The Pretender Chronicles - Marked

Gondorian Chambers(#19974Xen)

A series of comfortable though not extravagant chambers, accessible from two different sets of doors leading to the main hallways of the second floor of the tower. There are beds and hearths and tables and chairs and other necessary amenities, and food is provided by the Farside servants. Tower Guardsmen are on duty at the main doors at all times, and a patrol checks on the interior at the passing of every hour.

[+TIME] Middle-earth time is:

Daytime on Sterday, Day 21 of July.

Execute the +TIMEFRAME command for year information.

Real time is: 10:40:40 MDT on Mon Mar 30 2009.

It is early morning here in the rooms where the northerners are being kept, the pink light of dawn just creeping through the clouds. Guards are here, waiting for the day to progress, but otherwise the main room is empty except for Ceredir, who sits in a chair by the window, sipping some liquid from a mug.

[Yussef(#19036)]

And those guards chatter eagerly smiles on their swarthy faces, their voices glad.

And so too seems the countenance of the Sergeant Yussef who comes presently through the archway from without, his hand slipping from doorhandle in this very moment. Glad, if weary his gear torn and bloodied -- though it seems it is not his own, and long since dried -- black tresses unkempt about his face that is bruised by the jaw. His glance is swept in a bright glaze.

The guardsmen pause their speech and turn to him a bow each at the waist.

\"Yussef?\" Ceredir asks, setting down his mug and getting to his feet. He takes a step forward and there is true concern writ on his features as he does so, looking the young man up and down.

\"There has been fighting?\" he finally concludes.

[Yussef(#19036)]

The sergeant smiles a wan smile.

It lingers even as he turns his glance from his men to the one of Gondor over yonder. His eyebrow perches momentarily at the question -- but he says in his broken westron, with a tone as ragged as his looks, but sharing the same sentiment: \"It is done.\"

\"Umbar is free.\"

\"Free?\" Ceredir looks with some confusion from Yussef to the guards and back once more.

\"Then the Farside Lord has prevailed?\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

A nod, \"The council is restored.\"

The smile then falters, and Yussef then says: \"Your sacrifice has been made ready.\" He turns at once to the door.

\"Follow me.\"

Behind Yussef\'s back, Ceredir shudders visibly. Face set, he follows, obeying.

_-\' Servants Quarters `-_

The third floor of the Tower is mostly a large, open room. Three wide pillars form a triangle in the center of the room, and house fireplaces for heating.The floor is thick, dark hardwood, with a semi-gloss after years of feet trodding on it. The ceiling is likewise wood, with heavy beams running along its length. The walls are made of stone the external walls are heavy, thick layers of stone. The inner walls are lighter.

Much of the room is taken up by living areas for the servants. Bunks are arranged in rows on one end of the room each has a pair of footlockers at its foot. On the other end of the room are communal desks and other furniture. The room itself is lit by a combination of the fireplaces, and torches along the walls. There are some doors on the inner walls, for changing and bathing areas and private quarters for senior servants.

[Yussef(#19036)]

The nights fast has been broken, the meal served to the Lord\'s retainers some hours hence. So it is the servants turn to break their own fast, in the late morning that spills through the sparse windows. Tables have been placed in a circle all about about the room, and presently there are many men and women about their meal, a low din hovering on the air. Fires burn in the hearths.

Presently, the door opens, admitting two one wartorn Yussef, with a paleface in tow.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

Sitting on a cushion near one of the fires, Yildirim drinks from a thick and heavy mug. He raises it as the pair walk in, marking his location.

His eyes watch carefully the movements of the servants, but he otherwise seems at ease.

The pale-faced man behind Yussef is looking rather paler than norm, though perhaps that has been Ceredir\'s state ever since the days in Umbar have stretched out and the course of events has slowly developed. He glances around, eyes shifting nervously and coming to rest for a moment on Yildirim. He blinks, eyes twitching once.

[<#19036>]

Ere a nod by Yussef in reply, their footfalls borne toward Yildirim\'s seat scrape and thump dull on the woodworks underneath.

Some of the serving folk turn their heads to watch curiously.

The sergeant\'s smile is wan as he speaks, his tone wearied and his face also. \"\"

A glance over his shoulder, \'Come, Ceredir.\'

[Yildirim(#24191)]

His eyes roll over to Ceredir Yildirim nods in greeting.

\"Good evening, Scout Ceredir. Your days in Umbar seem numbered now. Are you glad of this?\" he asks, refilling his mug.

\"Right.\"

That single worde suffices for Ceredir\'s answer to the Sergeant as he follows to come across the room the the Squire.

\"In fact, yes. I will be glad to be gone, as I am useless here. You will take note, Yildirim--this time I am not swimming.\" The slight grin that accompanies that fades in an instant.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"Nor am I bleeding,\" the boy answers in kind.

He holds out the mug to him, \"You should probably drink this.\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

Eyeing askance the earthwork vessel, Yussef takes a step closer to the fire, kneeling.

\"Not hot enough,\" He murmurs in withdrawing the leatherbound iron that rests on the coals a thin whisp of smoke rises from it even as he turns it this way and that in observation. It is returned at that conclusion, the coalbed crackling in its warm welcome.

\"Ale? Spirits?\" Ceredir reaches for the drink and puts it to his lips without waiting for Yildirim\'s reply.

\"No, you are not bleeding, and neither of us are to lose a finger...though...\" He breaks off and shudders at Yussef\'s comment.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

With a glance towards the fire, Yildirim comments, \"Just throw another two more logs on. The embers will grow warm enough, though I think,\" he looks around the room, \"We will sweat all the servants out soon enough.\"

Looking back to Ceredir, Yildirim continues the conversation, \"I have not had a chance to speak of my plan for you, wise or not as it is. Would you hear it now why we wait?\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

Nodding in turn, the Sergeant adds more fuel.

\"Yes. Yes.\" Ceredir\'s voice cracks and he has to say the word twice to get it out. He is making a distinct effort to -not- look at fire or Yussef.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"You are noble-born, as is your wife. And banished from your houses and their registers, you want that which comes with such a birth: standing, wealth, influence. Having none of these things, you enlisted with your company of merry men, and patrol the east in a deadly game with the beasts of Mordor,\" the Corsair recounts.

\"Is this about the sum of it?\"

The knock then draws his attention, \"Yussef. Can you check on the door? Be wary. I am not sure why any would knock.\"

\"Yes, that is the sum of it,\" Ceredir nods, looking toward the door. \"What of it?\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

\"Aye.\"

The sergeants steps are tempered with hurry.

The door is opened by a hair: \"Who...?\"

\"You. Very well. Enter.\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] The guards step slightly aside to let Nella enter the room. The stubborn girl, with her wild imagination, visibly calms when she sees that Ceredir is fine, unharmed. Then, seeing that he is only conversing with two corsairs, she blushes a brilliant color, perhaps feeling a bit foolish. \"Er..\" she bites her lower lip. \"I..my husband was gone, when I woke,\" she says to Yussef. \"I thought perhaps..something..\" She shrugs helplessly. The guards who brought her here, smug expressions and smirks on some faces now, linger near the doorway, not inside the room.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

Yildirim explains then, his voice low so that only he and the scout and hear, \"Too, you seek a way to serve Lord Alphros. In such, I propose this to you, so that you may propose it to our Lord Farside.\"

\"You will quit your organization in the East. You will serve some other order that works in the Bay. Your soldiers, or your knights, or your traders. I do not know you lands well enough to suggest anything.\"

\"There you will serve and do so with distinction. Keeping your eyes and ears open, you will discover when times are best for Farside to raid your coasts, their defenses etc etc. We will be able to dramatically increase our takes from this raids. In return, Lord Farside will tithe to you for your work and service. Soon, you will become rich and with wealth comes some influence.\"

\"With that influence, you will buy or bribe or trade some land and name yourself a new noble family of Gondor. As time progresses, you can very quickly make the funds needed to establish a family of some note. If you are wise with your choices, it will quickly become too influential, too strong to ignore. Even by those who would ignore you at your birth.\"

\"What do you think of this idea? I think you have the heart to establish the first noble house of the true king of Gondor. Your blood is of the old and the right by it to do so. You must only summon the will and the wit.\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

\"You two may take post here,\" Yussef orders the pair in the southron tongue.

\"Join him, lady Nelladel, he may need you. It will be made clear, soon.\"

Then he shuts the door firmly behind her, turning then to return to the fireplace.

With Yussef attending to the door, Ceredir\'s attention is given to Yildirim--and the Master Scout is paying very close attention indeed, slowly nodding his head in agreement.

\"This could be so,\" he whispers low, \"only I will have to start as Squire and hope that some Knight will take me on. And...my former brethren would see me as a traitor, as well. I had already considered such a plan and rejected it, in fact, but it was before there was also the incentive of serving Lord Alphros. Still...I know much of the shipping ways in the ports, due to my duties with the Quatermaster. While I would not become rich...I could serve our Lord nevertheless...for few would recognize a house I established in any case.\"

It is only the sound of Nella\'s voice in the room that suddenly breaks Ceredir\'s attention away--he looks up sharply.

\"No, Yussef!\" he calls out. \"Order her away. I will not have her here for this. This..this is no place for a woman.\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella looks at Yussef, and gives the corsair a confused smile. \"Need me for what?\" But the other young corsair is speaking, and Ceredir...Nella\'s eyes widen as she takes in the distressed tone of his voice. To make herself heard, Nella stamps her foot impatiently and raises her voice, \"Need me for -what?-\" Flashing eyes look at the faces of the three men who have spoken, and she crosses her arms.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"Do not insult your wife in such a way, Ceredir!\" Yildirim growls.

\"You have taken your steps to strength, away from the weak ways of the north. There is no reason to shield her from becoming a woman as strong and proud as any here. Let her come. Let her watch your pledge. This is the best place for the woman you love.\"

\"Well, the best place for any woman worth loving.\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

The Scout\'s call falls on impassive ears Yussef halts none in his tread. His voice is given to a proper and reserved tone, which in turn gives it a callousness -- perhaps he is too tired to care. \"As good Yildirim says...\"

\"Here, that is not for you to decide.\"

And the last his tone grows chill, even as he kneels again by the fireside, turning for a moment a sidelong glance at Ceredir with hard black eyes, ere he looks to the progress of the fire. \"And I am not yours to order. Calm yourself.\"

\"Our ways are different from yours!\" Ceredir answers the southrons harshly. \"Our women are strong, but not for this. Moreover, -I- do not wish her here to witness this. Sacrifice or no, it is what I do for Lord Alphros and I do not wish her to interfere, which she will likely wish to do out of love.\"

\"My pledge to Lord Alphros, Nella,\" he at last answers his wife. He jerks his head toward the fire. \"I will give it now and...and if you insist on staying, as these men dictate that you ought, then you must accept that I do this and not object. Here.\" He holds out a mug he holds, the last of the liquor that Yildirim gave him to drink in it.

[<#24191>] A glance is spared to Yussef, \"\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

The serving folk stir and mutter amonst themselves perhaps they know not the tongue in which the northerners and their own warriors converse, but they all watch now, intently.

[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella looks at the fire, still very confused, but beginning to understand. \"No!\" She exclaims suddenly. She shakes her head. \"No, Ceredir, you will not!\" She stares, disgusted, at both corsairs in turn. \"How could you? And you? You\'re going to...maim..him?\" is her gasped, frightened assumption. She strides purposefully toward Yildirim. \"You can have me instead.\" She purposefully avoids looking at Ceredir. \"Hurt me, not him. You say your women are strong..I will be that as well.\" The words are breathy, scared, high.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"Maim? No. Only mark,\" Yildirim explain simply, unconcerned.

\"It will only sting for a few days. Less if your healer works with it. No worse than a stern taskmaster on the training fields.\"

[<#19036>]

There is a glance in turn for Yildirim also, whith a solitary twitch in the corner of his mouth, Yussef replies: \" Are they all like this?\"

He doesn\'t answer Nelladel\'s disapproval not her words, nor her stares.

\'The iron is ready.\'

\"Absolutely not!\" Ceredir says, moving to try to intercept his wife. \"Lord Alphros has asked for a personal sacrifice and this is what I have offered. Do not ask me to go back on my word. It is a moment\'s pain. If you wish to prove that you have the strength of will to be a Corsair, then begin now.\" He nods to Yussef and walks toward the fire, rolling up his left sleeve.

\"You act as if it is a punishment,\" Yildirim says to Nella, confusion spreading over his brow, \"This is an indelible testament. It will be uncomfortable, but words are nothing without action. I am surprised you would not both offer your flesh. It may not console you but we,\" he motions to Yussef, \"Have offered our lives. Freely.\"

\"Really, we take nothing from either of you, but only some small bit of skin. Right, Yussef?\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] \"What? You can\'t be serious!\" Nella shouts, not at any of the men in particular. \"Please,\" she pleads with Yildirim. \"Do it to me instead.\" She steps stubbornly toward the fire, still not looking at her husband.

\" You must not try to stop this,\" Ceredir says in an urgently voiced flow of words in the language of the northmen. He shakes his head to Nella. \" Lord Alphros wants a sacrifice. Better this than my life or both of our lives. Let me do it and be done with it. It will hurt but it will not kill me--I have wounds worse than this. There is no need for both of us to carry a brand that must be erased once we are in Gondor.\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

\"Yea,\" Yussef answers Yildirim with but a nod.

[<#24191>] With an agitated sigh, as Ceredir looks back to Nella, Yildirim grabs his wrist and wraps his free arm around it, \"\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

Without hesitance, the iron Raven and Tree is lifted from the flames, and brought to bear against the master scouts flesh with an overloud hiss.

Yussef winces, and the iron is lowered, slow now were before it was moved swift and sure.

[Nelladel(#7905)] \"You are mad. All of you. And I will take no part in it.\" Nella spins on her heel and begins to stride from the room, but she hesitates as she hears a rather sickening noise. She looks back over her shoulder, slowly, before ever reaching the door.

Despite himself, Ceredir jerks backwards at the approach of the iron, though he does not come free from Yildirim\'s grasp. And then again he jerks involuntarily as the hot metal meets the flesh of his arm. A scream is ripped from his throat as he gasps with sudden pain, and then his weight slumps against Yildirim quite suddenly. Not quite fainted, but not coherent, either.

[Yussef(#19036)]

Gasps rise among the serving folk, or grins even cruel laughs, though these are few. They look from Ceredir to his wife, expectantly.

[Nelladel(#7905)] \"Ceredir!\" Just after his scream, comes this shouted, frantic word from Nella. She rushes forward, looking as though she would push Yildirim out of the way to hold him. \"I\'ve got him,\" Nella growls. \"Uanui.\" She says the Sindarin word rather strongly at the corsairs as she tries to take over the care of her husband.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

Yildirim lowers himself to the ground, taking on the weight of the scout and nearly falling over with the woman\'s pushing. He lays Ceredir\'s head on the cushion then grabs the mug of brandy and splashes it on the wound. Looking up to Nella, he asks, \"If you wish it, he is yours. Though, perhaps we should have him carried to his room?\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] \"I\'ll manage myself, thank you. I\'d rather struggle than take your help,\" Nella says tightly. The proud girl then tries to lift her husband. And tries again, and again. She has very little success, no matter how she approaches the task of lifting the unconcious man. Finally, she looks at the corsair again. \"Well. I suppose I have no choice. You\'ll have to carry him.\" She looks deeply unhappy about this.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"I thought you rather struggle?\" Yildirim questions.

[Nelladel(#7905)] Looking at the ground now, Nella mutters a word that takes her a moment to get out, \"-Please-.\"

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"Do not be so angry,\" Yildirim says, as he reaches down and struggles himself to pull Ceredir into a fireman\'s carry, \"It was his choice and his idea, I believe.\"

He grunts as he steps to the doors, \"He will be fine. So will you. Worry not.\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] Grudgingly, Nelladel follows Yildirim and her unconcious husband out the door, her head held high despite what she just witnessed. \"Thank you,\" she mutters, barely audible, as they head into the hallway.