The watchman leads them along a narrow rise to a roofed shelter beside an old stone pen. Its thatched roof sags, but the dry floor offers cover without fire.
The Camp’s Watchman
Rest here. The lower valley bends toward Trabzon, but shepherds and soldiers use it both. The higher valley reaches the mountain paths, though it is slower.
The watchman sets down his pack and checks the eastern slope. His companion, a narrow-faced young adult man with dark hair and a patched brown coat, keeps watch beside the pen.
The Camp’s Watchman
I avoid the garrison roads for more than the sake of my goods. The soldiers know my face, and questions about these packs would bring trouble for everyone.
The Trader's Companion
We should not linger. Every minute here gives the road time to carry our tracks toward them.
Daria arranges the survivors beneath the shelter, placing Julia against the wall and keeping the flask, provisions, and board within easy reach. Petar studies the valley opening.
The pause leaves Makeda among uncertain allies and several possible roads. Beyond the pen, dusk gathers over the valleys leading east toward Trabzon and the mountains.
“"Thank you for the advice. If anyone asks us, we did not see you. Good luck with your business."”
SUCCESS (Fair Etiquette, rolled +2)
Makeda
Thank you for the advice. If anyone asks us, we did not see you. Good luck with your business.
Makeda keeps her voice low and her hands visible. The camp’s watchman studies her for a moment, then gives a guarded nod as the shelter darkens around them.
The Camp’s Watchman
That is wisely said. We did not see you either, and your silence will keep trouble from both camps.
The Trader's Companion
Then we should separate before the valley carries our voices. Take the high path, and leave no marks near our packs.
The trader's companion shoulders his patched brown coat around the smaller bundle. The camp’s watchman points beyond the stone pen, where a narrow track climbs into darker firs.
The Camp’s Watchman
Follow that rise until you find the shepherds’ track. It bends east above the valley and avoids the road to Trabzon.
Daria gathers the survivors at once. Petar takes the lead, Sofia supports Julia, and Angela secures the flask while the traders turn west toward their hidden camp.
“She follows Petar.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
Makeda falls in behind Petar as he takes the narrow rise. The survivors leave the shelter together, keeping close beneath the firs while the traders disappear westward.
Petar
The ground is firm here. Stay in my steps, and the track will carry us above the valley.
Petar tests the slope before each turn, guiding them around loose stones and exposed roots. Makeda follows steadily, keeping her torn sleeve close to the branches.
Daria
Keep the line tight. We use the higher ground and leave the valley road beneath us.
Sofia supports Julia over the rising ground, while Angela guards the flask and provisions. The shelter fades behind them, hidden by the darkening firs.
Petar
There. The shepherds’ track runs east along the slope. We have it, and the road to Trabzon is below.
Makeda reaches the shepherds’ track with the others. It bends east above the valley, concealed by trees and leading toward the mountain paths.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach the mountain paths
“She keeps going.”
Makeda keeps going with the line, following the shepherds’ track east beneath the firs. The path rises gently, and the valley road sinks from sight below.
Petar
The track holds its course. We can follow it until the trees thin, then choose the higher mountain path.
Petar moves ahead, testing the packed earth where roots cross the trail. Daria watches the rear while Sofia steadies Julia and Angela protects the provisions.
Daria
No stopping yet. The traders gave us distance, but their tracks may still meet ours near the next bend.
The survivors continue without speaking. Makeda keeps her torn sleeve close, and the fir branches close behind them, hiding the path from anyone below.
Julia
The air is colder here, but the ground is kinder to my feet.
As dusk deepens, the shepherds’ track bends around the mountain’s shoulder. Ahead, darker ridges rise toward the eastern passes, while no voices or lanterns disturb the woods.
“They keep going.”
SUCCESS (Good Health, rolled -1)
Makeda keeps the line moving east along the shepherds’ track. The path climbs through firs and bends above the valley, carrying all of them safely beyond the traders’ route.
Petar
The track remains clear. We have passed the bend where our paths could meet theirs.
A low branch catches Makeda’s torn sleeve and rips it farther, exposing her forearm. The snag makes a brief crack, but no answering sound rises from below.
Daria
Keep moving. The noise was small, and the trees conceal us. We stop only where the path widens.
They continue despite the damaged cloth. Sofia steadies Julia over a stony patch, while Angela checks the flask and finds its stopper still secure.
Julia
The path is kinder again. I can walk without the board for now.
By full dusk, the shepherds’ track reaches a sheltered rise beneath taller firs. The valley road has vanished from sight, and the survivors remain together, hidden and moving east.
“They keep going.”
Makeda keeps the line moving east beneath the tall firs. The sheltered rise gives way to a narrow saddle, while darkness settles over the valley below.
Petar
The track still climbs gently. We can reach the mountain path before we need to rest.
Petar leads across the saddle, testing the packed earth where roots cross the trail. Daria watches behind them, and Sofia supports Julia over the uneven ground.
Daria
Keep close and leave no gaps. The higher path should give us better cover from the valley.
Angela checks the flask and provisions without breaking stride. Julia walks unaided now, placing each foot carefully as the track bends around the eastern slope.
Julia
I can manage this pace. The ground is firm, and the cold keeps me awake.
The survivors continue east through the firs, hidden from the road and the scattered valleys below. Ahead, the darker mountain paths rise beyond the trees.
“They continue.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
Makeda follows Petar beneath the firs as the track rises into the mountain path. The trees close around the survivors, hiding them from the valley and its roads.
Petar
Here is the mountain path. It runs east along the high ground, away from the garrison roads.
Petar steps aside so the others can pass onto the broader trail. Packed earth replaces the rough saddle, and old hoof marks show that shepherds use it seasonally.
Daria
Keep together. We follow this path until daylight, then find cover before anyone below can see us.
Sofia supports Julia over a shallow rut, while Angela checks the flask and provisions. The line moves east without a fire, a call, or a broken branch.
Julia
The higher air is cold, but this path is easier. I can continue with the others.
Makeda brings up the rear as the survivors pass beyond the saddle and enter the eastern mountain path. Behind them, the valley disappears beneath the dark fir canopy.
Quest Complete
Reach the mountain paths
Attribute Upgrade: Health Good→Great