Day22

The Company reached the North Gate before Veyr's patrol and answered Captain Vale's challenge signal. Captain Elian Vale is alive, with part of his garrison. He tells the truth: he kept the Northfire beacon dark because its fuel was nearly gone — one false warning would have emptied the villages into a storm. He defied the Crown's withdrawal to evacuate civilians, and Quartermaster Veyr closed the supply road on purpose and wants the command seal taken and the records burned. Soon the Company must choose: restore the beacon and hold, or use it to signal a full evacuation through the old aqueduct.

Day21

Last day on the exposed causeway to the North Gate. Tamsin's Greyhaven stock closes tonight.

Day20

The Company walks with Greyhaven's carts. Slower — but it will not reach the fortress alone.

Day19

A false 'road closed' order under the blank wax seal sent Veyr's patrol the long way round; it arrived too late to do damage. The Company learns the ice shelf will break on the thirtieth night. Vote today: escort Greyhaven's carts, or press ahead to the fortress.

The Company chose: Protect the civilian carts for two days, then follow.

Day18

Last day to hold Greyhaven Road. Tamsin has set up shop in Greyhaven.

Day17

Veyr's patrol is closing on Greyhaven.

Day16

Greyhaven's evacuees tell the Company how the warning line to the valley was abandoned.

Day15

The Company escaped the patrol, but Veyr now knows someone is carrying his order north. Sera was hurt in the escape. The patrol's orders were to recover the fortress command seal — not to help anyone. The Company reaches Greyhaven, a small settlement sheltering evacuees. Here the Leader opens the final sealed page: the official mission is to retrieve the command seal, burn the fortress records, and withdraw before the ice shelf breaks. Greyhaven's people get no warning and no escort. The Leader admits the fortress commander, Captain Elian Vale, once saved his life. He does not tell the Company what to choose.

Day14

Last day to get past the Whiteout Patrol. Tamsin's Bell Station stock closes tonight.

Day13

In the whiteout, the patrol's colours show: they are Quartermaster Veyr's men.

Day12

The Company raised the bell by hand. A scout from the Northern Fortress, Sera Anik, heard it and walked in openly. She carries a page signed by Crown Quartermaster Ors Veyr, ordering all northern supplies recalled. The Company must vote today on what to do with her. A whiteout is coming in, and a patrol with it.

The Company chose: Accept Sera as a guide.

Day11

Last day to raise the Silent Bell. The Company feels watched from the treeline.

Day10

Tamsin reaches the Bell Station with new stock.

Day9

At the Bell Station the rope was cut clean and the logbook's pages torn out. This was done on purpose.

Day8

The Company arrived with its supplies intact — and for one moment saw a single flash from the distant fortress. Someone there was alive, and recently. The Company reaches the Silent Bell Station: the bell hangs intact, but its rope has been cut.

Day7

The Company is on the frozen Glass River; the thaw has begun underneath the ice. Last day to get down the Broken Way. Tamsin's cart closes tonight.

Day6

The Company is on the frozen Glass River; the thaw has begun underneath the ice.

Day5

The pass is cleared. Beneath the fallen trees the Leader finds an old three-notch trail mark and goes quiet. Tamsin opens her cart. The road forks: the official ridge road or the frozen Glass River. The Company must vote today.

The Company chose: Descend to the frozen Glass River — quicker, but the ice is old.

Day4

Last day to clear Black Pine Pass. Tamsin waits by her cart.

Day3

The axe marks are fresh and deliberate: someone does not want travellers on this road. A travelling quartermaster, Tamsin Rook, catches up with a covered cart. She won't open it while the road is blocked.

Day2

The North Road climbs into Black Pine Pass. Trees lie across the military road — cut, not fallen. The first obstacle is here.

Day1

The Company forms on the North Road. The Leader shows the sealed iron tube with the Crown's crest: orders to reach the Northern Fortress before the thirtieth night. Nobody has said why. Every soldier should choose a class this week: Warrior, Rogue, Cleric, or Ranger.