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Old 05-04-2004, 08:41 AM   #188
Mithadan
Spirit of Mist
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Tol Eressea
Posts: 3,310
Mithadan is a guest at the Prancing Pony.Mithadan is a guest at the Prancing Pony.
Baran had enjoyed the reception immensely. The food had been very tasty and the wine very fine. He was also very impressed by Elessar, the King of Gondor. The King was well-spoken and had been familiar with the lands about the Carrock, allowing them to discuss his people from a base of common knowledge. The cheiftains of the Beornings would be pleased at the offers of trade which he had received as well. However, as it seemed that it would be some time before he returned to the north, he had suggested that Gondor dispatch an emissary to the Carrock to discuss these economic matters. Elessar had promised to send a representative to the Beornings when traders next travelled to Dale. "A fine man," thought Baran as he ambled back to the buffet tables. "And a fair ruler."

That had been a few days before. Now, it was late in the evening and he had spent many frustrating and tiring hours in the Library of Minas Anor that day, meandering through dusty trade records and the logs of vessels which had travelled to the south. These last were few in number and, by and large, many years old. It appeared that Gondor had not gotten along with its neighbors to the south for some time. Not surprising, considering the accounts of piracy by the corsairs of Umbar which he had come across.

He stretched and yawned mightily. The dim and close quarters of the library did not appeal to him. It was quite unlike the bright and airy chambers which held the records of Rivendell. As he rose, his stomach grumbled in annoyance. It was time to return to the Inn for a late dinner. Nodding to the librarian, who barely looked up as he passed, Baran made his way to the doors and the fresher air outside.

The library was located in the upper levels of the city, not far from the great hall where the reception had been held. Looking up, he saw a number of windows above him from which the flickering light of lanterns or candles could be seen. Even as he looked, one of the lights was snuffed as someone prepared for sleep. No doubt the quarters of the King and his family were among the rooms up above. He wondered briefly if the King was still awake before he continued on his way.

There were few people out and about in this level of the city. But as he reached the gate which led to the next circle down, two men walked past. They were cloaked and hooded in grey cloth and did not look at him as they walked by, intent upon some errand in the levels above. But as they passed, Baran paused and sniffed at the air. Some scent had reached his nose which, even in mannish form, was more sensitive than most. The odor niggled at him, familiar in some ways, yet at the same time strange and different. He glanced back at the two men. They did not turn and were soon lost to his sight, hidden by shadows. Baran shrugged and continued the long walk back to the Inn...
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