The Pretender Chronicles - A Quest is Born

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

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

Weather:����������� Clear

Time:�������������� Early Afternoon <15>

Season:������������ Spring

Date:�������������� Orithil - May 22, 3046

Real Time:��������� Mon Mar 09 18:44:35 2009

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

[Curugil(#10108)]

Sun streams into the High House of Lore this day as scholars make their way up and down the great stairs heading to the work rooms. On the main floor, one finds Curugil Gildring, speaking with a colleague...

\"So my proposition is that when we consider Feadromir\'s treatise on the livers of doves that we can find the same parallel in the inner workings of the termites. In fact, I just sent a new assistant to the Card Failin to get samples. They have a terrible infestation there...\"

Coming or going, it would be hard to say, but Ceredir is here once more, as he often is of late. He walks across the main floor, making little if any noise.

\"Sir...\" the scout addresses the Gildring lord as he approaches. \"I\'ve been meaning to ask you something.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

Breaking from his conversation, Curugil turns to Ceredir and says with a smile, \"Ah, Master Scout Ceredir. Is all well?\"

\"All is well,\" Ceredir smiles. \"But it seems to me the doorway is fully guarded here. And therefore the threat to you, if it comes again, will come from the nooks and crannies. The hidden rooms and places where intruders can either hide or somehow find access to the house. I was hoping you could show me the house. Not the public tour. The entire house, top to bottom.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

His pace is steady. His back is straight. Even with eyes rung red with lack of sleep, purpose drives forth the Tempest as he enters the House of Lore.

Bor looks back at Huan and shrugs. The wolf-hound curls himself at the door silently, but even so supine and stretched there is a tense energy to him.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"I most certainly can,\" says Curugil. \"Yet perhaps now is not the correct hour. For if I am not mistaken, thither is the Lord Bragollach, and I must attend to him first. Come with me then, perhaps you may learn more about the doings of the High House.\"

Curugil strides ahead and bows to the Bragollach Lord, \"Hail Lord Bragollach. To what do I owe the honour?\"

With no comment, Ceredir follows in Curugil\'s footsteps, standing next to the man as he addresses the Bragollach, to whom Ceredir briefly inclines his head.

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"Business,\" is the Captain\'s curt reply, at which he inclines his head.

\"Or perhaps you will consider it pleasure, I am not yet sure.\"

He glances back to Huan one last time. \"But first, my hound. May he come inside? I know it is a fine enough day, but I prefer him at my side.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Do you mean Huan?\" says Curugil looking at the great hound. \"I fear that cannot be, for even though he is indeed a mighty hound, he might disturb the researchers.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

Huan\'s head perks up at his name, and Bor shrugs sheepishly at him.

He lies back down.

\"Huan?\" Ceredir peers at the canine. \"I thought he belonged to Lord Indilizar...\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"Indilzar\'s Huan sired this Huan,\" answers Bor to Ceredir, then acknowledging the Scout with a nod. \"Twas a mighty gift from the Black Knight.\"

His eyes then return to Curugil.

\"What do you know of architecture, Lord Gildring?\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

The Loremaster arches his brow and replies, \"I know some. Yet engineering is more of my line of country. I do know some, however, that do at times come to these halls. What need you of that?\"

A quick glance of surprise given in turn, to hound and Bragollach lord. Ceredir is once more silent.

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"I was given the task of renovating the Chapterhouse of the Swan by Lord Imrahil before I departed Dol Amroth for Minas Tirith,\" says the Bragollach.

\"Though some of my supplies have been unfortunately waylaid en route, I feel that I am in a position to begin construction very soon. The design will be my own, to reflect my view of the Order and there is no shortage of labourers.\"

\"However, my vision is grand and so must be its implementation. That crystal you showed me, have you learned anything of its properties?\" he asks.

\"I am most interested in it.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Ah the crystal,\" says Curugil with a smile. \"I have been working on that... and other things... all my life. But I have been working on some of the other things we spoke about before, and we may soon speak more on that. As to your chapterhouse, you need to consult with an architect. I must consider who I could refer to you.\"

\"Crystal? What is this?\" Ceredir asks, head tilted toward Curugil. \"It is relevant?\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"I must confess: I would like to see it again, even though it is not dark outside yet.\" He looks to Ceredir, then back to Curugil. \"May we?\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

Curugil carefully looks at Bor, and then at Ceredir, \"Not yet Bor. Tis not the hour. Yet perhaps we may speak of that other matter.\"

Folding his hands behind his back now, Ceredir is carefully still and yet also seemingly distracted. His eyes wander around the room, alighting on some areas for a few seconds at a time. He sighs, then looks back at the two men.

[Bor(#30834)] �

Bor dismisses the matter with a shrug and a nod of his head.

\"It will be my own design, Lord Gildring. An outside architect would only be an impediment to the progress. It will be a temple of sorts,\" says the Lord.

[Curugil(#10108)]

Curugil says, \"A temple? Dedicated to the brave Men of Dol Amroth no doubt?\"

\"A temple..\" Ceredir coughs and turns keen grey eyes on Bor.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Perhaps we should speak more on this in my office,\" offers Curugil. \"Come. Ceredir, attend as well if you will.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"So be it,\" says Bor, who makes to follow after Curugil.

\"Of course.\" Ceredir brings up the rear of the group.

*******************

The Master\'s Office

This is the Office of the Master of the House of Lore. There is a desk, old and wooden, and also many various scrolls lying about. In addition, there are jars of preserved animals, bones, and dried herbs -- all of which are clearly labelled in the Tengwar script. This is a busy place, and it is obviously a well-used room.

Above the desk there hangs a purple banner. Emblazoned on it is the sign of the Hammer and the Star.

[Curugil(#10108)]

They enter the office and Curugil seats by his seat. He then says to Ceredir, \"Ceredir my friend, pray watch the door. I must give certain trust that what we say will not pass these doors.\"

He then looks at Bor and Ceredir, \"Shall it be so? Can I rely on your confidence?\"

[Bor(#30834)]�

\"Of course,\" answers the Knight-Captain.

\"I am here to protect the Lord Gildring and the High House of Lore. What business passes here is not mine to repeat,\" Ceredir says, positioning himself to protect the room from intrustion and the doorway from eavesdroppers.

\"As for Lord Bragollach, I believe, sir, that you already have my oath to Bragollach business. Or so I would construe it.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"I would advise you to watch what you say in the open,\" says Curugil.

He then pours wine for the men in the office. \"Pray take some.\"

\"There are many ears,\" says Curugil, \"and I deem that some may object to you making a temple...\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"There will be many,\" answers Bor to Curugil. \"But they will only be allowed to object once it has already been built. It will be done in secret.\"

\"To the Order, yes, I suppose,\" he continues, \"But more to the unbreakable spirit that they entail, that we all entail. The spirit that marches in the face of its doom, a spirit that pays no mind to the visions of its destruction.\"

\"Temple?\" Ceredir repeats despite his earlier words. \"Which Order do you speak of exactly?\" His eyes narrow, looking between Bor and Curugil.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Wisely said Lord Bragollach,\" says the Loremaster. \"For there are parties in this city... very powerful parties... who would say that Lord Bragollach desires more than his wont.\"

\"I say this for your safety,\" says Curugil. \"For I believe I know now who the Black Hand is and why they would strike.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"Then let us speak of that firstly, for here are two who have pledged to see to your safety \'fore all else,\" says Bor to the Lord Gildring.

For now, he does not address the Master Scout\'s query.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"My friends,\" says Curugil softly. \"I must again rely on your confidence. Yet there are many in this city who desire a king to return. Many who say that the only way to win the war against the Enemy is to have a king. Would you not agree with this?\"

\"Agreed,\" Ceredir says, replying but slowly so. \"Though..most call for a lineage that can clearly be proven.\" Those words are chosen carefully.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Indeed,\" says Curugil. \"Yet lineage or no... there are some very powerful people who would never see us have a king. You know of whom I speak, do you not?\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

There is no hesitation in his voice.

\"Mordor,\" Bor answers.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"In part yes,\" says Curugil looking troubled. \"Yet there are others -- closer to home who rule but do not have a crown. Would they allow for a king?\"

\"The...\" Ceredir shakes his head. \"The Steward\'s line? Captain Faramir...no, I cannot believe this of him... Perhaps some of the noble houses oppose a king in order to retain their power?\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"I speak not of Faramir,\" says Curugil. \"Faramir is a noble man, but maybe his father... and others would see their own power jeopardized if a king were to return.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

This, at last, gives the Knight-Captain pause. He stares at Curugil.

And then he laughs.

\"Who, then?\" Ceredir asks, his brow furrowing at Bor\'s laugh. \"Be specific if you can.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

Yet Curugil does not laugh, \"Why do I tell you this? Because there are certain people in this city who have lived here long and we know well what transpires. We believe that these are the ones who are terrorizing us in order to implicate us as being in league with the enemy. It is not the case. Think Lord Bor. Why target the House of Lore? My discovery of the Numenorean Fire Arrow. If such a device was learned of, one could become king.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

The laughter dies off.

\"But who would have had access to that knowledge, Lord Curugil?\" he asks.

\"You didn\'t exactly keep it secret,\" Ceredir scowls at Curugil. \"I would imagine many people by now would know.\"

Curugil looks at Ceredir, \"I fear that might be so, but it was on the cover of military research. Still, I am fearful. Lately I have found that the missing piece of knowledge I need rests in almost worst place possible.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"Where?\" asks the Knight-Captain.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"It lieth within the very hand of darkness,\" says Curugil.

\"Umbar.\"

\"Umbar?!\" Ceredir hisses. \"Then...this Alphros must have its secret?\"

\"And beyond that...what does this have to do with attacks against you? With Bor wanting to build a temple...and a crystal?\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"He might at that,\" says Curugil taking up his wine. \"As to the attacks. I fear that it might be agents of the Steward, or those acting on his behalf that would seek to silence those who wish to win this terrible war and have a King sit upon the throne. For remember the note... remember the words of the attacker... to warn those to unite as Numenoreans. It is just so outlandish that the attacks wish to implicate those who disagree with the rule of the Steward.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

Bor looks around till he finds a seat and sits down. He is silent.

Then: \"I am with you for better or worse, Lord Gildring.\"

\"Explain.\"

Ceredir glances out the door, down the hall both ways and then back to the two men.

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"No,\" says Bor, as he stands.

\"Do not.\"

\"Master Scout, pledge your silence to me right now on pain of death.\"

Curugil falls silent and waits.

Ceredir stares hard at Bor, hatred and some surprise mingled in his eyes. He nods.

\"I so swear.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"And so I hear.\"

Bor looks to Curugil then.

\"What must be done?\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"I knew I could rely on you,\" says Curugil. \"I fear we may have to do something very distasteful. It is imperative that I recover the plans for this mighty weapon.\"

\"We may need to negotiate secretly with this Alphros for it. Yet this is no guarantee that they are there... but my study shows that it should be... though who knows what has passed in the South since Gondor held that land?\"

\"If you negotiate with Alphros, you will reveal the secret to him. He will realize that he has something of great value to Gondor...and likely use it against us. Unless...\" Ceredir falls silent and quite still. \"Unless your plan is to support him--unless you believe his claim, in which case it does not matter.\"

\"But I know not where you stand on that, and this discussion is surprising to me, to say the least.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"We must give that thought,\" says Curugil softly. \"There are two options. Either to convince Alphros that what we seek is of little value to him, or to do as you suggest and feign to support him.\"

Curugil says, \"The question is, which is most likely to work?\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"Support, of course,\" says Bor. \"Our act of seeking it will immediately betray its value.\" He shakes his head. \"There is no other way to do it.\"

\"He will see through our lies,\" Ceredir shakes his head. \"Dark Numenorean he may be, but his blood is strong enough to see through deception. And last time we tried deception, it failed horribly.\"

Curugil sighs and says, \"It is clear that it quite a delicate question. Perhaps we might do both? Perhaps we can feign that we seek something else, and also pass on a message to him of support. Maybe if we send those who do not know what message is sent, the deceit would be easier to convey.\"

\"Is this weapon of that much importance that we risk exposing it at all? Why not just let the last piece of the puzzle lie in Umbar, unlooked for?\" Ceredir says.

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"It will change the face of warfare, Master Scout,\" says Bor.

\"I have seen it.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Wise words Ceredir,\" says Curugil. \"Perhaps we should -- though I fear if we let it lie then Gondor shall be doomed as well as all those you love... and hate.\"

A small smile graces Curugil\'s lips.

\"Explain this to me, then. If it is that important...why? how? How will it change war?\" Ceredir says, sounding frustrated.

The Master Scout gives Curugil a belated grimace at his last words.

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"If... and this is a large if,\" says Curugil. \"If we can reconstruct this thing, then we will be able to hurl fire missiles of explosive power from almost a mile distant.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"The impenetrable walls of Umbar would crumble before a weapon like that,\" says Bor. \"Harad would fall. Mordor too, maybe, though that land is protected by a dark and terrible magic.\" He looks at Curugil.

\"And this is what we strive for,\" Ceredir sighs. \"Bor...why then talk of temples?\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"The final war will be with Mordor,\" pronounces Curugil. He then says, \"There is yet time. Come. Let us break this... tryst... give thought now to how to accomplish this task. We should give thought also to who shall go. Do not speak of this to anyone.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"The temple shall be put off for now, until this matter is resolved,\" says the Lord Bragollach. \"This is far more important for the time being.\"

\"I know a way.\" Ceredir glances out the door again briefly, then nods. \"But it involves lies and counterlies and oaths of deceit.\"

[Curugil(#10108)]

\"Yes,\" says Curugil. \"For it seems as if a new quest is being born -- perhaps not under high circumstances, for it must be under our own shadows -- but perhaps just as important as the great quests: The Silmarils, the Dragon-Helm, Anaril, and now we shall seek fire.\"

[Bor(#30834)] �

\"Come to Thamas Daerlach on the morrow, Ceredir,\" says the Knight-Captain.

\"You speak of my specialties.\"

And thus, he departs.