The king’s hall yawns open in torchlight, banners stirring above polished stone. Hadrin Bellwrought stands near the dais with a sealed packet in hand, while Castle Guards hesitate along the walls. Valerius slips in behind Brandon, breath sharp, eyes fixed on Hadrin.
Hadrin Bellwrought
Too late, knight. The king will hear the peace I bring.
Valerius
He brings lies, Your Grace, and Iskan wax on his seal.
At the word, the nearest guards stiffen. Hadrin’s composure cracks, just enough for Brandon to see the panic underneath. The hall tightens around the moment like a drawn bowstring.
Hadrin Bellwrought
You cannot prove anything before the treaty is signed.
Valerius thrusts forward the wax-marked map and the torn Iskan tag. Several guards turn fully toward Hadrin, hands moving to sword hilts, while the hall’s silence deepens into accusation. The choice of what falls next, blade or truth, rests with Brandon Dubois.
“Before violence breaks out in the king's hall I approached and knelt before king Eren Sharp as I held out the scroll. "Your majesty you do not know me, but you knew my mentor Ser Arlan of Holden. Upon his funeral I was tasked to bring this scroll to you, I do not know what's in it, but I believe it has to do with the growing threat of Iska. I beg of you sire, please, read the scroll."”
SUCCESS (Fair Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Brandon drops to one knee before the dais, scroll lifted in both hands. The hall goes still around him, torchlight trembling on polished stone.
Brandon Dubois
Your majesty, you do not know me, but you knew my mentor, Sir Arlan of Holden. At his funeral, I was charged to bring you this scroll. I do not know what it holds, but I believe it concerns the threat growing from Iska. I beg you, sire, read it.
King Eren Sharp leans forward on the dais, his attention fixed on Brandon and the sealed parchment. Hadrin falters at the side of the hall, his grip tightening as the guards turn fully toward him.
Eren Sharp
Sir Arlan's name carries weight here. Rise, and let me see what was entrusted to my hall.
A guard steps in close and takes the scroll from Brandon with careful hands, carrying it up toward the king. Another guard closes the space near Hadrin, forcing him to stand exposed beneath the banners.
Hadrin Bellwrought
No, wait, that document is not for him.
Eren breaks the seal and begins to read. His face hardens line by line, while the guards shift their feet, waiting for his judgment.
“I let the guards seize Hadrin's treaty packet”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
The guards do not wait for another order. They step in, take Hadrin’s treaty packet from his hands, and turn him away from the dais.
Hadrin Bellwrought
You are making a grave mistake. That is not what you think it is.
Hadrin’s protest dies under the clash of steel as the nearest guard wrenches his arms back. The packet is carried clear, held high for the king to see.
Eren Sharp
Enough. Hold him.
At the king’s command, the hall tightens. Hadrin is pulled down to one knee, his papers gone, his face gone pale beneath the banners.
Valerius
The seal, sire. Compare it to the wax on the harness tag.
Eren looks from the seized packet to the evidence in hand, then back to Hadrin. The room stays frozen on his judgment, waiting for the king to speak.
Quest Complete
Stop Hadrin Bellwrought
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Great→Superb