The Sergeant is still half-turned toward the alehouse door when it bangs open again. Rain blows in with a rider in Baron Billings’ livery, boots flashing wet on the planks.
The Rider
Sergeant Miller, at once. I carry His Lordship’s seal.
Miller
Then speak quickly, man. I am occupied.
Bessy keeps the bottle in her hand, but her eyes sharpen. The redcoats pause, caught between the made-up robbery and a message that looks far more serious.
The Rider
A matter from the estate. The Baron demands you ride for St. Michael’s Mount before dusk. It concerns taxes, a missing courier, and a search of the coast.
Arus Gandon
The Baron’s seal changes everything.
Miller takes one step toward the rider, his suspicion of Arus shoved aside by rank and urgency. The doorway stays open, the rain hissing through it, and the path beyond the tavern remains exposed.
✓ Quest Accepted
Defend my courier identity
“I will attempt reverse psychology with the Sergeant to get him to leave with his redcoats until the danger has passed and say, "Sergeant, I regretfully understand if duty calls you elsewhere, but who will help me find my mysterious villain if you leave me at my most desperate hour of need?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Deception, rolled +3)
Arus Gandon
Sergeant, I regretfully understand if duty calls you elsewhere, but who will help me find my mysterious villain if you leave me at my most desperate hour of need?
Miller
Aye, there it is. If a man's been robbed, he needs proper help, not half a search and a shrug.
Miller squares his shoulders to the rider, then points a firm finger back at the stormy road, as if the estate can wait on his judgment. The redcoats trade a quick look and stay put.
The Rider
His Lordship will not thank me for delays. The seal concerns taxes, a missing courier, and a coast in need of watching.
Miller
Then he shall thank me for finding the thief first. A robbed courier is my charge this minute.
Bessy hides a grin behind the bottle, and the rider's wet cloak sheds rain onto the planks. From the table by the wall, one redcoat quietly eyes Arus, now clearly more useful alive and talking than marched away.
Miller
And you, lad, start from the beginning. If there is a villain, we shall pull him out by the heels.
Quest Complete
Defend my courier identity