Near dusk, Rei reaches the family forge with the elderly woman beside her. Royal Archivist Maelin Thorne remains in the Hall of Permanent Records, guarding the sealed inquiry.
The forge doors groan open. Tavian Rusk, a wounded middle-aged man with ash-blond hair, weathered features, and a torn blue cloak, his lean frame and crooked nose giving his weathered face a gaunt cast, staggers inside carrying a broken ceremonial bridle and blackened metal shard.
Tavian Rusk
Do not send for your family. I came without summons, and I will leave without asking anything of them.
The crown’s aerial-guard crest hangs from Tavian’s torn cloak, scorched but recognizable. He sets the bridle on the anvil, then keeps the shard clenched in his gloved hand.
Lady Meredyth Vale
You entered a private forge carrying royal insignia. Explain before you collapse.
Outside, an unseen gryphon cries once across the darkening roofs. The sound cuts short, leaving only settling coals and Tavian’s uneven breathing.
Tavian Rusk
The warden patrol was attacked above the western cliffs. This bridle broke before its rider did, and this fragment is all that remains of what struck us.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get back home safely
Director's note
the elderly women reveals who she is and why she has been following me
“"A gryphon is the problem likely there glorified sky rats I'll deal with it"”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +3)
Rei
The gryphon is probably the problem. Glorified sky rats. I’ll deal with it.
Rei crosses the forge yard before anyone can stop her. The unseen gryphon cries again, and the sound rolls down from the roofline through the dusk.
Her magic rises without spectacle, a quiet pressure through the stones. The gryphon descends into the yard, wings beating once before settling beneath her command.
Tavian Rusk
It is frightened, not hostile. The patrol’s mounts scattered when the thing struck us.
The gryphon lowers its hooked head, black feathers singed along one wing. Rei’s spell steadies its breathing, and the creature remains safely grounded beside the forge.
Lady Meredyth Vale
My name is Lady Meredyth Vale. I followed you because your family intended to place you under my supervision, and I refused to let them do so unseen.
The elderly woman removes her jeweled mask, revealing a stern elderly elf woman with silver-braided white hair and a narrow scar beneath one eye. Her gaze stays on Rei, no longer disguised.
Director's note
My eyes narrow
“"they overstep yet again and as always it's likely because im not a normal debutante and even more so now that my ball is coming up soon"”
Rei’s eyes narrow. The gryphon remains grounded beside the forge, its breathing steadier now, while Tavian and Lady Meredyth wait beneath the darkening roofline.
The elderly elf woman folds her mask into one gloved hand, her silver braids bright against the forge’s red glow.
Lady Meredyth Vale
I am Lady Meredyth Vale, a royal relative and former court mediator. Your family asked me to supervise your conduct before your ball.
Lady Meredyth Vale
I followed because they expected a normal debutante to accept guidance, appearances, and carefully chosen obligations. You have never fit that arrangement.
Her gaze passes over the broken bridle, then returns to Rei. She does not reach for the royal crest or ask Rei to examine the blackened shard.
Lady Meredyth Vale
Your family believes the approaching ball will restore their control. I believe it will reveal how little control they ever had.
The forge waits beyond them, its tools lined beneath the soot-dark walls. The gryphon stays quiet, and the path back to Rei’s work remains clear.
“I give the gryphon water and space”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +0)
Rei carries a broad forge basin to the gryphon and sets it down within easy reach, then retreats several paces. Her narrowed eyes remain fixed on the creature without pressing it.
The gryphon watches her, feathers lifting along its shoulders. After a cautious pause, it lowers its hooked head and drinks, each swallow quiet beneath the red forge glow.
Tavian Rusk
That is kinder than most handlers would manage.
Tavian stays beside the anvil, keeping his distance as instructed by Rei’s example. Lady Meredyth steps back as well, leaving the gryphon a clear circle of quiet ground.
Lady Meredyth Vale
Space first, water second. A sound principle, Rei. It may remember that you offered neither as a demand.
The gryphon finishes drinking and settles its injured wing more comfortably against its side. The basin remains between it and the forge, while the open yard gives it room to breathe.
“I think my job is done now can I go home?”
Rei
I think my job is done now. Can I go home?
Rei’s eyes narrow as she turns from the gryphon toward the forge. The creature continues drinking, no longer needing her magic to keep it calm.
Lady Meredyth Vale
Yes. You have done enough here, and nothing in this yard binds you to the crown’s inquiry.
Lady Meredyth steps aside, leaving the path toward the family house open. Her expression remains stern, but she makes no attempt to follow or redirect Rei.
Tavian Rusk
Go, then. The gryphon is settled, and I can wait here until the royal handlers arrive.
The forge resumes its quiet rhythm around Rei: coals breathing, tools cooling, and the gryphon resting beside the basin. Home lies beyond the yard, unobstructed.
Director's note
I head home deciding to make weapon later
Rei turns from the settled gryphon and crosses the forge yard toward home. Her narrowed eyes remain fixed ahead, while dusk gathers beneath the roof eaves.
Lady Meredyth Vale
Go. I will remain here until the royal handlers arrive, and I will not carry your choices back to your family.
Lady Meredyth stays beside the basin, making no move to follow. Tavian remains near the anvil with the broken bridle and blackened shard, his guarded attention turned toward the roofline.
Tavian Rusk
Your family will notice you returned without answers.
The forge doors close behind Rei, muffling the gryphon’s quiet breathing and the clink of royal metal. The family house waits beyond the stone path, bright with evening lamps.
Inside her workroom, Rei passes the unfinished tools and measures the empty space beside the hearth. Later, she will make a weapon there, on her own terms.
Behind her, the crown’s dispute, the wounded patrol, and the waiting handlers remain outside her path. The door shuts, and the house falls quiet around her work.
Quest Complete
Get back home safely
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Fair→Good