The Pretender Chronicles - A Tower Lord\'s decision
A tale freshly told of the Haradrim
Lord Alphros visits the Gondorian guests, and decides .. to postpone deciding anything
Embassy Lobby
A blazing fire from the large brick fireplace greets the guests of Umbar upon entering the lobby from the double glass doors. The dim lighting adds a certain warmth and charm to the ambiance of the room. Large, comfortable sofas are arranged in a pattern suitable for small discussions and allow its components to soak up the heat and light from the fireplace. A small bar is positioned against the western most wall. Several leather-bound stools align the refreshment oasis and a small window allows for the guests to gaze out into the harbour. A stairway can be seen in the northeastern most corner leading up to the floors above. The deep reds and blues of the room adds to the drowsiness the night causes. Several paintings of present and former Lords of Umbar hang from each wall of this room and their figures appear almost ghostly in the dim illuminataion.
Obvious exits:
Stairs and Double Doors
[+TIME] Middle-earth time is:
Nighttime on Mersday, Day 30 of June.
Execute the +TIMEFRAME command for year information.
Real time is: 15:38:56 MDT on Sun Mar 22 2009.
IC year: 3046
[Ceredir(#1394)]
For the men and women of Gondor, the days are passing slowly, one blazing hot day merging into another relentlessly. On this day, the sun is up, about the noon hour, and the full force of the heat is just beginning to be felt, with the result being that activity--such as it is in this building--has slowed to a crawl.
By the bar sits a youngish looking man, his dark green cloak thrown aside on the chair next to him, as the heat makes wearing it oppressive. Ceredir holds a tankard in his hands, though it is filled with water, not spirits. He tilts his chair and leans back against the wall, his expression an odd mix of boredom and apprehension.
[Alphros(#31271)]
A lone figure strides into the Embassy-- he is clad as a warrior of Umbar, and bears the livery of the Farside Tower and the personal heraldry of its Lord, Alphros, the Raven and the White Tree.
��� \"Alphros anAzulada, Lord of Farside and chief of the Council of Umbar, approaches to speak to the emissaries of the Stone-land.\"
[Nelladel(#7905)] A petite young woman stands near Ceredir. Nelladel looks sufficiently chastened and sober on this late morning, and she will not touch whiskey or wine. Like her husband, Nella also sips nothing more than a glass of water. The way her grey eyes dart around the room, she is equally restless, looking for something to pass the time.
[Arphenon(#30834)]
Arphenon Bragollach leans in the corner, a wine glass in hand. He perks a bit at the introduction of Alphros, and finishes his drink in a single gulp.
[Aevrand(#29054)] Seemingly unaffected by the heat, Aevrand knits placidly, not speaking to anyone as she sits in an armchair in the corner. Her gaze occasionally flicks across the room, but otherwise she appears wholly absorbed by her work.
�The herald\'s announcement has her set the wool aside, but she does not rise yet.
Activity outside the building is sparse, also, as those who labour at the docks seek refuge from the sun\'s baleful glare. Little wonder that some have chosen to come to the Umbar Embassy: since the day they set foot here, news of the hated Gondorians has spread far and wide, and the common folk of Umbar have found excuse to come here - to spit, to curse or merely to gawk.
The plainly-dressed fellow who slips into the building now would seem to fit into that latter category, for he neither rails nor sneers. Simply ... gazes, his eyes expressionless, though at the sight of the Farside leader a frown appears between his brows. He pauses by the doorway, seemingly ready to leave if asked.
[Alphros(#31271)]
Wither no further heraldry or aplomb, the announced Lord of Farside steps into the Embassy, accompanied by a handful of Corsair guards. He is dressed as one of the warrior-princes of Umbar, though a veil obscures his face and -- seemingly without welcome or purposefulness -- half a dozen meowing cats follow upon his heels.
��� Neither cat nor watching Umbarean is chased from the room, however, by Alphros, who instead pauses to gaze about the chamber at the pale-skinned folk from the north. \"Who comes to Umbar from the prison of the Steward?\" he enquires calmly but directly.
[Yussef(#19036)]
A man says to another under the shade of the doorway, shortly after Alphros enters, quietly in the southron tongue: \"Think he\'ll hang \'em?\"
\"Oh, hanging is much too dull!\" The answer comes, \"It\'s commonplace these days. I hope he\'ll conjure up something more entertaining.\" The latter of the pair nudges Barjad in the side lightly.
\"What do you think?\"
Yussef, posted on the inside of that double-door arch, stands erect his bow ceasing. The youth looks to first the two men, and then the same Barjad -- shaking his head lightly with a frown.
[Ceredir(#1394)]
Immediately Ceredir gets to his feet, tankard of water set hastily on the bar. \"Lord Alphros,\" he says, bowing. \"Ceredir of Ithilien, and I come bearing a missive.\"
[Azradi(#20135)]
To the right of Alphros stands his proud sister - Azradi anAzulada. She too is dressed according to her station and profession. Red-dyed armor protects her body, coupled with a long silken skirt of a golden hue. A richly worked scabbard and scimitar hang from her left hip.
She says naught but her eyes rest upon Ceredir.
[Aevrand(#29054)] Standing and taking a step forward, Aevrand speaks. \"Aevrand of Minas Tirith, a scholar.\" A curtsy comes as an afterthought, but it is low enough to demonstrate respect.
\"So young,\" the watching man murmurs, his gaze pausing on Nelladel. Whether by intent or mere accident, the words are spoken in the Westron tongue used by Alphros.
At the dunt in his ribs he turns toward his fellow Umbarian, topaz eyes narrowing slightly. \"I think,\" he replies, the words coming slowly, as though speech required effort, \"that a Lord of Gondor would not hang his own. I have not before seen a leader here who made that claim.\"
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nelladel speaks next, her curtsy extremely low and graceful- by her look of intense concentration, it is not something she has often practiced lately, but she is trying hard. \"Nelladel...wife of Ceredir.\" Her eyes never leave Alphros she looks captivated, reverent.
[<#20135>]
\" She is the one who expressed a desire to become a Corsair, brother,\" Azradi says in a low voice to Alphros, her gaze now steady on Nelladel.
[Arphenon(#30834)]
\"And I, Lord, am Elrandin Bragollach,\" says Arphenon, emerging from the shadows with a flourish and a bow. \"Of Prince Imrahil\'s Order of the Swan.\"
[Yussef(#19036)]
A laugh rises by the door, but it is stiffled quickly. \"Lord Alphros cut down a hundred of their men on the Poros himself!\" The unnamed Haradrim answers Barjad incredulously the exclamation too quickly suppressed to quieter speech. Ever on southern words do their tongues wag. \"Everyone knows that. What harm is a few more, eh?\"
[Alphros(#31271)]
As the Gondorians come forward to present themselves, the Lord takes note of them each in turn. His gaze rests longest on Ceredir -- his is a familiar face after all -- and after a moment he nods. His manner is not dark, nor threatening, but there is a certain ill humour to the would-be King of Gondor.
\"You have all chosen ill timing to come here, to the City of Corsairs,\" the veiled Lord says simply, in the common tongue they share. \"Our city is in the grip of civil war, and patience is thinner and trust much less forthcoming under such circumstances.\"
The watcher, Barjad, lifts one shoulder in a shrug to his questioner. \"No .. harm. But a wise man uses his tools if he can. When they are no longer useful, then he throws them away.\" His slow, nasal speech falls into silence as Alphros speaks, and he listens - perhaps to the words, perhaps merely to the cadence of the speech.
When there is a pause in the exchange of words, he glances to the watchful Yussef, a brow lifting. \"And you think?\" The last murmured word rises in pitch a query.
[<#1394>] Under the gaze of the would-be King, Ceredir\'s eyes drop, humility overtaking his expression. And with that, his voice drops as well so that his words can scarcely be heard.
\"I am not the same foolish man I was, my lord. I...I return to beg your pardon and prove myself. Baiz, as he is calling himself here--I cannot name him openly--is my guide, nay, my father, nearly. He has convinced me of the error of my ways, and I have sworn to him.\"
[Arphenon(#30834)]
Arphenon\'s sea-grey eyes watch the proceedings alertly, at one point coming to rest upon the would-be King\'s sister. He offers her a perfunctory nod.
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella says nothing more, only watching the others in the room for now. She sets her glass of water back down on the bar and worries at her lower lip as she stands, waiting and listening.
[Yussef(#19036)]
The young guardsman\'s glance fleets from the pair who nod in turn, perhaps sated by the answer, as he looks askance at Barjad himself. The black gaze is impassive, but widened -- as always. His lips part as if to make speak, halts, and he looks away briefly.
\"I think,\" He responds silently \'ere a moment, \"He will do with them as he sees fit. Guessing at these designs or agreeing -- or not -- isn\'t my place.\"
[Azradi(#20135)]
On occasion, Azradi\'s gaze sweeps across the room - coming to rest most often in the corners and other shadowy places. And so the lady corsair meets for a moment, the Knight\'s own eyes. She offers him a brief, unsmiling inclination of her head in return before directing her attention elsewhere.
[Alphros(#31271)]
Alphros nods his head slowly as Ceredir speaks to him, and then he looks again from face to face, carefully. \"You are all brave,\" he notes, \"Whether you were aware of the... troubles times you sailed into, or not. Another time, and another Lord treating with you, and your bodies might already hang from the harbour parapets. But that is not I, no...\"
[Aevrand(#29054)] Her attention focussed on the would-be King of Gondor and his sister, Aevrand remains silent for the moment, letting the younger members of their party approach first.
[<#31271>] Alphros pauses, and then adds: \"
\"
[Alphros(#31271)]
Then, Alphros finishes, reverting to the common tongue: \"I will hear your reasons for coming here, now, and your requests... for I assume that you came with them.\"
[<#1394>] \"\" Ceredir says, his head still bowed and pain in his voice. He falters and does not continue, in fact, stepping back to let the others speak. He does not look up.
[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella timidly steps away from the bar, a few paces toward Alphros and his sister. Quietly, while looking steadily at him, she says, \"I came here to serve Gondor\'s rightful king in any way I can.\" She swallows, nervous, \"And that is my only request. That I be allowed to serve your cause, should you deem me fit...I c-can use a dagger. I think. But I\'m very smart- ask Ceredir. I can learn.\" Earnest-looking grey eyes blink up at Alphros.
From the slight tilt to Barjad\'s head, he would appear to be listening to the young Gondorian\'s murmur to Alphros, though likely in vain. Little of the whispered speech carries.
At Yussef\'s words, he lets out a soft snort that sounds rather like amusement with his features half-hid it is hard to tell. \"A good thought. Better to worry over food to eat and a bed to sleep in. I\'d settle for a place on a ship. Let High Lords be kings of where they wish.\" The words are calm, unconcerned-sounding, but at the burst of unknown speech from Alphros, his eyes narrow sharply, like a cat when the hound\'s bay sounds near.
[Yussef(#19036)]
The two men under the door sigh in unison. \"So much for the hangin\',\" The one says, as the converse within turns to a foreign tongue.
\"A waste that is, terrible waste,\" The other answers. \"What do you suppose they\'re saying?\" The former only shrugs.
They leave.
[Azradi(#20135)]
Azradi\'s countenance remains impassive as her brother gives his speech in the Northern tongue. Her attention, as previously, remains upon potential threats - including the Gondorians arrayed before her brother.
[Yussef(#19036)]
Although he does not look at him when he answers, his black eyes bent on the stonefolk within, Yussef\'s Haradaic is quiet, and thoughtfully spoken: \"On a ship, eh?\"
\"You should talk to Su\'ad of Farside. She lost a crewman to the sea on her last voyage.\"
[<#29054>] Aevrand steps forward once the girl has spoken her piece, inclining her head towards Alphros. \'I come in search of knowledge.\' Leaning forward, she lowers her voice so only the man himself can hear. \"I also come ... behalf ... ... ... welcome ... ... ... ....\"
[Arphenon(#30834)]
\"And I, Lord, am here to meet you,\" says Arphenon, stepping forth.
\"There is a new Lord at head of our House, and, to some, he is a less than agreeable figure. You may have heard of him...the Knight-Captain Bor?\"
Yussef\'s mention of that one name pulls Barjad\'s attention away from the Gondorians, for he had been listening quietly as they present their reasons to Alphros. \"I have heard that name,\" he admits, slowly. \"A Captain of the Havens, men say. I thought ... tell me, do all serve Farside now? Before in Umbar, it was .. different.\" He looks away, ostensibly awaiting Alphros\' response to the foreigners.
[Ceredir(#1394)]
\"The men..some of them..and the women of Gondor..\" Ceredir steps forward and puts his hand on Nelladel\'s shoulder, \"yearn for a king. We come to hear your claim and meet you.\"
The name Bor brings a scowl to Ceredir\'s face that he is too slow to hide.
[Alphros(#31271)]
Alphros gives Nelladel a long moment of scrutiny, and then looks at her husband, Ceredir. After a moment, he nods to her. Then he looks to the one named Aevrand, and he arches an eyebrow. \"Knowledge? What sort of knowledge?\" To both of them, and by extension the others, he responds.
��� \"I understand that those of Gondor who come here claiming interest or support in my rulership expect proof of my blood-right, and my lineage. Before you all say aught else, you must understand that I expect no less of those who come before me. Proof of your own intentions, of your good faith, and why I should place any trust in you whatsoever... Why I should permit you anything, let alone to have access to my trust, and to the secrets that lie within Umbar, long sought after by the Steward\'s pillagers.\"
Then Alphros looks to the one who introduced himself as Elrandin, the self-named Swan-knight. \"I have heard of him,\" is all he says of the Bragollach Lord. \"We have spoken.\"
[Yussef(#19036)]
\"Not all,\" Yussef responds in that same hushed tone. \"Though all manner of folk flock to Alphros\' banner.\"
He glances now at Barjad, \"Why?\"
[Arphenon(#30834)]
\"I seek only an audience, Lord Alphros, and you may disarm me as you like and bring as many guards as you wish. But I would speak to you in confidence.\"
These, the words of Arphenon Bragollach.
[<#1394>] \'Lord Alphros, what would you ask of me?\' Ceredir says, his countenance humbled. He exhales slowly, and his eyes close briefly. Then his grey eyes fall on Alphros\'s and his voice drops to a hoarse whisper. \"Speak and ... ... do .... ... will ... ... ..., ... ... ... ... ....\"
Whatever it is that Ceredir has replied to Alphros in a whisper now continues, though his next is said with surprise. \"You ... ... Sir Bor? Then ... is ... to ..., ...?\"
[<#7905>] \"... ... you ... ...- ... of great ... to ..., if ... ... else,\" Nella moves closer to whisper to Alphros, though perhaps her husband is close enough to overhear. \"And...... I ... ... ... ..., ... ... never wish ... see Gondor ....\" Surprised by herself for saying it aloud, Nella rushes on to ask, \"... ... ... I ... you? ... ... what ... gesture ... ... ... could make ... ..., and I will ... ....\" The stubborn girl\'s face is set.
[Aevrand(#29054)] \"I would make the same request as the Bragollach.\" A small smirk appears on the lined face of Aevrand. \"With the same conditions, though the women of Gondor do not go about armed.\"
Outside the Embassy the noonday sun still blazes down, a scorching glare that any with wit choose to avoid. Here within the building, the air may be stifling but the mood is calm, as Farside Lord and Gondorian petitioners exchange apparently peaceful words. Others simply watch, Yussef and Barjad among them.
Barjad\'s gaze flicks back to Yussef. \"Because,\" he answers simply and slowly, \"I am fond of my head and wish to keep it. If I know nothing of tower matters, I may stumble.\" Answer given, he halts to frown suspiciously at the murmurs of the Gondorians, then queries of Yussef, \"And you serve Farside? Or just this Su\'ad?\"
[Yussef(#19036)]
At the exchange between Alphros and Nella, Yussef\'s glance shifts thither, watching intently. He answers in turn, \"I can sympathize with that.\"
\"Both.\"
\"Who are you?\"
[Alphros(#31271)]
Alphros shakes his veiled head at Ceredir. \"No, we met during the battle at Poros. The Lord Bragollach is my foe.\"
��� \"I will speak with you all, individually,\" the Lord then says, simply, to the gathered Gondorians. \"And hear your requests, and make my judgment, in detail. In the meantime, my guard shall escort you to the Farside Tower, where you may reside. There is war, yes, but there is no safer place than Umbar, and you will be surrounded by the loyal folk of my Tower who may know better than to bring harm upon you before my judgment is made. Though you shall have no access to the archives of Farside, nor its forges or barracks, or other safe places where our knowledge and strength resides... Not until it is permitted by myself.\"
[Arphenon(#30834)]
Arphenon bows.
\"Thank you, Lord.\"
[Ceredir(#1394)] Ceredir simply nods his head, accepting this. He reaches back to the chair near him and picks up his cloak, as if ready to leave immediately.
For a long moment Yussef\'s question produces naught but silence, as Barjad listens to Alphros\' dealings with the strangers. Then, at last, he speaks, answering Yussef in a slow, nasal murmur. \"I am .. me. A simple man with strong arms and back and a strong wish to stay out of the way of Tower Lords. They are unpredictable - that does not change. If you wish a name, it is Barjad bin Shamal.\"
He shrugs, then murmurs. \"That is who I am. Others ... I do not know.\" His troubled gaze shifts away from his companion to rest on Alphros, and his brows furrow.
[Yussef(#19036)]
\"I\'m Yussef al Asad,\" The young guard answers. \"We sheould speak more.\"
\"Later.\"
Barjad pulls his gaze away from the Farside Lord and dips his head to Yussef in a nod. \"Yes.\" A cat slips out of the shadows and brushes past him on its way to rejoin its master, and he blinks at the animal in bemusement.
When he looks up again, he comments merely, \"I should learn more of how things are, and of this Su\'ad who needs another man for her ship. But not now.\" He edges toward the doorway a little. \"Where can I find you?\"
[Yussef(#19036)]
\"I will guard the gates to Farside the next few days, early,\" Yussef answers turning now to face Barjad fully. \"Find me there.\"
To that Barjad dips his head in another nod, this time without the verbal acknowledgement. \"Farewell.\"
Adjusting the keffiyeh round his face a little - and if he isn\'t sweating beneath it that would be a miracle even greater than the welcoming of Harad\'s enemies to this, her very heart - he steps out into the bleached light of the sun and away along the docks. He does not look back.