The split cedar leans over the eastern shelf, its roots concealing a rope ladder descending into a black cut in the mountain. Callan Vey and Seren Vale remain above with the sealed gifts, while Al guards them between his massive gray shoulders.
Artania reaches the old watch tunnel’s floor alone. Damp stone presses close around him, and the ladder sways behind as pale daylight shrinks to a narrow slit overhead.
From deeper darkness comes the faint scrape of chains, followed by a weak human cough. Beyond it, movement stirs through the ravine, slow and searching.
Seren Vale
Traveler, do you hear that? The tunnel bends beneath the shelf. Keep low, and watch for the old guard niches.
Callan Vey
Find the true courier and bring him back alive. The gifts remain sealed, and Al will see that no one touches them.
A chain clinks again, nearer now. Dust trickles from the ceiling as something shifts beyond the bend, while the distant ravine movement pauses in sudden silence.
Artania Nero Thornson
The cough is human, and the chains are close.
“I advance cautiously toward the chained courier. I gather my magic once more summoning three balls of light. Sending them forward. I spread out my senses as well, staying alert.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Magic, rolled +1)
Artania advances carefully along the damp passage, gathering blue-white magic in his palms. Three small orbs of light rise and drift ahead, illuminating the bend.
The lights spread across the tunnel, revealing old guard niches, wet stone, and a lean adult man bound against an iron ring beneath a collapsed arch.
The true courier, his short dark hair plastered to weathered brown skin and a narrow scar marking his chin, wears a torn blue-gray cloak over travel leathers. His dusty face is hollow with exhaustion, and a broken royal badge hangs from his belt.
Tavian Rusk
By the crown, you are not one of them. Please, cut these chains before they return.
Artania’s widened senses catch the courier’s breathing, the chain’s old iron scent, and faint footfalls far behind, still distant in the ravine.
Tavian Rusk
They bound me here after taking my dispatches. The forged replacement was meant to draw the gifts into their hands.
The three lights hover around the prisoner like pale stars, keeping the passage clear as Artania reaches the chained courier and stands within arm’s reach.
“I reach for the chains. Gathering my magic I enhance my arms and shoulders. Ripping the shackles from the wall. I ask the true courier his name.”
SUCCESS (Good Strength, rolled +0)
Artania reaches for the shackles and draws blue-white magic through his arms and shoulders. His muscles harden beneath the spell as the iron ring groans in the wall.
With a sharp wrench, he rips the ring and both shackles free from the collapsed stone. The impact cracks through the tunnel, sending dust cascading from the arch.
The true courier slumps forward, freed but trembling. Artania catches the loosened chain before it can drag him down, while pain flares through his strained shoulders.
Artania Nero Thornson
What is your name?
Tavian Rusk
Tavian Rusk. Royal courier of Arch. I thank you, traveler, but that noise will bring back whoever left me here.
The magic gutters from Artania’s arms, leaving his fingers stiff and his shoulders aching. Far behind, the searching footsteps resume, quicker now, echoing through the ravine.
Get Tavian Rusk safely out of the tunnel
Quest Complete
Rescue the true courier
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Good→Great