Dwarven Discussion in the Inn-yard

[Frarin(#31050)] The night is still relatively young, at this hour when supper has been finished for the most part but the inn still has a healthy crowd of patrons to service. The roll of busy voices spills out from the door under the archway that leads to the common room and the clatter of washing dishes comes from the open door of the kitchen. But the innyard itself is relatively quiet, the stable doors closed for the night and all other work in the yard brought to an end by the darkness.

It is cool with a slight crisp in the air, but Frarin stands near to the closed door leading to the downstairs hallway. Clad in cloak and scarf, with the hood down, the silver merchant seems to be quietly savouring the emptiness of the innyard. Now and again a flare of dim light reflects upon his face as he draws upon the long-stemmed pipe extending from between his teeth.

Ranol approaches from the back of the yard, on his way back to the Pony for the night. He had been out for a walk, intent on keeping himself in shape despite the lazy winter stay here in Bree. When he spots one of his kin, he lifts a hand in greeting, "Hail!" As he draws closer he recognizes the silver merchant. "Frarin. Good evening to you. Thari seemed in far greater spirits yesterday."

[Braldor(#30149)] From the archway another khazad comes, this one clad in a blue cloak and matching hood, the cloth richly woven and lined with fur to battle the cold of the evening. This is Braldor, known to both Ranol and, specially, to Frarin, as the merchant has had several run-ins with the Thane. Braldor walks at a stately pace, seeming to be enjoying the solituyde and peace that this night offers. he stops then, and produces something from a pocket. Soon, a small flare is seen, as the Thane lights his long-stemmed pipe, and begins to smoke as he continues to advance further towards the Pony and his brethren. "A fair eve to ye both!", he calls, as he espies the clan-karl and the emrchant.

[Frarin(#31050)] At the approach of the clan-karl, Frarin straightens from his relaxed position leaning against the outer wall of the inn and lifts a hand in greeting as well. "Good evening, Ranol," the silver merchant hails with a nod. He sounds tired, but of better spirits himself, at least in comparison to his mood since first word of Thari's capture. "Yes, Thari is doing better," Frarin nods in agreement, returning to his post holding up the side of the innyard. "We had a chance to talk, openly, about--well, about everything of late. I think it has done him some good." And Frarin too, it would seem, even if he does not acknowledge it.

The merchant takes a pull on his pipe as a third dwarf enters the yard, apparently with much the same intention as Frarin himself. Frarin straightens briefly again and offers a quick bow as Braldor comes closer. "Hail, Thane," he says politely.

Ranol closes the distance between himself and Frarin, smiling. "My cousin will soon become a terrible patient, I fear. That room is far too small." He grins, having visited Thari just after the dwarf was watching the spar down here in the yard. As Braldor approaches Ranol turns and bows, "My lord. I have a request to make, if you have a moment?"

[Braldor(#30149)] "Ah, 'tis good to hear that Thari's better, both in body and spirits", the Thane says, as he acknowledges Frarin's greeting with a nod. Ranol then speaks, and his words bring a smile to the thane's lips. "Well, indeed, Thari can be difficult at times. And", he adds, as his dark eyes settle on Ranol, "speak, lad, of this request".

[Frarin(#31050)] "Thari has perhaps earned the right," Frarin says with mild amusement in his face. "He has treated enough bad patients, myself among them, to have earned the privilege of being difficult." And he adds, quietly, "But I do not mind." The merchant too looks to Ranol with some small interest as a hazy smoke ring, a blue grey circle set against the black of night, drifts into nothingness.

Ranol straightens, hesitating for a moment to sort out his words. "Thane, Thari has asked that spend more time at his side as guard, so that Frarin will be free to go about town and tend to his own business. Given how much time and energy, and personal risk Frarin has put into helping to keep our .. brother.. safe, I think he more than deserves some time for himself."

[Braldor(#30149)] Braldor remains silent for a while, puffing on his pipe. His dark eyes go from Ranol to Frarin, then back to the clan-karl yet no words does he utter. Finally, he gets his pipe out his mouth, and blows a smoke ring, which he silently regards as it drifts lazily, until it's lost in the night. "I don't see why not", he fionally says, "given that our cousin Thari does need someone to stand guard, in case any other cut throat tries to get near", he says, "and I'm sure Master Frarin here has enough business to do while we yet stay in these lands.... do ye not?", he adds, his last question asked to the merchant.

[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin looks surprised to learn that Ranol's request is to do with himself and he takes his pipe from his mouth as the clan-karl explains. He looks to Braldor at the Thane's question, but shakes his head, frowning perplexed. "No, I do not," he replies, shrugging. "I have made very little business in Bree." He pauses, considering. "Though, I suppose I do have some business..."

He looks back to Ranol, still slightly surprised and almost a look defensive as well. "Thari asked for that? I don't...Well, I mean of course it is thoughtful. But I do not mind it, truly."

Ranol isn't comfortable making requests of Braldor at all, but Thari had asked him to be around more so that Frarin could have more time to himself, and the clan-karl needs to know that he can make such committments. He smiles when Braldor agrees, Ranol gives a short bow, again. "Thank you, my lord." He looks back at Frarin. "You deserve some freedom, Frarin. Unless.. you feel my protection is inadequate?" He lifts a brow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

[Braldor(#30149)] "No thanks needed, Ranol", the Thane replies, as he smiles to the clan-karl, "for 'tis yer duty to guard those of our kin as best ye can. I'm sure Thari will also be grateful for such zeal that ye show in the protection of our cousins", he adds, nodding to Ranol. And as the clan-karl questions Frarin, the Thane merely cocks an eye in the merchants direction while he puts his pipe back on his lips to hide a further smile.

[Frarin(#31050)] "No, not at all," Frarin says to Ranol, serious until he catches the clan-karl's small smile. He relaxes, shaking his head and taking another pull on his pipe. "No, that is fine. It has been no trouble for me, I have been...honoured to look after Thari. But, yes, that is fine."

Ranol runs a hand through his short black hair, glancing up in the direction of Thari's window for a moment, half expecting to see the injured dwarf peeking out. "Great. We can work out the shifts later, then." He seems more relaxed now that that business is done.

[Braldor(#30149)] "I shall leave ye, then, to discuss that", Braldor says, putting his pipe out and gently tapping the cassock so that all the pipeweed falls to the ground, leaving it empty. "I shall go now to get some sleep... so i bid ye fare well, and a good night!". With that the Thane puts his pipe in his pocket once more, and strides to the pony. Soon, he is lost from sight.

[Frarin(#31050)] "Good night, Thane," Frarin farewells as Braldor leaves them. He smokes in silence for a time, dark eyes absently peering into the darkness beyond the archway of the inn. Only when little whirls of smoke have begun to fully encircle his head does he wave them away and look back to Ranol with a polite smile. "You have been to see Thari often then? He is certainly doing better, I think. But it is good to give him company whenever possible, being so bedridden." His words are distracted, his eyes wandering back to the darkness, as if speaking merely to fill the silence, but his mind elsewhere.

"I dropped in a few times. We grew up together.. in the Iron Hills. We didn't grow closer until this journey, though. Must be because we're so far from the family." He shrugs, absently thumbing the pommel of the sword at his side. "Something on your mind?" Ranol asks, light blue eyes studying Frarin carefully.

Frarin(#31050)] "Aye, most likely," Frarin nods absently, the stem of his pipe bobbing up and down between his teeth. The clan-karl's question brings a distracted glance from him, until the question registers and Frarin's brows lift. "What? Oh. No." But his eyes wander upward, vaguely in the direction of Thari's window and he shakes his head. "Well, I don't know. Too much to think about of late, I suppose. And too little sleep, I imagine that is why Thari is concerned. Just..." He vaguely waves his pipe in the darkness, as if unable to shape his words. "Just...I cannot say. An uneasiness, though I know not exactly why."

Ranol lowers his voice, his words soft and concerned. "Is there anything you think I should keep an eye out for? I know our previous plans are forfeit, but that doesn't mean our culprit isn't still at large." The clan-karl lets his gaze travel over the yard, his brow narrowing.

[Frarin(#31050)] Frarin seems to chew thoughtfully on the end of his pipe, for it ceases for a time to periodically alight with his breath. He frowns. "A woman," he says after a time, voice low, though he still does not look at Ranol. "With a scarlet vest...and possibly fancy trimming. A stranger in Bree." He gives no explanation for his having known this information, but from his way of speech it does not sound as if he has met or seen the woman himself. "I have wanted to ask a friend of mine some questions, possibly to do with this woman, but--" his voice grows mildly irritated "--he has not been in Bree recently."

The silver merchant looks back to Ranol. "And do you know the woman Cordelia? Young, long black hair, strangely-shaped eyes? I do not think we have anything to fear of her, but she may know more of this whole affair than she lets on. Keep your ears open concerning her." All of this is said in a perfectly calm manner of speech, as of two friends chatting the night away, except that Frarin's face is wary and tired.

Ranol listens attentively, his face growing more serious as the older dwarf goes on. "I have not met this wo-.. wait, I think she dropped by Thari's room the other night, but quickly left. Cordelia. She was the one that was attacked along with Thari. That makes sense, why she came by." He thinks for a long time, studying nothing in particular. "I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I see anything, Frarin. You should get some rest, if I'm not too bold to suggest it."

[Frarin(#31050)] "Do," says Frarin, the barest pinch in his voice. "There is still someone out there who does not have what they want. And they ought to pay dearly for ever having wanted it." He crosses his arms, cradling the bowl of his pipe in one hand. "I will," he says, nodding slightly at Ranol's suggestion. But he makes no move to depart the yard. "I will, though I might perhaps linger a bit longer. I have been hoping my friend will return to the stables. Awhile longer and then I shall turn in. But you take your rest, cousin, I will not be long in returning to my room."

Aye.. We'll find whoever is behind all of this." He doesn't sound as confident as he might have before Thari was hurt. "Have a good evening, Frarin. If there's anything further that I can do to help, please let me know." Ranol heads for the door.

[Frarin(#31050)] "Good night, Ranol," Frarin says as the clan-karl moves to depart. "And thank you." He nods after Ranol, but soon turns back towards the archway, eyes flicking periodically from archway to stables and back again. And there he remains long after his pipeweed has been spent, rather longer than simply lingering. When he does return to room 22 above, the moon is already high in the night sky.