemble before the altar.
The Royal Physician
All named witnesses stand present, Prince. The covenant has gathered us under your inquiry.
Odran Pell
I came by the king’s command, not to answer for the council’s fear. Let the record show that distinction.
The witness tablets flare as each name settles into its place. One seal cracks audibly, and a thin line of blood appears across the physician’s signet.
Elyr Tann
The inquiry is constituted. Speak in order, keeper, and the covenant will preserve every answer beneath the king’s authority.
Ulkesh's brother
The altar has gathered them all before him. No succession chamber can now conceal what they witnessed.
“I order the physician to testify first”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Ulkesh Valen
Physician, testify first. State what the king said, what you witnessed, and who acted within the chapel.
The covenant-marked hand directs the inquiry. Violet script leaves the witness roll and coils around the royal physician’s signet, drawing a sharp line of blood across his palm.
The Royal Physician
I testify under the king’s authority. His Majesty awakened and named Vaelor twice, then commanded the keeper’s return before the seventh bell.
The Royal Physician
The senior physicians, Lethan Or and Miravel Senn, stood with me. Chief Chamberlain Odran Pell entered before the chapel lamps failed.
The altar accepts each statement. The physician’s blood falls onto the witness tablet, and the covenant seals his testimony in violet fire.
The Royal Physician
After the second utterance, we restrained the king. Odran heard both commands, then carried them to the inner council before fleeing the darkened chapel.
Elyr Tann
The first testimony is entered and binding. The inquiry now holds the king’s words, the witnesses present, and the cost of their truth.
Quest Complete
Hear the king’s testimony
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Superb→Legendary
“I order the king brought before this inquiry”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Ulkesh Valen
Bring the king before this inquiry. He will testify beneath the covenant.
The command travels through the violet chapel. The inner chamber opens, and two palace attendants escort the king forward beneath a dark wool mantle. He is an elderly elf man, thin and pallid, with silver hair, sunken cheeks, and a crownless brow marked by fever.
The Royal Physician
His Majesty is brought before the inquiry, as commanded. I will remain beside him should his strength fail.
The king reaches the altar and grips its edge. Violet fire rises around his private signet, while the witness tablets turn toward him and record his presence.
The King
The keeper has returned. Vaelor’s covenant must hear what the throne concealed, before the seventh bell.
Odran Pell
Majesty, you summoned this inquiry through the old tongue. Will you now name the authority that compelled it?
The king’s gaze fixes on Ulkesh. The chapel lamps flare violet, and ancient script forms above the altar, demanding the sovereign’s testimony under covenant law.
“I question my brother about his knowledge of my power”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Ulkesh Valen
Brother, you have witnessed my power at Elaris Ford and beneath Vaelor’s road. State what you know of it, and what you believe I am becoming.
The question cuts through the chapel’s ancient recitation. Violet script leaves the altar and coils around Ulkesh’s brother, marking his answer as testimony beneath the covenant.
Ulkesh’s brother
I know your power is not merely inherited magic. I watched you restore Elaris Ford, command its wards, and make the eastern covenant answer to your hand.
Ulkesh’s brother
I know the ward beneath the ford called the void within you its source. I know Vaelor’s thread recognized you as its vessel, though you concealed the depth of that bond.
The king’s fingers tighten on the altar. His violet-lit signet pulses once, and the witness tablets etch each admission into their sealed surfaces.
Ulkesh’s brother
As for what you are becoming, I cannot name it safely. You stand beyond a prince’s authority, yet you still wear our house’s face and command its obedience.
Ulkesh’s brother
If he seeks the throne, I can oppose a claimant. If he seeks something greater, I may already be standing beneath his shadow.
Quest Complete
Discover who in the royal line has identified Ulkesh’s hidden power
Skill Upgrade: Lore Great→Superb