The central floor brightens beneath Erin’s boots, arranging itself into concentric paths and elevated stepping stones. Echo, Valkir’s former rapier, hangs at Erin’s side, entrusted to her now.
Erin
The Gallery is changing beneath me. Where should I place my first step?
Joren remains near the eastern arch, watching the approaches while Erin faces the luminous floor. Above, dormant channels awaken with a soft, resonant hum.
Verner demonstrates the first sequence, tracing a measured path around the stepping stones. As his movement begins, the silver line in the bronze door widens.
Silver light projects fragments of an elven record into the air. Script unfurls in layered columns, revealing a magistrate’s seal beside a new order marked with an ominous title.
Joren Pell
That seal resembles the one from the transfer orders. I cannot read the old script, but the mark is unmistakably magistrate’s work.
Erin
Echo is mine to carry, but this place may know why Valkir’s enemies feared his art.
“*for weeks, Verner trains Erin as a Bladesinger*”
SUCCESS (Good Melee Weapons, rolled +0)
Over the following weeks, the Silent Gallery becomes Erin’s school. Verner leads her through its concentric paths, elevated stones, and spelllit channels, repeating each sequence until movement and magic share one rhythm.
Erin
Again. I can feel the floor answering, but my recovery still breaks the spell.
Verner demonstrates without haste, correcting her guard, foot placement, and turning balance. Erin follows, learning to let each step carry her beyond an imagined strike while keeping Echo aligned with her breath.
Erin
Ground, turn, recover. The blade follows the body, and the magic follows both.
Days become disciplined repetition. Erin vaults the stepping stones, draws pale radiance along Echo’s twin edges, and completes the full pattern without losing her guard or endangering the space behind her.
Joren Pell
She moves like someone who has found her own answer. The Gallery recognizes it.
At the end of the final week, Erin finishes the sequence in a quiet ring of silver light, balanced and ready. She lowers Echo only after the spell settles completely.
Quest Complete
Train Erin as a Bladesinger
Skill Upgrade: Melee Weapons Good→Great