The king holds the broken seal between two fingers, his gaze hard as he reads. Hadrin kneels at swordpoint, while the seized treaty packet rests in a guard's grip like contraband.
Eren Sharp
This is no treaty. It is a snare laid for my throne.
Valerius
Then let Brandon carry the proof where it can still matter, my king. The border road is not empty, and Iska will have other hands waiting.
Eren Sharp rises from the throne, the hall quieting around the scrape of his boots. He studies Brandon Dubois for a long beat, then the scroll, then the map-scarred faces of the men who brought the truth home.
Eren Sharp
Brandon Dubois, I name you my sworn messenger for this matter. Ride to Holden's border shrine and carry my order to Captain Sereth, she holds the outer watch and needs warning before nightfall.
Eren Sharp
Bring her word, and return with whatever signs Hadrin's cells have left behind. Do this, and you will be granted a purse of silver, fresh mounts from the royal stables, and the king's seal in token of your service.
Hadrin Bellwrought
If Sereth is warned, the border net tightens. I need time, or silence.
✓ Quest Accepted
Ride to Holden's border shrine and warn Captain Sereth
✓ Quest Accepted
Bring back signs of Hadrin's cells
“I demand Hadrin reveal the exact location of his cells before I depart.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
Brandon Dubois
Before I go, I need the exact places of his cells.
Hadrin Bellwrought
You ask for a map, then. Fine. One cell lies beyond Holden's south ditch, in a fish store with a red door. Another waits by the old charcoal kiln on the east road.
Hadrin Bellwrought
The third is near the border shrine itself, under the west wall where the stones lean. That one carries the swiftest handoff if Sereth is slow to look.
Valerius
That fits the wax marks and the road signs. Enough to warn the right places, if Brandon rides hard.
Eren Sharp
Then you have what you came for. Take the king's seal, and ride as if winter itself bites at your heels.
Hadrin Bellwrought
Too late to hide them now. If he lives, the net closes.
A guard steps in with the royal seal, and the hall seems to tighten around Brandon as the names settle into place.
+ New Item Acquired
royal seal
“I take the royal seal and ride north”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)