The Shadow over Rhudaur Part II. Intrigues and Sorcery.

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Cameth Brin, afternoon of October 22, 1347
Written by Rian
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Caelen leaned against the wall moodily, looking out at the blue sky traced with wisps of clouds. Last night and this morning had been awful - she never could lie well, and this keeping up of the pretence of being married and "expecting" was driving her to distraction. This morning was the worst - the well-meaning women smiling and laughing, trying to include the newcomer, not knowing that she was lying to all of them ... At least when Callon was there, she could just smile and remain quiet as she imagined a modest pregnant women would be around her husband, but being around only the women ... She had excused herself as soon as she possibly could, and amid calls of "Go lie down now, dear, you'll feel better in a month or so," forced herself to walk (how did pregnant women walk? Would her walk give her away?) instead of run down the hall to the fresh air outside.

She watched a bird flit across the sky and perch on the wall next to her, flicking its tail and turning its head to examine her with its bright eye. But the bird was not the only one watching her.

"I wish I could fly away with you," she said softly. The bird flicked its tail again and gave a little trill. "You have it easy - you can go wherever you want to ... " She stopped in mid-sentence as the shadow of a hawk darkened the courtyard and the bird flew swiftly for cover.

"I'm afraid none of us can truly do that, and the wise will acknowledge this and work with it instead of fighting it," said a lovely Elven lady as she walked quietly up to Caelen. "I'm sorry to have startled you, but we seem to have the same taste in quiet places! My name is Arinya, and I am the tutor to the Princess Tarniel. You must be Caelen, are you not?"

"I am, my lady," said Caelen, too startled to say more.

"Please, call me Arinya," returned the tutor.

"Even though it is no longer 'morning' here?" answered Caelen, recovering her wits and wishing the tutor to know that she was at least somewhat learned in Elven-lore.

"You have spoken truly, in more ways than one, Caelen - you are 'bright' indeed!"

Caelen looked down and blushed, pleased at the tutor's praise. "My mother taught us much - when she could get us off of our horses, that is! I resented it at the time, but now I'm so grateful! I love to read!"

"Do you have any of your mother's books with you? I would enjoy seeing them, as I love reading myself!"

Caelen stiffened and looked away, as memories of her mother's beloved books, charred and smoking in the ruins of their home, returned in a rush.

Arinya looked at her, intrigued. Most people would have tried to fill the awkward silence, but she remained quiet, willing the girl to continue.

Caelen looked up. "All of her books were burned in the fire that destroyed our home and took the lives of my parents and siblings," she said unevenly, not quite sure why she was confiding in this lady.

Arinya looked at her sorrowfully. "I'm truly grieved to hear that, Caelen," she said. Looking off into the distance, she added, more to herself than to Caelen, "We truly cannot go where we want to..."

Now it was Caelen's turn to be intrigued. However, Arinya did not provide explanations. Instead, she smiled again and said, "But right now, we can go where we want to - if you would like to go to my chambers and see my books, that is!"

Caelen smiled. "I would," she replied, and they walked off together - Caelen very glad to leave intrigues behind her, at least for the moment.


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Cameth Brin, afternoon of October 22, 1347
Written by Valandil
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Orefim assigned a servant to show Eryndil and his men the way to their new home. Deciding they needed to stretch their legs, Eryndil commanded his men to walk and lead their horses. They went out of the inner gate of the palace grounds and back into the outer part of Cameth Brin. About halfway to the outer gate, when the market was to their left, they took a right. Then they passed along their course, winding through streets in a succession of twists and turns that Eryndil soon lost track of. It was unusual for a Dunedain city to be laid out in this manner, rather than the usual orderliness - but in fact a Dunedain order had been imposed here, as much as was allowed by the wild contours atop this rocky place - without leveling the whole thing.

At last they reached the house. It was the fourth from the corner on its street and faced north, and all the houses about it had a similar look. It was tall (3 or 4 storeys above the Ground Floor) and narrow - but the buildings here had at least a little space between them, unlike those on the streets of Taneth Brin below, which were mostly built right up against each other.

Another man from Orefim had been sent ahead as a messenger to prepare the household for his arrival, so when they passed through the gates into a small front courtyard, all the household servants were assembled at the front steps: 4 men, 4 women and two small children as well (a boy and a girl).

The two senior servants stepped forward and bowing their heads, welcomed Eryndil to his home and introduced themselves. Soromo was the head servant. He was a good deal past 100 if a Dunedain (and he was, mostly), tall and slender with a look of dignity and reserve. His silver colored hair was combed straight back, and he was clean-shaven, and wore a long dark gown and usually kept his hands together over his chest, the five fingertips on one hand in constant contact with those on the other. Eryndil would later find that he had a son serving in the King's army in some other part of Rhudaur, but learned little more of Soromo's family at first.

The house-mistress was Soromo's opposite. Naneth by name, she was in her 50's and stout, less than half-Dunedain and rather less reserved or dignified. Her hair, in streaks of gray and fading red, was pulled back and tied in a bun in back. She wore a simple dress and a stained apron. Naneth was a widow and had two grown children - her son was the house lackey and she had no idea where her daughter was, for she had run off with some man a few years back.

Soromo introduced the other servants, all apparently of mixed heritage, to greater and lesser extents (mostly lesser Dunedain), but Eryndil couldn't keep track of all the names at first meeting. They were:

The other men:
* Borngol - the "jack-of-all-trades" that Soromo could usually rely on to get things done. In his late 40's or early 50's.
* The house lackey - the half-wit son of Naneth - strong-looking with blonde hair, in his early 30's
* A young stable hand - no more than 20

The other women:
* A cook who was a little more Dunedain than most, and very dark of complexion and hair. Maybe 40, but hard to tell.
* A maid with long hair. She was in her 30's. Soromo did not introduce the children, but they clung to her tightly, and Eryndil later learned that her husband had left her.
* A scullery maid in her mid-teens - she never spoke a word and was thought mute.

After the introductions, Borngol, the lackey and the stablehand led the horses through a narrow gate on one side of the house, while Soromo led Eryndil and his men through the front door, the other servants bringing up the rear. They passed through the vestibule and into the Gallery, then back through the house to the high Dining Hall, where a meal was set out for them. They were invited to dine before concluding the tour. The food had a flavor of the far south to it - meats and vegetables roasted with various spices and sauces, rice, goat cheese, rolled grape leaves and flat bread - more like what was served up in Umbar than even Gondor.

Eryndil's men were assigned to their quarters, and then Eryndil was taken through the remainder of the house. He selected a room at the front of the third floor to be his own - it had a high vaulted ceiling in front - for the part of the building that was four floors went back from behind there. It was really quite a spacious place, and Eryndil would later learn that Soromo and Naneth had run a boarding house from it before it was cleared out for Eryndil earlier this month by the King's command.

After completing his tour of the place by inspecting the servants’ quarters on the fourth floor, Eryndil went back to his newly chosen room on the third, and called for writing instruments. In a short time the maid came, with pen and paper, followed closely by the lackey with his bag – containing all his earthly possessions not on his person, and soon after by the cook, who bore a mug of water and some pastry on a plate. “Dessert, sir!” she said with a big smile, and departed along with the others in their turn.

So – Eryndil sat down to eat before sitting down to write. The pastry was beyond his experience (as much of the dinner had been), a flaky, multi-layered crust, with some crushed nuts and something else, he wasn’t sure what – the whole thing was just soaked with honey! He thought it was one of the best tasting things he had ever eaten!

His dessert finished, Eryndil turned himself to his pen and paper to write. But just then there came a tapping on the door.

“Yes?” called Eryndil.

“A message from the palace area for Sir Eryndil.” It was Soromo’s voice.

“Enter,” said Eryndil, rising and extending his hand to receive it. He wondered that some new word would come so soon. Soromo gave him the note and waited. Eryndil gave it a quick perusal and saw that it was from Callon. His insides felt knotted up and he realized his eyebrows were wrinkled and his mouth set. He turned to Soromo.

“The messenger who delivered this, is he still here?”

“Yes, Sir Eryndil.”

“Good – have him wait – and give him refreshment, please. I will call when I have made reply.”

Soromo departed, a bit less than satisfied, then Eryndil went slowly to his chair, sat and drew the letter back before his eyes to read it in full.


Greetings Good Sir Eryndil,
We hope that the final portion of your journey went well and you're getting nicely settled in here at Cameth Brin.
Honestly, our own ride here was somewhat troubling. We made it through the countryside alright, and the lower city, but on the last stretch, The King’s Road, no less – we saw the very men among whom we had fallen into, back on the road, and from whom you rescued us. They were part of the ragtag army setting up huts and shelters along the roadside there. They saw us too – and the looks they gave my sister again made me angry – almost beyond reason. And then, while your letter to the stablemaster on my behalf was well received, and I was given work here (and I thank you again for that), the other stable hands looked at Caelen in a way that left little doubt of where their thoughts were going.
Perhaps I acted wrongly, but I panicked, and told them that Caelen was my wife – and even that she was with child! I only wanted to protect her, and hoped that this little ruse would make everyone keep their distance from her.
It was probably not the wisest thing to do, but I have seen her treated terribly once now – and the clouds of similar treatment had long been over her head – which is why we were on the road in the first place. If it was your own sister, what would you have done?
Nonetheless, since you know the truth about us, that we are only brother and sister, I ask that you not reveal us.
I had hoped to tell you about this in person, but I was out exercising a team of horses when you came. Other duties call me now, but the servant who guided you to your new home offers to return there with my note to you.
Caelen and I have both enjoyed getting to know you thus far, and we truly hope we may see you regularly here in Cameth Brin.
Sincerely,
Callon

Eryndil read it over three times, and finally put it down in disbelief. So they were NOT married? They really WERE brother and sister! Or were they? He wasn’t sure WHAT to believe. Yes, yes – this MUST be true. He picked it back up and re-read they part about ‘why’.

After a few moments he paused and looked away, deep in thought. He needed to make some sort of reply, for sure. Besides, Soromo and maybe all the house would expect that he did – for he had said he would. So – he took up pen and paper at last, but for a different task than his initial intent.

Greetings Callon,
I have received your note, and this is what I think.
I advise against the course of action you have chosen. You deceive, and to deceive is wrong. Even when done to do what seems right, as you have in this case, the wrong always works its way back in, in unexpected ways.
However, I am not insensitive to the pressures you must have felt at the time – alone in a strange place, surrounded by what appeared to be hostile intentions.
Further, I will keep your confidence, and will not disclose the true nature of your connection with Caelen.
Lastly – I feel quite confident that we may see much of one another in Cameth Brin, and rest assured, that to do so will give me great pleasure.
Regards,
Eryndil

That done, he closed it up, sealed it with wax from a candle and wrote “Callon, Royal Stables” upon the outside, went to the door and called for a servant. Within two minutes, he was satisfied to watch the messenger emerge from the house into the front courtyard below, and thence to the street and on up toward the gate to the inner city.

Then he returned once more to his table and lowered himself slowly into his chair. He began to write once more – this time on his twice-delayed task:

Camglas son of Borlost,
Thane of Nandemar at Ostinand,
October 22, 1347

Father,
I have safely arrived at Cameth Brin. The horses you lent me are all well. I ask now a boon of you. My duties here may require horses of my own. I would purchase up to six of them from you, if I could. The King Tarnendur has generously agreed to pay 15 gold crowns for six of them. The rest, the other six of yours, and the three of your neighbor, I here return to you. I ask that you receive also the coin sent along with them, or else return 2 Ѕ crowns for each horse you keep, of the four ridden by my men. Two I have kept here.
Father – the King treats me well indeed. In addition to my pay, I am given the house built here in town by your great-grandfather, more than 200 years ago! Long ago we left it behind, and now it is restored to us!
More, the house is very spacious, and my pay exceeds my needs. Father – I urge you and mother to come, spend the winter here with me. Dornendur can handle things there for this winter, and you can return before time for spring planting. Bring Hendegil also – or send her, at least, if you will not come. But I hope you will come. It is long since I have spent a Yule with my family. I had hoped to do so this very year, at our long home. But now, that will not be – yet perhaps we can still spend it together – here in this, my new home.
The men who deliver the horses, the coins and this note are under orders to await your decision, and to escort you safely here, if you will come.
Your son,
Eryndil

Pleased with the thought of his family coming soon, Eryndil placed the letter inside the bag with the 15 gold crowns. Then he passed the word for Narwaith. In a short while he came, and Eryndil’s instructions to him were brief. He was to stay over and rest one more day, returning to Ostinand starting the day after next, bringing also Nimloss, Hithirion and Griblung. Eryndil outlined for him which two horses he should leave, which four they should ride, and which others to take, and that they were to deliver these other horses and this bag to Eryndil’s father, Thane Camglas of Ostinand. Eryndil outlined the contents of the letter within to Narwaith, and gave him instructions to wait and bring back his family if they would come.

Narwaith only questioned briefly the choice of horses, for one of those to be returned was the best of the lot, but Eryndil held firm. No need to explain how five years before, he and Hendegil had helped deliver that horse – and that it was still her favorite. She had parted with it five days ago for his sake, but now he would return it to her.

The instructions given, Eryndil led the way back downstairs, and went out through the back of the house, to visit the grounds behind. It was a narrow strip of land, but somewhat nicely laid out, for what space was there. It contained a few outbuildings, and at the very rear, a coach house and stable, the latter of which opened, as did a gate beside it, into a sort of alley-way that ran behind the houses on this block. Meanwhile, an impromptu celebration of sorts was under way, with the arrival of the new master to his home, and Eryndil’s rugged woodsmen getting acquainted with the household servants. Ceruvar had just retrieved his harp, a side of meat was set over a burning fire out of doors, with apples roasting near the coals. A couple of the servants had instruments of their own – the cook played a flute and one of the men had a contraption that made sounds when he pushed it together or pulled it apart. The children were running around and laughing. Only Soromo stood apart, silent.

It had been a good day – and was nearly done, for the sun was sinking toward the horizon, his writing had taken him so long. Tomorrow he would begin to learn his way around the streets of this new city, and take a look over the wall at the camp springing up along the King’s Road. Tonight – he would just enjoy.

But the image of a young maiden with auburn hair kept interrupting his more tranquil thoughts.



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Tanoth Brin, afternoon of October 22, 1347
Written by Valandil
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Amid all the hustle and bustle at the gate to Tanoth Brin, two old men made their slow, steady approach. Vagabonds, by the look of them - drifters, maybe displaced, trying to find a way to survive. One wore a cloak and hood of gray, the other of brown. The first may have been a good deal taller, but he slumped over so - as if loaded with a great weight. But in truth, they carried little to burden them.

And though all the others were allowed to pass freely, the guards stepped before these two and challenged them.

"Awright you two, move it along! We got plentya beggars in this here town already."

"Sir, you are mistaken," replied the one in brown. "We are not beggars."

"We have..." said the one in gray, haltingly, "family... in this place."

The guard who had spoken first scowled and sneered, but his fellow intervened, "Let them go in, Danion. They'll be no harm. And, if they indeed have family here..."

The guards let them pass, and the two entered the lower city with heads cast down. When they had walked a block or two past the gates, the one in brown spoke once more to the other. "We are here, Master. How shall we pass our first night in town?"

"I don't know, loyal Harma. What money we have will run out fast, if we stay at an inn every night. And we'll have to eat. We need to find work for our hands, I suppose. Oh - I wish for a good sword, but for too many years I've held no other steel than my own chains and shackles." Then he turned to face the other with a look of gratitude.

But his faithful companion was looking up toward Cameth Brin, towering over them.

"They say she's up there... Master."