The larger warded hall beneath the refuge glows with steady blue seal-light. The original approval, copied testimony, seized wax, and duplicate signet rest on separate tables.
Clerk-Marshal Odran enters under guard from the palace corridor, a composed middle-aged man with a narrow face, oiled brown hair, and a black-trimmed burgundy uniform.
The palace copyist stands beside the masked clerk, while Veyra remains near the guarded entrance. The masked clerk keeps the evidence within sight of every witness.
The Masked Clerk
Every answer will be recorded beside the corresponding mark. No recollection will replace ink, sequence, or witnessed custody.
Clerk-Marshal Odran
I recognize the procedure, though I reject the accusation. Palace corrections are lawful when receiving records contain errors.
The copyist studies Odran’s hands, then the black quill displayed beneath glass. Her shoulders tighten, but the hall’s wards remain quiet.
The Palace Copyist
That is his hand. He changed the final lines after Hadrik returned the borrowed seal, and the order was already marked for private delivery.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish Odran’s responsibility in the official record
“I pull out a truth telling poison. "You will confess everything. Willingly or unwillingly."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Doku opens the Locked Poison Tray and selects a clear vial marked with a silver moth. She holds it beneath the ward-light, its surface utterly still.
Doku Nohara
You will confess everything. Willingly or unwillingly.
She uncorks the vial and lets a measured drop touch Odran’s tongue. The wards tighten around the hall as the truth-telling compound takes hold.
Clerk-Marshal Odran
I altered the receiving order. Corven brought me the private instructions, and Hadrik supplied the borrowed palace seal.
Clerk-Marshal Odran
I corrected the final lines with the black quill, then concealed the original beneath the receiving desk. The vessel was routed to Vaust’s winter manor.
The masked clerk records each admission beside the matching wax and ledger marks. Veyra steps forward, taking custody of Odran’s keys and searching his uniform under witness.
Clerk-Marshal Odran
There is a second register in the palace receiving office. It names every correction I made and every private delivery I authorized.
Secure the second register
Quest Complete
Establish Odran’s responsibility in the official record