Where There's a Whip...

[Mara(#22296)] Wrapped in a black travelling cloak and an incongruously colorful shawl, a slight woman with salt and pepper hair emerges from her chambers. She heads towards the pit for a few moments.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri is seemingly, in deep conversation with this would be scribe, or, he's preaching to her, it's hard to say which given the way the converstion tumbles and twists about as their minds drift so readily as youth are prone to doing.

Sahira enters the worship area, from a dark doorway near the back of the room.
Sahira has arrived.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"No, he is not as readily accepting of our family's shift to Eye worship," Tasnim shakes her head. "I doubt he would seek out a place here." But then her voice fades off into naught as the new figure emerges, and for a moment she watches in silence.

[Mara(#22296)] The slight high priestess moves over towards the talking pair, scribe and corsair-trainee, pulling the shawl more tightly around her, her lips pursed tightly togeter.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Stepping out of the library comes Sahira, her golden eyes flicking around quickly as she follows the sounds that echo in the room. Her outfit is adjusted, the top fixed over her shoulder as she wanders farther in, bright eyes staring at the pit in a way to show that it makes her nervous. When she looks away and catches sight of Sindri her lips pull to a smirk and she starts to head over toward him.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri lightly rolls his shoulders at her statement. "Then you should bring him into the fold as it were, or let his blood spill in the name of your Master." he says to her, sounding pretty serious about such a suggestion, he's seemingly oblivious to Mara approaching.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
As Sahira enters, and the younger girl arches an eyebrow as she catches sight of the smirk the woman gives Sindri. "Perhaps," is all she replies to the man, shrugging her shoulders a little. "He will have to come here at some point, and then we shall see." However the scribe's attention is focused more on the black cloaked Lady who draws near."Your Grace?" ventures Tasnim, moving to stand, bowing her head respectfully. "I wished to inquire about a position here, if you are free for me to ask."

[Mara(#22296)] The slight high priestess carefully scans the faces of each person in the room, pausing on Tasnim's. "A position? What sort of position?" before settling on Sindri's, her eyes flashing dangerously.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri stands as Lady Mara comes close and speaks, bowing slightly to her. "Auntie Mara, this one wishes to be a scribe." He says, for now, ignoring the dangerous look, to properly explain the female's intentions.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira glances up and looks around the room again, noticing Tasnim and then Mara, who her eyes focus on a moment longer. Her head bows slightly and she looks away, heading over toward Sindri to stop behind him and kneel down when he gets up and moves away. She waits.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"I was," begins Tasnim, but she pauses as Sindri beats her to the explanation. "Yes," she nods, glancing at him. "it is true I wished to ask for an occupation here as a scribe."

[Mara(#22296)] "Hmm," the slight high priestess's eyes narrow and her voice is more staccato than usual. "I may have a task for you to see if you would be suitable. It depends on what happens in the next few moments."

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri only brieftly lets a hand touch Sahira, as if insuring she doesn't stray to far off, instead, his eyes begin to watch Mara and the scribe, trying to decipher why a few moments might matter, as far as reliable work goes.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         As Sahira kneels on the floor she amuses herself by grasping her silky clothing, tugging the skirt end to the side to pick at it, rubbing the fabric slowly back and forth between her fingers as she listens. What Mara says catches her attention and so she looks up, her golden eyes shifting between the three as if she was suddenly curious as to learning what was about to happen.

Suniti enters from outside.
Suniti has arrived.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"Then I will do my best," says the young Haradrim girl, and her fingers begin their absentminded tugging upon her necklaces again. Her dark eyes flicker for a moment to regard the darker recesses of this dim eerie room, as if the High Priestess' words have made Tasnim expect to see sinister figures skulking in the shadows.

[Mara(#22296)] "Sindri, I've had a report from a reliable source," the high priestess's voice is unusually quiet and deceptively calm, "that you have been going around Umbar calling yourself the 'son of'," And, before this next voice, the high priestess's nose wrinkles as if she has just smelled something very nasty and she says the word almost as though she is spitting it out. "'Sauron.'" Mara looks up for a moment and mutters briefly in Morbeth while making some signs with her hands. She then takes a very deep breath, her chest heaving up and down, before coughing again. "Is this true?"

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri lightly cants his head at this, well, less then accusation, more of truth. "You have always told me, the Dark Lord is my father, and the common tongue uses that name for him. Not all in these lands understand the Dark Speech." He says, not denying the accusation, merely pointing out the follies of the common tongue.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         As Sahira listens to what is said she can't help but feel her lips curling into a faint grin. She gently bites her lower lip to keep quiet and her bright eyes lower to watch the floor as she listens to what Sindri has to say about it.

[Tasnim(#16424)]

"He is the Nameless One," Tasnim practically breathes, barely more than a whisper toward the man, and her eyes have become wide. "You did not call Him thus when we spoke earlier." The girl quiets then, slightly nervous gaze shifting to watch all present in the chamber.

[Mara(#22296)] The slight high priestess's complexion, pale from illness, now turns bright red and her usually calm voice goes up in a shriek, the pitch a register in which the diminutive woman's voice has never before gone. "No. No!" There is a slight pause and Mara's next words are staccato, rapid, but clearly ennunciated. "That is not a word in the common speech. It is a word of the light lovers, of the tree monkeys. IT is a word that is not spoken here. Not spoken in Mordor. It is not a word that you should know period. It is an insult to the Dark Lord."

There is a pause and the slight woman's voice darkens as her tirade continues. "You have humiliated me. You have humiliated your Father. You have humiliated the Dark Citadel and I will not stand for such behavior. How dare you?"

[Suniti(#17201)] 
Suniti has slipped in for her usual lessons. But it does not take the young Easterling slave long to blink and just slip to the side near the entrance to wait oh so patiently, even kneeling down and bowing her head in apparent prayer. She seems almost terrified.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's lips pull into a grin at her tirade and he lightly crosses his arms over his chest, features brooding as she raves against him. "You perhaps should be forced to be brought before his gaze, for you know the word, and as you said, it should not be known in the slightest." Sindri's defiance of her is notable in his tone of voice. "If my Father is displeased, my father will let me know, I do not need you to speak for him in this matter, aunt though you may be, I am the product of his design." he snaps, annoyed suddenly.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         The smirky look on Sahira's face begins to turn to one of concern for the man Sindri, even if he is a jerk to her most of the time. He is still her owner. Her golden eyes watch him, studying his face and his body, and when he says what he does her eyebrows lift curiously. She looks to Mara and watches the woman, wincing slightly as if she soon enough expected to find Sindri's head rolling over toward her lap.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
If the scribe's eyes were wide with fright before, they have grown more so still. The girl stares increduously at Sindri. "Hush," she manages through a sharp exhale of breath. "can you not see you are making the situation worse?" Tasnim steps back a pace, watching to see what befalls him for his contiuing tongue.

[Mara(#22296)] The high priestess coughs again, her small body vibrating and the next tone that her voice assumes is one of command, despite the roughness around the edges. She scans the room again for a moment and then, in a clipped tone says, "Sahira, go down to the kitchens and ask the scullery maid for a mumakil whip. Suniti....bring me my dagger please."

[Suniti(#17201)] 
Suniti's attempt to be small and unnoticed... fails. Thoguh she is quick to bow towards the High Priestess, "Yes, Your Grace." She says before quickly standing up and hurrying to where the dagger would be, fetching it and holding it carefully in both palms so she never really grips the hilt at all before kneeling and holding it out to Mara at full arms extension for her to take.

Sindri lets his eyes flash with amusement at the scribe's words. "There is only one other lesson to learn Scribe. Pain is not a consideration, only the tests are, despite the cruelty she will inflict, she cares, and thus she inflicts such pain. I fully expect, for her to harm me, injures her more, then it shall me." He says, carefully observing what his auntie asks for, as if gauging how much pain she can inflict with such instruments.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira looks from Mara to Sindri and then turns on her heel, hurrying off and moving quickly to head down to the kitchens. She must have been running after exiting the room, for she is quick to return, and returns much sooner than one would if walking. Her clothing floats against her as she rushes back into the room, holding the whip in her hands and quickly bringing it up to Mara. She knows she could be punished for it later, but Sahira gives Sindri a stern look before looking back to Mara and gently biting into her lower lip. She clears her throat softly and asks of Mara, "May I suggest.. something, Your Grace?" Her brows lit slightly and she looks worried.

[Mara(#22296)] The slight high priestess takes the dagger and then, some effort clearly going into it, smiles at Suniti. "Thank you, my dear. I am also going to need my bowl."

And then composes her voice again before looking at Sahira. "You may."

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Sindri's words earn no reply from Tasnim, who stands observant to the side. As the dagger and whip are brought forth, she bits her lip. Clearly she will soon get to see all of the unpleasant punishments Sindri was telling her about earlier. Her eyes flash toward him briefly, and the girl waits, not daring to speak.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's face takes on a puzzled look when Sahira speaks directly to Lady Mara, and she seems to listen, his eyebrows furrow a bit, apparently, he should teach her to not approach some one of such power, in such a forward manner.

[Suniti(#17201)] 
"Yes your Grace." Suniti says before standing and backing up a few steps and hurrying back to the chambers in order to get it. Emerging a few moments later with the bowl, held in the same way in offering. Once again she does not take long in this mission.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira still looks nervous as she watches Mara, just looking at the woman making her skin crawl with goosebumps. "I see that my Master has.. seemed to have forgotten his place.. as have I for saying this. But I beg of you.. whatever punishment you have in mind for him, would you please lessen it by letting me take half?" Her eyes lower and flash to Sindri before they look up to Mara again. "I.. I will beg for the whip if it pleases you, or.. I will do as you ask.. I only beg of you that you please take this into consideration, for I hope my Master will learn from the mistake, and that you will have mercy."

[Mara(#22296)] The slight high priestess pauses, looking at Suniti for a moment, "Hold onto it for me for now. I may let you assist me in a sacrifice. Would you like that?"

There are many long moments as the diminutive woman's face is composed in thought. "The problem, Sahira, is that you did not engage in deliberate, defiant blasphemy. I am not sure how to divide the punishment for that in half. Take his tongue and your heart? Whip the pair of you within an inch of your lives?"

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri lightly cants his head at this revelation. "I'm not sure if my sacrifice will amount to much, that, and you risk blashphemy by treading to see if I am truly of his blood." he points to Mara, still seemingly confident in his ability to survive. "In a way, you are not blameless, for you were the one who raised me, and overlooked educating me, in his proper names." he says, gesturing a hand towards her.

[Suniti(#17201)] 
Suniti is more than a little caught off guard by the High Priestess' request of her. Obviously not something she was expecting to be offered, and that shock renders her dumbstruck for a time as she gathers her wits before finally saying, "If Your Grace desires. I would be honored." But the whole thing, the punishment and what is going on, seems to have her quite uneasy, not the best time to come for lessons at all!

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"I am to record this, and his fate afterward, your Grace?" At last Tasnim says, though her eyes pause but the space of a heartbeat ere they resume their roving of the scene, as if the girl is making certain to retain everything for memory until she writes it down. "Is that what the bowl is to be used for?" She swallows. "For me to write in the man's blood of his sin?"

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira is hushed by what she hears this time. Her eyes lower and she nods slightly to Mara, whispering, "Yes, of course.. Please forgive me." She turns away and moves from Mara to kneel a few feet away, now keeping her eyes down and focused on her lap and she wrings her hands together.

[Mara(#22296)] The softness in the high priestess's voice is clearly dangerous now. "You dare much, young rogue. I see now that I was wrong to have anything to do with you. You do not dictate blasphemy here. You do not dictate anything here."

"Yes, Tasnim. You will use his blood to write notices to be posted around Umbar, that blasphemy will not be tolerated from anyone." There is a pause as the high priestess's face grows hard. "And those within the Dark Citadel, raised in her bosom, are held to an even higher standard." The high priestess fingers her dagger for a few moments, her eyes deep in thought.

[Suniti(#17201)] 
Suniti still remains nervous looking at the High Priestess' demeanor, even not directed at her... the force of the presence has its effect. She remains completely silent too, keeping eyes averted and holding the bowl with as little movement as possible.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's eyes continue to watch Mara and he takes a step forward, eyes still dancing in madness. "Lady Mara, fate is interesting, you intend to wrench my heart out, which I suspect will disprove many rumors if it were to be held up for all to see." He says, fingers gently touch Sahira's arm, and running down it, to touch the whip that was left with her. "But a Sacrifice demands some one he would enjoy seeing burned in his gaze." He murmurs as he picks up the whip, to wrap his fingers about the hilt.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"As you wish your Grace," nods the scribe, only the slight trembling that causes her headscarf to dip downward from her shoulder indicating her nervousness. Her gaze is quickly averted however, and her fingers twists the beaded necklaces violently. A twitch then, and an intake of air as she spies Sindri's daring to grasp the whip. Tasnim shakes her head at him, and at his still advancing steps, though she doubts that he will take heed.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira sits quietly on the floor, kneeling there and keeping her eyes closed. When the whip is taken from her she slowly inhales, biting her lower lip again, but she says nothing. She knows what will happen, so there's no use in saying anything to try and stop it now.

Eron has arrived.

[Mara(#22296)] The slight high priestess's eyes narrow and she shakes her head. "I thought that I had your heart, but at the moment, I do not see that it's worthy of the Dark Lord. I am incredibly disappointed in you." She fingers the dagger for a few moments and looks at Sahira. "Perhaps you'd help make it easier for me to find you another place by demonstrating your obedience to the Dark Lord and restraining him?"

There is another pause and then, in a ringing voice, the high priestess projects her voice. "Guards!"

[Eron(#24786)] The call for guards brings forth several men. But amongst them, a lean man appears. Khol colored eyes as black as night peer towards Mara without a sound. Tilting his head the servant of Sauron moves closer to The high priestess even as the other guards move to ring around those dwelling here.

Still no sounds come from the guard, if that is truely what this robes figure is as he waits behind Mara. Breaths pass, allowing the silence of his arrival to settle upon the ears before his words slip into the air like a silent death amongst the loud forray of battle. "Thy will?" Comes the serpent like tongue of Kikrikh, death dealer of the black tower.

[Suniti(#17201)] 
The fear of the Eye still in her, Suniti remains just as she is. No movement, at all. Gaze downcast, still kneeling, not even a movement of her head towards the oncoming guards.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"All of this because you used His name," the scribe hisses through her clenched jaw. "Why would you be so foolish? You did not utter it the time I spoke with you, but refered to Him as the Eye, of the Lord..." But even as her words fade into silence, Tasnim moves further away from the whip-bearing man, halting in place and peering around as the guards form their ring. The girl's dark eyes flash back toward Mara and the dreadful looking figure behind her.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira slowly looks up, her eyes catching sight of Mara again as she listens to what she must do. She swallows hard and shakily rises to her feet, her entire body tense as she slips up behind Sindri and lifts her arms to grasp around his and pull them back in a weal attempt to hold him in place. Even if she wanted to, there's no way she could really hold him, but she does as told. As she holds Sindri's arms she tugs them back slightly and lifts up onto her toes, letting the tip of her nose brush against the back of his head until her lips are at his ear whispering. She puts on a little smile and then rests her forehead against the back of his head, letting her dark hair hide her face.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri tosses the whip aside when she calls for guards, it apparently foiled his plans. "Scribe, note this into your histories, I never said his name, I was only accused of such a thing, and rather then anger his Priestess, I readily took blame. Mark this, and make sure the one whom spoke lies to Lady Mara, has his tongue cut out." he says, before kneeling down and letting a hand gently stroke Sahira's fingers. "We are born dead Sahira, The Eye brings life, and only in Victory can we see The Eye, so he may give us life." He repeats the mantra he sid to the Scribe before gently squeezing her hand. "Move away now." He murmurs quietly, watching Lady Mara and her guards. "Remember Auntie, I am still an instrument for him, and it is only because you represent him, I give my self to the Altar stone, for it is what you decided, for this is how I will be used for his purposes." It's probably the closest thing you get from a fanatic for askance to spare his life.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Tasnim's wide eyes stare over across the distance now separating her and Sindri, and she swallows, gaze flitting once again toward Mara and the guards. "I will make note, I promise you, though my report of the event you understand must retell the occurance in as unbiased a way as possible. I write facts..." the girl gives the man a firm nod, as if to reassure him despite the odds of the predicament. "I will quote your statements to the best of my memory. The words will not die in vain."

[Mara(#22296)] The slight high priestess sighs, her anger leaving her, but she still looks very stern. "Sindri, I have known you since you were but a small boy, and in many ways, I raised you as my own."

The diminutive woman's voice is stern, but also strangely maternal. "I see now that I allowed you too much freedom that I was much too indulgent of you. That ends now. You must learn to stay your tongue, to be respectful when it is warranted, whether it is of the Dark Lord, Father of us all, or His High Priest, or of a Tower Lord."

There is another pause. "As such, this is my dictate. You will not speak, at all, for a fortnight. Sahira may be your voice. If you do well with this, if you show humility if she shows that she can keep you in line, you may keep her. Otherwise, she will revert to the Dark Citadel for training."

She then looks at Tasnim. "As for you, your obedience and devotion does you proud. I will employ you as a scribe."

And then back at Sindri. "And remember, my young rogue. My love for even you is eclipsed by my devotion to the Dark Lord. I have seen Him and know Him with all of my heart. If I have reason to, even the fact that I view you as almost my own son will not save you from the knife."

[Mara(#22296)] Mara then turns towards Kikrikh and smiles. "Your timeliness when being summoned tells me that I my life is protected wisely. I shall have to give you a bonus this week. Thank you."

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira slowly lets go of Sindri, eyes looking over to Mara and back to the man on the ground before her. She reaches down and gently drags her fingers through his hair before she takes a small step back and watches Mara, not blinking and not looking away. She nods when she hears she will be Sindri's voice, and for a moment she looks down to him as if wondering if he can really keep quiet for that long.

[Suniti(#17201)] 
Suniti is quiet. And not moving! No change at all. She even seems more than a little bit shaken.Though even hearing the geas causes her to look up towards the other slave for a while.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri's eyes flash with amusement, he'll need to figure out a way to communicate with Sahira, as to his knowledge, she can not read, nor write, but he gives a curt nod to Lady Mara, since he is forbidden from speaking.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
"I thank you greatly, your Grace," acknowledges Tasnim, inclining her head. As she rises her shoulders seem less stiff, and the hand that was fingering her beads has now calmed considerably in hearing Sindri's newly decreed fate.

[Mara(#22296)] "As a first task, Tasnim, please write an account of today's proceedings and give it to Lady Seaward," the slight high priestess says and she moves a bit closer to Sindri now, within reach of his hands, sadness in her eyes. "I cannot save you from the errors of your hand and tongue as I could when you were smaller. Perhaps this will prevent both of us from doing more harm than can ever be repaired."

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira stays close and watches Mara and Sindri, keeping quiet for now. Her hands clasp together and she slowly sways gently left to right, waiting for the moment when she may escort Sindri where he needs to go.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
A noiseless nod is yielded to show she has heard Mara's words, and understands. Tasnim observes to scene with that same dark-eyed quiet regard, and finally she takes one hand to fix the headscarf that had been slipping from her faint trembling prior.

[Sahira(#16198)]
         Sahira waits a moment longer before she steps up to Sindri and murmurs to him, "I will be waiting outside." She bows her head to Mara and nods to the others, then turns and slips out.

Sahira leaves the temple and goes outside.
Sahira has left.

[Sindri(#16447)] Sindri stands in a fluid motion shove the guards out of his way if they attempt to block his way, humming quietly, as if nothing ill or untowards had happened to him. To annoy any one further, the tune he hums, originates from Corsair ranks, curious what the lyrics would be, one must wait many a long day.

[Mara(#22296)] The slight high priestess shakes her head and murmurs under her breath. "Children. Never grateful no matter what you do." and turns to go back to her room.

[Tasnim(#16424)]
Now one of the few who still remain in the room aside from the guards, Tasnim blinks for a moment at the Priestess' murmur the girl looks for a moment as if she thinks she should say something, but--being still herself a child--decides the better of it. "I shall be in the library, your Grace," she says, turning thus toward its entrance.