Menawa Meets Curugil
A tale freshly told of the Gondorian
The young Menawa comes to the House of High Lore seeking wisdom. Curugil gives her an offer.
Elendor - Wednesday, March 04, 2009, 9:46 PM
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The High House of Lore(#18959Rn)
This ancient building, stands as an adjutant of the Academy of Ostoher. This main entrance hall, is a large, pillared affair rising to a lofty ceiling. From this main hall there are several small halls leading to places of study, but of chief dominance is a set of spiral staircases that circle upward.
This large chamber is evidently used as a place of lecture and gathering. On the walls, there are several frescoes, the chief of which depicts the first ruling Queen of Numenor, Tar Ancalime, yet of chief interest are the sculptures, two of which stand most prominently by the staircase. These two statues are both of Numenorean kings, and beneath the one on the right is inscribed the name: Vardamir Nolimon. Beneath the other, Tar-Elendil Parmaite.
Obvious exits:
Up and Out
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Evening falls on the High House of Lore, yet this might be one of its busiest times. Scholars move among the halls, carrying tomes, scrolls, and other odd artifacts. In the main entrance hall stands Curugil Gildring. He is examining a scroll carefully, his lips moving to the text.
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Into this hallowed hall of learning slips Menawa. She absently smooths her small hands along the front of her dress, twitching it into place, then folds them demurely before her. Lifting her head, her steady gaze slips over those inside, drinking in details as she does.
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One of the pages of the Hall comes up to Menawa as she enters, \"How may I help you?\"
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Menawa dips her head slightly to the page, a respectfull quality to the gesture, \"I wish to inquire as to how a person might earn the right to take part of the learning here. Or, at the very least, gain access to the tomes of knowledge held within these walls.\"
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\"You must speak to the Loremaster, and Lord of this House,\" replies the page. He then motions over to where Curugil is standing, \"Lord Curugil is right there, you should approach him now if you desire it Lady.\"
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Menawa dips her head to the Page again, \"Thank you.\" She says graciously, then turns and glides towards the Lord in question. She stops not far from him and, once he turns his gaze upon her, will give a deeper dip of her head to him, as well as a gentle curtsy before standing straight. \"Loremaster, might I have a touch of your time?\"
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Glancing up from his reading Curugil looks at Menawa and says, \"Certainly.\" His voice and mellow and soft. \"What is your name, and what do you wish from our Hall?\"
Curugil tucks the scroll beneath his arm.
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Menawa folds her hands demurely before her again, her voice as gentle as his, though not quite so low..but that\'s understandable. \"I am Menawa Aedmithrusc, sir, and I seek permission to glean knowledge from these hallowed halls.\"
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Curugil smiles approvingly and asks, \"Hail Menawa. I am Curugil Maethir the Gildring. What lore do you seek to learn hither?\"
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Menawa replies easily enough, \"Healing, My Lord. I am a novice healer, and I already know that watching a man die before your eyes while his guts are eaten by poison that you know not how to remedy is.. difficult.\" She says this all with that same gentle tone and a solemnity too deep for one so young.
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\"Indeed,\" says Curugil. \"You sound tested of the field. I do not deny that the House of High Lore has many items of interest. Samples, and descriptions of leaf, herb, and liquid from ancient days. Follow me up yon steps and I shall show you.\"
With that, Curugil ascends the stairs.
Working Laboratories(#18916Rn)
This area of the High House is divided into many areas. There are working benches, tables, beakers, jars with coloured liquids in it and tools of all kinds. It is here, that members of the High House conduct their more experimental research and also standing near it is a ready-to-use library. It is not as great of a library as that found at the Academy, but it is highly specialized with samples of herbs, books on engineering, and lore. This is clearly the chief working area of the lore masters.
Obvious exits:
Up and Down
Menawa has arrived.
Menawa glides up behind him easily.
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\"Hither is where those who come to the House do most of their work,\" says Curugil. \"Here you will find much lore.\"
Curugil reaches into his pocket and draws out a coin that is strangely marked. \"Keep this token, with it, you will gain admission to our House.\"
He hands the coin to Menawa.
\"Also,\" says Curugil. \"How much time is taken up by the healers?\"
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Menawa accepts the coin, blinking a little as she palms it, then looks back up at him, taking this all in stride. \"I spend as much time learning the healing arts as I can each day. Studying here will be part of that. As you have just given me permission, I will partition out my days between the Healing Houses and here.\"
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\"So be it,\" says Curugil. \"Also, I asked because we are in need of assistants here. If you desire work, then you may come to us. We may have tasks for you.\"
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Menawa tilts her head oh so slightly to the left, \"In repayment for the use of the knowledge herein?\"
\"Nay,\" says Curugil. \"In payment. I have had a position open for quite some time, but have had trouble filling it. You seem, bright, and capable. Plus it will give you better access to our works.\"
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Curugil says, \"For you are the daugter of Lord Menegor, are you not?\"
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Menawa brings her head back up straight from that oh so slight tilt, \"I am.\" She acknowledges. \"I will give it much though, My Lord. Perhaps if I had an idea of the types of tasks I would be expected to do, it would aid me in my decision making.\"
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Curugil laughs, \"Nothing too difficult at first. The House would test you to make sure you are capable of work. It might consist of running errands for myself, or other loremasters including obtaining scrolls from the upper levels of the city. It may consist of researching information for myself, because I do not have all the time of day to find out everything I need to find out in my studies. The wages are more than fair, but I suppose that a daughter of Menegor would not care so much about that. For you do have the mein and look of your father.
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Menawa blinks a few times, then blushes oh so daintily up high on her cheeks, her chin lifting a tiny bit. \"I do? I have heard more than I can count how my brothers favor my Father. Never has anyone saw Him in me. Thank you, Sir.\" And he will likely get the distinct impression that he\'s pleased her with that observation.
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\"Well,\" says Curugil. \"Consider it. I am rather easy-going as all things told I suppose. I will have need of help here tomorrow. There is to be a banquet, and I will have need of people who can help greet and announce the arrival of my guests. If you decide in favour of my offer, you have but to let me know.\"
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Menawa looks intrigued, \"Might I inquire who Your guests will be, My Lord?\"
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\"It is a banquet to honour those of late who have returned from war,\" replies Curugil. \"Some I have invited, others I have passed word to. Feel free to come yourself even if you do not wish to work here, for you have the look of one who has seen trouble and war.\"
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Menawa parts her lips lightly, as if words would pass from them, then closes them and simply dips her head to Him, accepting His words.\"
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Curugil carefully looks at Menawa\'s face and then says, \"Well now, I shall leave you to your research. Mark my words, and I hope to see you soon again.\"
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Menawa dips her head to him deeply once more, showing that respect. Once he fully dismisses her by turning or walking away, she will look to the tomes with eyes that sparkle a keen interest.
Curugil turns and exits from the hall.
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