The climb ends at a narrow saddle between dark fir-covered ridges. Old stones lie stacked beside the path, and a weathered branch points east through the thinning trees.
Petar
These stones are older than the smuggler’s route. I have seen this style near shepherd country, but never so high.
Petar crouches over the ground, tracing faint depressions among the needles. Beyond the saddle, distant ridgelines fold toward the eastern mountains, blue beneath gathering cloud.
The Charcoal Burner’s Elder Son
The branch is not a marker for travelers. It was cut and set by charcoal men. Their path once crossed here before the soldiers watched the lower roads.
Petar
There are two ways ahead. The northern line descends toward a shepherd’s hollow. The eastern track stays high, but its ravines are harder and offer little water.
The younger charcoal burner scans the western slope while the others gather beneath the stones. Julia leans on her pole, and Angela keeps one hand over the grain bundle.
The Charcoal Burner’s Elder Son
We can rest only briefly. Before the next ridge, we must choose whether to trust the old route or remain above every settled hollow.
“"Take a rest. I'll try and see if there is anyone at the shepherd place."”
SUCCESS (Superb Perception, rolled -2)
The survivors rest beneath the stacked stones, sharing a little water and cold grain. Julia lowers herself carefully, while Petar watches the western slope.
After the brief pause, Makeda leaves her pack and follows the northern line alone, keeping below the ridge crest as cloud-shadow moves across the firs.
From a fold in the ground, she sees the shepherd’s hollow below: two rough huts, a fenced goat pen, and a thin thread of cooking smoke.
A middle-aged shepherd in a brown wool cloak emerges carrying a crook. A young woman with a red headscarf follows, leading goats toward the pen.
Makeda confirms the hollow is occupied, but a stone shifts beneath her pole. The shepherd looks uphill and calls out, while she drops behind a juniper.
She returns unseen after the shepherd resumes his work, but the displaced stone has raised suspicion below. The group now knows the hollow offers people, water, and danger.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether the shepherds will permit safe passage
“"Can we trust these shepherds? Are they Turks or Christians? It could be important."”
Makeda
Can we trust these shepherds? Are they Turks or Christians? It could be important.
Petar
The hollow is too distant for certainty. The goats and huts tell us little, and neither clothing nor language proves faith.
Petar studies the smoke and the narrow track below. The shepherd has returned to the pen, while the young woman carries a wooden pail toward the huts.
The Charcoal Burner’s Elder Son
I know this hollow. They are Orthodox Christians, but they trade with Turks and fear soldiers. Trust must be offered carefully.
Daria
Then we do not approach the huts. Christians may give water, yet a frightened household can still betray strangers.
The elder son points toward a faint upper track skirting the hollow. It bends east behind a stand of firs, keeping the fugitives above the huts and their smoke.
Petar
We can pass unseen and still reach their spring, if the track remains clear. That is safer than asking trust from people who have already seen movement uphill.
− Story Quest Removed
Reach Imereti
“"Very well, let's do that then."”
FAILURE (Good Stealth, rolled -2)
Makeda
Then we take the upper track.
Makeda leads them behind the firs, keeping low above the hollow. The narrow path soon turns across bare shale, leaving the whole line exposed to the huts below.
A goat bleats sharply as Makeda’s pole dislodges a stone. It skips down the slope, and the young woman below stops beside the pen, staring uphill toward the sound.
Daria
Down. The track has betrayed us. We cannot cross that shelf while they are watching.
The fugitives flatten among the fir roots. From there, Makeda sees a dark cleft behind the hollow, where water glints briefly beneath overhanging branches.
The Charcoal Burner’s Elder Son
That is their spring’s overflow. A dry ledge follows it east beneath the slope, but it will bring us close to the huts.
The upper track is no longer safe for passing unseen, yet the hidden watercourse offers another route toward the spring, concealed from the shepherd’s view if approached carefully.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find a safe way past the shepherd hollow
− Scene Quest Removed
Determine whether the shepherds will permit safe passage
“"Wait. You stay here. I'll go talk to them." She climbs down slowly, keeping her hands in plain sight.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Makeda
Wait. You stay here. I'll go talk to them.
Makeda leaves her pole among the fir roots and climbs down the dry overflow slowly, keeping both hands plainly visible. Loose shale shifts beneath her feet, but she reaches the lower shelf without falling or hiding.
The shepherd steps from the goat pen, crook held across his body. He is a weathered middle-aged man in a brown wool cloak, with a gray beard and wary eyes. The young woman remains beside the goats, gripping her pail.
The Shepherd
Stop there. Do not come nearer. What do you want at our spring?
Makeda
We are Christian travelers. We need water and a safe path east. I came openly to ask, not to take.
The Shepherd
You speak plainly. The soldiers are not far from these hills, and strangers bring danger to every house. But water is not forbidden to the thirsty.
The Young Woman
Father, let her fill a vessel. We can watch the slope while she drinks, and hear whether anyone follows.
“"God bless you. We will not abuse your hospitality. A few minutes only, and we will be gone." She signals to the others to come.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -3)
Makeda
God bless you. We will not abuse your hospitality. A few minutes only, and we will be gone.
Makeda raises one hand toward the fir roots, signaling the others to come. The shepherd watches the slope until Daria, Petar, Sofia, Angela, and Julia emerge carefully from cover.
The Shepherd
Bring them slowly. No packs opened, no sudden movements. Fill your vessels, then take the eastern path above the hollow.
The young woman sets down her pail and leads them toward the spring’s overflow. Makeda’s descent has loosened shale, leaving a pale scar that plainly shows their approach.
The Young Woman
There is room beneath the branches. Drink there, where the huts cannot see everything. My father will point out the safer track.
The Shepherd
You have minutes, as promised. Soldiers passed west yesterday, and I will not have them find strangers here. Take the high eastern path, then keep to the firs.
“"We will do as you say. We have suffered much mistreatment from the Turks and do not wish to fall into their hands again."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -3)
Makeda
We will do as you say. We have suffered much mistreatment from the Turks and do not wish to fall into their hands again.
The shepherd studies Makeda’s face, then the weary survivors behind her. As they fill their vessels, loosened shale slides into the overflow, clouding part of the water with grit.
The Shepherd
I believe you fear them. Fill what you can, but do it quickly. Fear makes people reckless, and reckless strangers bring soldiers to my door.
The Young Woman
Let the muddy water run first. There is clearer flow beneath the branches. Take the eastern track after my father points it out.
Makeda and the others wait while the grit settles, losing a small measure of their precious water. Sofia steadies Julia, and Angela keeps the grain bundle covered.
The Shepherd
Follow the fir line, not the open shelf. It bends east behind the ridge. Do not light a fire, and do not return this way.
The shepherd turns back toward the goats, while his daughter watches the western slope. With filled vessels and the safer direction secured, the fugitives prepare to leave the spring unseen.
Quest Complete
Find a safe way past the shepherd hollow
Skill Upgrade: Stealth Good→Great