The attendant brings Sofia, Angela, Daria, and Julia into Queen Queen Mariam Dadiani’s apartments. Samples of court work and household duties wait on separate tables beneath the carved screens.
King Rostom observes beside the window, arms folded. Petar remains near the screen, while Queen Mariam Dadiani stands beside the arranged examples and studies each woman’s reaction.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
These are possibilities, not orders. There is copying, household accounting, textile work, kitchen oversight, and assistance with correspondence.
King Rostom
Some duties require literacy or discretion. Others require endurance, practical judgment, or familiarity with trade. We will not assign blindly.
Angela examines the writing materials and ledgers. Sofia looks toward the household samples, while Daria studies the doorway and Julia reads the headings with quiet attention.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
Makeda, explain each proposal plainly. Describe what the work demands, but do not promise these women’s service or speak for their wishes.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
Let each woman answer for herself. Their protection remains secure while they consider what they can and will undertake.
“"Her Majesty has kindly offered to take us in, but we will have to work. My thoughts on this are that Julia has a courtly hand and can do correspondence and copying. Angela is good with numbers and do bookkeeping, also help with the correspondence when her language skills are needed. Sofia has many practical skills and can do weaving, housekeeping or work in the kitchen. She would also be good in the garden. Daria is not gifted with domestic skills, but Cossacks are the world's best horsemen, so I would advise putting her in the stable or employing her as a riding instructor. I would add that no one is forced to work here, and if they are determined to go home, I will do my best to assist them.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -3)
Makeda
Julia has a courtly hand and can copy correspondence. Angela can keep accounts and assist with languages. Sofia can weave, manage the household or kitchen, and work in the garden. Daria belongs in the stable or as a riding instructor. None is forced to work, and I will help any who wish to return home.
Makeda’s practical catalog settles over the room. Julia studies the correspondence samples, Angela bends over the ledgers, and Sofia examines the woven cloth and garden notes. Daria’s attention fixes on the stable keys.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
These are sound recommendations, and each woman will answer for herself. I accept them as proposals, not assignments. Their protection and freedom of choice remain unchanged.
Julia
I can serve with the correspondence, provided the work leaves open a path toward Poland when one becomes possible.
Angela
I will examine the accounts and correspondence. I want to know exactly what authority the work carries.
Daria
The stable is better than a kitchen. I know horses, and I can teach anyone willing to learn.
King Rostom
So be it. Makeda, your counsel has secured useful places for them, but your standing now depends on their conduct and your reports. That obligation is yours.
“"I would be happy to help plan Julia's return to Poland, but at the moment, there is still war in Podolia, so any trip would be quite long and roundabout. It might be possible to get a letter through to Warsaw, to alert your family, who may have their own plans. I have great confidence in these women, who are honorable and eager to repay your Majesty's hospitality, and I will assist them in their work as required."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Makeda
I will gladly help plan Julia’s return to Poland. With war still in Podolia, the journey must be long and roundabout, but a letter may reach Warsaw and alert her family to her survival.
Makeda
I have great confidence in these women. They are honorable and eager to repay Your Majesty’s hospitality, and I will assist them in their work as required.
Makeda’s measured assurance settles the room. Julia lifts her head from the correspondence samples, while Angela pauses over the ledger and Daria gives a firm approving nod.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
Then we shall send a letter toward Warsaw, through channels trusted by the court. It may take time, but Julia’s family will learn where she is and under whose protection.
Julia
That would mean more than I can say. If my family knows I live, they may find a road or messenger I cannot presently reach.
King Rostom
Your offer strengthens the arrangement, Makeda. You will assist where needed, while each woman retains her choice of work and her right to seek another home.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
So it is agreed. Julia will prepare the family details, the court will seek a reliable route to Warsaw, and your service will be welcomed rather than compelled.
“Makeda attempts another modest bow.”
Makeda inclines into another modest bow, careful and respectful without lowering herself beyond what the moment requires. Her healed hand rests quietly at her side.
Queen Mariam watches the gesture with a small, approving stillness. The room remains calm, its agreement already settled around the women’s choices.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
You are understood, Makeda. Rise, and keep your counsel ready when the work begins.
Makeda straightens. Julia gathers the correspondence samples, Angela closes the ledger, and Daria turns her attention toward the corridor leading to the stables.
Julia
I will prepare the names, addresses, and family details for the letter.
Angela
I will review the accounts carefully before accepting responsibility for them.
King Rostom gives a measured nod, while Sofia studies the household notes. No order presses them forward; the sanctuary remains theirs to use by choice.
“Since Sofia seems uncertain about what she is to do, Makeda waits while she studies the notes.”
Sofia remains at the table, turning the household notes slowly beneath her broad, work-worn fingers. The garden duties and kitchen lists are written in a careful court hand.
Makeda waits without pressing her. She stands near the carved screen, giving Sofia the same room to choose that Mariam has given them all.
Sofia
I understand work, but not yet which place here would truly be mine.
Sofia compares the notes again, pausing over the household accounts, then the garden records. Her uncertainty is practical rather than fearful, and no one hurries her.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
Take the time you need, Sofia. A duty chosen with understanding is better than one accepted merely to seem grateful.
Sofia
Then I would like to see the garden and household work before I decide. I know what I can do better after seeing it.
Queen Mariam inclines her head, and an attendant quietly gathers the relevant notes. The decision remains Sofia’s, while Makeda’s patient advocacy continues without speaking for her.
✓ Quest Accepted
Show Sofia the garden and household work
“Makeda doesn't know about the castle's routine, so she asks a servant to direct her.”
FAILURE (Great Etiquette, rolled -2)
Makeda leaves Sofia with the household notes and crosses toward the service passage, where a young palace servant in plain brown livery pauses beside a tray.
Makeda
I do not yet know the castle’s routine. Please direct me to the garden and household offices.
The Palace Servant
The offices are not mine to assign, madam. I cannot send you through the working passages without the attendant’s order.
The servant glances toward the carved screen, visibly uneasy at being asked to direct a protected guest. He does not offer to lead her or explain the daily schedule.
The Palace Servant
But the garden steward receives visitors after the second morning bell, at the west arcade. The household overseer keeps the same hour in the adjoining rooms.
He points once toward a side corridor, then lowers his hand and returns to the tray. Makeda has no escort or full routine, but now has a precise time and place to begin.
“She goes with Sofia to the side corridor and looks around for a way into the garden.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled +0)
Makeda joins Sofia in the side corridor, moving quietly past service doors and carved screens. Morning light falls in a narrow stripe across worn paving stones.
Her careful survey distinguishes the working passages from the formal rooms: a draft carries the scent of damp earth, and green light shows beneath a barred door at the corridor’s western end.
Sofia
That must be the garden. The household notes mentioned a west arcade, but this passage is not marked.
Makeda follows the draft to the barred door and finds its latch unfastened. Beyond it, the passage opens beneath the west arcade, with garden beds visible past the columns.
Sofia
If I see the beds and tools, I can judge whether the work suits me.
They reach the garden entrance, but the second morning bell has already faded. Makeda has spent the appointed hour tracing the unfamiliar corridor and must wait for the steward’s return.
The way is secured and the garden lies open before them, though the steward’s exact office remains uncertain among the adjoining rooms.
“Makeda peers cautiously to see who may be in the garden.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Perception, rolled -1)
Makeda pauses beneath the arcade and peers between the stone columns before entering the garden. Her careful gaze follows the paths, tool sheds, beds, and shaded corners.
The garden is quiet, but not empty. A middle-aged man with a sturdy build, sun-browned skin, and a graying beard kneels beside the nearest beds in a dark wool vest and linen shirt.
He works alone, sorting pruning knives and tying back young vines. Two gardeners’ baskets rest near the well, though no other person is visible among the trees or arcades.
The Garden Steward
You are looking for the steward. That is me. The bell has passed, but the garden remains open to the queen’s guests.
Makeda also notices a narrow office door beneath the western arcade, its shutters open and its writing table visible inside. The steward has seen her without alarm.
The Garden Steward
If you have come to judge the work, you may look freely. The beds, tools, and water channels are all under my charge.
“Thank you. We are palace workers, hired just this morning. Sofia would like to work in the garden and I was wondering if you could show her what duties would be expected of her. She is a farmer from Ukraine, so you can assume she already knows something about caring for plants.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -1)
Makeda
Thank you. We are palace workers, hired this morning. Sofia would like to work in the garden. Could you show her what duties she would be expected to perform? She is a farmer from Ukraine, so she already knows something about caring for plants.
The garden steward rises, wipes soil from his hands, and gives Sofia a measuring look. His expression settles into professional respect rather than doubt.
The Garden Steward
Certainly. I will show her the beds, tools, water channels, and the work expected here. Her experience will be useful, though palace standards require careful records and regular order.
He leads them between the beds, indicating the vines needing tying, the plots awaiting weeding, and the channels that must be cleared without wasting water. He explains which plants belong to the household kitchen and which are reserved for the queen’s table.
The Garden Steward
The morning begins with inspection, watering where needed, removing damaged growth, and checking for pests. Later come pruning, gathering produce, and reporting what the beds require.
Sofia
I understand the work. Show me the records and the tools, and I can judge how your methods differ from those used on my family’s farm.
The steward nods and opens the garden office, laying out the tools and a season’s notes. Sofia now has a clear account of the duties, schedule, and standards before choosing the position.
“Makeda waits patiently while this is explained.”
Makeda waits quietly beside the office doorway while the garden steward explains the ledgers. Sofia bends over the pages, following columns of dates, quantities, and tasks.
The Garden Steward
Each bed is marked here. I record what was planted, what was gathered, and what must be repaired or replaced. The queen’s table cannot depend on guesswork.
He places a pruning knife, wooden measure, and narrow hoe beside the open ledger, then points toward the water channels beyond the office window.
Sofia
The records are orderly. On a farm, I would judge much by sight, but these accounts make it easier for another worker to understand what has been done.
The Garden Steward
That is precisely the purpose. You would work under my direction, but your knowledge of crops would be welcome when the seasons change.
Sofia studies the tools again, then looks through the window toward the beds. The steward waits without pressing her, while Makeda remains patient and silent.
Sofia
I have seen enough to consider it seriously. I would like to speak with the household overseer before I decide.
Quest Complete
Show Sofia the garden and household work
Skill Upgrade: Etiquette Great→Superb