(Archive) - The Training Grounds

September 15, 2000

*Note - log supplied by Tamran and Orodoth aka Indilzar*

[Argamir(#27619)]

The nighttime of Gondor sweeps into the city of Minas Tirith, the darkness flowing through the streets as the stars twinkle above, hidden not beneath clouds, their light bounces of the stones of the City of the White Towers, silence the only noise heard.

The training ground is as empty as the rest of the city meeting areas, its sparing equipment idle, its floors left untrod till the sun returns. Darkness hides most in the area, what do shadows conceal?

[Beregond(#19834)]

No shadows conceal the movements of Beregond for he enters the training ground bearing a brace of torches, orange light cast reflectively into the night off his brilliantly shining helm. He finds a pair of sconces near to the pell poles and places a torch in each before withdrawing his sword from its sheath.

[Orodroth(#10108)]

\"Halt!\" cries a voice that breaks the night. \"Who goes there?\"

A figure steps forth and then the guard salutes, \"Hail Commander and well met.\"

The Commander Orodroth returns the salute and says, \"Carry on.\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

Thwack!

Thwack! Thwack!

The echoes of a sword striking a wooden pole steal out into the night, as the Citadel Guardsman unlimbers himself in front of the pole, sending small chips and whisps of wood flying.

Orodroth turns and for the first time in a long while he smiles. He calls out, \"Beregond! What are you doing here in the lower city?\"

[Argamir(#27619)]

Another guard enters the training grounds, his helm removed from his head and under his arm, a piece of silver metal across this man\'s heart glitters in the torch light, it must be one of the Silver Horse, the medalian of a jumping horse worn by every Outrider. The soldier makes his way towards the origin of the torchlight and the voices, but doesn\'t annouce his presense yet...

[Beregond(#19834)]

Lowering his blade, Beregond turns and a smile fixes itself upon his face as well, \"Ah! Orodroth! Well met!\" He chuckles, \"The Steward has asked me to fill in for the retiring Captain... Rorgan, his name was, I believe.\"

[Orodroth(#10108)]

Orodroth arches a brow, \"This is indeed news. I did not know the Captain was retiring. He was young yet. I do not suppose that you will miss kicking your heals at the door of the Great Hall then?\"

The nearby door of the officer\'s quarters opens, the empty road before it being filled with the light coming from within the building. A figure clad in black steps out, closing the door behind him and turning his gaze towards the Training Grounds. The sound of speech fills the air, as people have gathered at that area. The tall man begins to make his way, at times dissapearing within the shadows just to re-appear in the faint torchlight.

A longsword hangs by his belt, gently hitting his hip with every step he takes. Two silver bars reflect at times the nearby light and a silver crest of a tree can be seen upon his breast. Most know this man, young and proud he looks, duty and honor guiding his last three years. Tamran he is named, a common man born in the City of Stone. Arriving before the first two men, the Sergeant quickly slaps on a salute, \"Good day sirs? or should I say night. I did not expect to find people here at this late time.\"

[Orodroth(#10108)]

Orodreth looks over sharply at Tamran and he says, \"Tamran is your name, is it not? I have heard of you.\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"Had you not seen him without his helm?\" chuckles Beregond. \"He was as grey as an old Wolf, and no doubt still as dangerous, but those of common blood are not blessed to live as long as those highborn.\" He shrugs as if he knows not which of these categories he would fit into himself.

Then in answer to the real question, Beregond replies with a slight chuckle, \"I will not miss the idle times at all, old friend, but still will I serve our Lord Steward Denethor II as he sees fit.\" Then he nods to the Sergeant, falling silent.

[Argamir(#27619)]

The man of the horse who arrived earlier now reveals his presence, stepping out of the blackness just besides Tamran, saluting to the two higher ranking officers in Gondorian manner, fist thumping against chest and a bow of the head. \"Evening sirs.\"

Orodroth smiles and says, \"Well said. It is little wonder why you have achieved much in the Citadel. Lately I have taken the command of this company and I ponder as to what order I should set it.\"

Tamran glances at the cable bars upon Orodroth\'s collar, \"Aye Commander. That is correct. Honored I am that my simple name has reached your ears. Good things I hope you have heard, Commander...I do not believe I have learned your name sir. My appologies for this.\" he says, clearly standing a bit taller. Again Tamran salutes the newly arrived officer but this times remains silent, turning his gaze on all three men.

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"Is it not already set in an order? Your commanding officer would not be pleased to hear of it were it found to be in dissarray,\" replies Beregond to Orodroth. He nods to the arriving lieutenant. \"I have not had a chance to speak with the retiring Captain. Who are his officers?\" Now does he lean upon his sword, relaxing a bit now that the formalities have been adhered to and there seem to be no more newcomers to the lists.

[Orodroth(#10108)] \"Most of them I have met,\" replies Orodreth. \"Yet as to order. It is true I have my orders, but I must see to the ordering of the watch. It is a tiring affair but must get done. Also, word has come lately that there will be many arrivals coming into the Great City. Is this true?\"

[Argamir(#27619)]

Argamir\'s gaze briefly falls on Tamran and he nods a greeting to his friend, before quickly returning his attention to the two commanding officer he has never met before.

Orodroth turns to Tamran and says, \"I am called Orodreth, newly given the command of the Raven. I have looked at the role and I see that the regiments are well ordered, so we shall carry on as before, save for some special training sessions I have cleared with the Tower.\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

With a nod, Beregond confirms the question, \"Aye. Many visitors. From all o\'er the land. But first we must get to the bottom of this madness that grips the lower city.\"

\"Well, then, Commander, who are my new officers?\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"The Raven, you say?\" asks Beregond, beginning to smile. \"Then you are one of my officers!\" He gives a hearty laugh.

[Argamir(#27619)]

Argamir steps forwards slightly, \"I believe I also am an officer under your command. I am Lieutenant Argamir of the Silver Horse Brigade,\" and he nods his head to seal his introduction.

Tamran nods, \"Aye, every day it gets worst. But a few nights ago, a man assaulted me...True I used a bit of force to contain him, but many warnings did he get...And with all the new people arriving, I fear that it will get worst. I searched the lower tiers but nothing did I find. I interogated the citizens there, but only fear that it is the doing of Dark One have they told me.\"

Then Tamran turns to Beregond, \"Taking the duties of Captain Rorgan you said said earlier? Then the Silver Ship must be under your command. If so I am also one of your officers.\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"Ah, yes, Leutenant Argamir. Of you I have heard, and the Sergeant Tamran, as well, though I knew not who you were when you were assaulted in the Hall of Wax,\" says Beregond with a nod. \"I am sorry that little sod got away, but iIt is an honor to meet such distinguished soldiers of yourselves. Which of you can brief me on this madness? How far has it chewed into our ranks, and what has been done about it?\"

Orodroth smiles and then says briskly explaining, \"I have yet to meet all of the officers, but I also know that the Lieutenant commanding the Raven is Ardanar. As for the Silver Ship...\" He glances at Tamran, \"Who is your Lieutenant?\"

\"An assault within the bounds of the city?\" says Orodroth. \"That is most strange and unheard of. It is like a black wind from the vale of the Morgai has set forth turning men to madness.\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"The man was mad,\" says Beregond flatly. \"Not in control of his faculties. We almost had him, too, but the Sergeant here got a little overexuberant with him and he was able to set my tabbard afire with a torch...\" He shakes his head. \"If I find him again, not even the flames of the Mountain of Fire will stop me from taking him under arrest.\"

[Argamir(#27619)]

Argamir glances back at Tamran, obviously not hearing about the assault. \"The officers have not been as effected as the men to my knowledge sir, I think the madness spreads only as far as the sergeants, if that high. It seems the extended companies, the Silver Horse and the Errand Riders are immune to the Plague to a degree sir, as only two of my men have been infected where I hear many more from the regular companies have been struck down.\"

\"Strangest of all is that it seems to be selective. Soldiers are hit more than the officers and the Silver Horse has been hit less than any other company. Citizens infected by this thing seem to come from the lower part of the city, for the most part that is. This is why I have been searching there.\" Tamran answers back to Beregond adding to what Argamir has said.

[Orodroth(#10108)]

\"This malady is like the plague of old,\" says Orodroth softly. \"This is no work of Men, but of the Enemy. Tell me, how many men have been afflicted thus far?\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

Eyes now firmly fixed upon the sergeant, Beregond asks, \"And what have you found there?\"

[Argamir(#27619)]

Argamir states again, \"Two of my company, and I believe only one Errand Rider has been found with the illness. One last talking with Captain Rorgan I was told ten in a hundred from the barracks, though now that number must have increased steadily.\"

Orodroth turns to Beregond and says, \"Commanding Officer Beregond. I suggest examining the barracks.\"

\"Nothing sir. Only talk of it being the work of the Nameless One. No sense does this make, but only a fraction of the people have we talked to.\" The Sergeant answers back, then turning to Orodroth, \"I am afraid the number has almost doubled since last week...\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"By the Valar!\" exclaims Beregond. \"So many!\" He shakes his head, looking down at the darkness surrounding his feet and the point of his blade. \"Then the Captain may not have retired voluntarily,\" he says, now raising his eyes to meet those of the other men. \"Surely this is the work of the Nameless One, but how could he poison the minds of so many at once?\"

[Orodroth(#10108)]

\"The Hand of the Enemy is long,\" says Orodroth slowly. \"Tis said that he can control the storms around the mountains about his own lands. Long is the history of the hate and power of the evil one and this is nothing compared to his strength of old. Yet, let us not be swift. Maladies may be cured. What do the healers have to say?\"

\"A dark wind, like most say? I doupt this, for if that was the case everyone would be effected, from the ones outside the walls to the ones in the White Tower itself.\" Tamran says slowly.

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"Aye, and the White Tower is nearly untouched by this malady. Like the Commander, I would be interested in what the Healers have to say of this plague,\" says Beregond.

\"That I do not know. Lady Kerowyn is in charge and she is one of the best healers in the land. She would be the one to ask, maybe she can at least narrow our options down.\" the young Sergeant says, directed at both officers.

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"The Silver Horse are barracked outside the city, are they not?\" muses Beregond.

\"Yes sir, to the North of the Great Gate. They have their stables nearby.\" Tamran says.

[Beregond(#19834)]

Beregond nods, rubbing his chin.

[Orodroth(#10108)]

\"Let us consult the healers Sir,\" says Orodroth. \"In the meantime, we will double the watch on this affair. There is not much more that can be done save to find any internal troubles.\"

\"I agree with Commander Orodroth.\" Tamran says, \"In the meanwhile, I will continue my investigation at the lower city, if your permision of course.\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"Granted,\" says Beregond. \"This is wise council, Commander, and one we shall follow. In the meantime, I shall also speak with the former Captain and learn what he has to say about these happenings.\"

Orodroth salutes, \"As you wish. In the meantime, I desire to speak with Ardanar who has prepared a report for me.\"

Tamran then slaps on a salute, stading straight, \"If you will excuse me sirs. It is getting late and I must get up early for duty at the Main Gate.\"

[Beregond(#19834)]

\"Very well, then. Dismissed,\" says Beregond with a nod to each, picking his sword back up. \"It seems that I shall have some thinking to do.\" He again eyes the pell pole, this time with a bit more relish.

With a nod, the Sergeant turns towards the dark road and begins to make his way down, walking into the dim light of the peacefull night.