Brother Hrodebert
The Marshal only retreats to gather his courage, Silas. We cannot leave her exposed here on the portico while the sun still hangs high.
Brother Hrodebert moves with surprising speed, wrapping his own heavy woolen cloak around the shivering woman.
Prophet Silas
The stone of the column is cold, yet her knuckles are white from gripping it so tightly.
Master Rodney
The law is a fragile thing today, Prophet. If we move her inside, we commit ourselves fully to this defiance.
Widow Ferrell
He is right. The village will stand by you, but the King's shadow grows long, and we need a path that keeps the light from being extinguished entirely.
the condemned woman
Please... do not send me back to them. They do not seek justice, only silence.
+ Story Quest Added
Protect the condemned woman from the King's agents
“I go to the woman and help her to her feet. With a silent prayer to the God of Truth and Light, I guide her and Brother Hrodebert back inside the monastery. I inform the crowd, loud enough for the Marshal and soldiers to hear as well. 'The King has granted the Order of Truth and Light his protection and full status as an Order of the realm, as it has enjoyed for over a millenium. If he has objections to what has happened today, he can appeal through the Royal court system, publically. We remain within the law of the Kingdom and within our rights, as all can attest to today." We head inside and bolt the doors, barring the doors with a heavy wooden beam. I inform the Order of what has happened, suggesting that they place some of our internal defensive structure (monks, knights, paladins, etc.) on guard and at the ready...”
FAILURE (Mediocre Oratory, rolled -2)
Prophet Silas
The King himself has sworn to honor the status of this Order. Any grievance must be brought before the Royal court in the light of day, not settled through blood on our steps.
Prophet Silas reaches for the woman, intending to lead her toward the sanctuary, but the crowd surges forward with a chaotic, low murmur that ripples like a warning.
Master Rodney
He thinks his words are shields, but the soldiers are already drawing steel.
Before Prophet Silas can move, a Royal Marshal steps onto the first stone stair, his blade rasping against leather as he points the tip directly at the Prophet's chest.
The Royal Marshal
Your theology does not supersede the King's decree, monk. Stand aside, or the sanctuary itself shall be considered a fortress of treason.
the condemned woman
They will kill us all here... please, Prophet, there is no shelter left.
“"You would kill a young man, unarmed, in the steps of this venerated and holy place, risking the wrath of the God of Truth and Light? Are your actions pure, and right with God? You risk *everything* if you carry forth with your actions!" I proceed to ignore the Royal Marshal, and gathering the girl in my arms and motioning for Brother Hrodebert to follow me, I go back to my original plan and intention of going inside the monastery, bolting and barring the doors , and informing the Order leadership.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +3)
Prophet Silas
You would kill a young man, unarmed, in the steps of this venerated and holy place, risking the wrath of the God of Truth and Light? Are your actions pure, and right with God? You risk everything if you carry forth with your actions.
Ignoring the Royal Marshal entirely, Prophet Silas pivots with a forceful grace. He scoops the woman into his arms, shielding her against his chest as he calls for Brother Hrodebert to move.
Brother Hrodebert
Move, quickly. To the inner chambers.
They retreat across the threshold, and with his free hand, Prophet Silas swings the massive iron-bound door shut.
A heavy bolt slams into place. The wood vibrates as a sword slams against the outside, but the sanctuary holds.
Prophet Silas
The iron latch is solid, but the woman is trembling violently against my robes.
+ Scene Quest Added
Inform the Order leadership of the situation
“With the door securely locked and in place, I tell Brother Hrodebert that we will need to report every detail to the Order's leadership, recommending that they post our Order's own religious guards in place (referring to the monks, the knights, the paladins under our Order). I also make arrangements for the young lady to be taken care of, asking that she provide us all the details as to why she was scheduled to be hanged!”
SUCCESS (Good Theology, rolled +1)
Prophet Silas
Brother Hrodebert, we must secure these halls. Inform the Arch-Lector immediately. We need our own knights and paladins at every gate. This sanctuary is no longer merely a place of prayer; it is a fortress under siege.
Brother Hrodebert
By the light, it shall be done, Prophet Silas. I will rally the brothers. The Order will not yield to the crown's shadow here.
Prophet Silas gently deposits the woman onto a nearby stone bench. She clings to her shawl, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Prophet Silas
You are safe within these walls. But you must speak plainly. Why did they mark you for the gallows? What truth are you carrying that the Marshal would kill for?
the condemned woman
It is not a secret... it is a ledger. The Royal Marshal is not collecting taxes for King Earnhardt. He is funding a private army in the name of a hidden claimant. If they find me, the truth dies with me.
Prophet Silas
The threat is far greater than a mere local dispute. The peace of the Six Kingdoms hangs by a single thread.
Quest Complete
Inform the Order leadership of the situation