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The guards did not question the packs which Mithadan and Airefalas were carrying, but instead escorted them quickly from the palace and turned south towards the great market. As darkness fell around them, the guards moved closer to their charges, peering into the shadows as they walked with hands on the hilts of their swords. The Gondorians trudged along in silence for several minutes, wrapped up in their thoughts. Then Mithadan spoke rapidly to Airefalas in Quenya. "You are schooled in the high Elf tongue, are you not?" he asked.
"Of course," answered Airefalas with a sidelong glance at Mahat who walked next to them.
Mithadan turned to Seft and the other guards as they strode along the stone-paved street. "And you," he asked in the same tongue. "Do you speak the language of the High Elves?" The guards looked at one another in confusion for a moment before Seft responded in Westron. "Uh, what did you say?"
Mithadan laughed and raised a hand in apology. "I am sorry," he said, switching to the common tongue. "I asked if Korpulfr's house is much farther." Seft nodded. "Just a few more minutes," he replied. "The desert-dweller lives on the outskirts of the market, just uphill from where the stalls begin." The guard looked about again as if he did not approve of the location of Korpulfr's dwelling.
Switching back to Quenya, Mithadan spoke again to Airefalas. "If no earlier opportunity presents itself, after dinner we will demand to wander the shops. If we cannot loose them, well, their...disappearance will not be mourned there." Airefalas nodded with a grim smile.
A few blocks from the market's main thoroughfare, the guards directed them towards the east onto a narrow street where several large houses stood. They approached a gate at which two young men stood with spears in their hands. "Tell Korpulfr that his guests from Gondor have arrived," growled Mahat to one of the men. He nodded and escorted the party into a courtyard where they were met by four other armed men. "Welcome!" said one, who Mithadan recognized as a companion of Korpulfr's from the morning. "I am Hasrim. You are expected. Dinner will be ready soon." He bowed before the Gondorians before turning to the guards. "You may wait here," he continued as he gestured towards a bench before the door of the house. "We will send you food and drink shortly."
"We will accompany the northerners," said Mahat angrily. "We are charged with their safety!"
"They will be safe here," replied Hasrim curtly. "This is not the house of Falasmir and you may not enter. You know our rules. No men at arms are allowed within. This would be the case even if Falasmir himself were our guest."
"We go with the Gondorians or we leave with them," cried Seft with a hand on the hilts of his sword.
"Peace," laughed Mithadan. He unbuckled his sword from his belt and leaned the scabbard against the wall. Airefalas followed suit. "We will come to no harm here," he continued. "We have not paid the trader for his goods yet. If he slays us he will never get his money."
Hasrim blinked at this, doubting Mithadan's words, but remained silent. "Come now," said Airefalas with a smile. "Korpulfr would not dare to allow harm to come to us in the midst of Falasmir's city. We are friends here. Let us dine in peace and we will send out the finest wine to you even if we pay for it ourselves. In fact, Hasrim, have two bottles brought out now in a gesture of peace!" Hasrim paused, then nodded grudgingly. A quick word to one of the men was passed and in a moment two bottles were brought forth with cups for the guards. "We'll have more sent out," said Mithadan with a smile. "We promise."
Mahat sniffed dubiously at his cup, then sipped at it. After a moment he nodded. "Very well," he said gruffly. "But if our guests are harmed you and your master will be held accountable!"
"Of course," answered Hasrim with a mock bow. Then he escorted Mithadan and Airefalas inside. The house was large and well-appointed. Ornate rugs and tapestries hung on the walls and the sorridors were broad and airy. The Gondorians were brought to a wide hall in which a large table was set. The scent of spices and cooked meats filled the room. At the head of the table sat Korpulfr, who rose as his guests entered...
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