(Archive) Findon the White Squire

Elendor - Thursday, June 30, 2000, 5:48 PM

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Weather: Clear

Time: Late Morning

Season: Summer

Date: Mersday - June 30, 3020

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Dol Amroth: Halls of Healing - Master\'s Chambers

So broad is this chamber that at first glance it seems not one, but two on the west, a luxurious office, the floor covered by a thick carpet of Southron make, green laced with black. Centered upon it rests a broad mahogany desk covered with the implements of scholarship, flanked behind by a brace of tall, imposing shelves lined with scrolls and codices, and on the front by two wing-backed chairs upholstered to match.

The eastern end of the room, though, is bare and spartan, but heavy with fragrance. A workbench of scarred and yellowed wood covered with a variety of randomly-strewn arcane objects hugs the eastern wall, while the space above it is lined with a lattice from which depend bundles of aromatic flora hanging like withered fingers as they dry. Overlaying their perfume, though, is the scent of fresh, green Spring that only Kingsfoil can produce--it must be this, then, that lies in the covered wickerwork baskets around the room\'s periphery.

Shafts of light slant into the room from the windows set into the northern wall between workbench and desk--narrow windows, deep-silled, that look onto the distant Bay and the town below through thick, muddled glass.

Contents:

Findon

Obvious exits:

Out

Unaware of the clear, sunny morning as she sits in her office talking to the Squire, Lady Ivriniel leans back in the carven chair, comfortably folding her slender hands in her lap as silvery grey orbs look upon the young man. Holding his gaze for several moments, her own serious in nature she asks softly, \"Do tell me of your experiences on the Bregasul. I wish to hear of the bravery of the men that lost their lives there. Not to mention, the atrocities of the Black Pirate himself.\", a cold look chills her expression at the mention of Khazamr, but quickly, a serene expression is once again seen as she asks, \"Come, tell me your tales.\"

[Findon(#29212)] \"Of his atrocities I know naught...\"

The squire begins, and let be heard a sigh. His brow furrow as he leans back in tought.

\"But to tell the tale...\"

\"...It all began a stormy late night outside the Marble gate. I was strolling from the vinyards towards the city after long labours. Thus I saw a ring of requain around the Prince. As they where in my way I stopped outside the ring, waiting for the to scatter. But somehow it came to be that I rode to Edhellond instead of sleeping in my bed in the barracks. To make a short tale shorter: We - myself along with other men n the princes service - recieved the mission to fare across the great sea to Umbar...\"

[Findon(#29212)] \"...And after long days at sea, we saw the shore.\"

A soft \'hrm\' can be heard and Findon looks around a few brief seconds.

Lady Ivriniel leans forth in her chair and reaches for the pitcher of cool water residing on a tray on her mahoghany desk. Two crystal goblets are filled with the refreshing beverage, the sound of the water trickling into the goblets, very loud in the stillness of the room. Outside, the sound of a mockingbird trills suddenly and a smile curves the lips of the Princess as she reaches to hand one glass to Findon, her own rising to soft lips as she partakes of a sip of the drink. Setting her glass down on the desk, beads of moisture running down the outside and quickly pooling around the base, Ivriniel looks to the squire and says, \"Please, continue when you feel able\"

[Findon(#29212)] After reaching forward and taking the vessel containing water, the squire leans back again and sips. At first. Then he turns the bottom of the glass towards the roof and puts it back on the table.

\"Thank you....\"

\"...It was late, and the mists lay heavy upon still waters of the sea. The air was chill. A few of us was to take shore and disable a lighthouse. A quest that not many of us returned from...\"

The Princess takes another small sip of her water as she listens to the words of the squire. When he pauses, silvery grey orbs look to him in question and she asks, \"from...?\" A look of concern mars her brow as she says, \"Please do not stop now. Continue my good man.\"

[Findon(#29212)] A sudden smile appear in the squires visage, no matter how improper it may be. Nonetheless he continue:

\"...we made our way towards the tower upon which the lighthouse lay and prepeared ourselves for battle in case they would see us but the Vala was with us that day. A mist had risen and without problem we climbed the stairs. It was a short and fierce battle, and we hurried back to our ship....\"

Findon pause and his fingertips begin to drum the elbow-rest...

Frowning at the squire, Lady Ivriniel asks out of the blue, \"Is there some reason you wish to delay the telling of your tale? The smile upon your face and your odd stops in the conversation give me pause to question. Is there some information you are withholding?\" The glass of water gets pushed aside as the Princess leans forward in her carven chair and rests both forearms upon the cool wood of her desk, eyeing the squire with a curiosity and a touch of ire mixed in the sea grey colour.

[Findon(#29212)] \"Nay, I have no reasons for that save lending you that time... And that I need to clear my memory, so that I do not tell you lies, or pieces of other quests and battles.\"

The white squire continues thus:

\"Not much else there was... A few other events such as that one, until we arrived at Umbar. Strange things I have seen and heard there. And most strange of all things is that I met a woman there, whom men, if I may call them such, said had poisoned many men of gondor in a war a few years ago...\"

\"Do you happend to know anything about that?\"

Resting her face in upturned palms, Ivriniel looks at the squire again with a mixture of irritation and curiosity upon her brow. Pausing for a moment she finally speaks, \"It seems that all on board the ship were killed.\" Shaking her head slightly the woman says, \"Nay. That was the ship I was aboard when Khazamr sent his vile warning to Imrahil.\" Sighing deeply she admits, \"To be quite frank, my memory is a bit hazed about the two ships as I took a blow to the head and was rendered unconscious, only to be found upon the ship floating in the harbor with all members save myself, dead.\"

[Findon(#29212)] \"No matter...\"

Thus say findon as he continue again.

\"Strangely enough she saved me from picking a fight with the wrong people two soldiers. So, unarmed as I was, she dragged me away from those two, and by that time our return to the Bregazul would occur. So Ileft her with a few words of thanks, and after a valiant battle, we where free. Not much more to it there is.\"

After these words, Findon lean back in his chair once again, his brow furrowed...

Leaning back in her chair once more, Ivriniel looks upon the face of the squire, now furrowed with a brow and inquires, \"She? Who is this woman that you mention? Surely not one of the Corsairs women?\" Intrigued by something, Ivriniel flips through some papers on her desk and finally finds a parchment with a hastily drawn image of a petite woman and thrusts it across the desk to Findon. \"Have you ever seen this woman before?\"

lookaway Arali

At first glance, the Lady Arali of Farside is not what one would expect in a Tower Lord. She is a small and unimposing figure at 5\'6\", and in her early twenties or even late teens. Small does not mean weak however. And young does not mean naive. The young woman moves with a natural grace, carrying herself with certainty and demanding respect from all. Brown eyes, so dark they are almost black, are ever alert, always searching for potential danger or opportunity. Betraying her Narakshi ancestry, her skin is tanned and long, raven-black hair cascades down her back, kept in place by a couple of jewelled combs. Looking at her, one would have difficulty judging where she hails from. She has the exotically shaped eyes of a Narakshi, yet the straight nose and fine, chiseled features of a Gondorian. To muddle the picture more, her voice is tinged by a thick accent, almost Easterling but not quite.

For this occasion, the Lady wears a lowcut dress of purple velvet, with long billowy sleeves. A jewelled belt is cinched about her small waist, with several daggers attched to the belt and as always, her scimitar hangs from her side.

[Findon(#29212)] \"I am not sure... The eyes seem familiar to me...\"

The frown in Findons forehead grow deeper, or should i say broader - bigger. Examining the parchment he leans his head to the side and looks back at Ivriniel.

\"Who is this woman?\"

Quietly watching the squire look upon the drawing of the woman, Ivriniel nods her head in agreement, \"The big dark eyes are rather handsome along with that long raven hair and tanned face.\" The fingers of the Princess lace together and then uncross as she seems to decide whether to give the squire more information concerning the woman and then she says, \"I happened upon this woman on the docks. She -said- she was from country that I am unaware of, but her manner of speaking was unique, melodic....familiar somehow.\"

Frowning as if trying to work out the question in her mind Ivriniel goes on to say, \"She was very interested in the herbs grown her locally and she knew a lot about healing.\" Shrugging one shoulder as she asks, \"The question was merely an idle one, probably nothing more than my curiosity at work.\"

[Findon(#29212)] The squire nods, looking at the parchement while the princess speaks. Yet as he say her latest sentence he looks up with a query in his eyes.

\"What? I am afraid that I do not understand what you want to know...\"

Ivriniel barks out rather harshly, \"What is there -not- to understand? Have you seen this woman before, that is my question.\" Again the glass of water is raised to the soft lips of the Princess as she takes a sip of water.

[Findon(#29212)] \"Yes\"

Findon say slowly, but then faster.

\"Yes, that is her.\"

The glass slams down on the desk with a crack as Ivriniel practically shouts, \"You -know- this woman?\"

[Findon(#29212)] \"Well\"

The squire starts. His eyes blink a bit as the glass clash against the table. But he does not remain at it for long. He leans back yet another time and scrach his chin. \"I dont know her, in that defenition.\" Findon leans forward then, his elbows resting on his knees.

\"But I know -of- her.\"

Ivriniel picks up the parchment and looks at the picture of the woman seen on the docks of Dol Amroth and then raises her eyes to look at the squire thoughtfully before she finally inquires, \"You have heard -of- this woman?\" Eyes snapping with eagerness she leans forth and says, \"Do explain what you have heard. In -full- detail please.\"

Ivriniel picks up the parchment and looks at the picture of the woman seen on the docks of Dol Amroth and then raises her eyes to look at the squire thoughtfully before she finally inquires, \"You have heard -of- this woman?\"

Eyes snapping with eagerness she leans forth and says, \"Do explain what you have heard. In -full- detail please.\"

[Findon(#29212)] Quickly the squire leans back again, in which one could think of as a anxious or irritated manner. But so it is not -- at least that is what his visage say. He turn his head towards a window, pondering how he should answer. He lift a finger which gently pounds at his lower lip as he thinks... And thinks.

He turns back to the princess then, and says as simple as these words are:

\"I believe that Sir Durandir could give you more information about... her. If my memory is not as bad as my grand mothers was at her dying breath, that one was whom \'bought\' sir Durandir and aided him. In the city of Umbar.\"

Findon stops then and looks at the princess, inquiringly. \"But perhaps you know more than me, for that is all that I know...\"

Leaning up quickly in her carven chair Ivriniel says sharply, \"She -bought- Durandir when he was in Umbar?\" Shaking her head the Princess drags one hand through raven locks and sighs softly, \"Umbar.\"

Resting her forehead in the palm of her hand as the fingers of the other hand drum upon the desk she finally says, \"The corsairs of Harad were brave enough to breech the security of the shores of Dol Amroth.\", incredulous is the tone in her voice as she looks into the eyes of the squire and asks one last time, \"This is all you know concerning this woman. Correct?\"

[Findon(#29212)] \"Bought, yes.\"

\"We where all cloaked in the dirty cloths that slaves wear.\" The squires eyes seem to harden at the last question, or perhaps at the memory -- And indeed for a few breaths Findon meets Princess Ivriniels gaze. But as he finally replies it is with this:

\"Yes, that is correct.\"

Considering the last words of the Blue Squire, Ivriniel gives him a gentle smile of understanding as she notes the hardening of his eyes. Her words are soft as she says, \"So once this woman bought Durandir he was not in contact with you?\"

Suddenly she cries out, \"Oh! Do you have a name for this woman?\" Her laughter sounds as she says, \"So intent was I upon learning how you came in contact with her that I forgot to ask her name.\"

[Findon(#29212)] \"No -- He was not.\"

Findon blinks once and his eyes as well as his head turn yet again to the widow that he looked out in before. \"Let me think of this for a while and I may remember it... I think that Durandir has mentioned...\"

And from there it continues in a quiet murmuring. The squires finger is raised, to once more pound his lower lip lightly. But it is soon lowered to rest by his knee. And it might be just an illution, but one can almost hear it crackle inside the squires head -- But then you realize that it is just his fingers that crackle as he clench his fist, over and over.

Thus it is with a little curve upon his lips that he whisper quietly: \"Arali...\" And when he turn back towards the princess the smile grows broader, though it is scarcely noticeable. \"Arali.\"

As the name of the woman slips from the lips of the squire Ivriniel rises to a standing position so quickly that the carven chair slams onto the southron carpet beneath her feet, \"Arali! The Tower Lord of Umbar! Oh my!\"

Turning sharply she strides to the window as her fingers nervously pluck at the lace trimming the bodice of her gown. Silvery orbs narrow as they look out of the muted glass and she says oddly, \'That will be all Findon. If I should require more information regarding this woman I shall call upon you or Durandir.\" Waving one hand in the air in dismissal she says, \"Thank you for your help.\" With that the Princess, sister of Imrahil returns her gaze to the Bay of Belfalas and softly bites her bottom lip as her thoughts drift back to the events on the wharf of Dol Amroth.

\"Have you ever seen this woman in Dol Amroth?\", before the squire can exit Ivriniel calls out one last question over her shoulder. As the name of the woman slips from the lips of the squire Ivriniel rises to a standing position so quickly that the carven chair slams onto the southron carpet beneath her feet, \"Arali! The Tower Lord of Umbar! Oh my!\"

[Findon(#29212)] \"Nay, I have not!\"

That the squire calls out after the princess as he raise from the chair he was seated in, and goes towards the window. For a great many minutes he stand there, gazing out at the bay of belfalas -- Until duty and training calls.

Silence falls between the squire and Princess as each stand at the window overlooking the Bay of Belfalas. Ivriniel gives him a quiet nod of her head and a serene smile as duty calls him from the Master Healers chambers.

A deep sigh issues forth as she moves to return her chair to its rightful position and once again sits at the desk, the parchment drawing finding its way into her fingers as she says aloud,

\"Arali. Tower Lord of Umbar.\"

\"Invited into the Citadel for tea by the Princess herself.\", a bitter laugh of irony rips from her lips as her eyes grow cold and hard in remembrance of the attack in the bay by the Southrons.