A House Divided RPG

[Envinyatar]

The King apparently was in a foul mood. ‘He must have seen those reports of the ships lost just beyond the Bay in the recent storm.’ He had dismissed Gaeradan peremptorily, and then, possibly distracted still over the damage reports to life and vessel, had sent him a note about the dinner that Gaeradan had planned for tonight.

Gaeradan shrugged it off. The plans for the party were finalized. Cook had the menu and the staff well in hand. Eärnil, just this afternoon, had been briefed on court etiquette for the small formal dinner – where he was to sit, what subjects were permissible to be discussed, how he was to address the King and Queen, where Huan might lie, little proprieties that he must learn to fit comfortably into the milieu.

‘And where will you sit, Gaeradan?’ Eärnil had asked as he sat brushing the newly washed dog. ‘By me, I hope.’

Gaeradan reached out and ruffled the young boy’s hair affectionately. ‘So young,’ he thought to himself, ‘to have to already learn to be alone.’ He smiled at Eärnil. ‘It is likely you will be placed near the King, who will sit at the head of the table. Since I am not part of the family, I will not be sitting down to eat with you. In fact, I will not be at this dinner tonight. I have something to do which must get done tonight.’

Eärnil’s face brightened. ‘May I come with you?’ His face fell again when Gaeradan shook his head ‘no’. ‘You have obligations tonight, Eärnil, as do I.’ He reached out and stroked Huan’s head. ‘You take good care of your Master tonight, Sir Dog.’

‘Andrus will serve in my place tonight, Eärnil. He’s another of the King’s aides. Keep your eyes and ears open while you’re at dinner. Then tomorrow tell me all you saw and heard.’

Gaeradan went back to his room and changed into some plain clothes. He drew his old cloak on, and buckled his worn leather scabbard beneath it, well out of sight. Locking his room securely, he slipped down the back passageways, and out through a not often used gate in the southern wall of the garden. His long strides took him down dusty back streets toward the small harbor and the Inns that served the docked ships’ crews.

[ August 09, 2003: Message edited by: Envinyatar ]