The fugitives pause beneath the firs while the shepherd’s daughter comes along the lower path, keeping the goats’ bells behind her. Her pail is gone; a cloth-wrapped bundle rests against her hip.
The Young Woman
Take this quickly. Dried cheese, bread, and a few onions. My father says patrols crossed beyond the ridge this morning, heading east.
She crouches beside Makeda and the others. Daria keeps watch uphill, Petar studies the eastern track, and Sofia divides the food while Angela shields it beneath her cloak.
The Young Woman
The soldiers stopped at the shepherd’s hollow yesterday. They asked about smoke, strangers, and anyone coming from the coast. They may return before nightfall.
The Young Woman
If I stay longer, they will notice my absence. Then my father’s house will be searched first.
She points toward a narrow cleft behind the firs, where the path climbs around the ridge unseen from the huts. The shepherd remains below with the goats, watching the valley.
The Young Woman
Follow the stones under the trees. Do not cross the bare shoulder. Once you reach the far side, keep east until the ridge hides you.
+ New Item Acquired
Cloth-wrapped food bundle
“"God bless you for your kindness. We will follow your advice."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +2)
Makeda
God bless you for your kindness. We will follow your advice.
The young woman nods, relief briefly softening her guarded face. She gestures toward the firs, then turns back toward the goats before her absence draws notice.
The Young Woman
Go now, while the trees still hide you. May God keep you from the soldiers.
Daria gathers the packs without a word. Petar leads toward the narrow cleft, while Sofia helps Julia over the first uneven stones and Angela keeps the food concealed.
Daria
Close together. Follow the stones, and keep below the branches.
Makeda and the survivors enter the cleft beneath the firs. The huts disappear behind the ridge, and the shepherd’s hollow falls silent except for distant goat bells.
Petar
The eastern track is clear. Once we reach the far side, the ridge will cover us completely.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get beyond the ridge unseen
“"Good, let's go."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
Makeda
Good, let’s go.
Makeda follows Petar into the cleft, keeping close beneath the fir branches. The stones guide them upward, while the shepherd’s huts vanish completely behind the ridge.
Daria
Stay together. Place each foot carefully, and leave the stones undisturbed.
The path bends east through cool shadow. Sofia supports Julia over a rough step, and Angela carries the wrapped food beneath her cloak.
Petar
There is the far side. The ridge covers the hollow now, and no one below can see us.
They emerge among taller firs on the eastern slope. The cleft closes behind them, sheltering their trail as distant goat bells fade into the wind.
Daria
We keep east until dusk, then find cover before the patrols can reach this ridge.
Quest Complete
Get beyond the ridge unseen