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Minas Tirith: Way of Kings -- Soldiers\' Square

The southern terminus of the Way of Kings is a wide court of black stone. The wall forms one long side, topped by guardtowers. Water emerges from its underground ducts into an enormous well, low-sided as to be almost a pool.

Facing the wall, butted up against the mountain, stands the Hosts\' Barracks. Storied of wood and stone, it is not an inviting aspect. It is built in extreme practicality, its only decoration being the sigils of the various companies housed within.

At the end of the square, the wall at its back, is another similar structure. Lower than the barracks, Card Failin houses the Men of Ithilien when they are in Minas Tirith. The facade is hung with the sigils of the Wardenries of Ithilien.

Daylight lends no warmth or loveliness to this utilitarian square, save the lacy light cast by the sun upon the water.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

All around the Soldier\'s Square, there\'s movement this afternoon: men come and go, some injured, others geared for training. And tension fills the atmosphere, heavier these last ominous days than ever. It echoes in every hurried step, flashes in every eye turned eastwards beyond the walls.

A Ranger stands by the fountain, grimly exchanging words with other men from his Company. Gurtir Carmayar, he is.

[Faramir(#28937)]

A tall man is amongst the company of Rangers and though he is well-known in these parts and in command, he merely watches and listens. A great cloak of green is around his imposing frame, and a longsword is at his belt. Faramir has not suffered injury yet, though many of the other men serving at Osgiliath have.

Ceredir is not supposed to be fighting, nor is he to be out of the company of men. And yet here is the Scout making his way into the square alone, without any of the men who were with him on the wagons that brought supplies only yesterday to Osgiliath. More so, the Scout--only yesterday appointed Deputy Quartermaster--has clearly been in a battle of some sort. A blood-soaked rag pokes out where a sword has slashed his leather armor.

The Scout\'s pace as he walks is not leisurely, yet the wound seems to be hindering him some. Grey eyes search the square, then spot Gurtir first. Ceredir heads toward the Ranger.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

As Ceredir enters his vision-field, a deep frown creases Gurtir\'s brow. He searches for Faramir\'s eyes, discreetly pointing the scout with his chin.

[Faramir(#28937)]

\"Ceredir,\" Faramir says. No inflection in his voice betrays his mood it is a mere perfunctory call. He halts the conversation between the Rangers, and looks to the Scout. \"Have you been in Minas Tirith this time, or are you come from observing at Osgiliath?\" The hint, there, of Ceredir\'s probationary status.

\"Sir..I have...\" Ceredir starts to speak as he approaches Gurtir, the Scout breathing hard between words. No further does he get in this speech.

\"Osgiliath, sir.\" Those words, also said as Ceredir tries to catch his breath, are directed to Faramir. \"Delivered supplies there yesterday and then last night I was asked to return here with an urgent message. The Knight Bor Bragollach, sir. I swore to him I would deliver it.\"

With that, the Scout reaches into a pouch worn at his belt and withdraws a sealed parchment, followed by a jeweled necklace, both of which he offers to Faramir.

[Faramir(#28937)]

Faramir accepts the piece of parchment, unfurling it and reading it swiftly, his lips pursed. The message does not appear to surprise him. \"I shall have to rouse my brother,\" he mutters, before turning his attention back to the small gathering.

\"There are many passageways and tunnels beneath Osgiliath that might be used to support the men still there. Who of the company knows them best?\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Gurtir offers Ceredir a greeting nod, but says no word, instead watching the man intentively, his eyebrows now raisen. Yet he holds back his question at the Lord Captain\'s question, answering it instead, \"I have had to use them before, Sir. The sewers.\"

\"Bor, sir,\" Ceredir says, still directing his words to Faramir. \"He said to say of that necklace that either he will retrieve it in person or it should be buried with his corpse.\" The Scout\'s expression is grim. \"I barely made it out, sir. There were orcs on every street I tried, and even on the empty streets I encountered...trouble.\"

[Faramir(#28937)]

Faramir listens to Ceredir\'s account calmly. \"The battle for Osgiliath is ever grim, but no doubt my brother shall wish to bring a company or two of the Hosts of Gondor to bear upon them. The city will not be lost.\"

To Gurtir, Faramir nods. \"Good. Take as many men as you may bear stealthily, and use the tunnels to bring aid to those remaining, evacuating those in need.\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"That I shall, Sir.\", Gurtir replies, a single firm nod marking his acquiesance, though a frown of pain comes to his face, probably from straining the bandaged shoulder. Yet he ignores it, speaking on, \"I will start rousing them\", he glances around at the other Rangers previously there, already identifying volunteers and nodding.

Then he asks, this time to Ceredir, \"I will need as much information you can give me about how things are there.\"

[Faramir(#28937)]

\"Good. Depart as soon as you can, Gurtir the situation there demands it, it seems. You are free to join him also, Ceredir, if you would learn something of the ways beneath the city. But for now, I must visit my brother.\" And Faramir leaves the gathering of the company, steps taking him ever upwards.

\"Yes sir,\" Ceredir nods, first to Faramir\'s comments and then to Gurtir\'s request. \"Permission to get this wound bandaged first, sir?\" He doesn\'t elaborate, but fresh blood stains the cloth that served as a temporary bandage.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"Yes. I will be shortly with you in the halls of healing, Ceredir.\", says Gurtir, before turning to Faramir and offering the Lord Captain his salute, \"At once, sir.\"