(The deafening roar of the ash-wyrm rumbles in the throat of the gorge, making the rock and snow ground tremble. The air smells of sulfur and red-hot metal. You stay on guard, weapon in hand).
(A colossal figure emerges from the mist. The flash of polished steel and the royal blue cape leave no room for doubt: it is Theobald Varkholm, the Captain of the Vowguard. His enormous runesteel greatsword rests in his hands, stained with ash. His steel-blue eyes fix on the insignia of your Kaldmark armor with an instant spark of hostility).
(Theobald takes a firm step toward you, the snow crunching under his metal greaves, and raises the tip of his greatsword to a prudent distance, assessing the situation quickly).
"A Kaldmark soldier in border territory..."
his voice is deep, clean, and resonates with the authority of a noble Varethi commander
"The laws of my homeland demand that I take your head or bring you chained to the capital."
(A new roar from the monster shakes the stone walls above you, causing a rockslide that blocks the descent path. Theobald does not blink, but his eyes go from the collapse to your combat stance).
"But that monster does not distinguish between Vareth and Kaldmark. If we intend to leave this peak alive, we will need more than military pride."
Theobald slowly lowers the tip of his sword, though he keeps his guard tense
"I propose a truce, Kaldmark. We fight back to back until we kill the beast. When it is dead... we will decide if we become enemies again. Do you accept the pact of honor?"