Before Verner and Sella can descend, a veiled elf woman enters the cooper’s yard. She is a slender adult in dark blue robes, silver hair braided beneath her veil, a black-wax token resting in her palm.
The Veiled Elven Singer
Valkir. By the river’s oath, answer me. I carry what you entrusted before the duel.
The enforcers below turn toward her at once. The broad-shouldered man reaches for his weapon, while the sharp-faced one catches his sleeve and studies the thorn-and-eye emblem.
Sella
That seal. Verner, do not let them see it. The Hall of Keys has found us.
The token shifts from the singer’s open hand into Verner’s, though neither loft nor yard offers room to explain how. Black wax warms against his glove, then pulses once like a living heartbeat.
The Veiled Elven Singer
He told me his heir would come carrying the singing blade. If you are that heir, show me the hilt and hear what Valkir could not.
Below, the enforcers spread beneath the ladder, cutting off the yard’s clear exit. Sella remains beside Verner in the loft, one hand near the loose floorboard, waiting for his answer.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get past the enforcers
+ New Item Acquired
Black-wax token
“*Verner actives his Blade dance attack the men*”
SUCCESS (Good Melee Weapons, rolled +1)
Verner’s silver-hilted rapier sings free. He enters the Blade Dance, red cloak turning with him as the loft seems to fill with swift, gleaming arcs.
The broad-shouldered enforcer lunges beneath the ladder, but Verner slips past his guard and redirects the blow into a stack of empty hoops. The man crashes down, disarmed.
The sharp-faced enforcer tries to seize the opening. Verner’s blade flashes twice, knocking his weapon aside and sweeping his feet from under him without drawing blood.
The Sharp-Faced Enforcer
Enough! We yield, mage. Call off the dance.
Both enforcers lie sprawled beneath the ladder, stunned and weaponless. The yard’s exit stands open, while rain drums steadily against the green awning.
Sella
That was decisive. Now we have moments before they recover, and the Hall of Keys already knows where we are.
The Veiled Elven Singer
Valkir’s heir bears his grace. Keep the blade ready, but listen now, for his final secret waits beyond this yard.
Quest Complete
Get past the enforcers