The group pauses beside the clear trickle, hidden beneath dripping firs. Angela kneels with the jug, while Sofia loosens Julia’s ankle binding and examines the swelling.
Angela
The water is clean, but less remains than I hoped. We can refill here, though the roadward slope is too exposed for lingering.
Sofia
The swelling has eased. Julia can walk, but not quickly, and not over another hard climb without rest.
Daria studies the covered branch, then the slope leading toward the mule road. She leaves the choice unspoken, her attention settling on Makeda.
Julia
There is something you should weigh before we go farther east. My family name may open doors in Christian lands, but in Ottoman territory it may close them.
Daria
Then names become another danger to measure. Makeda has brought us this far, and she should decide which path we risk.
Petar remains within earshot near the roadward slope, watching the empty bends without interrupting. Water threads over stone, and every route ahead waits beneath the firs.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure Julia’s cooperation in using her family name to protect the survivors
Director's note
He likes to be called a king, but he’s just a governor.
“It’s complicated. Georgia is a divided country, The nearest part, Meskheti, is a Turkish province. Lots of Christians, though. We might be better off going east to Kartli, which has a Persian governor, King Rostom. He’s Muslim, but his wife is Orthodox and keeps the Christians happy by rebuilding old churches and monasteries. Tell him you are a Christian persecuted by the Turks, and he might buy it. Or else his wife will. Tell him your father killed a lot of Turks, and that’s even better. From there, we might be able to get through to Russian territory, or we could go on to the Kingdom of Imereti, a Christian kingdom ruled by Alexander III, but tributary to the Turks. It’s a very poor place, and at war with its neighbors. After that, I don’t know, we might get over the mountains into the Caucasus. Pretty rough mountains though. Or get smuggled to the seacoast and catch a boat.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +0)
Makeda
Georgia is divided. Meskheti is Turkish, though many Christians live there. Kartli is governed by King Rostom, a Muslim whose Orthodox wife protects churches and monasteries.
Makeda
We might reach Kartli by claiming persecution by the Turks. Saying my father killed Turks may make the story more convincing, though it could also make it more dangerous.
Makeda speaks quietly beside the trickling water, keeping her bound palm beneath her cloak. The explanation costs them time, while the eastern light strengthens over the hidden branch.
Makeda
From Kartli, we might reach Russian territory or continue to Imereti, where King Alexander rules a poor Christian kingdom troubled by war and Turkish tribute.
Makeda
Beyond Imereti lie the Caucasus, difficult mountains, or perhaps smugglers and a boat on the coast. None of these routes is safe, but east gives us choices.
Julia
Then Kartli offers the best first appeal, if Queen Mariam truly shelters Christians. But we must know which roads reach her court without exposing us.
Daria
We have the choices. The details are less certain, and uncertainty gets people caught. We refill here, then follow the covered branch east.
“"Yes, just keep moving east, until we run into Kartli. Most people there are Christians, so we should be able to get help."”
SUCCESS (Superb Survival, rolled +1)
Makeda
Yes. We keep moving east until we reach Kartli. Most people there are Christians, and we should be able to find help.
Makeda leads them onto the covered branch. Angela quietly refills the jug, and Daria masks their pause before the fugitives leave the roadward slope behind.
Daria
Then east it is. We travel beneath the trees, rest when Julia needs it, and avoid every road that carries soldiers.
The branch winds through firs and wooded ravines, crossing clear springs and old charcoal paths. Makeda reads the terrain well, keeping the group hidden and their supplies secure.
Julia
If Kartli’s Christians can shelter us, I will speak for all of you before Queen Mariam, or whoever holds authority there.
They continue east through the day, pausing beneath cover rather than risking the open tracks. By evening, the path has carried them beyond the familiar mule routes toward the eastern mountain country.
Petar
The way remains open ahead. We are committed to the eastern road now, and no one has seen us leave the forest.
Reach Kartli
Quest Complete
Secure Julia’s cooperation in using her family name to protect the survivors
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Good→Great