Wedding? What wedding?

Seaward Tower: Courtyard

Here within the walls of the Seaward Tower grounds, there is a certain order to everything. From the close-cropped grass and neat, straight hedges to the fresh paint on the nearby buildings, one is almost forced to appreciate the rigid discipline that must be maintained in this place, and among these men and women. To the west, beyond the gardens stands the outer seawall and high escarpment, and the roaring of the ocean as it breaks on the stone is ever-present.

At times, a soft sea-spray can even be felt this far into the grounds, but more often one is shielded by the Tower itself. High grey, undressed stone gleams in the moonlight with the dried salt of the ocean spray. This Tower, a massive and brooding edifice that perches majestically at the sheer sea cliff, rules western Umbar proudly. The Tower approach is a shadowed path into the gardens, the doors facing the Sea it would seem, rather than the city.

The night sky is clear with only slight wisps of clouds overhead. The dawn summer air is very hot and dry around you. The moon is waning crescent.

Contents:
Azradi
Zigur-Ziguran
Mirdanath
Eruphel
Mara
Block

Obvious exits:
Front Gate, Garden Path, and Barracks

First few poses are missing, alas. Thought the scene was amusing enough to log anyway.

[Mirdanath(#16098)]      "I am glad. My whole House is quite excited about the coming events. They see no better way to celebrate the return of the Council and the defeat of the False Emperor then with a wedding." The man grins at this before he turns to watch the Lady's corsairs at their labour.
     "This news makes me glad, Lady Eruphel. My retainers are still being mustered but I thought it appropriate to show you those I have gathered thus far."

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    Eruphel smiles and nods, her face bright and open. But then confusion passes over her countenance like a cloud. "A wedding? Really?" she asks, curious.

[Mirdanath(#16098)]      "Indeed. The invitations have already begun to be sent out. Almost all of the nobility of Umbar has been invited. I must say, my father wastes little time." This causes a chuckle from the man before he continues. "As for my mother, she nearly jumped out of his skin with joy when I told her that you had accepted the terms. She eagerely awaits the unification of our Houses.

     "As for the date, of the wedding my family thought it best for it to occur about a week after we have finally destroyed the Emperor's forces. That way the people of the City may have a brief rest before the celebrations. Does this suite you my Lady?

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    Eruphel's face freezes, and then slowly melts to a concerned wince. "Wait. What? Unification of our Houses? Are you saying /we/ are getting married?" Eruphel says, perhaps in shock, perhaps she's just -slow-.

[Mirdanath(#16098)]      "Of course. That was part of the terms you agreed upon the other day, my dear." Noticing the shock upon his betrothed's face, he smile again. "Do not worry. My parents have taken over the planning of the event since we knew that you would be quite busy with the war effort. It will be taken care of."

     Chuckling to himself now, he speaks. "I'm certain all we'll end up having to do is attend. A seamstress will be coming later this evening to take your measurements. House Sikkiyn is sparring no expense, it will be gold cloth. All of it, according to my father."

With all the construction and comings and goings happening at Seaward, of what note is one more person in the street outside? Perhaps little, but as Barjad approaches Seaward's silvered gates, he pauses, swallowing, and his hand half-reaches to his belt before it drops back. He sighs, shrugs and approaches the guards: soon his slow, nasal tones can be heard raised in quiet speech. "I look for Captain Su'ad." And a little later, more sharply. "I use the name I was given."

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    Eruphel's voice is flat and distant, as if she is only half here. "No...that is not what we agreed upon. We agreed that I would give a ship, and you would swear into my service. At no time was the word marriage...or engagement, or betrothal, or husband or wife spoken." Unsmiling, Eruphel reaches out to hold on to the nearest scaffold, gripping it. She glances at Barjad at the name 'Su'ad', though nothing else was heard clearly, and recognises him. "Let him come..." she tells a guardman.

[Mirdanath(#16098)]      "Now my dear, this is no time to joke." Despite his words, a deep smile is stil upon his features as he continues. "The marriage was to solidify the accord between you and House Sikkiyn." Mirdanath speaks now as if reminding her. "Your memory cannot be /that/ bad."

     His gaze now turns to take in the scene over at the gates. As for his men, they stand silent and still but for some reason appear somewhat uneasy as they 'accidentally' overhear the conversation between the two nobles.

[Yussef(#19036)]
From without, seemingly on Barjad's heels, comes a youth Farside devices on his brown attire. The two guardsmen eye him warily for a moment, 'ere they nod near enough in unison: they know him.

Yussef lays a hand lightly on Barjad's shoulder in catching up, affording him a glance and a spartan greeting, "Come to offer your service?" But no smile. No, his mien is a dark one.

As he looks to Mirdanath and Eruphel over yonder the former specifically, his knuckles whiten about the spear which he holds ever leaned on his shoulder.

But his pace remains level with Barjad's all the same.

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    "No...my memory is just fine. They offered you to me to seal the deal, yes, but did not specify whether it was for marriage or slavery. Honestly, I thought they meant the latter, but would have none of that for one such as you." Eruphel says, clearly not joking. Out of the side of her vision, she can see others approaching, but remains fixed on Mirdanath. "If that is what your house believes, then I think renegotiations are in order, and you might want to do them before the battle."

Barjad enters as bid, but at the sight of the richly dressed young man to whom 'Su'ad' is speaking, he turns aside. Unbidden his feet start to head toward the barracks - and halt, for it is then that Yussef catches up with him. "I come to see if the one who was Su'ad still has a place on a ship," he explains, eyes narrowing a fraction at that dark look. Deliberately he turns his gaze elsewhere, toward a group assembling some form of structure. "I can help them," he suggests, stopping short of shrugging off that restraining hand.

If he, too, 'accidentally' overhears any of the conversation between the nobles, his eyes give no sign of it.

[Mirdanath(#16098)]      All laughter and joy now leaves this man and he stares at her with cold eyes. "I am quite offended that you would honestly believe that my father would give me to you as a slave. I am of House Sikkiyn. My House can trace its way back to the people of Numenor. Numenor, my Lady......" It is now clear that Mirdanath is quite angry but still attempts to keep it behind his features.

     "Yes. I do believe renogiations are in order. As Lord Ghalib's son, I now ask that I be made Fleet Master of Seaward in addition to having the Nimrizan in exchange for House Sikkiyn's support." His words sound calm but it is within his eyes that the anger and hurt are visible.

[Yussef(#19036)]
"Su'ad is Eruphel," Yussef says without turning to look at Barjad in that moment, face unchanging. But his hand remains on that shoulder all the same, "Eruphel was Su'ad. That-..." A nod towards the pair, "-...is her."

His voice lowers to a murmur now: "Come."

"Keep his guards busy if I have to kill him."

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    Eruphel's eyes narrow, and her mouth is tight and drawn. "That, I can do, if you can prove yourself a worthy captain in the upcoming battle. I am sorry that there was a misunderstanding. But if you, or your father, or your house, thought I would give myself away so easily in marriage to the first family that suggests it, then you must have already thought me a fool. I have not worked the last nine years...and more...to come to this point, only to give it all away in marriage the next week." Now it is Eruphel's voice that sounds hurt and angry. She takes a moment to calm herself, and when she speaks, there is compassion once more. "Mirdanath...it is not about you. You might be a wonderful suitor, and maybe an excellent husband. But the timing is wrong. I have to come to know you better."

Under Yussef's hand, Barjad's shoulder lifts in a shrug. "I will use the name she tells me to."

The rest of the man's speech brings a suspicious narrowing of topaz-coloured eyes. "No." The word is flat. "I know the," the words halt, and he gestures to his own chest. "The ... picture?" His tone is doubtful. "The Lord of Seaward needs Houses like this to support. I will not destroy that."

Odd fragments of Eruphel's impassioned speech drift past without him acknowledging them.

[Yussef(#19036)]
The hand falls limp to his side then, as Yussef turns to stare levelly at Barjad and the darkness drains from his face, eyes widen and brow smoothening the wry sneer vanishing. He sighs 'ere a moment, eyelids stirring as his glance is downcast on the pavings. "You're right."

"Fine."

He pivots, to return the way he came.

[Mirdanath(#16098)]      "I........understand...." The man is silent for a moment and the anger leaves him. Straightening his back, he returns to his shield of formality. "This is acceptable, Lady Eruphel. I will prove just how suitable I am for this position." His gaze quickly passes over Yussef and Barjad now as the two discuss back and forth.

     The House retainers now shift somewhat uneasily as the many men watch the Sergeant's movements. "I must now inform my House, my Lady. There is much to......cancel....." Mirdanath now bows to Eruphel and begins to walk towards the gates.

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    It takes actual effort for Eruphel to resist the urge to apologize further, and she just stands there woodenly as he bows. "I will bear part of the cost." she offers to his retreating form, then takes a deep breath, putting a hand to her breast and sighing. She leans against the scaffolding. Then looking up, she calls, "Yussef..." Then she looks at Barjad once more. "Oh yes. Please come forward."

Barjad's dark brows draw down in a frown at Yussef's sudden change of heart, and he watches the youth thoughtfully. Now that he is freed of restraint, he hesitates, glance wavering between the group working on the seige tower - surely they /could/ use a hand? - and the despondent Eruphel. At the summons his decision is made for him, and he steps slowly forward.

[Yussef(#19036)]
The name halts the young sergeant's stride. He turns a glance over his shoulder -- one that freezes, in both movement and temper, on the party of retainers of Sikkiyn, and their heir foremost following their departure -- at Eruphel. He doesn't approach immediately.

When he does, it is on reluctant feet.

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    After a few breaths, Eruphel regains her composure, and stands straight again, looking like the lady and commander she should. "Ah...Barjad. You wanted to join my crew. Well, as lady...or rather lady claimant of the tower, I may not get many chances to captain a ship anymore. For now, the Saqr'wail is still mine, but I still expect a transfer soon. But there will be other ships. So, if you are prepared to take an oath...not to Su'ad, Captain of a ship, but to Eruphel, Lady of Seaward, wherever I may need you, then I am ready to take your oath."

That brings a frown to Barjad's brow - thoughtful rather than angry. He is silent for a long while, before he speaks, in the same slow, nasal tones as ever. "Lady .. Er-u-phel." He enunciates the name carefully. "This is not the first time I did stand here, in this place, and give an oath to serve." His gaze drops to regard the flagstones in silence, but then the words come once more. "I will give this oath again, to you," his heavy brows lighten a little - almost one might say he were smiling - "but ... there is a thing I ask." His voice lowers, the next words for the ears of the Seaward Lord-claimant alone.

"If I serve well, will a time come when I am free to go? I- I was not always of Umbar," the man murmurs.

[<#20109>]
Eruphel's face seems confused and withdrawn as Barjad speaks, and his hesitance brings a frown to her face. She also speaks in low tones, but not as concerned about secrecy, perhaps. "And of what tribe were you, before you came to Umbar?"

That question brings a shake of the head from Barjad. "No tribe. Or, not as you mean them. Unwilling I was brought here, but willing I stayed." Raising his voice a little, he goes on, awkwardly, 'Oath binds me to this Tower already. A new one will bind me to you. Shall I give it?'

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    "Unwilling you were brought here..." Eruphel's eyes narrow once more, almost angry. "Are you a slave? A slave from Gondor?" Her eyes revisit his face, looking for the bone structure of the northmen in his visage.

That brings out a bark of laughter. "No, and no." The words are sharply spoken, and Barjad's eyes narrow. "I have no love for Stonelanders. It is a pity that others see them differently." He pauses. "I do not wish to serve a Stonelander." Now it is the woman who is being scrutinized she, though, does not have the look of Gondor about her.

[Yussef(#19036)]
Without comment -- but his glance between the two is perhaps an unspoken question on its own accord, under a perched brow such at is -- Yussef stops there then bowing his head to the claimant of Seaward, ironshod spear chiming against the stones underneath as he assumes a loosely guarded if formal posture, a hand rested behind is back.

His eyebrow arches higher at the last.

[Eruphel(#20109)]
    "Then I will accept your oath, Barjad." Eruphel takes a few steps to the side, and draws her sword. It gleams in the afternoon sun, as she holds it aloft, then lets it drape at her side.

Barjad, his scrutiny over, does not hesitate, but drops to his knees in the dusty courtyard. The words are slow and awkward, but there is no suggestion of doubt about them. "Eruphel, Lady of Seaward, I give you my service. To follow where you lead, to do as you order done. To protect what you wish protected. My life you have now."