The pilgrim’s path gleams beneath a field of stars. Beside McFlurry, Itsuki stops before a wounded swordswoman, a human woman with olive skin and a narrow scar through her left eyebrow guarding a broken shield, while snow turns softly in the elf’s constant blizzard.
The stranger is a young adult woman with a sturdy build, ash-brown hair tied back, and a weather-stained green cloak over battered leather. One sleeve is dark with blood, and her sword remains steady.
Itsuki
We are seeking a companion with physical combat experience. If you can still travel, perhaps we can help each other.
Rowan
You approach kindly for travelers who do not know me. Keep your hands where I can see them, and tell me why I should trust you.
Before Itsuki can answer, hoofbeats rise from the darkness behind the party. The wounded woman pivots toward the sound, lifting her sword over the shattered shield.
Itsuki
Something is coming. We cannot remain exposed, and she cannot defend this stretch alone.
The hoofbeats quicken, drawing nearer through the starlit dark. Itsuki looks between McFlurry and the armed stranger, leaving the invitation suspended as an immediate choice.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gain the wounded swordswoman's trust
“Quickly ask the woman if she knows what the hoops are and if she needs help, we could prove our worth by helping”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +1)
McFlurry
Do you know what those hoofbeats are? Do you need help? We could prove our worth by helping you.
Rowan
Riders. Three, perhaps four. They followed me from the eastern road, and they will not stop because I ask politely.
The sound crests the rise behind them. Dark shapes move between the trees, cloaks snapping around mounted silhouettes as the wounded swordswoman shifts her stance.
Itsuki
Then stand with us, if you can. The God of Stars witnesses those who protect the helpless.
Rowan
I can stand. Whether I can survive another charge is less certain. They want the sealed case beneath my cloak.
Itsuki raises one hand, and faint starlight gathers across her palm. The approaching riders descend the path, their weapons still sheathed but their formation deliberate.
Rowan
If you truly mean to help, guard the path beside me. I will tell you what is inside when we are no longer being hunted.
✓ Quest Accepted
Protect the wounded swordswoman from the riders
− Scene Quest Removed
Gain the wounded swordswoman's trust
“Set myself into a a tactical vantage point in a tree, preparing a defensive ice spell for the team while readying my bow "you're lucky you found us in the winter" *unaware if it actually is winter*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Ice magic, rolled +0)
McFlurry climbs into the nearest broad-limbed tree, snow spiraling around his silver-blue form. From the elevated branches, the path, riders, and wounded swordswoman fall into clear tactical view.
McFlurry
You're lucky you found us in the winter.
His ice bow settles into his hand, an arrow nocked but lowered. Frost gathers between the branches as he shapes a defensive spell, its pale pattern spreading toward the ground below.
Rowan
Winter? The eastern road was mud this morning. Whatever season follows you, I will gladly borrow its protection.
Itsuki
McFlurry, hold the path and watch their movement. I will keep the wounded woman beneath the stars' guard.
The mounted figures reach the rise and slow, revealing four riders in dark cloaks. Their hands remain near their sheathed weapons as ice-rimed ground forms a defensive perimeter around the travelers.
Rowan
There are four. The one at the front carries the authority, but the sealed case is why they came.
“"Itsuki heal her as quickly as you can, I can easily pick them off from this distance, but I don't know if there will be more" *aims and fires at one of them*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Ranged Combat, rolled +0)
McFlurry
Itsuki, heal her as quickly as you can. I can pick them off from this distance, but I do not know if there will be more.
McFlurry draws the ice bowstring to his cheek. His blizzard tightens around the branch, and the arrow flies in a silver streak toward the lead rider.
The shaft strikes the rider cleanly, and he pitches from the saddle onto the frost-rimed road. The remaining mounts rear as their formation breaks.
Itsuki
Hold still. By the stars, let this light close what the road has opened.
Itsuki presses one glowing hand over the wounded swordswoman’s darkened sleeve. Starlight pours through the wound, sealing it as the woman’s rigid stance finally steadies.
Rowan
That was swift work. Their leader is down, but the others will either flee or choose desperation.
Two riders wheel toward the trees while the last dismounts, drawing his sword and staring up at McFlurry’s icy perch.
“Hold my position in the sky, keeping the defensive spell for as long as Itsuki and the woman needs "flee from here at once, or we will strike you down just like your leader”
SUCCESS (Poor Intimidation, rolled +2)
McFlurry
Flee from here at once, or we will strike you down just like your leader.
McFlurry holds his high perch as the defensive spell brightens below, ice ridges locking across the path while his blizzard coils around the riders.
Rowan
You heard him. Take your dead and leave this road before the stars witness worse.
The dismounted rider hesitates beneath the frozen branches, then lowers his sword. The two mounted figures spur their horses away, and he follows them into darkness.
The spell holds long enough for their hoofbeats to fade, but its strain snaps a branch beneath McFlurry. He catches himself against the trunk, his palm cut by splintered wood.
Itsuki
The wound is closed, and the road is clear. McFlurry, let me see your hand before the cold seals that cut.
Rowan
You made them run without spending another arrow. I owe you both more than an explanation now.
Quest Complete
Protect the wounded swordswoman from the riders
Skill Upgrade: Intimidation Poor→Mediocre