The Pretender Chronicles - On the Embrasure

Minas Tirith Citadel: Embrasure Pinnacle

Here you stand on an embrasure hovering far above the hurly burly of the great city below. Indeed, the very embrasure is as if living rock, jutting forward from the Ered Nimrais thus splitting all the circles of the city in half as if a mighty keel on a great ship. The wind here is never calm and as you peer out below you are held as if in a spell by the Minas Tirith, Tower of the Guard which stands proudly at your feet.

Solid as the embrasure is it, more enduring than roots of tall mountains, here it stands in last defiance to the Black land which yet lingers as if a mounting tide to the east in the shadows. Beyond the city, you see the fair Pelennor fields, fertile and robust, as stalwart as the city itself. Even more distant, you can discern even with the naked eye the great ribbon of Anduin as it flows constantly toward the Great Sea, and there, about it, lie the crumbled ruins of Osgiliath, victim of the many wars of Gondor and Mordor.

Here where you stand a sturdy battlement rings the the circular area upon which you stand now, and at the very edge, a stone bench, where one may sit and gaze upon the city, either as one curious, or one on the serious business of watch for Denethor.

�

The mighty sun - Anor, yet hangs in the sky, casting a proud light upon the glittering black walls of Minas Tirith.

[Minas Tirith City ZMO(#81)->Ceredir]

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

Weather:����������� Clear

Time:�������������� Dusk <20>

Season:������������ Spring

Date:�������������� Oranor - May 28, 3046

Real Time:��������� Wed Mar 11 20:26:59 2009

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

[Curugil(#10108)]

After a pleasant walk up through the city the pair find their way near the White tower and soon come alone at the Embrasure Pinnacle...

\"There we are,\" says Curugil. \"The view here is outstanding!\"

\"It is!\" Ceredir says, drawing his cloak more tightly about him in the wind...and then giving up and letting it whip free about him. \"I do not come up here...ever in fact. Why here?\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Because,\" replies Curugil. \"It is one of the few places in the city where I am sure we shall not be heard.\"

\"Have you given thought to Umbar?\"

\"I see...\" Ceredir says, but he looks around in any case, assuring that they cannot in fact be overheard.

\"I have, yes. I believe I have the means to gain us entry without immediately getting killed. Yet it will still be dangerous. We are likely to die.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"What is your recommendation?\" asks Curugil.

\"It is ..difficult,\" Ceredir says, turning away to look toward Osgiliath. \"There are those here who would truly be the Black Hand....and I could insinuate myeslf with them easily. But I would not want to be called a traitor and treasonous by doing so!\" he adds hastily.

\"\"Lord Faramir would need to know my purpose.\'

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Nay,\" says Curugil. \"Lord Faramir, and none of the House of Hurin should know of this mission. For Lord Faramir, by all accounts would by honour have to report this to his father -- then I fear it would be Mount Mindolluin for you and I.\"

\"There is a greater purpose at work here my friend,\" continues Curugil now looking out at the distant mountains of Shadow.

\"For thousands of years the power of Gondor has waned,\" he continues. \"Why? Because we have lost our heritage of learning. Thousands of years ago, the Men of Numenor made the Enemy abase Himself and he became prisoner. Was it because of greater courage or valour on the part of Numenor? Nay. It was because of power. Power that was born through learning and science. It is only thus that we may achieve victory. Even so, I fear the Steward is greedy for power, and does not support it lest it become a threat to his position... for remember, they always rule with a shadow over them... waiting perhaps for a King that may never come. Therefore, we must do this as patriots of our land.\"

\"I know it is not an easy choice,\" says Curugil. \"Nor would I force you to go. Perhaps there are others we may find...\"

\"Mount Mindolluin? I do not do this to commit treason, let me assure you, Curugil,\" Ceredir answers, his eyes now narrowing as he turns to the man. \"That said...you are saying that only if we gain the power that this weapon holds and perhaps other weapons eventually, that we will defeat the Enemy himself? That...that is not treason.\"

\"And yet..it is a long trip. I cannot just disappear from my duties, for then even if we succeed, I am condemned to die. You know this.\"

\"So tell me...how do I make my excuse? To Lord Faramir I cannot lie. If you need another....perhaps I can convince one to go, but...I cannot guarantee it.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"I think I can take care of Lord Faramir,\" says Curugil. \"I can simply have you accompany me to Dol Thaur. Since you are on long-term assignment with the High House of Lore, it is a simple matter.\"

\"Yet Ceredir,\" says Curugil. \"This is hardly treason -- this is the opposite of it. It is the only way I can see of how we can win this war. If we win the war, so much the better, and even in death if that were the outcome it is honourable. If we just sit here and do nothing, defeat will find us.\"

Hesitant, the Master Scout again turns to look out over the city and beyond. \"If Sir Bor knows all this and still agrees to the plan, then so too shall I. In which case, send the necessary requests to the Company and they will grant it, I am certain.\"

\"But a few things trouble me.\" Ceredir again looks at the Gildring. \"There is something not right here, something you and Bor are not telling me. I risk my life for you and for Gondor in this errand of yours...I am not certain the person I know will work with you directly. I am the go-between and the one person who can likely assure your success more than anyone else. So be straight with me. Tell me the full truth of things.\"

\"And I need to ask a boon of Sir Bor.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"First,\" says Curugil. \"Let me be clear. There is no deceit here save what must be done. As for Bor... well, to that we must speak...\"

\"Then speak,\" Ceredir nods.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Bor walks on the edge of a knife,\" says Curugil. \"On the one hand is disaster, on the other glory. Which will he win, I do not know. I do not totally trust him in these matters and I almost regret telling him already what he knows. Yet the Bragollachs are a good clan for the most part, and loyal as far as I know. Yet I do not think he should go on this mission, for his pride will not abase him to dress like a Southron or to treat among them. Perhaps I am wrong. Yet, I must ask you Ceredir... watch him carefully. If I am not mistook he said things very publically about the kingship. Things that should not be said I think.\"

\"Do not make the mistake of trusting Sir Bor. Why he should suddenly be saying such things about the kingship...looking at the statues in your household and comparing himself to the men of the West of old...it is beyond me. And damning the Valar, loudly and in public!!\" Ceredir says.

He shifts, then paces a few steps back and forth, troubled. \"It makes no sense. What does he seek? What glory? They...his brother once told me Bor is mad slightly...or out of hand. But I think it is a guise. I think he seeks to trap you Curugil. Be wary.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Perhaps,\" says Curugil, \"but he is more like a bull that must be tamed to my mind. In any event, he very well may get himself killed. There is also another matter to be discussed... I wish to know more about this... Alphros. What type of man is he and where his claim is derived from.\"

\"A bull to be tamed...by this crystal he seemed enamored of and that you hushed him up about? By this temple that he avoided answering me about?\" Ceredir smirks.

\"Alphros...is a Numenorean,\" he continues carefully. \"A man of the blood, certainly. I cannot read his heart--I have not the ability, despite my heritage. Or I have not talked to him enough to know--only in the guise of infiltrating his camp and briefly so, because a Priestess of the Enemy joined him and we fled with that news. But...for his heritage, speak to my half brother, Thingalad. He well knows the man\'s lineage and why it is false. Alphros came of a Numenorean who is said to have left no children. Perhaps he is a bastard like me. And certainly...cats follow him. Part of his heritage.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"As for the crystal,\" laughs Curugil. \"I was surprised he would be so easily enmeshed by such a thing. It might be useful. I\'ll have to show it to you sometime. It is something I have been studying for a while.\"

\"Beruthiel,\" mutters Curugil. \"If you are to go, I may need you to speak with Alphros separately for me, from Bor.\"

Curugil rubs his chin, \"But, when you have time, if you could send your half-brother to me...\"

\"Aye, all of that I will do. I must be able to convince Alphros that this time I am not there to betray him, though. And that may be hard. Nigh impossible.\"

Ceredir looks hard at Curugil. \"If you are certain that Gondor needs this, then I go at the cost of my life and willingly so. Look at me and tell me you are certain. And that it is not treason.\"

Curugil returns Ceredir\'s gaze steadily and says, \"It is all a risk Master Scout. I do not know if it shall work, but remember there is duty to the law, and duty to the right thing. I believe in the right thing and that is to do what little I may to help Gondor defeat the Shadow.\"

\"And the right thing is to attain weapons for Gondor that will allow us to triumph over the Enemy?\" Ceredir says, then continues slowly, \"and yet, the Lord Arathis calls it black magic. Says that the hand and the designs of the enemy are upon ..well, you, sir. I heard him as well as you did, and now I understand why he said what he did.\"

\"How do you refute that? I ask to make sure I do this with a clear conscience.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"All I might say to that, Master Scout,\" replies Curugil, \"is that if I was working for the designs of the Enemy, then why would I just not take the plans for this weapon and bring it to Mordor?\"

He pauses and adds, \"Many have accused me of that before. Unfortunately, we live in a society of black and white, where loyalty to realm is confused with all that is good and those that would question that order are immediately condemned and called sorcerors or worse. I say to you that there is much good in Gondor, but there is a blindness that hovers over many of those who are not pragmatic and when they see something strange, they will not question, but rather condemn.\"

\"Or they see something that does not fit their idea of nobility or noble virtues. Or destroys the purity of their house or the reputation of their house. And they crush it and then when it rises, they crush it again,\" Ceredir says, his eyes taking on their characteristic flash of anger that they so often have. \"Yes, I know this well.\"

He, too, now pauses, and his tone changes, anger gone, voice more urgent. \"What if, sir, this Alphros is real? What if he is the king, returned to Gondor or trying to do so? There are those who dismiss him out of hand. And yet...there are those who say they see his heart and that he does not work with Mordor in his heart....\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"That, my friend,\" says Curugil. \"Is what I want you to find out. As I have said before, I have friends who believe that the only way to end this war and defeat the Shadow is not just by weapons, but also by unity. Only a King could restore the realm of old, and I would know more about him. If it be that his case is strong, then the party of the Faithful, those loyal to the Royal ideal may support him.\"

\"What would you have me ask him? How am I to know if he lies or not? I am not Lord Faramir...and my blood, though noble, is weak in that respect.\"

\"And Curugil,\" Ceredir says with a small smirk, \"Why did you trust me wiht these secrets in the first place? Is my reputation such?\"

Ceredir adds, after a moment, \"Is Bor to go or no?\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Find out for me the proofs of his claim,\" says Curugil. \"What is his lineage, what evidence is there of it?\"

Curugil smiles and says, \"For the first time you have me Ceredir. I suppose every man in life must trust somebody. I did not even trust my late wife. But I also see in you a spirit that feels as I do, and questions the current order. There was no questioning your valour, but I had to question your spirit. This I have seen.\"

\"For Bor,\" replies Curugil. \"He may insist upon it, but I will attempt to dissuade him. Rather it would be best if another goes who does not know of this weapon. Bor is dangerous, but not in the way you might think. He will never betray our counsel, for it is he who wants this weapon for his own aggrandizement. He desires I think wrongly to be King of Gondor.\"

\"Bor?! That self-aggrandizing son of a whore as King of Gondor?! Over my dead body, Curugil! I will die first and take him with me to whatever awaits beyond this life before I see him King, I swear it to you,\" Ceredir says.

\"But...if he wants this weapon and wants to use it for Gondor\'s good, then I will retrieve it for him. At a cost.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Remember,\" says Curugil softly. \"There are two parts of this mission. First, there are the plans. But remember, the plans may be missing, or the device may be beyond our skill to reconstruct. Second, and of just as much importance, is that you must arrange a private meeting with Alphros and find out what you can about him. Besides, if Lord Bor even got the plans, he could never use such a weapon without the aid of my House.\"

\"Yes sir, of course,\" Ceredir answers automatically.

\"And so in Umbar we seek the plans or the device itself...and must find a way to search for it yet not reveal our intent to Alphros and his supporters...or Mordor.\" He frowns, shakes his head. \"I will try...let me think on it some more? My head spins. And if you would send a letter requesting to borrow me from the Company for a while...to which I must return now shortly, though.\"

Curugil nods and says, \"Walk with the Grace of the Valar Ceredir.\"

\"And you sir.\" The Master Scout turns and leaves.