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Old 03-04-2004, 05:37 PM   #128
Nerindel
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The growing midmorning heat did nothing to improve Korpulfr's mood as he leaned against the side of his cart, darkly observing the two Haradrim who indiscriminately searched through his wares. Trying to distract from his annoyance he contemplated how he could breach the subject of the captains interest in his people without giving himself away, He played several scenarios in his head but they all lead to revealing his true nature, if it were only him he would just have it out with the captain and demand to know what he wanted with his people, but it was not he had others to think about and their safety meant more to him than his own. frustrated he kicked the wheel of the cart and turned his frustration on the two guards.

"Are you not finished yet!" he bellowed, "I am a busy man and have other delivers to make, I can't afford to stand about here all day waiting for you to find what ever it is you think you are expecting to find!"

"It is Fal...." one of the guards began, but Korpulfr sharply cut him off, "I do not care who's orders they are, I'm unloading this cart now! regardless of if you are finished or not!" he nodded to the three young men who sat upon the cart, who moved immediately and began untying the ropes that secured the cargo. the two guards look at each other unsure what they should do, "You are welcome to stay and observe, then you will see that we have nothing to hide!" Korpulfr suggested, exasperatedly rolling his eyes. A tap on his shoulder spun him about and there stood Hasrim nodding in the direction of the Gondorian ship, He turned to see the Captain and his first mate step onto the ships deck.

"I still think I should come with you!" Hasrim counselled, stroking his dark beard as he regarded the Gondorian ship and it's crew with distrust and suspicion. Korpulfr contemplated the mans offer for a moment, then hearing a commotion behind him he turned once more. One of his helpers had gotten into a disagreement with one of the guards over opening one of the chests, he knew now were the warrior would be needed. "I think my friend that it would be best if you remain here, with so many of Falasmir's men about and the growing heat, I dare say this will not be the first disagreement that will need defusing." Watching the ensuing argument between the young meanwaith and the haradrim soldier, heavily Hasrim nodded his understanding and moved off to defuse the dangerous situation.

Pulling at the neck of his tunic he walked confidently towards the gangplank, giving a dark look to the Umbarian guards standing either side, as he passed. "Hello, there!" He called as the reached the top of the plank. A tall dark haired man standing on the raised bridge turned and walked towards him, "Can I help you?" he asked pleasantly.

"Yes, thank you, My name is Korpulfr, I did a little business with your first mate last night and I bring the agreed order," he replied gesturing to the unloading of the cargo below. "I require to see your Captain so that he may sign for his delivery, that is if he is presently available!" he continued watching as the mariner looked down on the four men unloading his cart. With a nod the sea man gestured for him to come aboard.
"My name is Ardil and I am the Helmsman of the Lonely Star." The man grinned proudly in way of greeting, gesturing the ship and its crew, "If you will follow me I will see if the captain is presently disposed!" Kor returned the mans smile with own of his own and nodded his thanks and assent. As he followed the helmsman across the deck he became uncomfortably aware that several eyes followed his course, and as he looked around he noted that nearly all the crew like their captain and first mate were decidedly tall, making him feel quite small in comparisment for a moment he even regretted his decision to leave Hasrim on the dock. But as they stopped before an intricately carved wooden door directly below the main bridge, the confidence with which he was noted returned and he pulled himself straight.

"If you will wait here I will see if the captain is available." the man named Ardil said, then with a courteous nod he opened the door and slipped inside. Kor relaxed slightly and had a look around his immediate surroundings. The door that he stood before was flanked either side by small flights of wooden stairs that lead up to the main bridge, he stared in awe at the intricate carving of stairs banister, as he stepped back he saw that the banister went up one side across the front of the bridge and down the other side. The bridge itself was almost as impressive, a few feet behind the banister sat the helm, a large wooden wheel with gold inlay, then behind that to the aft was the ships main mast, which towered into the blue sky, squinting he could just make out the crows nest above the three sail arms from which hung the large, white, square sails, he could almost imagine them billowing in the sea breezes.

Turning about he now looked on the main deck, several young men had mops in hand and were... how would they put it?.... ah yes! swabbing the deck, while others helped to load and store the on coming cargo, to the fore was another mast not quite as high as the other, but impressive none the least, but instead of it's sails being square like the ones to the aft, they were triangular in shape and Kor found himself wondering if the difference in shape served to afforded the vessel with a little more speed, he was just about to stop one of the crew and ask that very question, when he was remained of Tinar and how disappointed the lad had looked at not being able to accompany him to the ship, then the eagerness of the three young men he had brought along, they would have plenty to ask the sea captain if they got the chance and perhaps at ease the captain himself would pose a few questions of his own.

"Let them come to you!" he laughed quietly to himself as an idea formed in his mind.

Hearing a small click behind him he turned back towards the door, and from behind came the captain, the first mate Airefalas, the helmsman Adril and one other he had not yet made aquantiance with. The helmsman nodded courteously and resumed his position on the bridge.

"Good day to you sir, I do not believe we where introduced, my name is Mithdan Captain of The Lonely Star, I believe you have meet my first mate, Airefalas." the captain said indicating the man to his left, "Indeed I have had that pleasure," he smiled in reply affording the first mate a courteous incline of his head. "And this fine gentleman to my right is my second, Saelon." The captain continued, introducing the second man. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," He smiled extending his hand, which the man took in a firm but friendly grip, but he did not miss the hint of suspicion in the man's eyes.

"As I am sure that your helmsman and first mate have already informed you, my name is Korpulfr a Spice and Silk Merchant of the city, I have brought the delivery agreed upon by Airefalas here, no doubt at your request, and now I look for your signature upon a receipt of delivery," he said pulling the vellum scroll from his coat pocket and handing it to the captain.

Mithdan scanned the receipt, then handed it to Airfalas who looked over it and nodded that all was as agreed, he then handed it back to his captain, "You understand that we will have to check this with the cargo that comes aboard, before I can sign it?" the captain stated. "Of course! of course! I would expect no less," Korpulfr exclaimed with a smile. "My men are loading as we speak, see!" he continued gesturing to the four olive skinned men who with the help of some of the star's crew where carrying several heavy chests aboard.

With little prompting the three Northerners followed him to the shipment, "In the chests are the silk rolls," he told them, then in his own Clans dialect he asked one of his men to open the nearest chest so that the captain and his men could see the fine fabrics carefully stored within. "These chests once sealed are air tight to protect against damage from the salt of the sea air, the spices as you will see have been stored in barrels sealed in a similar manner." he explained. As he bent down to close the chest the wooden figure that hung about his neck slipped out from his shirt, quickly trying not to look too concerned he slipped it back and rose, stepping back to allow Mithdan and his two mates to examine the shipment for themselves.

After several minutes and quiet discussion with his companions the captain turned to him smiling and nodding satisfied. "Well all seems to be in order, It seems my first mate has a keen eye, I have never seen such exquisite fabrics, the lady's of Gondor will be clambering over each other to get their hands on such finery."

Korpulfr smiled proudly at the captains praise of his wares and saw the opening he had been waiting for. "If you would like we could discuss arranging a regular shipment, in fact if you are not setting sail today I would be honoured if you and your two friends here would join me tonight for evening meal?" even as he issued the invitation he could sense Hasrim looking up utterly shocked, but he knew the maenwaith would quickly cover. Saelon and Airefalas looked at each other then to their Captain who stood thoughtfully considering his offer.

"It will not be anything as elaborate Falasmir's table I'm sure, we are a desert people by birth and still hold to some of our traditional way's, but you are most welcome, though..." he paused for a second trying to find the right words, "Your escort may be a problem, there are old ills that are not yet forgotten between the soldiers of Umbar and the desert people of my household" he finally said, nodding his head indicating a heated disagreement ensuing between one of his men and one of the captains assigned guards, with a quick look to his cousin he sent him to defuse the situation, while he turned his attention back to the captain.

"I am sorry, but if you do choose to take up my invitation they would only be permitted to escort you as far as the courtyard, I hope you understand, It is my responsibility to look after the welfare of my household. he sighed regretfully.

"No I understand completely, I have similar obligations." Mithdan answered, "If you just let me find some ink with which to sign your paper's then I will return with them and my answer, feel free to let your young friends look about, I'm sure the crew will answer any questions they may have!" The captain laughed noting the awed look in his young loaders eyes as they gazed about the ship.

"Thank you." Kor nodded as the three men took their leave.

The three young maenwaith men took full advantage of the Captains offer and posed numerous questions to the crew, what things were and how they worked, none of them had ever been on a ship before, but it did not deter their enthusiasm or curiosity. Korpulfr grinned as he watched their youthful exuberance, momentarily forgetting his distrust, until Harsim pulled him violently back to reality.

"What are you thinking inviting these people to eat with us, are you forgetting that one of them has openly asked about our people," Harsim asked in their own tongue.

"No! I have not forgotten cousin, but look! our enemies are all about us, If I am to find out why they are interested in our people, I would much rather it be on my own ground and under more relaxed circumstances. do you see!" he answered calmly, trying to make it seem to any that may be watching that they were engaged in casual conversation.

"Yes, cousin, please accept my apologies." Korpulfr shook his dark head, "Your apology is not needed my friend, your concern for your people is nothing to be sorry for, collect the others and ready the cart, we will be leaving shortly." he grinned indicating the return of Mithdan and his mates. Hasrim nodded and went to carry out his cousins request, while he waited to see if the sea captain would take the bait and accept his offer.
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