[piosenniel]

Nerindel's Post

Ghurdan soon grew bored of the inn, there was no entertainment to be had this night and the company staying at the inn kept to their rooms, He ate the inns poor excuse for a meal and some of it's substandard ale, before joining in a game of cards with some of the locals, but he gained no satisfaction from beating these villagers and taking their money.

Just then, an out of breath warrior burst into the inn "Captain!" he cried trying to catch his breath, Ghurdan recognised him as one of his crew but he could not recall the name. "What is it?" he hissed pulling the man to a dark corner of the inn. "Sammael" he puffed, Ghurdan glared at the middle aged man "what has he to do with me!" he demanded, "He killed Arun !" the man before him spat. Now Arun was a name Ghurdan remembered, the blood thirsty young man had killed many Gondorian soldiers in their last mission for the eye.

"how did this happen?" Ghurdan fumed Rufan proceeded to inform Ghurdan of the events leading to Aruns death in great detail, not daring to embellish the truth under his captains dark watchful gaze, "The crew are calling for blood?" he finished. "no doubt they are !" he chuckled, but they are to do nothing, the crew man looked at him incredulously "that's an order. Ghurdan shot warningly "I, will deal with Sammael" the man, now wearing a wicked, almost knowing grin, nodded his head curtly and headed back to camp.

Ghurdan finished his ale in one gulp and made his way swiftly across the inn and through the door that lead to the inns guest rooms, he found Sevora's room and knocked sharply on the door, As expected Rahvin opened it, he did not speak but simply waited for Ghurdan to tell him what he wanted. past him Ghurdan could see Dristi slumped on the ground holding her neck. 'Sevora has just dealt out her punishment' he thought pleased that he may have caught Sevora in the right fame of mood for what he was about to ask.

"I wish to speak with our dark mistress, but if she is otherwi...." "No, no " Sevora grinned coming to the door herself, "Dristi was just leaving " She said shooting the priestess a cold look as she left. he could not see Dristi's eyes as she tried to pull the collar of her robes higher to hide the burn marks around her neck. "Come in Black Heart, have a seat" she grinned gesturing to a wooden stool that sat under one of the wooden ceiling beams, Looking from the beam to the stool to the pieces of rope still lying on the floor he decided instead to just stand.Both Sevora and Rahvin seemed to find this highly amusing, but he went on "A great injustice has been delivered to me this night!" Sevora raised an eyebrow in interest "how so ?" she asked nonchalantly "One of my crew has been murdered by another of our company”

Sevora's eyes widened with glee "and you wish me to punish the murderer" "No, oh great one to the eye, I humbly request that I be allowed to deal out a punishment of my own choosing." Sevora was curious, nearly all Ghurdans punishments resulted in death. she fixed him with a steely gaze and in a commanding voice she said "Do not kill them, we will need every warrior we have, if we are to meet any resistance." Ghurdan nodded curtly and went on, "I mean not to kill them, but to abject them to a little humiliation to appease my blood thirsty crew, who cry for revenge." Yes, I see" she sneered, realising the problems that would occur if Ghurdans crew revolted.

Ghurdan was pleased that this conversation was so far going well, but then the question he had not wanted to answer came, "So who and what caused this incident?" Sevora asked him, her eyes shining with anticipation of the answer, "Sammael, Zasfal and the murdered man Arun had a disagreement during a game of cards, It was Sammael that murdered Arun." he answered carefully, he did not include the reason of the disagreement for he knew that if Sevora knew of Sammaels dislike for her Sacrifice she would surely wish to punish the young man herself. He watched as the priestess mulled over his words "Very well ," she said at last. Grinning Ghurdan made to leave, "As long as Rahvin aids you in your punishment" she added coldly. Ghurdans grin dropped abruptly at her words and as she started to chuckle he realised that she had played with him once more. "Very well " he said curtly and turning to Rahvin he added "Come to my tent Before the others awake". Bowing respectfully to Sevora he left.

He already knew how he was going to punish the pair, yes he was going to punish Zasfal for his part too, he had all ready warned him but it had obviously not sunk into his thick skull, so he was left with on other recourse. As he walked back to the Camp he saw Thorgoms tent and his thoughts turned to the tribes people they would soon face, This man could tell him much of how these people fight, so he made his way quietly to Thorgoms tent with the intent to question the large tribal man, But as he reached it he heard voices inside:

"You don't approve of these sacrifices do you?"
"no".
"I don't either. It is a cruel fact that has no use. She could have done much more use instead of dying. Here father was even worse. He sold his daughter and that is why he deserved to die. If she hadn't given the order he would have got the axe anyway. What I just want to tell you, for some reason you look like a decent man and I would be eager to follow you. I don't trust any of these man here, they would sell their own mother if it was profitable to them. When the time is there, I'll watch your back."

Ghurdan had heard enough, once out of ear shot of the tent he laughed, "Thanks for the warning old man" and slipped silently into his tent, a few of his men where there waiting of his return, he glowered at them, telling them only the he would require six of the strongest among them to return before first light with the heavy ropes. "Now leave me" he ordered sharply.


Ghurdan was awake long before the sun started to rise, the six crew soon arrived with the rope, followed almost at once by Rahvin, He told each of them what he required of them turning last to Rahvin, "Seeing as you believe Zasfal to be foolish you can punish him, in the same way off course," he said emotionlessly.

Rahvin and two of the six crew made their way silently to Zasfal's tent, as Ghurdan and the other Four went to Sammaels, " is someone watching the tribesman's tent" He whispered to the large man beside him, who nodded his affirmation. So with the first ray's of the sun piercing the horizon they entered Sammael's tent swords already drawn.

Sammael and Damodred woke up immediately reaching for their weapons, But the four crewmen surrounded Domodred, their swords wavering level with his throat, "What is the meaning of this !" Sammael demanded waving his dagger threateningly at Ghurdan. "I do not believe you are in a position to demand anything" Ghurdan said calmly, and as he did one of the crew men lowered his sword to Damodreds heart, Seeing this Sammael reluctantly lowered his dagger.

"You are the one who committed a crime and you are the one to be punished" he said coldly to Sammael, " "Take the other one out of here!" he ordered " and he is not to be harmed, but he is not to interfer. he said looking again to Sammael. He could feel Damodred looked to Sammael, who nodded curtly. "Now are you going to remove your weapons or am I to remove them for you.

Sammael raised his dagger in defiance, but Ghurdan just made one swift stroke, Sammael began to laugh at Ghurdans obvious miss but stopped as his belt and Scimitars fell to the ground, He did not try to kill him only disarm him as he had said. He knew that if he reach for his scimitars he would be vulnerable to any attack Ghurdan made, so instead he advanced on Ghurdan wielding his dagger, the pair parried blows for a short while, Sammael lunging once or twice, but Ghurdan was quick and as Sammael lunged again Ghurdan grabbed his wrist and turning around behind him, pulled his arm up his back until he eventually dropped the dagger. And then with his sword under Sammael's chin he calmly walked him from the tent, were two men hurried to bind Sammael's hands tightly infront of him, "It's nothing personal" he whispered darkly in Sammaels ear as he led him to the back of the cart.

As they got there they could see Rahvin tying Zasfal to the back of the cart, Ghurdan did likewise with Sammael, then he jumped up on to the back of the cart to address the now gathering warriors. "These two men are to be punished for their crimes, They are to stay bound until nightfall without food or water and anyone found aiding them will be punished likewise " He growled, deliberately directing the last words to Damodred and Thorgom.

Ghurdan returned to Sammaels tent and picked up his weapons, As he had expected Damodred had followed him, "I had to do it" he said not caring if the older man believed him or not "you do not Kill a member of your crew and not expect the men to want recompense!" he slowly turned to face Damodred, the older man was considering his words. Ghurdan held out Sammaels weapons, "He will still need these" he said handing the weapons to Damodred. Also you should advise your young friend to be more careful with his tongue if The Red Flame had heard his words regarding the sacrifice he would have had more to deal with than a little humiliation.

Within an hour the camp was packed up and ready to leave, Sevora, Dristi and Naramarth returned shortly afterwards and ordered them to leave, with Zasfal And Sammael still tied to the back of the cart.

[ July 20, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]