[Nerindel]

Korpúlfr

A thunderous knock abruptly woke The young Maenwaith Merchant from his sleep and he was dismayed to see that he had yet again fallen asleep at his desk, “Hmm two nights in a row!” he wearily sighed, gently rolling his neck and rubbing at his shoulder muscles in an attempt to work out the stiffness he now felt. Again came the knock, louder and with much more urgency attached to it. “Come” he called, still rubbing at his stiff muscles.

“Ah, Hasrim” he started but seeing the grim seriousness reflected in his cousin‘s eyes he stopped, letting his hand slowly drop from his neck.

“What’s happened?” he asked gesturing for the older man to take a seat, Hasrim refused with shake of his head, “There is not time, you must listen.” Frowning Korpulfr nodded and gestured for him to continue.

“Not knowing what form Tinar would assume to follow our guests, I choose to follow instead the trail of the Gondorians and their escorts, knowing that if I followed them I would eventually find the boy,” Hasrim quickly explained. Korpulfr nodded seeing the logic in his cousin’s choice and continued to listen as his older cousin went on.

“It seems that after leaving here they took a walk to the Bazaar, where they seemingly gave their inebriated guards the slip. Their trail then became lost in the crowd but I managed to picked it up again heading north, I assume thinking they would reach the docks. However, they took the wrong turning and ended up travelling south. This is were I picked up another trail the paw marks of a dog defiantly following those of our guests, “ Hasrim Paused, looking up at him for confirmation that the paw prints would have been those of young Tinar. Korpulfr nodded thoughtfully, “Yes, Tinar does from time to time take the form of a sandy coloured mongrel.”

Confirmation received Hasrim continued, “Here they ran into a little trouble, Bandits most likely, but they seemingly had no problem in dispatching all three, before moving on back the way they had come. It was then that I saw the smoke rising from the direction of the docks.” Again Korpulfr nodded his head, “Yes we too saw the smoke and witnessed the escape of the Gondorian ship, but if what you say is true then the captain and his first mate where not aboard.”

“No they're not!” Hasrim continued darkly, “I continued to follow their trail, back towards the market, to an inn… the Cats Paw, were it seems they acquired some camels and headed out of the city towards the caves just north of here.”

“And Tinar?” Korpulfr prompted.

“I lost his trail, he must have shifted to another form,” his cousin replied shaking his head regretfully. “I search for over an hour but to no avail. With the dawn fast approaching, I decided to return, knowing that with the fire at the docks Falasmir would send his men here and that any sudden absence would be looked upon with suspicion.”

“You did the right thing cousin,” Korpulfr assured. “However I do not believe that Tinar’s foolhardiness will sit well with his mother and as he was our guest some of her irritation will undoubtedly fall on us. Hasrim solemnly nodded his head in silent agreement.

“I do not know what the boy could have been thinking going off into the desert without so much as a by or leave and with no food or water how far does he expect to get!” Hasrim snapped irritably.

“If the Gondorians have any sense they will make for the Harad road and leave these lands as quickly as possible and with any luck Tinar will see this and return immediately.” Korpulfr reasoned, but Hasrim did not agree, “Their tracks indicated that they were searching for something or someone!” he said shaking his head ruefully.

“Damn!” Korpulfr snorted, his patience finally spent; he slammed his hands down heavily upon his desk. “Then I will have to go to the palace and inform Wyrma personally of this recent development, and hope that I catch her in a decidedly better frame of mood than I currently find myself.” he said, looking up from his desk where he was carefully contemplated his next move.

Before his cousin could offer an opinion on the matter the door to his office burst open admitting a large burly dark skinned man wearing the livery of Lord Falasmir‘s personal Guards and behind him were several others, he watched as the decidedly smaller figure of Asrim irritably pushed his way past the larger men.

“I tried to stop them,” he offered apologetically, “But they were most insistent!” he continued looking frostily at the lead guard, who was obviously their captain and who he had just noticed was standing with his sword in hand.

“We are here by orders of Lord Falasmir!” the Captain put in authoritatively.

Korpulfr shook his head as if not understanding and the captain continued, “Lord Falasmir would like to have a word with you concerning your dinner guests of the previous evening.”

“The Gondorians?” Korpulfr asked still seeming confused. But the captain simply nodded offering no more on the matter and stood waiting for him to conceded to his Lords request.

“What is this about?” Korpulfr prompted.

“You mean you have not heard?” the Captain replied his eyes narrowing, watching him suspiciously.

“Know what?” he asked impatiently, looking to Asrim who he knew would play along.

“Again I must apologise cousin I was just coming to tell you about the attack on the docks when these gentlemen arrived,” he replied giving the captain another condescending look.

“Attacked! But by who… oh, wait a minute you don’t think that…. Oh, no they seemed so friendly and forth coming regarding our trading propositions.” Korpulfr finished feigning disappointment.

“We don’t think, we know!” The Captain scowled darkly, obliviously annoyed that he seemed more concerned about losing a profitable business deal than the destruction and loss of life at the docks.

“Oh, this is terrible, I will off course help in anyway that I can!” he offered.

The captain nodded obviously satisfied with this reply, “Then you will not mind if a few of my men remain to question your household !” he said as Korpulfr reached for his jacket, his tone of voice implying that it was not a question but rather a statement of fact. Korpulfr nodded accordingly, eyeing the captain suspiciously, “I do hope you are not implying that any of my people had any thing to do with the Gondorians unprovoked attack on the city, I assure you that when they left they were in the capable hands of several of your own guards!”

“Off course not!” the large man hissed though gritted teeth, “It is purely a procedure as you and your people were the last to see these traitors before their utterly unprovoked attack!” the captain barked utterly incensed by Korpulfr's reminder of his mens failure.

Korpulfr nodded accepting the captains assurances, “Then be my guest, neither myself or any of my household have anything to hide,” he said putting on his jacket and then turning to Hasrim he told him to make sure that everyone gave their full cooperation to the captains men. But his eyes gave a warning that every Maenwaith knew well, one that told the beholder to remain cautious.

Turning Korpulfr confidently left the room allowing Falasmir’s captain to escort him to the palace through the smoky haze that seemed to blanketed the city in the aftermath of the Gondorians attack.