With the threshold barred and the warning board facing the track, Kynes studies the ordinary wax seal beside the fresh boundary stones. Its open-door emblem bears a tally-like impression.
Kynes
The mark matches Maera’s description of Pellis Marr’s custody records. The Gray Glove claimed access to this route.
The wax holds no active magic, but its layered impression repeats the handoff pattern found in Daggerford. The sealed entrance offers no further answer, and remains undisturbed beneath the stones.
Bren
Then the route was never random. Pellis’s records passed through Daggerford, and the Gray Glove treated his custody work as a door they could open.
Orlan checks the barred livestock track while the farm animals settle behind their fence. Maera and Edris are gone, leaving only their warnings and the ash of destroyed copies.
Orlan Vey
If Daggerford is where this began, go there before more strangers come searching. My farm will keep this stone shut and the road watched.
Bren
We have a direction now, love. Daggerford, Pellis Marr’s surviving trail, and whoever used the Gray Glove’s claim to reach this place.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach Daggerford
✓ Quest Accepted
Discover what happened to Pellis Marr
“To orlan, " well if someone goes to open that, warn them once and get away." I turn to Bren " we're supposed to be in daggerford. " I tease”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -2)
Kynes
If someone goes to open that, warn them once and get away.
Orlan Vey
I will. One warning, then the farm keeps its distance. No stone, record, or stranger is worth a life.
Orlan adds a second line beneath the warning board: HEED THE FIRST WARNING. While he works, the hammer jars loose dust from the boundary stones, and one pebble strikes his boot.
Kynes
We're supposed to be in Daggerford.
Kynes turns to Bren with the remark held lightly, leaving the sealed route and its poison behind them. The evening road beyond the farm points north beneath a cooling sky.
Bren
We are, love. Though you have developed an impressive talent for finding every destination except the one on our list.
Bren gathers their packs and checks the ordinary supplies. Kynes’s burned palm has stiffened beneath the grime, costing him a little comfort as they prepare to leave.
“" you choose this, I distinctly remember saying your call." I quip back light hearted”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +0)
Kynes
You chose this, love. I distinctly remember saying it was your call.
Bren
You did. I merely trusted your judgment, which is a dangerous habit I seem unwilling to break.
Bren’s dry reply earns a faint curve of her mouth. She settles the packs across her shoulders, then checks the road beyond Orlan’s fields.
Orlan Vey
Daggerford lies north by the old cart track. Keep the river on your left, and you will avoid the busier road.
Orlan offers them a wrapped heel of bread for the journey. Behind him, the warning board stands firm, facing the sealed threshold and the empty track.
Bren
We leave the farm safer than we found it. That is enough for tonight. Daggerford can wait until the road gives us a better hour.
They thank Orlan and set north beneath the cooling sky. The farm lantern dwindles behind them, while the road toward Daggerford opens quietly between dark fields.
“We take the quieter road to daggerford”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +2)