Thin sunlight slips through the shutters as breakfast dwindles to crumbs, cooled porridge, and weak tea. Beyond the room, the lodging house settles into an ordinary morning.
The Lodging Keeper
The north track is quieter than the main road. It passes three farms, a stone well, and a low hill with a good view of the fields. Leave before the town stirs, and you should have the road mostly to yourselves.
Bren stands by the shutter, one hand resting against the wood as she studies the road below. Her attention is practical, but the stillness lets her shoulders ease.
Slaan
The north track saves us from crowds, but not from distance. The farm road is kinder to our feet. The main road is faster, provided we enjoy being noticed.
Nhal
Every route costs something. The quiet one costs time. The busy one costs privacy. The farms may cost us neither, if we are willing to ask for water and accept a little conversation.
Bren
We do not have to decide as though someone is chasing us. We can finish breakfast, walk out, and choose at the crossroads.
The keeper gathers the empty bowls and leaves the choice with them. For a while, only the soft scrape of crockery and the distant stir of the town fill the room.
“We finish breakfast and leave following the northern track”
Breakfast ends in quiet efficiency. Packs are tightened, the empty bowls gathered, and the room left as plain and undisturbed as they found it.
The Lodging Keeper
Safe walking. Keep left after the stone well, and the northern track will take you past the farms without trouble.
Bren settles the last strap across the recovered mule and checks that its harness sits comfortably. Slaan secures the woven journal, while Nhal watches the town through the shutter.
Bren
We take the quiet road, keep our account simple, and decide nothing beyond the next crossroads.
They leave the lodging house by the stable yard, offering the keeper a brief farewell before turning onto the northern track. The town’s morning bustle remains behind them.
The track runs between sleeping fields and low stone walls. Fresh sunlight touches the grass, and the mule follows steadily beside Bren as the party preserves its quiet passage.
Nhal
Three farms, a well, and a hill. A modest road for a modest morning. I approve.
“" you know we just stole a stolen mule right." I say not looking at the animal”
Kynes
You know we just stole a stolen mule, right?
Kynes says it without looking at the animal. The mule keeps walking beside Bren, its ears turning briefly toward his voice before settling again.
Bren
Technically, we recovered a stolen mule and returned it to the stablehand. Whatever moral arithmetic that requires, I am leaving to the reeve.
Slaan
A refinement worth remembering. We did not keep the mule, sell it, or teach it a new name. Our crime appears disappointingly incomplete.
The northern track continues between low walls and sleeping fields. Behind them, the town grows quieter, while the stone well waits ahead beneath a leaning ash tree.
Nhal
Then the mule is innocent, the stablehand is satisfied, and we remain travelers who happened to improve an unfortunate chain of ownership.
Bren
Keep walking. We can leave the legal philosophy to the next crossroads.
✓ Quest Accepted
Agree on the party’s understanding of the mule’s recovery
“" I would prefer not to get the attention of a Reeve, remember I lite part of the docks back home on fire because one irritated me." I plainly say " good times" I smile”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +0)
Kynes
I would rather not attract a reeve's attention. Remember, I once set part of the docks back home on fire because one irritated me. Good times.
Kynes says it with a smile as the northern track winds between the stone walls. The mule continues steadily beside Bren, unconcerned by the confession.
Bren
I remember. That is precisely why we will avoid reeves, docks, and anyone tempted to irritate you before supper.
Slaan
A useful warning, though I question whether setting docks alight qualifies as a travel anecdote. Still, it explains your caution.
Nhal
Then the plan is simple. We walk quietly, answer plainly, and do not give local officials a reason to learn your history.
The party reaches the leaning ash tree and passes the stone well without stopping. Ahead, the track divides around the first farm, with no reeve or town watch in sight.
Bren
Good. No attention, no silver owed, and no more docks sacrificed to irritated officials. Keep that smile, but keep walking.
Quest Complete
Agree on the party’s understanding of the mule’s recovery