Elendor
North! To Osgiliath: At the River Crossing
A military force from Umbar begins its journey north to harvest wood from Gondor for its ships, and at the crossing of the Poros River, Malkyah, (NPC) brother of Alimah, lifts the spirits of Eruphel.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Harondor
Game Date: October 3046
Description: Crossing of Poros River, Narakshi Camps
To the north the Poros spreads out in its wide banks, forming what looks to be an easy ford. At night, the south bank of the Poros river is strewn with tents and pavillions lit from within. These camps are as active as during the day, more so as the occupents often sleep through the greatest heat. But once the warmth has left the dry land and the wind has picked up after dusk, most of the tribe retreat to their tents and pavillions for meals, music, stories, and gaming. Only during the coldest part just before dawn does the encampment settle down for a few hours of silence.
The Harad road here has become almost impassiable with the loose herds of animals milling around everywhere. They are carefully tended by mounted and armed Outriders who watch alertly. Long legged dogs also roam the camps individually or in packs. They are quick to give alarm if strangers come near.
[Eruphel(#20109)]
The trip has been blessed...or cursed, with rain most of the way. The voyage by sea was chilled with a wind from the north, which dumped rain almost continuously. Across the Harondor as the force hoofed it or rode horses, it was drier, though the rain still fell just as the clothing was about to dry out, and the periods in between was beleaguered by the most horrible humidity.
During it all, Eruphel was unusually silent, and very pensive, staring off at the horizon deep in thought whenever her duties would allow. But it wasn't just that she was thoughtful or debating her answers or orders were often short and clipped, and sometimes testy.
But now, at the encampment south of the Poros, her mood seems to be lifting a little as the main fighting force meets up with the slow, lumbering wagons and beasts of burden that were sent ahead. A multitude of wagons and simple wheels on axles attest to the purpose of this portion of the expedition: to cut and cart away great trees. Now, the entire camp is much larger, and much less maneuverable, much more vulnerable to a fast-moving opponent. Even now, Eruphel is ordering scouts to cross the Poros ahead, while the camp breaks down the tents and packs up.
Any of those Corsairs who had already sworn allegiance to Farside are not along for this trip, including Alimah, though the woman did stand for some time on the docks, scowling in the direction of those making preparations to depart before she herself turned and headed into Umbar once more. Others, too, grumbled at the sudden change of plans, and in fact, a few who had been leaning toward Farside seem to have fallen either firmly for or against the tower over this trip.
One of those along is Malkyah, one of Alimah's older brothers, who, though not sworn yet to any tower, had been leaning to Farside. He glances to the remains of his camp gear, which is being packed up, and then crosses the camp to walk over to Eruphel. "This is where we see if the Lady Azradi was right, I suppose?"
[Eruphel(#20109)]
"I suppose so." Eruphel says aloud, not even realizing that someone else had voiced her own thoughts till afterwards. She looks at the man, and her eyes narrow with suspicious recognition. "Who are you?" she asks curiously. Nearby, the Mumak drivers begin to mount up, a long and arduous task of climbing that is not so simple as jumping on a horse.
"Malkyah ibn Kalim, Corsair" answers the olive-skinned man, who, though he shares his father's name with Alimah, does not share her unfortunate large nose. "I suppose that you mean to go far north to this Osgiliath, as the place is called, risking Gondor's spears so as to seek out hardwood trees and not the softwood of warmer clime?"
[Eruphel(#20109)]
Eruphel shrugs. "I admit that I have not gone tree shopping in Gondor, as my pallor makes the natives rather testy, and any tree surveying would have to be done at a gallop. So I have thought that it might be necessary to go so far, but if I can find suitable trees closer, it would be much better for everyone involved. But this is to be a great ship, and great ships require great trees."
"Neither have I, though I have read what books I could find about ships and lumber and climate. Though books are often wrong."
"My sister," Malkyah continues, "thinks I am a fool for coming along on this ...lumbering...expedition." The word might have two meanings, as he chooses it while looking at the forces slowly packing and mounting up. "Though in truth, I think she is jealous, as well. She tells me I will die here."
[Eruphel(#20109)]
"That is a terrible thing for a sister to say." Eruphel says. A page leads a horse to her and holds its head for her to mount. Before she does so, she commands that a mount for Malkyah be brought as well. "Even spoken out of jealousy. Still, there will be much blood shed during this trip. Azradi was right about that. But at least their deaths will be glorious." Now in the saddle, her mount dances around in anticipation. "Another thing about this trip...is...the irony. Or perhaps it is magic being woven into the ship. I do not know such things."
"Irony?" Malkyah asks as he climbs into the saddle once his horse is brought. "Why ironic?"
"She doesn't wish my death, of course," he says quickly. "Just that she thinks this expedition is foolish. But...I, for one, do not mind some blood if there is a chance for glory. Gondor is weak--they need to feel our blade and be put in their place. And if that means a strike into the heart of their lands, all the better."
[Eruphel(#20109)]
"I think it will be ironic..." Eruphel says, her face practically cracking as a slight smile emerges after so many glum days, "that we will make one of the most fearsome ship to darken Gondorian waters with wood from Gondor's forests, brought to Harad in part by Gondorian prisoners of war. If one can weave magic with such things, then this will be powerful magic, I'd say."
"That," Malkyah grins, "is quite ironic." His horse, now that he is in the saddle, paws the ground restlessly. "And that alone makes this all worth it."
[Eruphel(#20109)]
Funny how things work...how a man of no particular station or import's opinion can bolster the spirits of a Lord of Umbar, for Eruphel grins happily and openly in response. "I am glad you think so." she says, and knees her horse forward. He steps gingerly into the waters of the Poros, taking only a few skittish steps before he settles into a sedate gait across the rushing waters, and northward.
Malkyah, for his part, seems quite pleased at getting this response, and he grins in return. His horse snorts, then follows along after Eruphel, wading into the waters with his urging.
To the north the Poros spreads out in its wide banks, forming what looks to be an easy ford. At night, the south bank of the Poros river is strewn with tents and pavillions lit from within. These camps are as active as during the day, more so as the occupents often sleep through the greatest heat. But once the warmth has left the dry land and the wind has picked up after dusk, most of the tribe retreat to their tents and pavillions for meals, music, stories, and gaming. Only during the coldest part just before dawn does the encampment settle down for a few hours of silence.
The Harad road here has become almost impassiable with the loose herds of animals milling around everywhere. They are carefully tended by mounted and armed Outriders who watch alertly. Long legged dogs also roam the camps individually or in packs. They are quick to give alarm if strangers come near.
[Eruphel(#20109)]
The trip has been blessed...or cursed, with rain most of the way. The voyage by sea was chilled with a wind from the north, which dumped rain almost continuously. Across the Harondor as the force hoofed it or rode horses, it was drier, though the rain still fell just as the clothing was about to dry out, and the periods in between was beleaguered by the most horrible humidity.
During it all, Eruphel was unusually silent, and very pensive, staring off at the horizon deep in thought whenever her duties would allow. But it wasn't just that she was thoughtful or debating her answers or orders were often short and clipped, and sometimes testy.
But now, at the encampment south of the Poros, her mood seems to be lifting a little as the main fighting force meets up with the slow, lumbering wagons and beasts of burden that were sent ahead. A multitude of wagons and simple wheels on axles attest to the purpose of this portion of the expedition: to cut and cart away great trees. Now, the entire camp is much larger, and much less maneuverable, much more vulnerable to a fast-moving opponent. Even now, Eruphel is ordering scouts to cross the Poros ahead, while the camp breaks down the tents and packs up.
Any of those Corsairs who had already sworn allegiance to Farside are not along for this trip, including Alimah, though the woman did stand for some time on the docks, scowling in the direction of those making preparations to depart before she herself turned and headed into Umbar once more. Others, too, grumbled at the sudden change of plans, and in fact, a few who had been leaning toward Farside seem to have fallen either firmly for or against the tower over this trip.
One of those along is Malkyah, one of Alimah's older brothers, who, though not sworn yet to any tower, had been leaning to Farside. He glances to the remains of his camp gear, which is being packed up, and then crosses the camp to walk over to Eruphel. "This is where we see if the Lady Azradi was right, I suppose?"
[Eruphel(#20109)]
"I suppose so." Eruphel says aloud, not even realizing that someone else had voiced her own thoughts till afterwards. She looks at the man, and her eyes narrow with suspicious recognition. "Who are you?" she asks curiously. Nearby, the Mumak drivers begin to mount up, a long and arduous task of climbing that is not so simple as jumping on a horse.
"Malkyah ibn Kalim, Corsair" answers the olive-skinned man, who, though he shares his father's name with Alimah, does not share her unfortunate large nose. "I suppose that you mean to go far north to this Osgiliath, as the place is called, risking Gondor's spears so as to seek out hardwood trees and not the softwood of warmer clime?"
[Eruphel(#20109)]
Eruphel shrugs. "I admit that I have not gone tree shopping in Gondor, as my pallor makes the natives rather testy, and any tree surveying would have to be done at a gallop. So I have thought that it might be necessary to go so far, but if I can find suitable trees closer, it would be much better for everyone involved. But this is to be a great ship, and great ships require great trees."
"Neither have I, though I have read what books I could find about ships and lumber and climate. Though books are often wrong."
"My sister," Malkyah continues, "thinks I am a fool for coming along on this ...lumbering...expedition." The word might have two meanings, as he chooses it while looking at the forces slowly packing and mounting up. "Though in truth, I think she is jealous, as well. She tells me I will die here."
[Eruphel(#20109)]
"That is a terrible thing for a sister to say." Eruphel says. A page leads a horse to her and holds its head for her to mount. Before she does so, she commands that a mount for Malkyah be brought as well. "Even spoken out of jealousy. Still, there will be much blood shed during this trip. Azradi was right about that. But at least their deaths will be glorious." Now in the saddle, her mount dances around in anticipation. "Another thing about this trip...is...the irony. Or perhaps it is magic being woven into the ship. I do not know such things."
"Irony?" Malkyah asks as he climbs into the saddle once his horse is brought. "Why ironic?"
"She doesn't wish my death, of course," he says quickly. "Just that she thinks this expedition is foolish. But...I, for one, do not mind some blood if there is a chance for glory. Gondor is weak--they need to feel our blade and be put in their place. And if that means a strike into the heart of their lands, all the better."
[Eruphel(#20109)]
"I think it will be ironic..." Eruphel says, her face practically cracking as a slight smile emerges after so many glum days, "that we will make one of the most fearsome ship to darken Gondorian waters with wood from Gondor's forests, brought to Harad in part by Gondorian prisoners of war. If one can weave magic with such things, then this will be powerful magic, I'd say."
"That," Malkyah grins, "is quite ironic." His horse, now that he is in the saddle, paws the ground restlessly. "And that alone makes this all worth it."
[Eruphel(#20109)]
Funny how things work...how a man of no particular station or import's opinion can bolster the spirits of a Lord of Umbar, for Eruphel grins happily and openly in response. "I am glad you think so." she says, and knees her horse forward. He steps gingerly into the waters of the Poros, taking only a few skittish steps before he settles into a sedate gait across the rushing waters, and northward.
Malkyah, for his part, seems quite pleased at getting this response, and he grins in return. His horse snorts, then follows along after Eruphel, wading into the waters with his urging.
Players: Eruphel,Malkyah,Alimah
