[Nuranar]

Osse’s post

The introductions were over. The formalities had dissipated like smoke on the breeze, their true frailty clearly seen. Carthor could perceive a slight pause in the sturdy frame of his Captain, a great breath before the plunge.

“Very good. Now that I know all of you, I have a grave matter to discuss with you.”

Carthor’s mind stood suddenly alert, like some sentry who had been caught slouching lazily against the wall of his post, dreaming of malt beer, by his tyrannical lieutenant.

“As you probably know,” Hírvegil said quietly, “the Elves have gone after their kin, and Faerim with them. They left without divulging their real plans, only saying whither they were going. I need to know, in short, if any of you have any idea of what plans they have. If not, that is all well, but if so, I must demand that you speak now, for the political stability of the Dúnedain in exile is at stake. If you know nothing, then tell me what you know of Faerim and the Elves, for it may be an aid to my next plans to know their minds.”

Carthor had expected as much from his Captain, and his reply had been hot on his tongue. As the first syllables prepared to roll out his lips, Carthor hesitated. He realised that what he had been about to say was perhaps not true, he realised he knew little of Faerim’s motivations. His hesitation must have been noted in the room as Hírvegil’s probing tendrils of speech wrapped themselves around the women, Renedwen, who promptly burst into speech in his son’s defence. Carthor half listened, as he mused upon the real reasons of his son’s blind faith in the Eldar…

Thankful for, and not a little perplexed at, the ferocity of Renedwen’s defence of his eldest son, Carthor threw himself into the breach to ease her suffering at the hands of the incredulous and penetrating Captain of men.

“My lord Captain,” Carthor began strongly, “I know nothing of the Elves’ plight and only little of why my son would be involved … and only that through my own deductions.”

Hírvegil donned an air of intense interest, his head almost craning forward on his neck like some great bird as he absorbed all the information that was sent bounding into the fences of his attention.

“Faerim is a young man, eager to exceed expectations, brave, even foolhardy to some extent, much like we all are at such an age. My son however, is driven by loyalty – I can only suppose that our esteemed Elven comrades must have acted in a way as to instil a sense of loyalty, or even fealty in my son. For this I can speak neither for nor against, as I have been travelling, much apart from my desires, aside from the Rearguard and cannot speak of his doings, or of whom he corresponds with during these times.” Hírvegil smiled softly at Carthor’s words, yet his air of interrogating interest remained.

“However,” Carthor plunged on, “I must insist that it was his chivalrous and loyal nature that propelled him into this plight – traits the soldiery of the Rearguard are renowned for my lord, surely such a deed is commendable rather than worthy of reprimand?”

Hírvegil was as quick as a whip crack, landing on Carthor’s statement with the ferocity of a falling hawk, talons extended for the kill.

“You speak the truth Carthor, son of Harathor, loyalty and commitment are commendable attributes… when instilled in their proper institution. Has Faerim thought of his loyalty to his regiment? What of his comrades in the Rearguard, left forsaken? Or more importantly, his loyalty to his family? Do you not feel deserted Carthor? Has not your eldest son forsaken his family? His sightless brother? His loving parents?”

Carthor felt the bite of those talons, their glossy black lengths piercing his heart, finding therein what had previously gone unseen. He could find no reply.


Nuranar's post

"How dare you." Lissi's voice, low and menacing, cleaved the charged atmosphere. Hírvegil stared at her, visibly startled. "Your duty is to protect those under your command. When you fail, you do nothing to rescue them. Instead you seek the ruin of others." She stood straight and still. Her eyes flamed in the twilight.

The captain reassumed his dignified bearing. "And what is there to ruin? A disobedient boy?"

Lissi clenched her teeth, fighting to control the fury. "My son has disobeyed no one. He fought bravely in the front lines" - a pause and a coldly significant eyebrow - "and yet was never mustered in, nor his service acknowledged. You have no authority to command him. He saved this lady at great risk to himself. Who are you to question his motives?"

Her words stung a dull flush into the man's cheeks. Hírvegil strove to control his expression. "He deserted this people. This people and his own family!"

"He did nothing of the kind." Lissi's lips curved into an insolent smile, but her eyes glinted hard like ice. "You call rescue desertion? These people were taken from under your nose. You above all people should know the vital imperative of action. But you dawdled. Who would be content to abandon his kin while authority debates? You should have known what the Elves would do. And my son has gone where you feared even to send others. He is aiding those whom your responsibility is to protect. He is sacrificing him- "

For the first time Lissi's voice caught. Gathering tears glimmered in the lamplight, then she turned swiftly to her other son. "Come, Brander." Hand on his arm, Lissi left the tent, chin held high and without a glance for the captain.

The tent flap slid back into place with a soft swish. Hírvegil stood motionless in the silence. Renedwen, after one pointed look at him, rose quietly and exited. Carthor looked expectantly at Hírvegil, who yet did not speak. He rose to attention carefully, said, "Captain," bowed slightly, and followed the others' example.