Petar leads Makeda, Daria, Sofia, Angela, and Julia up the upper branch. It bends inland beneath a rocky shelf, where a quiet spring gathers in a shallow basin.
They drink in turn without approaching Arif’s sheepfold. The stone overhang hides them from the settlement, while the forest muffles the sound of water and footsteps.
Petar
Arif gave me more than cheese. He warned me that patrols are searching the lower tracks, asking about strangers from the coast.
Petar kneels beside the spring and traces two lines in the damp grit, one descending toward the settlement and another climbing east through thicker woodland.
Petar
He concealed the warning because his wife was nearby. The safer way runs inland through charcoal burners’ paths, then bends toward Trabzon above the garrison road.
Daria
That is not the full truth. What did Arif fear, Petar? Patrols do not search empty hills without a reason.
Petar
He heard soldiers say the wreck’s escaped captives may still be alive. They are searching the coast and questioning every household that shelters travelers.
✓ Quest Accepted
Evade the patrols searching for the escaped captives
“"So, the crew is still alive, and the captain wants his merchandise back. We had better stick to the high ground. There is better cover there, it is harder to track people, and the horses don't like it."”
FAILURE (Fair Survival, rolled +0)
Makeda
So the crew is still alive, and the captain wants his merchandise back. We had better stick to the high ground. Horses dislike it, and cover is better.
Makeda leads them toward the rocky shelf above the charcoal-burners’ paths. The slope soon narrows into loose shale, and Julia slips; Daria catches her before she falls.
Daria
Not this way. The shelf is too exposed, and every step sends stones down the ravine. Anyone below will hear us.
They retreat to the last stand of trees. Below, the lower track remains hidden, but the shale has revealed a narrow shepherds’ traverse cutting across the slope toward thicker woodland.
Petar
That traverse joins the charcoal path farther east without descending to the settlement. It is rough, but horses would struggle there, and patrols may avoid it.
Daria
We take the traverse, not the bare shelf. Keep close to the trees, step on stone, and leave no loose trail behind us.
“"Good, we'll follow you."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled -3)
Makeda
Good, we’ll follow you.
Makeda falls in behind Daria as the group leaves the exposed shelf. They move single file along the shepherds’ traverse, keeping close to the trees and placing each foot on firm stone.
Daria
Keep your shoulders turned toward the slope. Do not brush the branches, and pass the jug hand to hand where the path narrows.
The traverse bends through hazel and pine, joining the charcoal-burners’ path above the settlement. Makeda’s palm scrapes against a rough trunk, drawing a thin line of blood, but she makes no sound.
Sofia
The path is holding. I can carry the food bundle if your hand troubles you.
Daria
No stopping. We are across the exposed slope now. The charcoal path will carry us east beneath the woodland.
Behind them, a few loosened pebbles tick down the ravine and settle. Ahead, the darker woodland closes around the path, hiding the survivors from the settlement and its patrols.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn the safest route past the patrols
“She continues to follow Daria.”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled +3)
Makeda follows Daria into the charcoal-burners’ woodland path, keeping her shoulders turned and placing each foot on firm ground. The others move quietly behind her.
The path descends gently beneath dense pine and hazel, then curves around a hollow where blackened earth marks an abandoned charcoal pit. No fresh footprints disturb the ash.
Daria
Here. We can pass unseen, and the old pit gives us a place to rest without showing smoke.
Daria finds a roofed charcoal shelter hidden behind brush. Inside lie dry branches, a sound wooden board, and a small clay flask tucked beneath the ash-stained wall.
Petar
That flask is recent enough to hold water. Charcoal burners use this shelter when rain reaches the path.
The discovery gives the group dry fuel, a seat for Julia, and water enough to refill the jug without descending toward the settlement. The eastern path continues concealed beyond the shelter.
Daria
Take only what we can carry. We rest briefly, then follow the path east while the woodland still hides us.
“"Agreed. First let me tell you about this region. There was a war here between the Turks and the Persians, then a truce. Persian caravans come and go. We should avoid them, but I might be able to sneak in and steal some supplies, if there aren't too many guards. We are also not far from the border with Georgia. I don't know much about Georgia, except that it is a troublesome place. The people there are Orthodox. Also, Cossack raiders sometimes come here, so the coast will be patrolled. There are many Armenians living around here, some war refugees who just decided to stay. Also some Greeks. But we can't really count on anyone to help us. Even if they want to, they would be afraid of the Turks."”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled -1)
Makeda
There was a war here between the Turks and the Persians, then a truce. Persian caravans come and go. We should avoid them, though I might sneak in and steal supplies if they have few guards. We are not far from Georgia, a troublesome Orthodox country. Cossack raiders sometimes come here, so the coast will be patrolled. Armenians live around here, including war refugees who stayed, and there are Greeks as well. We cannot count on their help. Even willing people would fear the Turks.
Makeda keeps her voice low, but the shelter carries it into the hollow. A cough catches her at the end, and loose ash stirs from the wall, leaving their quiet refuge less secure.
Daria
Then no caravans, no coast, and no settlement unless necessity drives us. Georgia offers hope only after we cross the country between us.
Petar
Armenian and Greek houses may understand our danger, but understanding does not defeat soldiers. A caravan carries food, yet its guards carry questions.
Angela
If Makeda can pass unseen, supplies would help us. But a single suspicious guard could send word along every road.
Julia
The nearest Christian refuge is close enough to name, but not close enough to trust.
Daria
We keep inland and spend nothing on uncertain chances. Take the flask, the board, and the dry wood. We move before anyone follows the ash.
Quest Complete
Learn the safest route past the patrols
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Superb→Legendary
+ New Item Acquired
Clay flask
+ New Item Acquired
Wooden board
+ New Item Acquired
Dry wood