(Archive) The Plague

Elendor - Thursday, September 21, 2000, 3:02 PM

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Weather: Sunny

Time: Dawn

Season: Spring

Date: Mersday - May 17, 3021

Real Time: Thu Sep 21 13:58:03 2000

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Houses of Healing(#19022Rn)

You enter a large room with a high ceiling and far apart walls. Lined against the walls are beds lined row upon row filled with countless patients. Nurses move around checking each patient in a busy fashion creating the seemling chaotic scene. Yet out of the madness comes a singular efficency which cannot be matched throughout the land. This room is the largest one dedicated to healing in all of the known Middle Earth and each nurse or healer will tell you that proudly. On the far side of the room lay large windows looking out upon the farmlands and roads surrounding the city. Hope, instead of dispair, grows within you.

Contents:

Gweneth

Valgrim

Kerowyn

Potion bottle(#28126hn)

Sickbed(#11243aen)

Obvious exits:

West Wing

[Valgrim(#29910)] Like an eclipsed sun, the bright morning light slowly peeks over the sill of the large windows facing the country. The farmlands and roads seem to glow as the soft morning sun casts its energy upon the land. Even the wind, gentle and quiet seems tainted with the tranquility of the morning sun.

Seated on one of the empty beds in the hall, a large man leafs through a book, his eyes intense and concentrating. Yet they too are cast in an almost ethereal shroud as the morning light dances across his lids. He smiles and relaxes as the light travels up his face as it breaks the window, dropping the book to the bed to revel in the warmth.

The doors to the entryway glide open on well oiled hinges and Lady Ivriniel steps lightly into the sun drenched room. Wincing slightly at the burst of brightness, the glare clearly illuminating the weariness upon the countenance of the Princess as she glances around the room. Nodding impatiently as a healer comes forth and bobs, \"Your Grace. Would you care for a cup of morning tea?\", Ivriniel says, \"Yes. Please. And see that all in my party have refreshment as well.\"

Striding across the room she pauses beside the bed where Valgrim sits, enjoying the morning sun and a smile doth curve the corners of her lips as she states, \'The trip from Dol Amroth fared well with you.\", not a question, simply a statement of fact. Perching on the edge of the adjacent bed she says, \"Frankly, I am concerned about this outbreak. I hope to speak to the healers that have first hand knowledge as soon as possible.\" Looking to the book upon the lap of the giant man she asks, \'You are well read in the book of Herb lore?\"

[Kerowyn(#10288)] As if chasing the woman down, another figure enters the hall. This one not bothering to squing in the morning light, nor to pause in her hurried steps as they skitter across the floor for the great cabinets on one wall.

Indeed, not until they are reached, and one hand rests upon a handle, the the other occupied with removing stray wisps of hair from a careworn face, does the woman stop, and turn to frown at Ivriniel. \"Lady Ivriniel. There was no announcement. Do you bring forces with you?\" It is swift speach, devoid of the fancifulness of court, pure and brusque.

[Valgrim(#29910)] The form of the Lady Ivriniel does not fall upon Valgrim\'s eyes until he drops his head back to the bed, removing the glare of the bright sun from his face. Reaching for the book, Valgrim begins to open it, his thick, large fingers caressing the parchment within.

Yet the lilting voice of the Princess penetrates his mind and breaks his attention from the words. Processing her own spoken words, Valgrim speaks, his voice thick still with the fleeting sleep. \"Lady. Yes. I was eager myself to speak with some of the healers here. However, they apparently didn\'t deem me important enough to speak to so I retired here to study. One can never stop learning.\" At the charged appearance of the sudden woman, Valgrim watches her, intrigued by the dust motes that dance in the sunlight from her hurried arrival.

A nod of her head and a pleased smile changes the expression of Ivriniel as she looks to her assistant healer. \"Many hands will be needed in the up and coming days. I daresay, your knowledge and strength will be called upon many times over. Have faith my young friend, much have you learned in these past years.

Turning at the sound of a female voice, a smile of delight warms the expression of the sister of Imrahil as she steps forth, hands held out in greeting, \"Lady Kerowyn! How good to see you again, even under these circumstances\", her demeanor immediately changes to one of great concern as she says, \'What can you tell me of this plague? I came the moment I got the post from Lady Aearwen, telling me of Kadareth and others that have been stricken.\" As if suddenly realizing the question asked by Kerowyn she shakes her head, \"Forces?--- oh yes, I brought all of the healing contingency that was available in Dol Amroth and most of the herbs that were on hand, leaving only a skeleton staff to replenish the stock and see to any wounded while we are gone.\"

Kerowyn sighs softly, leaving the cabinet to remain closed. First, she turns to the man upon the bed, smiling slightly, \"You will forgive us for being less responsive to those not in immediate need, sir. I fear our numbers are decreasing of late.\" Her blue-eyed gaze flicks to the windows and the sunshine without, its light playing upn her face, highlighting the bruised eyes and creased brow for a moment before she nods to Ivriniel. \"Good, we are in sore need of numbers, for no remedy we know has helped.\"

[Valgrim(#29910)] Despite the bright light of the morning sun, a shadowed confusion seems to hang over the head of the giant squire. His eyes are squinted in thought, lines of worry or fatigue tickling the skin about them. Yet when he turns to address the newly encountered woman, an expression of warmth and respect alights upon his face.

His words, though loud and deep, do not seem harsh, simply full of this large man\'s breath. \"Of course Lady. I understand. The long journey must have tainted my spirits this morning. I hope we can offer aid in these times of strife. What can we do? Though I should apologize and let the Lady Ivriniel speak.\" Falling silent, Valgrim turns his head to the Lady in anticipation of her words.

Turning and indicating the giant of a man with a wave of her hand , Ivriniel inquires, \"Lady Kerowyn. Have you met my most trusted and valued assistant, Valgrim?\" A twinkle of amusement is seen in silvery grey eyes as she turns to the squire and says, \"Lady Kerowyn..sister niece to Theoden King and Lady of House Eofor.\"

[Kerowyn(#10288)] Sunlight sprinkles into the room, creating a vision of dust motes and light in which three people alone speak. Kerowyn, caught near the cabinets that line one wall, and Valgrim with Ivriniel, he upon a cot, as if, perhaps, wounded, and she her own vision in sunlight.

Kerowyn chuckles softly, \"It is not often one in this land can recite my titles, m\'lady.\" Nonetheless, she inclines head and body towards Valgrim, smile playing at the edges f her lips. \"I have not had the pleasure. Sir Valgrim.\"

[Valgrim(#29910)] The squire stands quickly form his seated position on the bed, his legs straining with fatigue still in the morning light. But quickly bowing to the Lady Kerowyn, his large form bent completely at the waist, Valgrim offers his greeting.

The loud voice of this man nearly seems to echo about the large room, causing a few of the patients even to stir in their sleep. \"Well met Lady. It is an honor to meet someone of your great stature. As a humble squire of much lower stature, I feel graced.\" His eyes falling upon the floor, where only memories of slippery footsteps lie, Valgrim finally rises to join the conversation.

A flush of colour quickly shades the porcelain cheeks at the words of Kerowyn and she murmurs softly, \"The Oath of Eorl bids us both to hold respect for the titles and positions in both lands.\" A look of pride flashes in her eyes as she watches the squire and assistant healer greet the Lady Kerowyn and she remarks, \"Should you need anything and cannot reach me, feel free to call upon Valgrim for help.\" A soft laugh tinkles forth as she teases the new Blue Squire, \"You will note the newly attached blue stripes adorning his uniform. I hope not to lose him totally to Knighthood.\", affection for the man evident in her every word and expression.

[Amrun(#22647)] Walking in now is Private Amrun of the Silver ship company , one of the Minas Tirrith Guards. he is decked outin his usual, reporting in as he was told, though now armed with a club as he searches the streets with patrols to find Kadareth, the one that escaped. He nods polietly to all after stopping, he looks to kerowyn \" Milady, we\'ve searched all night and day, yet still no sign of him..\" he trails off before looking about the people again.

[Valgrim(#29910)] The words of the Lady slowly flow over the consciousness of the young squire, like a small trickle of water cascading down a mountain face, bouncing sometimes from the rough cliff and casting reflections of the bright sun. Smoothing the front of his uniform, the new blue stripes feeling soft as his thick fingers run over the cloth, Valgrim nods.

\"Thank you Lady. I am eager myself to help. It is not often that I get to work with the people of Gondor. Normally I am working for them but distantly removed from their actual presence. Such is the desire of the knights.\"

The matter at hand becomes the prime concern for the sister of Imrahil as she says matter of factly, \"Valgrim and I will see to the stocking of the potions and herbs that we brought from Dol Amroth.\" Nodding politely to the young guardsman as he enters the room and speaks to Kerowyn, the daughter of Adrahil says, \"With that, we shall take our leave and get everyone into place as we deal with the madness that has stricken so many.\" A gentle hand is laid upon the arm of Kerowyn as she says, \"We shall return as soon as possible.\" With that Ivriniel turns and motions to Valgrim, a harried look upon her face.

[Kerowyn(#10288)] \"Thank you Lady. Lady keep you in all those endeavours,\" The other healer speaks softly, smoothing her skirts in an almost business like manner.

[Valgrim(#29910)] Following the Lady Ivriniel, Valgrim steps in line behind her, exiting the Hall of Healing.