The Pretender Chronicles - Ceredir Reports to Curugil
A tale freshly told of the Gondorian
We didn\'t have a heck of a lot of time, but we managed to get this scene in.
[Minas Tirith City ZMO(#81)->Ceredir]
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Weather: Clear
Time: Early Night <22>
Season: Summer
Date: Ormenel - August 16, 3046
Real Time: Tue Apr 07 21:15:32 2009
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The Master\'s Office
This is the Office of the Master of the House of Lore. There is a desk, old and wooden, and also many various scrolls lying about. In addition, there are jars of preserved animals, bones, and dried herbs -- all of which are clearly labelled in the Tengwar script. This is a busy place, and it is obviously a well-used room.
Above the desk there hangs a purple banner. Emblazoned on it is the sign of the Hammer and the Star.
[Curugil(#10108)]
Curugil can be found standing in his office, looking at some jarred toads. Beside him, on a table is a bottle of wine with several glasses.
A knock on the door. A page enters. Curugil simply nods. He is obviously expecting a visitor, \"Show them in.\"
There is a wind-tossed and a haunted look about Ceredir as he steps into the office. The Master Scout is certainly more gaunt-looking than he was when Curugil last saw him, though his time in the south has not tanned his skin. He is not wearing his uniform, as if he has come here right from the Cat, and over one shoulder he carries two canvas satchels, one larger than the other. This one he sets down on Curugil\'s desk with a dull thud, Ceredir saying nothing at all--only giving Curugil a flat, blank stare.
Curugil arches a brow and shoves a glass of wine into Ceredir\'s hand. He then wanders over to the desk and opens up the larger sack first and peers within...
Cats. Expertly stuffed cats. Ten of them. Nine black, one white.
Curugil laughs and says, \"Why now! What a treasure. It is obvious they have a sense of humour down there. Ten cats could only mean Beruthiel\'s cats.\"
He laughs again and then turns to the other bag. He opens this and peers within..
\"The cats,\" Ceredir says in a flat voice that matches his expression, \"yes, are of Queen Beruthiel, who as Queen to Tarannon and was sent into exile bearing his unborn child Azulada. Alphros is of that lineage. And he is followed by cats, constantly. He said to examine the age of the black cat and ascertain its resemblance to those of Beruthiel\'s cats of history.\" He looks toward the second satchel.
This bag, now placed on Curugil\'s desk, is smaller, containing a leather-bound volume.
\"The Sagas of the Children of Azulada,\" the Master Scout explains, \"though Alphros also called it The Lays of the Children of the Lost Prince. It holds a complete history of his family, succoured in Aglarrama since before the time of King Tarannon Falastur through whom he claims his birthright. He told me that just my possession of it here in Gondor is cause for my execution. So...you may have it.\"
Curugil takes the tome and fingers the cover. This he sets aside and then says, \"So who did they take as hostage?\"
\"How do you know this?\" Ceredir answers with a sudden harsh and bitter tone to his voice.
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"I expected as such,\" replies Curugil. \"Was it Arphenon? Menawa?\"
\"My wife.\" Ceredir glares at Curugil, anger flaring in his eyes. \"You should have warned us if you knew this. Nay, you yourself should have come along. They took my wife, who stowed away, foolish child that she is. Baiz..convinced her that Alphros will recognize our marriage when he is king here, and she stowed away to declare her loyalty to the King of Gondor. And now she is hostage.\"
\"What else did you know that you did not tell us?\"
[Curugil(#10108)]
Arching a brow Curugil sighs and lays a hand on Ceredir\'s folder, \"Your wife. Fate can be a twisted thing my friend. Do not fear though. We shall get her back. Forget your woes for while. Have a seat, eat and drink and tell me what you may.\"
The loremaster\'s kind reaction takes Ceredir somewhat by surprise, so that the anger that had been building in his face softens. He nods, sitting, then pinching the bridge of his nose between two fingers ere he speaks, more quietly.
\"You will support Alphros? You will swear yourself and the King\'s Men to his cause? I believe his claim is true. I have heard the man speak.He does not support Mordor....\"
Ceredir hesitates.
[Curugil(#10108)]
Curugil smiles that smile that makes his scar glisten. He seats himself and folds his hands in front of his face into a steeple. He then says, \"That remains to be seen. Yet you seem very much taken with this man. What do you suppose his politics will be if he came unto his own here?\"
A small scowl creeps onto Ceredir\'s face at some of Curugil\'s remarks. \"He will not treat with the Enemy. He puts on a front and deals with the Enemy now because he must, but when he is King, we will not be under the rule of Mordor. He will defeat Mordor, he will defeat those who have oppressed us and he will restore Gondor and all men of Numenorean blood to our rightful glory and heritage.\"
[Curugil(#10108)] The Lord of the Gildring then takes up his wine and stirs it, \"Perhaps. Yet a man who puts on a false front to one, may put on a false front to others. I know you are taken with him my friend, but remember, I have not met him and even so, I still must look at his claim.\" He sips the wine, sets it down, and says, \"Were the plans recovered?\"
\"Then you should return there with me, and soon. And help me free my wife,\" Ceredir says, leaning forward in his chair. \"When you meet him, you will see why I am taken with him. He is an inspiration. And...those who can see such things tell me that in his heart, he does not lie about Mordor and his plans. Curugil, he is our king--we must only return him to us.\"
\"The plans.\" Ceredir presses his lips together and shakes his head. \"A book was found, but to obtain it, we must gain for him information about a sword that has been prophesied he needs in order to regain Gondor\'s throne. The sword of...Anorian? We must get him information about it and how he can obtain it.\"
Curugil tilts his head to the side for a moment, \"Anorian... what...\"
A pause follows and then he says, \"He must mean the sword of Anarion. Anaril the Great.\"
Curugil whistles for a moment and says, \"He does have high ambitions. I\'m surprised you never heard that story. It happened when I was a young man. I will tell it to you sometime. Did any of the researchers I sent actually see the book?\"
\"I saw the book, as did Menawa,\" Ceredir replies. \"Sword of Anarion--that\'s it. I have never heard the story--you forget--I did not grow up with a nobleman\'s education. But...\" Ceredir stands, pushing back his chair. \"My commanders will wonder at my absence after all this time, and I must report back now that I am back from guarding you on your southern estates. Correct? And then..tomorrow, I will be back to hear this story and hear what you can tell me of the sword.\"
[Curugil(#10108)]
\"Do so,\" says Curugil. \"We have some time and we must discuss the next move. Be well.\"
With a quick nod, Ceredir hurries out the door, leaving behind the book and stuffed cats.