It is twilight, and a crescent moon smiles above the château's Tilted Tower when The Horned Knight strides into your hall. He is clad in armor of forest green, with an ivy cloak that hisses along the flagstones.
He carries a deer slung over one shoulder. An arrow is buried in its flank. The gauntlet of his other hand is clamped on the shoulder of a bedraggled hunter, whose eyes are round with terror.
"I seek justice," the Horned Knight says, his voice heavy. 'Though I am Lord of the Forest, you are Lord of the Road and Field, and this man is yours. He slew my son. Grant me his life, and he will serve my in my Heartwood Court until I deem his debt has been repaid."
"A deer!" The hunter stammers. "I killed a deer!"
"Just so," the Knight says.
Available actions[]
1.
Grant his request But say it removes the debt you owe him.
Result: A beautiful friendship? The Horned Knight bows to you. "Serault's Shame is not forgotten, but nor is her honor. I will warn my courtiers to be more cautious, and I hope there will always be such understanding between our realms." He takes his leave, dragging the hunter - still begging for mercy - after him. In the days that follow, the forest is a kinder place. Travellers find the trails easier. Fallen wood for the fire is abundant. Small game is plentiful, although deer grow more scarce.
+20 Prosperity, -20 Twilight, +1 Secret, -10 Freedom, lose In the Horned Knight's Debt, unlocks The Abbess' Road, You are no longer in the Horned Knight's debt, A new chapter opens in the story of the Lord of the Forest
2.
Deny his request Even though you owe him a debt.
Result: Dark times The hunter falls to his knees, praising your mercy. The Horned Knight shakes his head. "Serault's Shame has poisoned her root to leaf. She is a land without honor. Keep your child-killer, then, Lord of the Road and the Fields. Perhaps I will hold some hunts of my own." He departs. That night, the forest darkens. Its trails close. Travellers begin to disappear. Hunters suffer unlikely - and painful - accidents. A black host of crows roost in its eaves.
+1 Secret, +20 Twilight, +20 Peril, +10 Freedom, unlocks The Abbess' Road, Adds Unwelcome to The Applewoods deck, A new chapter opens in the story of the Lord of the Forest
Result (alternate): A difficult relationship The Horned Knight shakes his head. "I had hoped for courtesy, one lord to another. But I see that Serault's pride runs as deep as her Shame. I will show courtesy, then. Keep your killer. I will mourn my son. "But I consider you in my debt." He departs for the woods, while the hunter praises your grace and your mercy.
+1 Secret, +10 Freedom, unlocks The Abbess' Road, Adds Unwelcome to The Applewoods deck, A new chapter opens in the story of the Lord of the Forest, You are in the Horned Knight's debt
3.
Have him driven out of the hall Serault is the edge of civilisation, but it's still civilisation. You can't have wood-spirits prancing into your hall and expecting to be treated like human beings.
Result: Fire and steel Your guards advance, spears raised! The Horned Knight retreats, lowering his head like a stag at bay, looking from left to right. Your Bailiff raised a flaming torch. "I won't forget this," the Knight growls. He retreats out of the hall, his dignity barely intact, and is gone into the night.
You are in the Horned Knight's debt, A new chapter opens in the story of the Lord of the Forest, -10 Twilight, +2 Authority
Note[]
Refusing any request from the Horned Knight when you are in his debt will add the Unwelcome penalty card to The Applewoods deck for the rest of the game.
