With great courtesy he bows and presents two vials of carefully prepared salve. You recognize him: the favorite whom the Sultan gave to Samir as a "wife." The gesture had obvious humiliation in it, yet Samir accepted. All these years he has taken no other man and no woman at all. As an outsider, you cannot tell how much of their bond is for show, but at least on the surface it has always seemed harmonious. You remember glimpsing this man at tea with Samir—a quiet, docile figure with hardly any presence. Now his shoulders tremble slightly, his hands pressed to his sides, as though taut with nerves. After handing you the remedies he turns to leave in haste.

Result:

• Card (Carefully Compounded Wound Salve):
  • Tag (Owned): +1
  • Quantity: +2
• No Show:
  • Adjust Tag (lock_177) of Total Card (Samir): Add 1
  • Adjust Tag (lock_177) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000729): Add 1
• Counter (7000735): Add 1

Action:

• Enable Event: Samir's Ten-Round Countdown

Whatever makes him falter like this must concern Samir. After a few careful words, you convince him that your questions spring from concern. In this court, in this Empire, "concern" and "friendship" are rare things. He should not shoulder everything for Samir alone.

Kapar bites his lip, hesitating, but your words clearly move him—or perhaps he simply has no one else to turn to.

"My master forbade me to tell you," he blurts at last, dropping to his knees. "He said you would worry and act rashly, but..." And then he tells you everything.

Lately rumors spread through the court that certain consorts are secretly seeking abortifacients. A hidden pregnancy means illicit liaisons in the harem—disgrace that could cost many heads... As the court physician attending these women, Samir naturally draws the heaviest suspicion. He has been placed under soft confinement while the royal guards investigate.

It is a perilous situation. Yet even now, he has sent his trusted servant to tend your injuries... You sigh inwardly, then tell Kapar not to lose hope—you will do what you can. But if you wish to intervene, you will likely have to go to court in person.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 = 1
• Roll #1: Tag Count (Sociability) + Tag Count (Wisdom) ≥ (2, 5)

Result:

• Card (Inside Information)
• Card (Inside Information)

Kapar refuses to say a word. His mouth is shut like a clam, no matter how hard you try to pry it open. Clearly, Samir has entrusted him with something—and it surely concerns your ever-cautious old friend. You cannot tell what trouble Samir has fallen into, but one thing offers a sliver of comfort: even as the Sultan's gift, Kapar is fiercely loyal to him.

With that thought, you let him go. Samir does not call upon you, and Kapar says nothing, but that does not mean you are helpless. Do not underestimate yourself—if you step into the court in person, is there truly any secret that can escape your ears?

Conditions:

• Slot #2 = 1
• Roll #1: Tag Count (Sociability) + Tag Count (Wisdom) < (2, 5)