Adventure of Ragnar Stormclaw 1

Ragnar has barely cleared the broken arch when shouting echoes from the tunnel behind him. A riderless horse limps from the low hills, its tack hanging loose, then collapses beside the road.

The beast's breath clouds the cold air. From between the hill's wet grasses, a wounded outrider staggers into view, clutching Bellwether's broken gate pennant.

Ser Joren Vale drops to one knee near the fallen horse, one hand pressed beneath his torn cloak. His face is pale, and mud darkens the pennant's splintered shaft.

Behind Ragnar, another impact booms beneath the stone arch. The roadside priest remains below with the villagers, while no companion has followed Ragnar onto the north road.

Ragnar helps Ser Joren away from the fallen horse, bearing most of the wounded outrider's weight. Joren's knees buckle, forcing them both against a rain-darkened milestone.

With Joren steadied, Ragnar turns toward the eastern hills. Wet grass, broken ridges, and drifting dawn mist conceal the ground beyond the empty road.

Ragnar studies the hills, yet the shifting mist defeats any certain sight of a hidden approach. Then a dark notch appears beneath the highest ridge, framed by standing stones.

The open road no longer offers a reliable view, and Joren cannot safely travel without support. The narrow cut remains visible, a usable route around Bellwether's guarded approach.

Joren braces harder against the milestone, turning his face toward the eastern hills. Dawn catches the grime on his cheek and the blood beneath his cloak.

Joren lifts the broken gate pennant toward the ridge. Mist coils below the high stones, while a faint whistle answers from somewhere beyond the visible slope.

Joren studies Ragnar beneath the drifting mist, then reaches beneath his torn cloak and draws out a small bone whistle on a frayed cord.

Joren demonstrates the pattern, but the final note cuts sharply across the hills. Far below, birds burst from the grass, and a faint answering whistle rises from the watchpath.

The effort tears Joren's wound open again beneath his cloak. Fresh blood darkens the fabric, though the answering signal confirms the friendly wardens are waiting beyond the standing stones.

Ragnar hooks Joren's arm over his shoulder and guides him toward the standing stones. Each careful step sinks into wet ground, while the outrider's weight grows heavier.

They reach the first rise, but Joren's leg buckles. His hand slips from Ragnar's shoulder, and both stagger against a lichen-covered stone.

The friendly wardens remain beyond the stones, their answering signal fading into the mist. Joren sinks into a hollow between the rocks, sheltered but unable to advance.

Behind Ragnar, the north road lies open toward Bellwether. Ahead, the standing stones conceal the watchpath, while Joren's position is hidden for the moment.

Beyond the standing stones, a shuttered lantern opens twice, then once. The rear postern remains held, its wardens watching the mist for the promised signal.

A second whistle answers from the watchpath, two long notes clear above the wet grass. The sound comes from close beyond the ridge.

Joren settles deeper into the hollow between the stones, concealed from the lower slopes. His breathing remains strained, yet the wardens' signal steadies him.

Mist curls over the ridge, hiding the eastern force while the guarded watchpath rises ahead. The broken pennant and bone whistle remain ready to open the way.

Ragnar climbs the last few steps of the watchpath and raises Bellwether's broken gate pennant above the mist. The shuttered lantern opens at once.

A narrow postern door unlocks within the standing stones. Two wardens emerge with drawn swords lowered, their eyes fixed on the pennant and bone whistle.

The nearer warden takes the broken pennant carefully, while the other holds the postern open. Beyond them, a steep stair descends toward Bellwether's rear lanes.

The wardens admit Ragnar through the guarded postern. Behind him, mist closes over the stones and hides Joren's hollow, while the stair leads into Bellwether.