The Pretender Chronicles - The Farside

[+TIME] Middle-earth time is:

Morning on Hevensday, Day 22 of June.

Execute the +TIMEFRAME command for year information.

Real time is: 20:25:41 MDT on Thu Mar 19 2009.

[Azradi(#20135)]

Sighted long before they docked, the arrival of the Saqrwa\'il and the Variyah with such a prize in tow as the Gondorian Beruthiel\'s Cat has set a ripple throughout the Corsair docks - indeed, even unto Umbar itself!

A prize! A prize! Enough to stir the blood of even the hardest Old Salt!

As expected, the pale-skinned crew and passengers of the Northern ship are lined up in two rows, heavily guarded. What is less expected is that they are not in chains. Azradi anAzulada, Captain of the Variyah stands at the head of the column, watching her crew herd the captives into orderly rows. \"You are not chained as courtesy. Do not stray, do not lag my crew\'s patience can only go so far.\"

Standing in this row of foreigners is a black-haired man in a dark green cloak. Ceredir nods just once to Azradi\'s words, then his eyes scan the lines of his fellow countrymen, seeking out a particular figure among the women.

[Yussef(#19036)]

Guards. To the fore and to the aft, and on the sides. What better use, then, for a guardsman?

For there, at the far end of the formation in progress Yussef stands observing if not assisting for the nonce, spear leaned on his shoulder as is his wont. Though, chiefly, his eyes are set on the greencloaked face impassive, glance as the sea on a clouded night: black and cold.

[Azradi(#20135)]

\"March,\" commands Captain Azradi. And nothing more.

She turns, her leather armor creaking and leads the way over the causeway and to the Embassy of Umbar near the merchant docks.

[Azradi(#20135)]

The column winds its way off the causeway under the already warm morning sun. Corsairs now line the way, stopping to stare at the Northerners - often with hostile glares. The women are subjected to all sorts of salty comments - fortunately for them, mainly in Haradaic.

Azradi halts the progression outside the Embassy doors, turning to hold up her hand. \"This will be your home until Lord Alphros finds time to meet with you and thus decide your fate.\"

\"You are far more than this building was designed to house and so your sleeping quarters will be assigned. The women will keep separate of the men. You are not to leave the building under any circumstances. All entrances will be guarded, the exterior patrolled and several guards will be posted within.\"

The men in the group variously nod their heads or say nothing at all. But of course, Ceredir--the greencloaked--has to open his mouth. \"Lord Alphros knows of our presence?\"

Sawsan looks around, hungrily taking in all the sights, all the faces, all the sounds and scents, but not a single sound emerges from her lips. And nothing said towards her, even if she understands it, causes her to wince or wilt, nor glare in return. It\'s as if she doesn\'t understand, or is not afraid.

[Yussef(#19036)]

\"Oi, Farside!\"

The voice risin\' over yonder is awkward in its pronounciation, vowels and syllables bent strangely, \"Good catch!\"

\"What\'ll the women cost?\" Another calls, hand raised to point at Sawsan: \"Two florins for that one!\"

A third, finely clad figure, calls as if in reply to the former: \"That greencloak doesn\'t look like much though -- better send him off to the temple sooner rather than later!\"

[Yildirim(#24191)]

Following in the rear is Yildirim, his gait slower and attention focused more on the cities alleys and roofs than on the prisoners themselves. His eyes dart to and then pass over the carrier of each voice as it sounds, his hands resting near the hilt of his blade.

He nods to the Captain as he approaches, then spares a glance for the Guests as he reports to her, \"All seems well.\"

[Aevrand(#29054)] \"Hold your tongue boy, if you cannot use it and your brain simultaneously.\" From amongst the group of women comes a voice that can, at best, be described as somewhat softer than a harpy\'s. Coming to the fore, Aevrand Gildring, aunt of the current lord of the house, peers at their surroundings. \"I has assumed my nephew had hired competent men for this journey, although I am not shocked to be mistaken.\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

\"That old one is fiesty!\"

And there is laughter amidst the gathering crowd ill-willed in its amusement.

[Azradi(#20135)]

He knows what half the city knows,\" answers Azradi, glancing to the green-clad man. \"Captain Su\'ad and I returned to port with a Gondorian ship in tow and captives.\"

She shrugs, \"Perhaps that news alone will bring him down perhaps not. He will know the details when I speak to him. We are in a state of Civil War in Umbar, he cannot simply drop everything and come running when someone desires an audience.\"

As the quips fly from the crowd and the older woman, Azradi appears to barely contain a smile. To her Yildirim, she says: \"Very well. Have the Cat\'s crew marched in and settled. The notables can rest out here until things are sorted.\"

Sawsan looks down at herself and smooths her hands from her lower rib cage to her waist, then gives her skirt a twitch, as if righting herself. Then she brings her hands up again and folds them demurely before herself, lifting her head once more to look around.

\"Yes ma\'am,\" Ceredir replies, though it may be to the feisty old Gildring woman or to the equally feisty Haradric Captain--he quickly looks between both women. He ventures a careful glance along the lined up row of the prisoners, certainly looking for someone.

[Yussef(#19036)]

The youth Yussef remains at the columns rear silent and observant, spear loosely gripped and leaned on his shoulder -- his glance more on the northerners than the surroundings, to be sure.

[<#24191>] The boy nods curtly at the order, turning to the guards, \"\" Take the crew inside and pat them down for knives or daggers. Keep them in groups of three and keep them quiet. Too, keep your eyes open at the windows and doors for,\" he pauses, \" Others that would cause them harm,\" then nods, \" Go to it.\"

To the crew he then addresses, \'You will be taken inside and briefly searched. I ask for now to avoid speaking to one another, especially in any other languages, to avoid misunderstandings between us and you. If you have any questions or needs, hold them until we request them of you.\' With a final nod, the guards begin to move the crew into the building.

[Su\'ad(#20109)]

�������� At long last, a couple more people walk down the causeway. One from a distance looks like a typical Corsair of Harad. But the other is distinctly recognisable for both her shining pale skin, and what is perhaps a familiar dress to some. As the pair approach, their footsteps on the wooden plank can be distinctly heard, the stacatto beat growing steadily louder, yet the beat dissonnant with the different tread. The second person is Su\'ad, Captain of the Saqrwa\'il, while the other is the last prisoner...or guest...depending on point of view, taken from the Cat.

�������� The young, pale girl does not look distressed in the least as she walks beside Su\'ad, though her eyes search the crowd, looking for someone but trying to be subtle about it.

[Azradi(#20135)]

With the Cat\'s crew shuffled indoors, the \"prisoners\" are dwindled down to a much more manageable number. Azradi, accordingly, looks more relaxed. \"I will take a while to settle in your countrymen, sit if you\'d like.\" She gestures to the few wooden benches that sit outside the embassy.

She nods her head to Su\'ad when the other Captain arrives. \"Is the Cat docked?\"

[Su\'ad(#20109)]

�������� Su\'ad pauses alongside Azradi, taking in the situation with a face that is hard and dispassioned...and unreadable. \"Docked or drowned...\" she says by way of answer, such as it is, her eyes not meeting the other Corsair Captain\'s. Then she gestures to Nelladel. \"You can go on now...\" she says, her hand flipping now in Cerdir\'s general direction. \"We need to talk later.\" Su\'ad says in aside to Azradi.

[Yussef(#19036)]

\"The rumors say one ship, cap\'n Su\'ad! Have you caught another?\" A man calls as the captain and the maiden comes thither.

\"Captain, O captain, will you not sell me the old woman?\" A corsair now cries his pleading smile foul of scurvey, beard unkempt, and eyes shifting between Azradi and the Gildring aunt, \"Or rent! A florin for an hour?\"

\"Two?\"

Sawsan turns her head to look at those left of her travel mates, her cheeks still slightly flushed from excitement. Now that they\'ve been given permission to sit, though, she limps towards the bench, greatfull to get off her feet. Settling primly on the edge, she reaches down to absently rub at her right leg, just below the knee, closer to the top of the shin, still looking around.

[Nelladel(#7905)] \"Yes\'m.\" Nella bows her head to the Corsair Captain who has escorted her, then walks over to stand beside the other women. She follows them toward a bench, though she remains on her feet. Her eyes find Ceredir at last, and she flashes him a smile to say that she is well, and no worse for the wear. Her hair looks neat and her dress is still clean.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

As Su\'ad approaches, Yildirim nods, \"Captain,\" and closes in on the two captains. He watches the woman leave Su\'ad carefully then lowers his voice as well from the group of prisoners, \"We should get them off the streets and then find out who you managed to catch, if it has not be done already.\"

Another glance is spared for the group as he continues, \"A few are known well. Of the others?\"

Relief floods Ceredir\'s face as Nelladel comes strolling up, then more relief as she gets close enough for him to see she is unharmed. He does not sit yet, but gestures for her to take the empty seat on the bench next to where he stands.

[Aevrand(#29054)] The Girldring elder turns her gimlet gaze to the ruffian in the crowd, a look of distaste on her face. \"It is a sad state of affairs when a culture\'s men turn to the hire of women. Especially if their virility is so threatened by the flowers of youth that they must turn to the crones for satisfaction.\"

[Su\'ad(#20109)]

�������� \"I captured a merfish, and it is waiting for you in your berth.\" Su\'ad shoots back to the nameless man, then turns away to ignore any reply he might give. As she does, she notices the limp once more on the young passenger. \"Yussef...that should have been taken care of. Find out what is wrong with that one\'s leg.\" she says, then looks at Azradi and Yildirim. \"They should stay here in the Embassy under guard.\" she says in Haradaic.

[Azradi(#20135)]

\"Is there trouble?\" Azradi asks Su\'ad in Haradaic turning her head to regard the other Corsair Captain.

She turns her head quickly to regard the heckler and, despite the Glindring\'s admonishments, her own retort is of a different nature. Tossing her chin at the man, she grins: \"A whole florin? Now I know what to do when I\'m too old to reave! Try your mother, old man, this one is not for you this day!\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] \"Hi,\" Nella whispers to Ceredir, smiling from ear to ear in relief to see that he is seemingly unharmed as well. She takes a seat on the bench, waiting for him to join her. She says nothing else yet, still absorbing her new surroundings, grey eyes taking in everything.

[Yussef(#19036)]

The laugh now is not at the expense of Aevrand, but rather her prospective buyer -- he turns tail, as it were, scoffing: \"Farsiders, pah!\" If he has aught else to say, it is muttered under his breath as he draws back from the fore.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"It\'s very exposed,\" comes a reply from Yildirim to Azradi\'s question.

Ceredir\'s smile is but brief as Nelladel sits down. He sits besides her, slipping a protective arm around her waist, his expression grim. \"It is up to Baiz,\" he whispers to her.

[Yussef(#19036)]

\"Aye Cap\'n,\" the youth Yussef tells Su\'ad with bowed head. \"Right away.\"

His not too imposing figure turns thus to the northern women, approaching them, his glance on Sawsan.

Sawsan gets a little wider of eye as Yussef heads their way, her hand quickly returning to her lap to fold demurely with it\'s mate. She sits a little taller, her smile very faint and hesitant.

[Su\'ad(#20109)]

�������� Su\'ad gestures in the direction of the Gondorian, speaking in Haradaic, but her tone is easily readable as exasperated, yet mimicing Azradi\'s tone also. \"Are they Gondorian?\"

Then she turns to the group lined up on the benches, speaking the common tongue once more. \"Common tongue only!\" she shouts in Cerdir\'s direction, her eyes flashing angrily. \"Everyone up. File inside.\" she says, pointing to the entrance to the Embassy.

[Azradi(#20135)]

\"It is,\" Azradi agrees and steps away from the pair. As Su\'ad orders the others inside, she addresses one of her own crew standing alertly at guard. \"Run to Farside and confirm to Lord Alphros that we have returned and with a Gondorian ship and crew in tow. Tell him they surrendered to us and have requested to meet with him.\"

To Yildirim, she says: \"Has anyone reported on the status of the Harbor gate? Do we still control it?\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

\"Look at those two!\" A corsair exclaims, pointing at Ceredir and Nelladel. \"O young maiden fair, shall we sing you a song?\"

A handfull others laugh.

[Aevrand(#29054)] Passing by Sawsan on to way to line up, Aevrand catches her reaction and frowns down at the girl. \"We have been captured by the enemy, not invited to a party young lady. You may flirt with all the young men you wish when we return to Minas Tirith.\"

Hastily Ceredir stands and tries to pull Nelladel with him so as to push her before him and out of the eyes of the crowd.

Sawsan stands as they are ordered to, favoring her right leg a little. When Aevrand snaps at her, she finally looks to the older woman. Her expression, always so open and warm and kind, finally closes as her chin goes up just a touch. She sniffs oh so quietly, then turns her back to get \'in line\' as ordered. Not a word uttered.

[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella takes Ceredir\'s free hand. \"Things will be alright,\" she says in common, following the shouted order and rising to her feet once more. \"That was too brief a rest,\" she laments, \"But they seem to be not unreasonable people...sometimes it is hard to see past prejudice. Or past desires best forgotten!\" At that last, she looks to her former guard on the ship who just called her \'maiden fair\' in a tone of voice that makes her glower darkly.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"I\'ve heard naught. But if they had, I\'d expect some of there men here. I\'ve seen none.\" As the Gondorians rise, he speaks again, \"I\'ll take them in,\" Yildirim volunteers, moving to the front of the line.

\"Follow me!\" he calls out, then disappears within.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

Inside the guards have done what was asked, the crew split into several groups. Inside too, the first attribute of the Umbarean summer is felt a heavy heat permeates the room, the small windows and their breeze offered doing little to stave it off.

[Aevrand(#29054)] A sharp look is levelled at the young Corsair, but Aevrand takes the proffered seat without comment. At least for now.

[Azradi(#20135)]

\"If your woman cannot withstand the taunts and leers of strangers,\" Azradi observes, frowning at Ceredir as he and his wife enter the embassy ahead of her, \"you had no business bringing her to Umbar.\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

There then, his arm held out in rigid support for the limping northern woman -- at arms length, so to speak -- Yussef halts by the seat not occupied by lady Gildring. He but nods toward the seat prepared for assistance in that endeavor.

\"Sit.\"

\"I did not ask her to come--I did not want her to come,\" Ceredir answers, his voice angry despite himself. \"She stowed away in the hold, not revealing that she was hidden on board until it was too late to turn back. She..she is willful beyond my means to control her.\"

Sawsan had allowed her fingertips to light upon the offered arm, not really leaning on him. When ordered to, and the stool so thoughtfully brought, she will dip her head respectfully to the one who\'d brought it first, then remove her hand from that arm and dip her head respectfully to the guard as well. That done, she settles onto the stool, aranges her skirt just so for propriety sake, then folds her hands demurely together in her lap. Back straight as a rod, she snorts very quietly.. and indelicately.. when someone mentions \'allowing\' Nella to do something.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

Yildirim waits as the group files in. He eyes trail on Azradi and Ceredir as they enter, but for now, he is silent.

[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella dares to try and meet the gaze of Captain Azradi as she explains, \"I came of my own volition.\" She confirms what Ceredir says, \"I snuck on board. He wouldn\'t have let me come, no matter what I might have said.\" Her eyes lower to the ground when she hears the anger in Ceredir\'s voice.

[Yussef(#19036)]

Quietly now, Yussef tells Sawsan with awkwardly -- to these northerners in the very least -- spoken common, even as he crouches next to her seat: \"What happened to your foot?\"

[Azradi(#20135)]

Azradi meets Nelladel\'s gaze thoughtfully, surprise evident in her expression. \"Now that is very interesting.\"

She holds her gaze upon the young woman for a moment longer before she glances to Yildirim. She nods to him.

Sawsan reddens in the cheeks slightly, her voice just as quiet as Yussef\'s, maybe more so. She longs to not have attention drawn to herself at this point. \"I grew ill on the voyage over. I have never been on the sea before. I.. fell one night when I needed to void my stomach.\" She reaches down to lightly brush her hand on her right knee, gesturing down the length of her shin, \"I have a gash on my leg that I was too ill to attend to with any usefullness.\"

�Her cheeks reddening a little more, Sawsan adds in an even quieter voice, \"I have a small knapsack among my belongings. I could tend to my wound if I had it.\" All is spoken respectfully.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

At Azradi\'s signal, the grim facade melts from Yildrim\'s face and wide, boyish smile curls on his lips, \"Welcome to Umbar,\" Yildirim says, breaking into the conversations of the room, \"Consider yourselves guests of Farside Tower and its Lord, Alphros \'anAzulada. You will be treated with the respect and kindness you show us and our Lord, outside of a few reasonable percausions. If our guidelines are followed and you behave as the fine guests I am sure you all are, you need not fear your lives will be long and painless and you will find yourself with your friends and family soon enough.\"

\"I will spare speaking of the unpleasentness of the alternative, but let it be said that our normal, forgiving and tollerate nature is strained these days. Umbar is in a state that is particularly dangerous for you. Know that we not only provide for your comfort as guests, but your safety.\"

\"Now, to introductions. I am Yildirim, Corsair of the Farside and I very much wish to know each of you,\" his eyes rove over the crowd, stopping finally on Nelladel, where they linger a moment, before moving on, \"If you would, please introduce yourselves as well as your craft, rank, or position.\"

\"Ceredir, Master Scout of Ithilien. But you already know that,\" the greencloaked one says. \"Of the rest...there are unanswered questions from our last encounter, but this time I am free to answer them.\" He then moves back to listen to the others.

[Yussef(#19036)]

The youth shakes his head at this, but holds his one hand up at Sawsan as if to pause their converse. His glance shifts to Yildirim.

[Su\'ad(#20109)]

�������� Su\'ad listens to Yildirim speak as well, her mouth pressed shut to a thin line. After a while she folds her arms across her chest, shifting her weight to one hip, watching and listening to the young man, then at last looking at the lookers on to read their faces. Her movements are...restless.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"Indeed, Ceredir, and it is well to see you once more,\" Yildirim says, offering the scout a nod. \"Questions will be taken, but first need our\'s answered to present you to the Lord Farside in good standing.\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] \"It\'s true, Captain.\" Nella says as she meets Azradi\'s gaze. \"If you would but ask Captain Su\'ad..we spoke at length. She knows the reasons that I have come, and more.\" She can say no more, while another corsair\'s voice fills the room. But when Yildirim\'s gaze stays with her for a moment, she looks at him when she introduces herself. \"I am Nelladel, called Nella. I am an artist, and a scholar of sorts.\"

[Aevrand(#29054)] \"Aevrand Gildring.\" Not rising from her seat, the grey-haired woman looks between their captors. \"Scholar.\"

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"Lady Nelladel, Lady Gildring,\" he says, nodding to each, \"Two ladies of quality and education. I will be interested to compare your scholarly notes to my own,\" Yildirim adds, \"Should we find the time.\"

Sawsan dips her head respectfully to Yildirim, should his eyes light upon her, then speaks in a gentle, but clear voice, \"Sawsan, Novice Healer.\"

[Azradi(#20135)]

At Nelladel\'s response, Azradi\'s gaze rises to Su\'ad. She says naught at the moment however, letting the young corsair, Yildirim, lead the conversation.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"And a healer. Interesting. Well, I am pleased to meet you all. Let me speak with the Captains and to make sure naught else is required from you for now. If you need anything, need, you may request it of me and I will do my best to grant that need. Else...?\" and with that, he slowly moves back towards Azradi and Su\'ad.

[Yussef(#19036)]

The eyebrows atop Yussef\'s widened gaze rise then. He tells the professed healer quietly as Yildirim ceases his speech:

\"Where is it?\"

[Su\'ad(#20109)]

�������� Su\'ad, pacing a bit now with arms still folded, nods once to Yildirim\'s instructions, adding her own. \"I\'ll just say it upfront. If any of you are found anywhere besides here without a Farside escort, you will be assumed to be spying, and dealt with harshly...\" she pauses, looking at the guests. \"Fatally.\" she clarifies.

Sawsan looks back to Yussef now that he speaks to her once more, her voice lowered again. \"I had it on the Cat. It is a small napsack, brown in color.\" She\'ll tell him the room as well, if he so desires to know. When Su\'ad speaks, she looks to the woman, then nods ever so slightly, as if she\'s hearing something she had expected.

[Azradi(#20135)]

\"And since you are not allowed to leave the embassy,\" Azradi adds, \"you have no reason to be outside even with a Farside guard. Unless either Captain Su\'ad or myself say so. These orders stand until Lord Alphros renders his judgment.\"

\"As was mentioned before, this partly for your own protection. You are not loved here and we are in a state of war.\"

[Yussef(#19036)]

Nodding once, the young spearman rises then his head bowed to Su\'ad and Azradi each in turn, \'ere he departs toward the exit.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

As he passses the last Gondorian, Yildirim\'s smile fades. He moves to Azradi\'s side, reporting his appraisal, \" The old woman will fetch a good price I think. Obviously nobility. The other two women probably would fetch a better price if we sold them here. The men,\" he shrugs, \"Gondor is rich and needs its swords. Sell them back for a hundred florins a piece, and charge a thousand per finger they also want returned. Well,\" he concedes, \"Putting aside any value or instructions Alphros has for them.\"

He then ponders, \" The young schollar would be a useful teacher to Farside, if she knows well their languages.\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] Nella has heard the instructions, and nodded to each who has spoken. Her level gaze says it: she knows her boundaries and limitations within these walls. Not to mention that she likely won\'t see daylight for a while, not being able to go outdoors. Seeming serene despite this knowledge, she stands by Ceredir and waits.

[Su\'ad(#20109)]

�������� Su\'ad nods in agreement with Azradi\'s instructions. She gives Yildirim an odd, long look though. \" That\'s very clever about the men, but it will only work on those who can wield swords. But the old woman\'s nobility is worth nothing here. She\'s just another old woman,\" she comments. Then to Azradi she adds, \" Good work, though don\'t concern yourself too much with their comfort.\" She offers a wince as a poor excuse for a smile, then walks out of the embassy.

[<#20135>]

Laughing, Azradi replies to Yildirim. \"\"

\"\"

Then speaking in Westron, she nods to the departing Su\'ad and adds: \"\"

[<#20135>]

Laughing, Azradi replies to Yildirim. \"\"

\"\"

Then speaking in Westron, she nods to the departing Su\'ad and adds: \'Do you have things well in hand here, Yildirim? I would like to return to Farside speak to my brother.\'

\"I will make sure they are safe and sound until you return with word from the Tower,\" the young Corsair replies.

[Azradi(#20135)]

Sparing but a glance to the assembled Gondorians, Azradi turns and strides out of the embassy.

[Yildirim(#24191)]

As Azradi takes her leave, Yildirim smiles conspiratorily to the Gondorians, \"Now that they are gone, you may ask questions and bring your requests to me. It is warm, I shall have some water brought and food. Anything else?\"

[Nelladel(#7905)] The petite, pretty Nella raises two fingers to catch the young corsair\'s attention. \"Sir?\" She clears her throat. \"If I may...? I\'d like some paper, any kind will do, even scraps- and a bit of charcoal. If it isn\'t too much trouble.\" She flashes a big smile at him, clearly not perceiving him as threatening as the other guards.

Sawsan does not speak up. Yussef had left to get the one thing she needed. Why bother repeating herself and possibly annoying someone?

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"Paper,\" Yildirim repeats, \"For what use?\"

[Yildirim(#24191)]

With the Gondorians seated around the unlit hearth, Yildirim finds a seat on one of the stools. His gaze drifting over the guests, his manner pleasent.

Sawsan looks down to her leg for a moment, then back up to Yildirim, \"If.. it is not too much trouble... once that guard returns with my knap sack, might I take time to care for my leg?\" She is oh so polite.

[Arphenon(#30834)] �

Arphenon turns from the window at last.

\"Excuse my silence,\" says the Knight, \"I am Elrandin Bragollach of the Swan.\" His eyes dance upon the seated Haradrim. \"I meant no disrespect.\"

\"I have always wanted to see this city, and all I have is this window.\"

[Yildirim(#24191)]

\"Will it require a blade or spear, small or large? If not, you may tend to your wounds as you see fit. If so,\" Yildirim replies, \"I would ask you allow our healer\'s to look at your wounds themselves. They are able, of this I can promise.\"

Yildirim\'s eyes brighten at the Bragollach\'s introduction, \"Indeed. Though, I would ask, what is the Swan? A rank?\"

\"An Order,\" says Arphenon, moving away from the window now. \"My Order.\"

\"You have heard of the Prince of Dol Amroth, have you not?\"

\"I have heard of Dol Amroth, yes. I have too heard of Gondorian Princes, but not one of Dol Amroth specifically,\" the boy replies, bowing his head, \"Knowledge of the north is rare to find in aught but experience in Umbar, I fear. I apologize for my ignorance.\"

Sawsan looks excited when Yildirim mentions the healers.. even opens her mouth to say something, eyes sparkling with her emotions. Then Arphenon speaks again.. and she closes her lips once more, falling quiet to wait.

\"I would steal from my brother here,\" says Arphenon, razor-edged, \"But do not apologize to one\'s adversary. It shows a weakness, and unnecessarily so.\"

\"The Prince of Dol Amroth, Imrahil, who carries the blood of Elves as well as Men, commands the Order of the Swan, of which I speak. We fight mainly upon horseback and our Prince holds authority second only to the Steward.\"

\"And, of course, the King,\" he says, smirking, \"Whoever that may be.\"

\"Ah yes, the knights. These soldiers I know of and are keenly curious of. And I would agree on your advice, save that now, in this instant, I am not your adversary,\" Yildirim replies evenly, \"Regardless of your position.\"

\"Lady Sawsan,\" he begins, directly his attention towards the healer, \"Did you have a question?\"

Sawsan looks startled when she is spoken to again, not expecting to be remembered, it would seem. She shifts subtly on the stool she was provided with, then says in her quiet voice, \"I.. had hoped to speak with the healers, yes. It is actually why I have come, Sir.\"

\"The Knights, yes,\" nods Arphenon. \"We are founded upon Seven Virtues, and it is upon these Virtues that we are sworn, and to the Prince who upholds them.\"

\"I will then alert them to your interest,\" the corsair says with a smile, \"I cannot say, honestly, that any will wish to speak with you, things being what they are between our nations, but perhaps I can convince them otherwise.\"

\"Knight of Prince Imrahil and his Steward,\" he says, turning back to Arphenon, \"You have picked a curious and dangerous way to visit the city at, I admit, an inopportune time. I do not think you will be able to see all of the city, but East Umbar I am sure you will see.\"

\"As to the King, well, that is a battle of heart and mind that I am not to fight. But tell me of the Virtues that bind your heart.\"

Arphenon answers:

\"Loyalty, Truthfulness, Justice, Courage, Compassion, Humility, and Hope.\"

Sawsan sighs oh so softly and nods, accepting what was said about the healers, then perks up a little as the guard returns with her knap sack. She dips her head greatfully to him, respectfully even, then accepts it, knowing full well he likely went through it to verify the contents.

\"I cannot say that I am bound to any specific code such as that, but those virtues sound similar to those spoken by my Lord. Loyalty and betrayal rewarded in kind,\" Yildirim considers, \"What do the Swan hold with their hope?\"

\"That our cause is the right one, and that the right will triumph,\" says Arphenon. \"Even if we are not to see the day when such a victory comes.\"

\"It is the hardest of the Virtues to judge.\"

\"Yet the most dear,\" he replies, \"It is the same for many who serve Alphros. That same hope.\"

\"So, there are Knights and Squires. Who learn the virtues, taught by your Prince. Who ride hourses in hope of serving your cause. Yes?\"

\"Simply put, yes,\" answers Arphenon, nodding.

\"Though the Knights are the primary teachers of the Virtues,\" he adds.

Yildirim\'s attention drifts towards Sawnsan\'s injuries, as he continues his conversation with the Knight, \"You said you were Bragollach, yes? You would know Bor Bragollach then, by chance?\"

The Knight\'s face tightens, \"I know him.\"

\"He is our Lord.\"

To the eye that knows, the wound on the young woman\'s leg is paining her because it\'s slightly infected. The skin around it is just shy of angry red, the gash likely to leave something of a scar. Sawsan uses the water and a rag she pulls from the knapsack to clean the wound, then looks for something inside the sack. A small, oil cloth \'envelope\' is pulled out and a powder sprinkled on the wound. This makes her press her lips together in a straight line. Clearly, whatever it is, it hurts.

\"What sort of man would you say he is?\" Yildirim continues, wincing in turn with the young girl. He adds, \"Do you know anything to aid her?\"

Arphenon tilts his eyes aside to Sawsan.

\"It is never best to treat one\'s own wounds,\" says the Knight, \"I assume that she could use the assistance of another. Lady?\"

Sawsan had bent a bit to blow on the wound, trying to ease the sting. When someone says Lady, she looks up, again slightly startled. She sees eyes upon her and blushes, quickly flipping the hem of her skirt down to hide her leg..and subsequently the wound. \"I am sorry, I did not mean to offend.\"

\"I will go and find a healer to tend your wound, Lady Sawsan,\" Yildirim says, rising, \"If the Knight is correct, it is best if another examines the wound. One will arrive as soon as I can manage, please allow them to look at your wound and tend to it as they see.\"

He looks to the Knight, \"You may watch over our healer\'s work, to make sure nothing is out of order if you wish, of course.\"

\"I trust that there is no deception in their craft,\" says Arphenon, \"But I would not let a Lady carrying injury out of my sight in a foreign land.\"

Sawsan gnaws on the inside of her lower lip, looking slightly ashamed and says oh so quietly, \"Had I not fallen ill on the journey, I would have better been able to care for it. This I swear.\"

\"When it comes time to sleep, it has been ordered to seperate men from women,\" Yildirim replies, \"But, we can deal with that after her wound has been tended.\"

Looking now to Sawsan, the young man smiles, \"Be still, Lady Sawsan. It is an extraordinary circumstance we find ourselves in. Quite out of the ordinary.\" A look for the Knight and nod, \"Quite.\"

\"I shall go and fetch the healer and some food for you and your people.\"

Arphenon nods to Yildirim.

\"Thank you.\"

And then he is silent.

Sawsan dips her head to Yildirim and add her own, \"Thank you.\" And she too falls silent.