Rain needles the riverbank road. The exposed chest sits half-buried in mud, while Lord Matsudaira keeps his men back from Tukeyo's shadow.
Lord Matsudaira
Arimari Tiarasan, this chest is only the lid of the trouble. If you will carry one more burden, I need the name of the courier who brought it here.
Lord Matsudaira
Find where the river boat was loaded, and who paid for the night crossing. Bring me proof, and I will grant you a fine painting from my storehouse, one fit for a collector, and silk enough to repair your travel gear.
Reina
The chest was handled recently. Mud on the bindings, reed pulp on the latch. Someone still near the landing knows more than they say.
Tukeyo's red bulk shifts by the water, and the current hisses against the bank. Old Goro steadies his lantern at the road edge, watching Arimari for a sign.
Old Goro
Take the west drainage path at dawn. If you return with the courier's mark, I will open the postern before the guards change. The lord's offer is worth more than coin, yes?
Arimari Tiarasan
The chest has a fresh tie, and the mud on it points upriver.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find the courier who brought the chest here
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring proof of who paid for the night crossing
“Ask Old Goro if he saw any boats docking near the drainage path last night.”
SUCCESS (Superb Investigation, rolled -3)
Old Goro
I saw a boat nose in by the drainage run after dark. No lantern, just men keeping low and a man with reed on his sleeves.
Old Goro tips his lantern toward the west ditch, rain shining on the brim of his hat. The river mud there is trampled flat, with one set of prints turning hard toward the reeds.
Arimari Tiarasan
Then the crossing was loaded there.
Reina
And unloaded by hand. Look, the reed pulp clings to the ties. The courier stood here, near enough to stain the rope.
Arimari shifts closer to the drainage path. The fresh mud carries a clean boot edge beside the wider drag marks, leading away from the landing and back toward the road.
Lord Matsudaira
Name him if you can, Arimari. My storehouse, my painting, all of it waits on the truth.
Old Goro lowers the lantern and points once more at the west track. The rain thickens, and the prints begin to fill with water, while someone unseen moves in the reeds beyond the bend.
“I follow the prints into the reeds”
SUCCESS (Superb Stealth, rolled -3)
Arimari rises from the ditch and slips into the reeds where the drag marks vanish. The soaked grass closes around his knees, hiding him from the road.
Ahead, the torn mud gives way to a narrow track. One set of boots breaks left toward the bank, the stride uneven, as if the wearer is burdened.
Arimari Tiarasan
The prints are still fresh.
Arimari follows without haste, naginata angled low, letting the rain blur his outline. He reaches the bend where the reeds thin and sees a man crouched beside a wicker parcel.
A Reed-Sleeved Courier
Who’s there? Show yourself.
The courier jerks up too late. His wet sleeve bears the same reed pulp Reina noticed, and his sandals are packed with the same river mud as the track.
Old Goro
Arimari, there he is. Do not let him bolt.
Quest Complete
Find the courier who brought the chest here
Skill Upgrade: Investigation Superb→Legendary