(Archive) The Timely Death of Meterex
From the archives of the Gondorian
Meterex is dispatched by Lord Hirluin
TRAITOR\'S END, June 13 1996
*Note - log submitted by Menelhil*
Location: Southern Umbar - The Jail Actors: DONOVAN of Dunland, HIRLUIN of Dol Amroth, DIRT and ORION of Harad and METEREX of Gondor AWIERDAN as Arbiter
Action takes places during the siege of Umbar by Dunno-Gondorian army
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dirt falls to the ground by the almost seven foot tall man, his scimitar clanging onto the ground, his face flushed from the punch, groaning as much from the blow as the wound in his stomach.
Orion backs up against the wall, \"Spare my fallen comrade, and we have a deal.\"
Dirts face veers over quickly, his pain almost forgotten at his fellow Haradrim\'s words, he says through clenched teeth, \"Deal??!!!\"
Hirluin raises his head and looks at Orion with just a slight touch of respect, \"You care for your comrade\'s fate? I do not think it is on our hands now, so I might as well put it into the hands of fate...I grant thy boon, Haradrim.\"
Donovan levels his sword point a couple of feet from Dirt\'s head, slowly advancing, keeping an eye on Dirt\'s sword arm, he halts and waits...impatiently.
Orion sighs sadly as he points to one of the fallen guards, \"That man there.. He\'s the Jailer - he has the keys.\"
Dirt groaning looks at the tip of the sword aimed at his face.
Hirluin throws a sideglance at Donovan and smiles grimly, then turns to Orion menacingly, but upon hearing his words reaches down and fumbles through the fallen man\'s clothing.
Dirt breathes heavily.
[Dirt(#24210)] *groan*
Donovan eyes Dirt through shimmering eyes, his breathing growing more intense as hot flashes of adrenaline consume his body. He remains motionless holding the sword point level to Dirt\'s head, kicking debris away from his feet.
[<#18202>] Orion says something unintelligible.
Hirluin goes through the man\'s pockets and as he does, he surveys Orion with suspicious gaze... after a long search he frowns, but at that moment a metal *clang* is heard and he produces a long rope full of keys tied to it.
Dirt not taking his eyes off of the sword looks at the man in the mask and through pain-clenched teeth, his hand on his stomach trying to keep from bleeding to death says, \"Who are you? Why do you hide your face? What are you afraid of? Are you afraid to own up to your cowardly deeds? Attacking a man without a weapon and another who is wounded?\"
Hirluin smiles sceptically, \"Treacherous dogs teaching us manners, Ceann..\" He shouts loudly, \"Close your mouth and pray for deliverance, for a man no other than Lord Donovan of Dunland holds your life in his hands!\" He proceeds to the cells then.
[Arbiter Globals(#722)] Awierdan joins you from across Middle-earth. Awierdan has arrived.
Donovan speaks through his mask, his eyes a blazing, fiery red, as anger erupts inside of him, he talks in a controlled rage, barely able to hold himself from the madness brewing deep inside him, he inches closer, his sword shaking, as his mind says to kill. \"I care nothing for your life, I pity it.\"
Hirluin grasps the set of keys in his hand tightly and speaks to Donovan through clenched teeth, \"Ceann, spread your guard through the perimeter... I would check the cells to see if any unhappy soul still lingers here...\"
Umbar Jail You step off the dusty road into a rather expansive building. Two large counters stand off to your right. A large guard stands behind the one nearest you. He seems to be handling any questions, or complaints. However, you think he would probably not be very sympathetic to complaints. His eyes are fixed upon you, as if you just asked to see a few Lords about his performance.
A dusty trail across the stone floor leads back to the dungeon. Multiple cells are visible. It seems that every effort has been made to make prisoner\'s lives miserable. A multitude of insects can be seen crawling about the walls and floor near the cells. Perhaps it would be best to avoid offending the leadership of Umbar?
Several rays of sun stream in through the open door. Yet, it seems as though the two cells are shrouded in perpetual darkness. Perhaps, a fitting reminder for all who lie behind the wrought iron bars. Contents: Awierdan Donovan Dirt Orion Guard Obvious exits: Cell #2 Cell #1 Out
Dirt spits into the ground, regretting the action as he winces in pain, \"And you call us murdering dogs without any compassion.\"
Dirt says in Haradraic, \"I am well...\"
Hirluin fumbles with the cell locks, trying different keys and slowly progressing with opening one after the other.
Donovan nods silently to Hirluin, and eases his steps backwards, still keeping an eye upon Dirt, slowly retracing his footsteps. Without turning he harshly whispers some orders to his men outside in a foreign tongue, and upon his satisfaction, he advances slowly forward again and says, \"It is done.\"
*** ARB intervenes to +summon Meterex out of the cell ***
Meterex has arrived. Meterex slides in silently.
Hirluin struggles with the last lock and the cell falls open. A guard enters the cell, searches it, and then bends down and motions to Meterex to come out of his hidng place.
[Meterex\'s Appearance] Your eyes gaze upon an odd sight. This shadow-like-man (or is it a man-like- shadow?), although dressed in brown to match the sand, he still holds a dark quality. His grey boots have been strapped in brown leather, and his cloak has obviously been turned inside out to hide its other side which is grey. On his belt are two water flasks, and a dagger in a leather scabbard, with an iron handle wrapped in leather. His hood has been pulled up, and even if you could see through the shadows, his face has been wrapped in cloth to protect his face and eyes from sandstorms.
Meterex speaks with the voice of an old man, \"No...leave me alone...no more torture...\"
Dirt tries to rise again as the prisoner is released from his captivity only to fall back to the floor groaning in pain.
Hirluin steps close to Meterex and gently pulls back his hood, \"Do not worry anymore, for you are to be tortured no longer...\" he then sees the face and steps back, his face a grimace of horror...
Orion chuckles slightly, \"Your \"prisoner\", Gondorian, is not all you hoped him to be?\"
Donovan shoots a piercing glance at Orion, his voice filled with rage and power. It echoes about the chamber, and seems to grasp you like a cold hand, \"Say no words, or your life is forfeit where you stand.\"
Hirluin throws a sideglance at Orion but says nothing. His face is a mixture of emotions, but the fire in his eyes can be seen smouldering and gaining strength as he looks over the all-too familiar hooded man, bringer of disaster.
Meterex holds his eyes shut, \"I can\'t see you...they poked out my eyes...\"
Orion narrows his eyes at Donovan, \"Who are you, that you fight like the Mordain you kill the innocent and guilty alike, and threaten to go back on your word?\"
Meterex says, \"Who\'s there?\"
Hirluin speaks in a low voice that is gathering strength as he goes on, \"Yes, here we meet again...I am the one of the many betrayed by you, but one of the few who survived to remember it...\"
*************** Meanwhile, far away in Gondor excitement grows ***************
You paged Ravenwyr Daurion with \'I am not going to bring him anywhere. He\'ll slip away. I am killing him where he stands.\'. Ravenwyr pages: Good. [Daurion(#15204)->] From afar, Daurion cackles with glee and demands a copy of the log to hang on his wall :) (Hirluin Ravenwyr) Ravenwyr pages: I wanna watch!! :(
*******************************************************************************
Donovan davances upon Orion, his sword leveling at his throat, his body trembles, and his muscles clench like tight knots. His eyes bulge out of their sockets, seemingly ready to burst, as he inches closer and closer with the blade, his voice alien and perhaps foreshadowing, he replies, \"I am your death...\"
Dirt says in Haradaic, \"...\"
Hirluin extends his hand to slip the cloth off the man\'s eyes and show him who he is speaking to.
Meterex says, \"Betrayed? Whom have I betrayed that didn\'t betray me first?\"
Hirluin concentrates upon Meterex, his sword trembling in his hand, and with the left he reaches for Donovan\'s shoulder, \"Friend Ceann, abandon that worthless Haradrim... here stands a man with the serpent\'s tongue and the heart of a fox...\"
Dirt says through clenched teeth, \"Do not seek to harm my friend, coward!\"
*************** Other concerns press upon the fearless leaders ***************
Grazzt pages: Hey when you get unbusy, want to have a rematch in the combat arena? :)
You paged Grazzt with \'VERY busy now. But I will :) Klael?\'. From afar, Grazzt nods \"yeah that was me.. page me when you unbusy\"
*** Hirluin\'s side note: Grazzt/Klael was mercilessly mauled after that RP in Combat Arena #2 and our score is now 1:1 :) ***
******************************************************************************
Hirluin whispers, \"Ten times as evil as any of those around us..\" He raises his voice, addressing Meterex, \"You are asking me, Meterex - or whatever name you are using now? the one who has seen the bodies piled high upon the slopes of Mindolluin?\"
Meterex stumbles and falls to the ground, yelping in pain as he lands on the ground.
Meterex speaks upward, \"Before or after Gondor found the mob innocent of killing my family?\"
Donovan sends a speeding backhand smash at Dirt\'s nose, with his heavily mailed fist, and you hear a loud *crunch* as Dirt\'s nose break in multiple places. Blood seeps from Dirt\'s nose, and splashes across onto his hand, and the floor puddles with a dark red.
Hirluin makes no move as Meterex falls and motions to one of his guards to raise him and hold him upright. \"I shall have no business discussing that. But it seems that you recognise your guilt, and merely seeking to enmesh others in your web.\"
Orion growls, \"Coward.\"
Dirt \'s face reels to the side as Donovan\'s gloved fist pounds into his face he cries out but stifles it half way as his back arches from the pain in his stomach which is blocking out the pain from his broken nose, tears begin to stream down his eyes as blood begins to squirt from his mid-section.
Meterex says, \"All I did was leave. Everyone knew I didn\'t belong. And this is your betrayal? You know nothing of betrayal.\"
Hirluin continues speaking, \"Mayhap I do not. Are you going to teach me on the ways of betrayal then? I have had enough of one lesson. Many Swan Knights lie buried in the cellars of the Marble Citadel, those who fell by your treachery.\"
Donovan turns on his heels sharply glancing at Orion, his eyes smouldering like hot coals, he lifts his sword, cocking it for a swing, but holds steady.
Dirt coughs as tears continues to stream from his eyes onto the floor, his body rocks back and forth on his side in the pool of blood.
Meterex says, \"I have no idea what you are talking about. If you are discussing the evils of Tcid you need not include me in your charges. Such men will come around to Gondor without my help!\"
You say, \"And that treachery shall be put an end to, Meterex, here and now. By the powers vested in me, and by the Princely writ appointing me Lord Regent of Dol Amroth I hereby declare a sentence upon you according to the laws of Gondor in war time...\"\"
Meterex says, \"I\'m already a dead man you fool!\"
Hirluin takes no heed of the man\'s words, \"I hereby find you guilty of treason to the Kingdom of Gondor, its King and the Steward that ruleth until he shall return. The penalty is one of death - to be carried out immediately.\"
Meterex says, \"The Haradrim already plan on finishing me before the attack.\"
Donovan scowls at Orion, his face growing redder with rage, every cell in his body boiling and racing to a breaking point. His voice erupts in anger, and he screams words towards Orion, shrieking angrily, \"I have warned you once dog, seek not to disobey my order!\"
Hirluin bows his head slightly, \"May the One have mercy on your soul. If you have any wishes to make, I shall see that they are executed according to the customs of Gondor.\"
Meterex says, \"Then may I choose how I am to die?\"
Orion\'s look of anger drains from his face.. perhaps to be replaced by pity? \"I will hold my tongue.\" He bows his head.
Hirluin speaks calmly, as if reading the Great Book of the Swan in the library of the Marble Citadel, \"The sentence is to be carried out by beheading, and in times of war there shall be no appeal, and the execution shall not be public.\"
Meterex says, \"Please...let me die fighting...like a man...you\'d give that honor to even the lowly....\"
Donovan remains motionless and silent, continuing to stare at Orion, seeming satisfied with the answer and making no offensive motions.
Hirluin repeats, \"Do you have any wishes before the sentence is carried out?\" He pauses and shakes his head, his face a mask devoid of emotions.
Meterex says, \"There is a sewer..not far from here. It is filled with creatures. I can\'t see, and without a light they would surely kill me. Let me die killing one of those beasts...give a blind man his final wish...\"
Hirluin nods to his guards who are standing in the door and motions two of them forth, while the others make a sheer shield wall in front of the entrance.
Hirluin speaks through clenched teeth, \"A creature as foul as you shall no doubt communicate with those beasts and make even them a tool of your malignant will. Say your words, and speak to the point, for I am asking third and last time for your wishes?\"
Meterex says, \"In all of my days I have yet to see Gondorian mercy yet. Tell them, Haradrim. The foul creatures will eat anything. There is no escape from their den...\"
Orion sighs, \"M\'lord, let the man die in peace, or battle, as he wont to. When he is dead, he cannot hurt you any longer, so why not show mercy?\"
Meterex says, \"I am not the evil man you portray me to be...You don\'t know me...who merely presume to know...\"
Donovan peers out the corner of his eyes, fixing them on his comrade. His breathing relaxes now, color flooding his face, from once pale.
Hirluin motions his guards to lower the cloth on Meterex\'s eyes again. He speaks with disgust, \"I, Hirluin, Lord of Pinnath Gelin and Lord Regent of Dol Amroth, have spoken. Let it be noted that the prisoner had no final wish...\"
Meterex says, \"Let the coward continue. He has no honor. May the bards sing of how Hirluin murdered Meterex upon this day!\"
Hirluin closes his eyes in pain as this procedure is disgusting to him, but his heart is ice and his will is of steel throughout the proceeding.
Meterex says, \"You promised the Haradrim Hirluin. Keep your promise if your Numenorian blood means anything to you.\"
Hirluin\'s face reddens as he hears Meterex\'s words, but he manages to stay calm as the guards take Meterex by the arms, motioning him to the centre of the room, \"I promised what? What are you talking about?\"
Meterex says, \"If you can not find the mercy in your heart to allow me this last wish, then you are no better than the orcs you hate.\"
Hirluin opens his eyes, \"I must have missed something? Is your last wish to keep my word and promise of life to those two Haradrim?\"
Donovan slowly paces backwards keeping a wary eye on Dirt and Orion, with his sword, he motions them towards the jail cell, \"Enter the cell, both of you, NOW! \"He yells.
Meterex says, \"If you will not let me die in the method I have choosen then you should spare them. But if you have any kindness left you will let me die like I want.\"
Meterex says, \"They never gave my father a chance to fight...if I must rejoin him...let me tell him that I died in battle!\"
Orion steps protectively between Donovan and Dirt, \"Leave him be-- he can\'t be moved if he is to live.\"
Hirluin shouts suddenly, \"I have no kindness! You are looking upon a Lord who pronounces his judgement upon you, a decision that is above kindness, a decision that is Justice - Justice of Gondor, although you would not have it, and yet you will!\"
Donovan spits out coldly, hissing under his breath, through tightly clenched teeth that grind together in a sickening sound, \"Then carry him, fool!\"
[<#24011>] Meterex +whispers to you, \"Else Hurin\'s plans will be ruined.\"
Orion growls, \"You would leave us in a cell to die, unattended?\"
Hirluin snickers, \"I shall not fight a blind man. And once the judgement has been made, it is not in my power to reverse it. Step to the cneter of the room, and pray for the deliverance of your soul, Meterex.\"
Meterex says, \"Take me outside...let me feel the sun before I die...\"
Donovan laughs, his laughter ehocing about the room in a thunderous BOOM!, \"You, who have slain hundreds of my kinsmen. You who revel in their killings and stain your earth with their blood! Do not speak mercy with me, I HAVE NONE!!\"
Hirluin disregards the last words of Meterex that are ringing in his ears and steps quickly forward, his great sword flying through the air as he crosses the few steps between him and the condemned man.
Dirt lies on the floor and has stopped moving long ago.
Meterex falls to the ground suddenly...
*************** Some interactions through +os are preserved ***************
Orion says, \"I have no wish to die, soldier, but I will not live with the blood of my comrade on my hands.\"
Donovan advances upon Orion with the point of his blade, leveling it away dangerously close to Orion\'s neck, he nods his head to the side gesturing for him to enter the cell, \"Enter the cell!\"
Orion nods slowly, not gazing away from the bigger man\'s eyes.\'
Orion backs up slowly.
Hirluin sighs, \"Let it be known that I do not slay this man, but the Kingdom of Gondor and its justice is being done upon him. May he rest in peace.\" With that he brings his sword upon Meterex\'s head, and the world ends for him.
Meterex speaks in the moments before death, \"I curse thee Hirluin to be haunted forever by my spirit...\" (All I can say is...YUCK!)
Donovan repeats his words, this time anger brimming throughout his voice, spit frothing the edges of his mouth in rage, \"I will not repeat myself a second time, ENTER THE CELL!\"
Dirt\'s blood continues to pump very slowly from his body unmoving.
Orion continues his journey towards the cells backwards, not daring to turn his back on Donovan.
Orion steps inside a cell.
Hirluin regards the head that slowly, languidly slips off the shoulders and falls upon the ground with a soft sound. The re is silence for a second, and then a stream of blood gushes forth, spraying the guards that stand hold the body.
Orion speaks through the room to Hirluin, \"Gondorian!\"
Hirluin regards the body in shock as the guards release it and it slumps to the ground. He is barely in condition to hear Orion.
Donovan turns sharply on his heels, heading back towards the entrance, walking past the fallen body of Meterex, he leans down and grips the hair of his head, he picks it up, standing, staring into the eyes, then with a turn, throws it hard against the cell door, and watches the head explode, pieces of flesh, muscle, tissues, blood splattering everywhere, he kicks at the limp body and walks forth, never again turning his back upon the place and steps outside.
Orion tries again to get Hirluin\'s attention.
Hirluin turns his head to the Haradrim that is desperately shouting, \"What is that you want? I have granted you your life, be thankful to the beheaded..\"
Orion looks a bit desperate, \"You have helped death in it\'s course, but now.. help life. My friend lies dying at your feet. Please.. Help him?\"
Hirluin looks coldly at Orion, \"I have made no promises regarding that. You asked to spare him, and I said that I let the fate take care of him now, and I shall not harm you. But do you want me to heal my enemies...beside I know little of healing.\"
Orion looks at Hirluin, sadness in his eyes, \"M\'lord, I ask you not to make or break promises.. I ask you to save a man\'s life, on your own free will. Please, don\'t let him die..\"
Hirluin looks with a glimpse of pity at Orion, \"I am powerless to help you. The rage has gone out of me, but even if I wished to help him I could not. However there is a way, but I doubt it will be agreeable to you..\"
Orion waits for Hirluin to continue.
Hirluin speaks sternly, glancing at the door, \"we have come aboard the fleet that shall now sail home. If ye wish for his life be saved, you and him must be taken to the ships and carried back to Gondor, where the healers might save him - yet as prisoners.\"
Orion is speechless for a second, but after glancing at Dirt\'s wounds, looks up. \"Allright. We will go.\"
Hirluin smiles suddenly as he sees Orion\'s face go pale, \"You accept then? You do not lack bravery, Haradrim.\" He speaks to one of his guards, and he frowns, but disappears through the doors quickly.
Hirluin contiues, \"The stretcher shall be brought now... but I am curious, what might be your relation to that man that you risk your life - and even more than life, your freedom - to deliver him from death?\"
Two guards rush in, a stretcher in their hands, looking about them. One of them regards the corpse with interest, \"This one can\'t be helped...\" They pause as they see no Gondorians injured in the jail.
Orion sighs, \"M\'lord, many of my friends have died from my inaction, and I can take it no longer. Do I need any reason?
Hirluin sheathes his sword and gestures to the sailors that bring the stretcher in, and points to Dirt. Upon their hesitation he rises his eyebrow, \"We do not have much time... take this men to the healers, and save his life!\"
[Combat(#13388)->Hirluin] Unwielded: Ciril
The sailors exchange confused stares, then shrug as discussing orders is not a big part of their training, and without much ado set down the stretcher by the lying man and try to raise him and put him in.
Hirluin walks to the cell where Orion is in and gives him a calculating glance. He unlocks the cell door again, then motions one guard to check if he has any weapons on him.
Orion rasies his hands, making no sudden moves as he is checked.
Hirluin nods wearily and gestures Orion on, as the sailors still struggle with Dirt, \"Escort him to the ships and put him into custody. To be treated as a war prisoner and not a Haradrim as his captivity is voluntary. That is all.\"
Orion steps through the jail, escorted by the Gondorian soldiers.
The sailors manage to place Dirt into the stretcher and then carry him out, his lifeless body bleeding. Hirluin throws a last glance at the lifeless body, then calmly grabs a torch from the wall and tosses it on the floor.
Orion brushes past the guards milling about, and heads out onto the dusty street. Orion has left. Donovan brushes past the guards milling about, and heads out onto the dusty street.. Donovan has left. Dirt brushes past the guards milling about, and heads out onto the dusty street. Dirt has left.
Fires rise all around at once, consuming chairs, tables, curtains and all the rest of the sparce furnishing. Hirluin walks out of the flaming building the last.
brushes past the guards milling about, and heads out onto the dusty street.. Donovan has left. Dirt brushes past the guards milling about, and heads out onto the dusty street. Dirt has left.
Fires rise all around at once, consuming chairs, tables, curtains and all the rest of the sparce furnishing. Hirluin walks out of the flaming building the last.