Braldor Speaks...

Thane Braldor's Chambers
A smaller room than the Underhalls of the Bundazanul, but still impressive. This room seems to have once been a natural cavern that the Khazad have hollowed to a larger size. The floor looks to be a polished granite that has a rather startling reflection. The slightly rougher walls are covered with beautiful tapestries. They rise then curve inwards and reach the natural ceiling, 15 feet up. The light in the room barely reaches the ceiling, which glitters when light reaches up to it's heights. On the ceiling along each wall hangs a large stalagtite, 10 feet long. Occasionally a drop of water drips off of one of them and lands in a gold basin that's sitting on a decorated wood table. Along one of the walls also is a stone fireplace large enough to put a rather good sized kettle in. Most of the light in this room comes from it. A stone couch sits in front of the fireplace, with a wooden table in front of it. There are wooden chairs around the room, and all look rather old. A large desk stands next to a wall. Above the door hangs two banners. One of Erebor, and one of Clan Bundazanul.

As solemn faced as she is ever wont to be, the Barazin trader, Hildis, stands between the two guards before the great doors of the Bundazanul Thane's office. Attired in her best, a richly figured gown of green brocade belted at the waist with her clan crest, hair and beard braided - glinting with carved green stones, she is the figure of a prosperous merchant. She nods to the guards and pushes the door open to enter the vestibule and when no one stops her she enters the Thane's office.

[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor is, as usual, working behind his desk, a stack of parchments and scrolls in front of him. As Hildis enters, the Thane lifts his gaze, and he quickly rolls the scroll he was reading. "Well met, Hildis of Barazin", he says, as he stands and nods. "To what do i owe the honor of yer visit?", he adds, motioning for Hildis to sit on one of the couches that lie near the hearth.

The Barazin curtseys low before him her face stiff with the nervousness she tries to keep at bay. "You are ever kind, sir," says in a low voice and moves towards the hearth. She hesitates waiting for him but sits arranging her gown and beard before folding her hands in her lap.

"I should like your advice, sir."

[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor sits in front of her, his feet crossed and extending towards the hearty fire that crackles merrily in the hearth. "Well, and how may I help ye then?", he says, a benign smile on his face. "Hardly anyone from other clans comes seeking my advice... so I shall do my best for ye, Hildis. 'Tis an honor indeed".

His kindness softens some of the stiffness from her face, the beginning of a smile curves her mouth. "The honor is mine, sir. Truly. It is concerning the matter of Ranor. I am trying to understand why I was imprisoned, sir...and why, "she grasps for the word, her square well made hand gesturing , "he has left us unpunished." Her last words are spoken so low they are nearly a whisper.

[Braldor(#30149)] "Ah", the Thane says, as his eyes wander towards the fire. "Ranor, indeed", he says. "Well, young lady, what i can tell ye isn't much, and even that I must ask ye to vow to keep to yerself, before i disclose it", he adds, as his dark eyes regard Hildis once more.

Hildis catches an involuntary breath her green eyes as wide as a child's at his words, "I give you my word upon my honor and my clan's, sir."

[Braldor(#30149)] "That is good," the Thane replies, and grows silent for a moment. "As fer yer first question... yer imprisonment. Well, I've talked to the Lord Gimli about it, and for what I've been able to piece together", he adds, as he briefly scowls at touching such a disgusting topic, "is that ye were but a pawn... someone used by Ranor to achieve what he wanted. Yet ye were an unknowing player in all this plot, as so yer here free", he says.

"Pawn, I was, that is clear to me. But whose pawn? Ranor's? Zinbar's?" She asks eagerly but stops herself, twisting her fingers together in an effort to contain herself and let the Thane speak.

[Braldor(#30149)] "As far as I now... Ranor's", Braldor replies. "There's no trace of Zinbar's hand in this ploy", he adds, his scowl deepening.

"I am sorry to say that...I have no wish to smirch another clan's name. Then it was Ranor," she repeats averting her eyes from him as anger and sadness darken her eyes.

[Braldor(#30149)] "Ranor, indeed". the Thane replies, nodding once. "And that brings us to yer second question... Ranor's fate", he adds, as he looks straight at Hildis.

The Barazin maiden nods once deeply, unwilling or unable to speak.

[Braldor(#30149)] After a moment of silence, Braldor sighs. "Alas! 'Tis a pity that ye come and seek my aid in this", he says, "for I may not venture much about this issue. Yet, ye state he has gone unpunished. Perhaps it may look so for ye, and for many others, Hildis of Barazin. Yet i assure ye, and give ye my word, as Thane Bundazanul and as a loyal vassal to Dain, son of Nain, that he has been punished, and quite harshly. More than that, I am afraid I cannot venture to tell ye".

Hildis gives the Thane a penetrating look, trusting and open, then drops her eyes studying her hands. "So. So," she murmurs to herself as she takes his words in.

"The huskarl said nothing to me and though I do not consider myself vindictive I could not fathom the severity of my stay in prison and his leaving seemingly without disgrace."

[Braldor(#30149)] "Ye speak well, Hildis... ye said seemingly, and yet, sometimes appearances might deceive", the Thane replies. "As I said, Ranor had had a very harsh punishment, and perhaps he'll come to see the error of his ways and repent... and perhaps not. But in any case, the punishment has been dealt, and it fitted exactly for what he did. rest assured", he adds, as he leans forward in the couch, towards Hildis, "that every day ye spent in jail will be suffered by Ranor... in more ways than ye would think."

"My pride and my clan's pride will not let me forgive him but I would for his son's sake. I have needed to understand." She sits very straight, her chin high but tears glisten in her eyes. "I am sorry, finally, that he suffers, for his family does - his wife and children and clan."

Ranol knocks once out of respect before walking into the office, a grin on his face and laughter from the guards outside floating on the air after him. He looks around the room quickly as he begins pushing the door closed and actually stops dead for a moment as his blue eyes notice Hildis. After a speechless moment the huskarl asks in a stumbling fashion, "My lord.. is this.. ahh.. should I come back later?"

[Braldor(#30149)] "Nay, nay, Huskarl", Braldor repliues, the scowl on his face disappearing, while he beckons Ranol to approach. "Hildis was here to... seek some guidance, it seems, yet I'm sure we're quite done with that, are we not?", he adds, winking at Hildis.

The Thane's wink nearly wrests a giggle from her as the tension breaks. She remains silent but gives the Huskarl a gentle smile, nodding in approbation at the Thane.

Ranol approaches slowly and the expression on his face can only be concerned bewilderment. His blue eyes flick sharply between the two and after Ranol gives the thane his customary bow he swallows and manages to pose a question, "Might I ask what kind of guidance?"

[Braldor(#30149)] "Well, that is not fer me to disclose, Huskarl", Braldor replies, "but perhaps Hildis might, fer after all, she was the one that came to me", he adds. "I'm also sure", he comments, with a sly glance cast at the Huskarl, "that ye might have little difficulties in getting an answer fer yer question".

Hildis shoots the Thane a narrow eyed look but shakes her head smiling. But the smile fades when she answers, "I came to ask after the nature of my stay in prison and your father leaving, Ranol. I didn't understand."

Ranol slowly rubs the back of his neck, still looking between the two in uncertainty. When she explains, the huskarl looks over at Braldor. "Is there more to it than I know?" He asks, his black brows drawing together in question.

[Braldor(#30149)] "Ye have been told all ye need to know, Huskarl", Braldor says, as he stands. "Now, if ye'll excuse me... I have some things to read, and some others to write, if ye know what I mean", he adds, as he casts a glance at the stack of pachments and scrolls on his desk.

Ranol lets out a slow breath as Braldor gives him the classic 'I'm not telling you anything else' line. "Lord Braldor, I don't even know why my father wasn't questioned on the incident. Hildis spent almost two weeks in prison.. Do you know who was in charge of investigating it? Maybe I can go speak with them." The huskarl watches the thane, pressing for more information. "If you know anything else about it, my lord?.. I think I have a right to know."

The Barazin rises and curtseys deeply before the Thane, the rich red of her beard flowing nearly to her knees as she sinks. "Thank you, sir. You have treated me with both kindness and respect. Never once did I feel belittled or that my request seemed unimportant."

She passes the Huskarl - the barest smile on her lips until he speaks. All ease disappears, she turns and glances from the Huskarl to the the Thane, a flare of mistrust for the Thane's kindness making her face blandly neutral.

[Braldor(#30149)] "Yer father was questioned, and everything was made clear", Braldor replies. "Rest assured that punishment has been dealt, for trying to frame someone who had no idea was not a clever move", he says, as he stands and moves to his desk. "I assure ye, Huskarl, that the matter was dealt with", he adds, with a tone of finality.

"Why will they not tell you - of all dwarves? You should know for he is your father. I asked because I thought no justice had been done. My false imprisonment was public, my family suffered, my reputation as a new trader suffered and will suffer." She stands at her tallest, her gaze turned first to Ranol and at the last on the Thane.

[Braldor(#30149)] "Hildis, remember yer vow to me, ere we began discussing certain issues", Braldor warns. "I have told ye that Ranor's activities got investigated, and a resolution was made. That is enough for ye both to know", he adds, as he sits on his chair, grabbing a parchment.

"And I will keep that vow to you, Thane," she replies with some heat. "It will be easy as I know no more now than when I arrived beyond your assurance that in some manner he has been punished." She curtseys low again and turns to leave the room.

Ranol doesn't look any more pleased than Hildis, but he doesn't argue with Braldor. He bows, then says quietly, "I'll see you tomorrow, my lord. Have a good evening. Halun has the shift chart for the week if you wanted to see it." The huskarl turns to follow Hildis out, frowning.