The hired river boat noses upstream toward Helston, its cargo papers ordinary and its oarsman uncurious. John Carter keeps the warning folded beneath his respectable merchant’s coat.
John Carter
In the hall, I am merely a careful trader with witnessed invoices. Nothing more, and certainly nothing worth a Crown man’s curiosity.
At Stannary Hall, Crown officials examine merchants beside stacked tin, salt, and cloth. Several consignments bear Quietus Exchange references, drawing sharp questions from the auditors.
Crown Auditor 1
This mark appears in the Exchange books. Who witnessed the purchase, and why does the carrier’s account begin two days after the goods moved?
Carter steps into the scrutiny with a mild bow, producing duplicate invoices and a local warehouse receipt. He makes routine commerce look painstakingly dull.
John Carter
Because the river clerk copied the wrong date, sir. Here is the corrected entry, witnessed by the warehouse keeper and countersigned before departure.
The auditor compares the papers while Crown Clerks sort neighboring accounts. Carter’s performance holds, but the next question will require an independent witness, and every eye turns toward Arrus.
“I will prepare for whatever concern the auditor might raise as if there is no possibility under the sky where the answer could be anything other than a dull, simply clerical matter of confirming that all is in proper order, regardless of what vaguely suspicious questions may arise.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Deception, rolled +2)
Arrus arranges the duplicate invoices, warehouse receipt, and carrier’s account into a neat sequence, marking the date correction in plain ink. John Carter watches without interrupting.
Arrus Gandon
The discrepancy is clerical: one copied date, one corrected receipt, and a witness ready to confirm both.
Arrus Gandon
Chief Auditor, the account is straightforward. The river clerk copied the date incorrectly; the warehouse receipt and delivery witness establish the proper sequence, and the carrier’s later entry reflects the corrected record.
Crown Auditor 1
A tidy explanation, Master Gandon. Produce the independent witness and show me where the corrected date was entered before departure.
Arrus points to the signed warehouse receipt and the accompanying statement from the warehouse keeper, the warehouse keeper. The dates align cleanly, with the carrier’s later entry plainly marked as a copying correction.
John Carter
The figures agree with my duplicate, sir. I had the corrected copy made before the goods left the warehouse, precisely to prevent this sort of confusion.
Crown Auditor 1
Very well. Record the date correction as clerical, not suspicious, and continue with the next consignment.
The Crown Clerks amend the margin and move the papers onward. Carter’s shipment passes into the ordinary stack, while the auditors’ attention settles on the next account.
“I will fulfill the role of due diligence's willing assistant as the audit plods along but I will not hesitate to help the Crown's auditors wrap things up into a neatly concluded report when they have finally resolved to bring the matter to a close and with them safe travels when they are escorted to their carriages homeward from whence they came.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +3)
Arrus works through the remaining consignments beside the Crown Auditor, matching witnesses, dates, custody marks, and invoices until every disputed entry has a clear explanation.
His concise cross-references let the clerks close several files without reopening settled matters. The final report separates lawful trade, Crown custody, and intelligence papers in distinct schedules.
Crown Auditor 1
The examination is concluded. The accounts are orderly, the corrections supported, and no further seizure is warranted under these papers.
The Crown Clerks bind the completed report, while the auditor adds a signed note naming Arrus a reliable cooperating witness. That commendation will accompany future dealings with Crown inspectors.
Crown Auditor 1
Master Gandon, your assistance spared us days of needless confusion. See that these records remain available, and you will find our office disposed to fairness.
The finished papers are sealed and placed in the auditors’ cases. Arrus accompanies the officials through the hall and sees them safely into their waiting carriages as evening settles over Helston.
Crown Auditor 1
Good evening, Master Gandon. When Cornwall’s accounts are this carefully kept, even Crown business may conclude without rancor.
The carriages depart without incident, carrying the concluded report and its favorable note. Behind them, the audit hall stands quiet, its ledgers settled and its lawful commerce plainly distinguished.
“I will graciously thank the Chief Auditor for his kind words and request that they, "...pass along Cornwall's best wishes to the Royal court on behalf of Lord Falmouth, and the King's most loyal subjects!" I will then report to the Viscount the good news about the successful conclusion of the Crown's audit with no seizures or serious fault found in the Quietus Exchange's recordkeeping, thus cementing it's Stirling reputation as a legitimate lending institution of great repute, while also protecting John Carter's clandestine operation to offer covert refuge to contraband peddlers in the local community shelter from the audit in a covert deception, enhancing the Quietus Exchange's information gathering efficacy at the same time. The Viscount's intelligence gathering network has never been more effective nor better concealed in the act. I will report such news to Lord Falmouth, hoping that such successes impress those influential connections the Viscount reports to in the King's Court.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Intrigue, rolled +0)
Arrus Gandon
Chief Auditor, accept my gracious thanks. Pass along Cornwall’s best wishes to the Royal Court, on behalf of Lord Falmouth and the King’s most loyal subjects.
Crown Auditor 1
Gladly, Master Gandon. Your courtesy will accompany my report, as will the Exchange’s exemplary records and the absence of any warrant for seizure.
The auditor’s favorable note is secured with the completed papers. The Crown carriages depart Helston, leaving the Quietus Exchange’s reputation stronger, its lawful accounts intact, and its discreet intelligence channels undisturbed.
Arrus returns to Pendennis Castle and is admitted to the Viscount’s study. Late light lies across the ledgers as the Viscount looks up from his correspondence.
Arrus Gandon
My lord, the Crown audit concluded successfully. No seizure was warranted, no serious fault was found, and the Quietus Exchange now stands as a lending institution of sterling reputation and great repute.
Arrus Gandon
The result also preserved John Carter’s covert refuge for contraband peddlers beneath the Exchange’s respectable accountkeeping. Our information network has never been more effective or better concealed, and I trust this success will impress your influential connections at Court.
The Viscount
It will impress them, Arus. You have made lawful credibility serve discreet intelligence without compromising either. I shall report the success as a credit to Cornwall, the Exchange, and your judgment.
The Viscount records the favorable conclusion beside the Exchange’s charter. Arrus’s report reaches the highest local authority, while Carter’s hidden work remains protected beneath a reputation the Crown has now endorsed.