The charcoal burner’s elder son leads Makeda, Daria, Petar, Sofia, Angela, and Julia along the newly cleared road. The elder charcoal burner remains behind at the lean-to.
Rain drips from the firs, and smoke rises through the wet branches ahead. Julia walks slowly with Sofia’s support, while Petar keeps watch behind them.
Mikayel steps from between the kilns, a middle-aged Armenian man with weathered olive skin and a thick salt-and-pepper beard. He carries a shovel, hook, and iron rake.
Mikayel
You cleared the road sooner than I expected. I see also that your party has grown since my shelter sheltered you.
His gaze moves from the damp bundles to Julia’s bandaged ankle, then to Daria’s guarded stance and the strangers’ travel-worn faces. Several charcoal burners pause near the smoking kilns.
The Charcoal Burner’s Elder Son
They are under the mark you recognized, father. The lower road was blocked, and they helped clear it before the workers arrived.
Mikayel
Then come under the roof, but not without speaking plainly. Why are you traveling east, and what danger follows your trail?
✓ Quest Accepted
Explain what danger follows the survivors
“"We are Christian slaves stolen by the Turks, and we want nothing more than to go home again. There are mounted patrols looking for us, and therefore we have taken paths through the mountains where we would be hard to find and the horses could not follow."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +1)
Makeda
We are Christian slaves stolen by the Turks, and we want nothing more than to go home again. Mounted patrols follow us, so we use mountain paths where horses cannot.
Makeda speaks plainly beneath the dripping firs. The charcoal burners hear her over the hiss of wet wood, their faces tightening at the mention of patrols and stolen people.
Mikayel
I believe you. Soldiers have searched the lower roads since the wreck, and they ask questions before they ask names.
Mikayel
The high paths will hide you from horses, but not from every watchful man. Eastward, the valleys narrow before opening toward Georgia.
He lowers his shovel and looks toward the smoking kilns. The charcoal burner’s elder son quietly signals the workers to carry the bundles beneath the nearest roof.
Mikayel
Come inside, all of you. Eat what the camp can spare, rest Julia’s ankle, and leave by the upper charcoal track before the patrols learn this road is open.
Daria
Then we accept the shelter, and we keep moving east when Julia can travel.
Quest Complete
Gain shelter from the charcoal burners
Attribute Upgrade: Strength Good→Great
Quest Complete
Explain what danger follows the survivors