The shelter grows dim as the last light fades. Mikayel waits beside the entrance while the fugitives sort the flask, food bundle, board, and dry branches into burdens they can carry.
Petar
We should leave now, before darkness hides the road from us as thoroughly as it hides us from the soldiers.
Daria
The ridge is steep, and haste will scatter us. We cross together, or we do not cross safely.
Daria studies each face and each bundle. Petar can scout and read the paths; Sofia has the strongest practical hands; Angela guards the provisions; Julia’s injured feet demand the gentlest pace.
Sofia
I can carry the food and help Julia over the loose ground. The board may serve her as a seat if the climb becomes too much.
Angela
The flask must remain full. I can count what we have and keep the bundle closed, even if hunger argues otherwise.
Mikayel
Take the eastern side of the ridge. The western slope falls toward the houses, and a careless stone there will announce you before you reach the firs.
✓ Quest Accepted
Cross the ridge together
“"You are a good man. We will remember you in our prayers."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Makeda
You are a good man. We will remember you in our prayers.
Makeda inclines her head beneath the shelter’s low roof. Around her, the others gather their burdens, and the dimness softens the hard lines of their exhaustion.
Mikayel
Then may your prayers reach heaven, and may heaven carry you safely beyond these hills. Go with care, and speak of this shelter to no one.
Mikayel steps fully aside, leaving the eastern path open. Daria takes the lead, while Sofia settles the food bundle and Angela secures the flask against her side.
Daria
Together, then. Petar watches the ground, and no one leaves the trees unless I say so.
The fugitives file into the fading light, keeping to the ridge’s eastern shoulder. Behind them, Mikayel remains by the charcoal shelter, silent until the woodland hides them.
“She follows Daria.”
Makeda follows Daria onto the ridge’s eastern shoulder, keeping beneath the trees and placing each step carefully on firm ground.
Daria
Stay close. The slope is rough, but the firs ahead will hide us from the houses.
Petar moves just ahead, testing the path with his foot before allowing the others through. Sofia carries the food bundle and steadies Julia over loose stones.
Petar
The ground holds here. We can reach the far side before full darkness.
Angela keeps the flask tucked securely against her side, while Makeda remains among them as the line climbs eastward through fading light.
Daria
Good. No voices, no fire, and no one breaks from the trees. We cross the ridge together.
Behind them, the charcoal shelter disappears beneath the woodland. Ahead, the eastern slope descends toward the firs and the hidden mule road beyond.
“She continues to follow Daria.”
Makeda continues after Daria along the ridge, keeping beneath the fir branches. The descent grows gentler, and the last gray light settles over the eastern slope.
Daria
That is the far side. Stay together until the trees close around us.
Petar reaches the first firs and signals them onward. Sofia helps Julia across the final loose stones, while Angela keeps the flask upright against her ribs.
Petar
The mule road is below us. I see no lanterns, hear no voices, and find no fresh tracks.
One by one, the survivors leave the exposed ridge and enter the darker woodland. Makeda brings up the line, preserving their quiet passage beneath the branches.
Daria
We made the crossing. Rest your feet briefly, then we follow the road east without lighting a fire.
The ridge now lies behind them, hidden by fir trunks and gathering dusk. Ahead, the old mule road bends through the hills toward the distant country beyond Samsun.
Quest Complete
Cross the ridge together