Legacy of Traitors RPG

[Everdawn]

"My lady, I know this really isn't my place, but why are you hunting down Guriel? Are you truly doing all this just so you can kill him? It seems so very unlike your character, well, from what I know of you, at least." he waited anctiously for Maén's reply.

Maén cast her eyes to the ground and rolled up the sleeve of her tunic to revel the burn scar. "I was eight years old." she explained, "My father came home changed... so greatly, I was going through his letters and he found me and I fell into the fire, It was as if he was taken over by some other force. It has been my conclusions that Guriel did this to him. He betrayed my family, most of the Il Galoths are dead, the Dorianseds all gone and the Troyaeganeas are but a few women remaining. Three of the greatest houses of military splendor of old, three dynasties all but gone. Its deeper than a childhood accident Aleimur, much more. Whats worse is that the state has betrayed us as well." she was frowning.

"My character is not as it should be, it has not been so for a very long time, Its not nice living in the shadow of a traitor, less nice living with the fact that your house regrets you werent born a man. Thats what I have to be to be myself. Im sure that you have not met many noble women who would love nothing more than to be educated in the courts or eat meals with the servants to aviod conversing with their own family." she gave a sly smile before rolling the arm of her tunic up again. They were joined by Roryn.


“Would you like me to keep an eye on Carathir, My lady?” Roryn questioned, steering his steed beside hers, seeing her puzzled expression and he having glimpsed it himself.

“No” Maén shook her head warily “He’s harmless, after all why should I be afraid of him, he means well. He’s harmless you’ll see, he owes my Aunt everything .” Roryn nodded and went to ride off before Maén grabbed his arm and in a low voice spoke. It is not an honourable way to die, to wish openly for death and seek it upon my foe. I will tell you this, If you go to seek him out as you have done so with me, he might well kill you. You saw what he did to my clan, he would do away with us easily enough. I know what it is to want to perish and to disappear, keep faith, perhaps you will meet your end yet. The only ones who will think there is honour in it is the State. But to die at the hands of a traitor? No, the honour lies in the deed itself, you kill him and you will have glory, then perhaps you will wish for death no longer.” There was a look of grim satisfaction and contradicting enjoyment upon her face.

“I understand my lady, as complex as we are as creatures, I still feel that there is something more sinister behind you fair face Lady Il Galoth.” Roryn laughed now a few paces ahead of her.

“That may be Ranger of old, but in the end aren’t we all doomed?” a smile crept into the corners of her mouth.

“Valar Help Guriel when you come to pass judgement on him Miss Il Galoth.” Cried Ferethor from behind.

Maén looked around Ï don’t intend to pass judgement, I did that a very long time ago. What I intend Mr Ferethor, is to bring his head to Elessar in a box.” Several were slight looks about the company. “I apologise for my conduct gentlemen, It was uncalled for and highly morbid, and highly different to what the other feathered peacocks of the Gondorian court would express.” she rolled her eyes.

In the distance Maén could hear the steady rush of water and the squawking of waterbirds catching fish- It told her that they had finally reached the Barge crossing of the Anduin. It was further south of Gondor, but still on the west bank of the Anduin, one of Elessars innovations since the end of the war was to make both banks accessible readily to passing travellers.

“Ïve never been this far east before.” Maén announced, “Ive been plenty far West, my Aunt Diera Troyaeganeas (my mothers sister) she resided in Dol Amroth, I was about seven during the war (maybe I was six?) anyway, it was to escape the immediate danger of Minas Tirith. Aunt Diera lost her husband and her five sons, they were slaughtered by Guriel’s ambush. They weren’t Il Galoths but they were married into the clan. The Il Galoths were the most prominent though. All the same, you get the general idea.” She cast her eyes downwards. “Its very important to me that we get this traitor. I care little or nothing for the legacy.” Maén snapped her head up again “Come, this shant take long” and this was said almost merrily. She lead the company down the the cool waters edge and to the jetty where the barge was settled.

“This is the right way isn’t it?” She asked the company.

“ It is Lady Il Galoth” Offered Idruil.

Maén took a deep breath, “Good”she strained her eyes against the light which reflected off the water and nodded Hittai onto the jetty.

“We desire passage to the other side of the river if you would be so kind Sir.” Said Atharen trotting his horse beside Hittai with Crystal perched behind him, both riders and horse casting a shadow over the smaller horse and her liberal mistress.

“Thats not a problem, hows may yous taking?” Asked the toothless bargemaster.

“Two ladies, and the six lads.” Maén tossed Atharen a bag of coins, as usual Atharen seemed to know exactly what she meant and handed them to the boat master. “For our safe passage” he added seeing the old man’s eyes widen.

“Yess sir! Right away sir!” Maén nodded to the both of them and motioned for the company to join them on the barge.

“That was easily done”She said to Crystal who had dismounted.

“Yes Lady Il Galoth, it was wasn’t it.” Crystal’s mind seemed to be elsewhere.

“that’ s another thing that will have to stop. We are reaching the east bank, My name could mean danger for us. Keep it under raps.”

\

[Crystal Heart]

Crystal nodded her head in understanding.

"I shan't say a word about your name, but shouldn't you have another one that we may call you by? Otherwise how will we get your attention?" Crystal asked, her mind wandering.

She had gotten off of the horse, but she wanted to still be behind him. There was something about sitting behind him that made her feel safe and unexpectedly, loved. She wanted to be around him so badly that she hurt. She wondered if he had any of these feelings toward her. She figured that he didn't.

No one since Arty, which had been years ago, had loved her in such a way that would make her feel so wonderful and happy once again. Even though her mind and heart were changing just by being in the company, she was still afraid that there would never be another chance for her. That the man that she was suppose to be with for the rest of her life had died and the man that sat upon the horse, the ranger that had captured her heart would ride away at the end of the quest and leave her alone once more.

In her mind, even though she had been trying to forbid herself from actually thinking about it, she knew deep down that she could not handle being alone anymore. Too much had happened to her for her to suddenly become a loner once more. The young woman that had entered the quest for money and protection, had learned to depend on people and had formed friendships. She was thinking about when the quest was over and what she would do with her life then.

[Melisil]

Aelimur listened to Maén carefully and intently, as she told her story.

"My character is not as it should be, it has not been so for a very long time, Its not nice living in the shadow of a traitor, less nice living with the fact that your house regrets you werent born a man. Thats what I have to be to be myself. Im sure that you have not met many noble women who would love nothing more than to be educated in the courts or eat meals with the servants to aviod conversing with their own family." Maén gave a slight smile before rolling the arm of her tunic up again.

"Nay, those as you, I have not met many of." Aelimur would have liked to have spoken more with Maén, but did not, as Roryn joined them.

“Would you like me to keep an eye on Carathir, My lady?” asked Roryn, as he came up beside Maén.

“No” Maén replied, “He’s harmless, after all why should I be afraid of him, he means well. He’s harmless you’ll see, he owes my Aunt everything .” Roryn nodded, but as he started to ride away, Maén stopped him, grabbing his arm. She whispered something in his ear, though Aelimur could not make it out, nor did he care much if he did or not.

Ferethor had seemingly caught more of the conversation then Aelimur, and called out, “Valar Help Guriel when you come to pass judgement on him Miss Il Galoth.”

Maén looked back to him, calling in reply, 'I don’t intend to pass judgement, I did that a very long time ago. What I intend Mr. Ferethor, is to bring his head to Elessar in a box.” Aelimur was not suprised by this, as he had supposed from the begining that something of this manner was what she was planning on doing to Guriel. “I apologise for my conduct gentlemen, It was uncalled for and highly morbid, and highly different to what the other feathered peacocks of the Gondorian court would express.” she rolled her eyes. Aelimur shook his head, she did not seem in sorts, not content in life. Well, obviously. Aelimur corrected himself, But no, she still does not seem well. I cannot think of what it could be, though.

Aelimur guessed by the change in the scenery and sounds, that they were nearing where they would cross the Anduin.

“Ïve never been this far east before.” Maén announced, “Ive been plenty far West, my Aunt Diera Troyaeganeas (my mothers sister) she resided in Dol Amroth, I was about seven during the war (maybe I was six?) anyway, it was to escape the immediate danger of Minas Tirith. Aunt Diera lost her husband and her five sons, they were slaughtered by Guriel’s ambush. They weren’t Il Galoths but they were married into the clan. The Il Galoths were the most prominent though. All the same, you get the general idea. Its very important to me that we get this traitor. I care little or nothing for the legacy.” Maén snapped her head up, “Come, this shant take long” and this was said almost merrily. She lead the company down the the cool waters edge and to the jetty where the barge was settled.

“This is the right way isn’t it?” Maén asked over her shoulder to the company.

“It is, Lady Il Galoth.” Offered Idruil. Aelimur did not add anything to this, as he didn't see all that much point in it.

“We desire passage to the other side of the river if you would be so kind Sir.” Said Atharen trotting his horse over to the bargemaster.

“That's not a problem, hows many yous taking?” Asked the toothless bargemaster.

“Two ladies, and the six lads.” came Atharan's reply, Maén threw a bag of coins to him, “For our safe passage” he said, seeing the old man’s eyes widen.

“Yess sir! Right away sir!” Their company rode onto the barge. Aelimur dismounted Aaron once they all were on. Aelimur looked around him, studying their surroundings from the barge.

“that’ s another thing that will have to stop. We are reaching the east bank, My name could mean danger for us. Keep it under raps.” Aelimur overheard Maén say to Crystal. He walked over to the two.

"I shan't say a word about your name, but shouldn't you have another one that we may call you by? Otherwise how will we get your attention?" Crystal asked.

"Those were my thoughts, too. What other name should we use?" Aelimur added into their conversation.

[Everdawn]

“Which name to use, which name indeed.” Maén obviously, but Maén what? “Lahnoro” she nodded to herself. “Im sure there are plenty of Maén’s around, but Maén Lahnoro is quite a way from Il Galoth. It was my grandmother’s maiden name, she was just about the only one who came form a normal family.” She added with a slight grin.

She leant over the railings of the barge and watched the water running past. It was a very wide section of river. Maén also wandered what lay beyond the other side of the shore, which as she could see was still a little way away and the barge was very old and very slow. She reached for her map which presently was being looked at by several of the party.

Roryn and Idruil were muttering to themselves. She walked up behind them and observed them for a short time. “East” she said making both of them jump suddenly. “There is a road form her, or so I am told, which will lead us to a small town. Lysia told me that it is near to where Guriel purchased some land form a fellow.”

[Eorl of Rohan]

“Valar Help Guriel when you come to pass judgement on him Miss Il Galoth.” Cried Ferethor had called out from behind, with a cynical sobriety. The reply of Maen Il Garoth was expected, of course – her intent was to have Guriel dead and nothing else would suffice to ease her bloodthirsty wish for a vengeance.

A fevered yearning for blood-drenched vengeance that he could almost pity Maen for, although Ferethor was fairly sure that she wanted no sympathy from anyone. A just and impartial retribution for her kinsmen’s death and twisting of her general father’s mood, as well as for her childhood lost.

A heavy sigh of regret escaped through Ferethor’s gritted teeth, although he was unaware that he was unconsciously clenching his teeth. It would be a pity to turn on Maen at the last moment and forbid her from slaying the renegade that she had hunted for far and wide, but it was his duty as a soldier of Gondor.

“Aelimur.” Ferethor murmured in a tense voice to his comrade, “She’s going to make some trouble when we arrest Il Garoth the traitor and deny her the pleasure of shedding his blood. What would we need to do then? Slay her alos?”

[Crystal Heart]

Crystal overheard Ferethor ask if they should slay Maen also. She walked over the few paces slowly and looked out along the horizon.

"Shan't be necessary, Ferethor. Bloodthirsty vengenance runs through a woman's vains, but doesn't remain for long when she finally realizes that the one she wants dead is human just as she and has its weaknesses as a human being. She will most likely not do what you are fearing, nor would she go against you. If my assumptions are not correct, make it clear that torturing a soul truly punishes more then just a mere quick death," Crystal whispered softly.

At one time she would have done anything to kill a traitor or a murder not even connected to her. She had gotten her chance once with the travellers, but when she looked into the eyes of the man in front of her she couldn't bring herself to do it. There was a soul within that evil body, one that feared for its life as she feared for hers. She had asked the others if torturing him would be a more beneficial punishment then a swift death. The others had agreed, but she had no part of his punishment. She had been the honorary leader type then.

Now here she was with these men and they were wondering about the inner workings of the mind of their female leader. If Maen was the person Crystal thought she was then she would see and not kill him, she would allow the men to arrest him for his crimes. She hoped that she wasn't wrong about Maen.

[Eorl of Rohan]

"Little would you know, Crystal daughter of Dorian." Ferethor stirred and raised his grey and steadfast gaze to meet Crystal's level one, a faint trace of a derisive smile softening his hard countenance. "Yearning for vengeance for wrongs done us is one of the most fundamental desire that courses through us from the beginning of time. Such a desire could easily overthrow very reason and rationale of a person, and at last shape that person into a blood-lusting wraith that knows naught but to seek for revenge and would have no reason to live after such as been accomplished or found vain."


"I do not say that Maen is such a person, but I do know that Vengeance is a sweet, sweet desire that would not be satisfied except for in blood." Ferethor's grey eyes gleamed with bitter remembrances, and then he turned his head away as he said in a low voice scarce discernible. "Do not ever trust in a person, Crystal. Trust only betrays one. Remember, for one day you'd come to realize it."


Ferethor cast an unnerved and doubtful glance at the Great River as he said it, for he had scarce dealing with the sea or great water as he spent his childhood days in the edge of Eryn Lasgalen.