Tears of Mirrormere RPG

[Ilya]

I have never received a better compliment.

Tongue pressed 'gainst her teeth, Adela's first instinct was to pad back to the kitchens proper, leaving the master and mistress to talk as they would, but something held her to the spot. "Well, I don't believe that for an instant. Minstrelry like yours ought to've been complimented long before now," the words came before she knew she was speaking. Adela hadn't even heard the music clearly, but now it was although cotton had bottled her ears and suddenly they were unstopped. Soft wind brushed the stone and a table spill echoed as it dripped onto the floor. Of itself, a smile came to her face, and, although she ducked her eyes down when the bard and the mason regarded her, she couldn't shake her amusement at the good bard's face as he'd heard his compliment.

"Well," she said, with a quick turn, and bobbed to the cutlery that had been set aside for the feast's seconds, sitting unused. Vyra was a small dwarf, and the lock to her cupboard of 'reserves' was similarly frail and easy to get past. She cradled the squat flagon of rum and one mug on her left arm, two other mugs on her right, and took the last of the pies in her hands. Walking back to the corridor that led to the great hall, Adela didn't quite feel the master of herself. It wasn't her place to sit with finer folk like Vigdis or a bard. Why, then, did she take a mug for herself? Why was she bringing her pie, if not to be at the same table as they? She walked erect, the tap of her step softly thumping on the flagstones. "Absurd," Adela muttered to herself, although whether it was because she hadn't heard the music, or that she was forgoing a warm bed to sit up with strangers, or that she didn't care they were superiors, she couldn't say. Balin was dead, and that was most absurd of all.

Catching sight of where the two dwarves were sitting, Adela piled all the glassware onto the table and uncorked the rum. She hovered for a moment, feeling as though in her stomach there was a knot coming undone, and then tucked herself in a chair while Vigdis began to pour.

[Groin Redbeard]

Korin spoke passionately and forcefully, without fear of a reprimand. She did not strike Nali as the fearful type: a rebel rouser, but a fearless one. By the tone of her voice she was not one to be pacified into coming with him, persuasion was needed. Nali, however, was not the persuading type; he would have much rather try to win her over with flowery words and ancient similarities to the great women of the Longbeards. The purpose of the council would not be overturned if Korin would leave, but Nali hated to see his efforts wasted.

“Thou art impetuous, Korin,” Nali stated. “Nothing moves according to plan, but as long as the result is right in the end the events that lead up to the conclusion matter very little.” Nali had not stated this to be nasty, or for it to be a form of rebuke. Nevertheless, it occurred to him that she could take it as another restraint attempt, on his part.

“This is how I see things. My advice is not law, as Tror’s is now.

“Thou sayist that thou art not welcomed at the council, this is not true. It is true, however, that thy’s voice has been silenced, but I pray for you to excuse Tror for that. Insults are not easily brushed off by warriors, and Balin’s death must still weigh heavily on him. It is also worth noting that he does not take part in these councils that often. Just like thineself, such things are too slow for him; but compared to other councils I have attended, this one has moved quite rapidly. Such impatience is good in a crisis, thy’s impatience is a good sign.

“My reason for my requesting thou’s presence to the council had changed once I caught the full usefulness of thy’s character. My original intent was for thou to be an emissary to the womenfolk: to calm their fears, but it soon became evident to me that thou would stir up more unrest than sooth it. Thou has a critical wit, and I wanted to thou to use it. Thou spoke rashly, the time was not yet ripe, but the time has come!

“Thou art not a noble. So, therefore, you are not tainted by the politics that trouble our circle. Thou would rather speak out against flaw and foolishness rather than keep silent.”

The old dwarf paused for a minute, and then started to laugh. “See, even now, how I have wasted time with my flowery speech! Nevertheless, my point was made. Thou’s criticism will be most welcomed now that the battle plans are to be revealed; thou were not made to tend soldiers, Korin. Will thou go and change the bandages of soldiers, or come back and change the telling of history?”

Nisa

They were nearly caught by a women that had left the council. Nisa thought she had seen her before, but was certain that the lady did not belong in the council. A man followed her out shortly after, and Nisa recognized him as Nali.

The two figures were soon talking. Nisa looked at Onli for direction.

"I've brought you this far," she stated in a shaky voice. "What is your move now? Shall I introduce you to the council?"

[Thinlómien]

The two other dwarves watched her pouring the rum. Vigdis noted her hand was shaking and she had to put the bottle down.

"May I?" Kór asked, took the bottle and poured to the last glass that was half-empty. He did not look at Vigdis long enough to see her eyes flare in anger. She was not to be treated like a weakling! Did he think she was not even able to pour the rum? So weak because she was a woman and thereby supposed to be totally distraught by the grief? Or so weak because she was so old? She did note these two were young, probably a century younger than her, a dwarf in her best years. These two were little more than children. She took a deep breath. No need to get angry at a child.

Besides, the young troubadour had been right, Vigdis reflected bitterly. She was weak, she was being torn apart by her grief, whenever she was not putting all her willpower to blocking it. She hated her weakness, she was supposed to be tough, and not fall apart like this. But at least she knew she was not weak because she was a woman or because she was old, she was weak because it was her personal fault to be weak, like a child. A child like these two. Maybe she was in equal company.

She gripped her glass and lifted it. The others mimicked her. "To Balin, Lord of Moria," she said. "To Balin," the others repeated and drank. Vigdis brought her glass to her lips and emptied it in one swallow.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Onli stood silent for a short while. Suddenly, he became attentive again. The Council? He tried to listen to what the two figures were talking about. He beckoned at Nîsa to keep silent. Again, he was displeased by her talking. Can't the girl ever stop chatting when something important is going on?

And what did that mean? What were those two talking about? Important matters? Decisions? Council making some decisions? Which decisions? Onli became nervous. Does that mean they are already arranging the means of governing the colony? Is he late?

"...compared to other councils I have attended, this one has moved quite rapidly..."

Rapidly! The Council is deciding on new arrangement of governing the colony, then, indeed! "In a crisis..." Yes, indeed! Onli now understood it all. This crisis, leaderless colony - Trór obviously was more active than Onli expected from him. Of course, one has to give him that - he is a soldier, after all, he is bound to act fast... in a battle, he needs to do that. But how silly! To call a council like that without discussing things properly first! Without asking the nobles and those experienced and knowledgeable in governing and leading people. And now he brought just his iron-headed warmongering friends there with him, and he is making them all administrators and whatnot! Is that some sort of a coup?

Onli could not just stand and listen anymore. No, he is not going to let his chance slip away. This is the city of Dwarrowdelf, not a military fortress lost in the middle of nowhere! A group of brainless soldiers might easily reduce to dust what Balin worked so hard to build. Not this time! Onli shrugged, Vriti climbed down from his shoulders and landed on the ground. He turned towards the two figures and walked towards them, completely forgetting about Nîsa for that moment. He is going to go and tell them - tell them that he is the one who can help them manage things, and that they cannot do it alone - they are warriors, not governers. What are they going to do in the era of peace, like this?

He was getting close, the two must have noticed him in any second, but now, Onli suddenly heard the Dwarf further away saying something that made him stop.

"...now that the battle plans are to be revealed..."

What? Onli's heart stopped. What battle plans? What battle? What plans? What kind of a new madness is this?

But at that moment, the Dwarf ended his speech, and Onli came out as close that the two must have been both blind not to see him. He stopped, his heart beating heavily.

[Durelin]

Kórin

Flowery speech indeed! But not speech that Kórin couldn’t understand. At first she felt the same angry reaction as before, when Nali called her ‘impetuous’. Of course, she rather prided herself in her stubbornness and hotheadedness, but she did not enjoy anyone pointing it out. Perhaps least of all this old Dwarf.

Nali’s speech did not quench Kórin’s anger, but rather redirected it. She felt herself giving in, and she couldn’t help but be angry about it. She was caught, because she didn’t really want to miss the rest of the council. She wanted to be present when real plans were finally made, and she wanted to have a say in them. The latter, regardless of what Nali said, she was sure was very unlikely, but his words had done the trick. They had made her think that her voice perhaps would matter, even though she refused to believe that.

As Nali finished speaking, Kórin noticed the presence of another Dwarf with annoyance. How much more openly could they eavesdrop on a conversation? Her annoyance grew as she realized she did feel a bit excited to be included in the quiet matters of the leaders. Not that they would be quiet for long.

“Changing bandages was not exactly what I had in mind,” Kórin muttered, ignoring the rude Dwarf who was no doubt still trying to listen in. Then, a little louder, but attempting to be too quiet for the eavesdropper to hear, she said begrudgingly, her voice still taught, “Thank you for this opportunity.”

Without looking at Nali or acknowledging the other Dwarf, she headed back down the hall, intending to reenter the council as boldly as she liked.

~

Kór

Kór smiled completely genuinely at the younger of the two Dwarf women – he practically beamed. He felt his face redden, and the smile slipped away from him only because of his embarrassment at being in such a spotlight. He had been complimented for his music before, but he would never get used to it. He did not seek the spotlight enough. He wanted people to enjoy his music – whether or not they noticed him behind his harp was of no real consequence. It did feel so nice, though.

The Dwarf held his harp awkwardly, hesitating between taking his leave and staying to chat. Or perhaps he should play more for them? But now it seemed too self-serving… The young woman went off into the kitchens and returned with a bottle and a scrumptious looking pie. Kór was pleased but felt a little guilty when he saw that she brought three mugs with her.

Seeing the elder woman’s shaky grip on the bottle, Kór offered to pour the rum, putting his harp down. She was not ‘elderly’, but she was clearly much older than Kór and especially the other Dwarf woman. He filled his glass last and not as full as the others. When the older Dwarf woman uttered a toast to Lord Balin, Kór gravely but strongly repeated “To Balin,” before taking simply a sip of his rum. He watched as the older woman emptied her glass, and felt a little embarrassed again. He had never been much of a drinker, not like his sister. Kórin liked to make fun of how daintily he sipped any drink.

Kór put down his glass, wondering what was going on in that council. He remained silent, not sure what there was to say.

[Groin Redbeard]

Good, very good. Her temper and will were both waning. Nali had half expected her to accept his offer, but he did not expect her gratitude as well. His eyebrows lifted in surprise at this, and before Nali could even reply Kórin boldly walked past him and back out into the night air by the rest of the council. Nali watched her proudly walk by, he smiled to himself. Perhaps she wasn't half as bad as she pretended to be.

A blast of that chilly night air blew in from the open doors and Nali was obliged to adjust his green cloak. This, however, was interrupted by the sound of a Dwarf deliberately clearing his throat. Nali's gaze darted to where the sound came from and put his hand inside his cloak, feeling for his mace. The stranger, who was indeed a Dwarf, smiled and raised his empty hands and did not put them down until Nali's hand was withdrawn from his mace. The old Dwarf gritted his teeth and glared at the stranger. Nali was half angry at himself for his blindness (the stranger was only twenty paces to the side) and the younger Dwarf's boldness. Slowly, Nali made his way to the Dwarf.

"Who art thou," Nali asked in a seething voice. The Dwarf seemed stunned and did not reply. Nali asked again, only this time louder. "Who art thou that comes so boldly before me in the midst of a private conversation? Did my words amuse thou? Is the predicament that we are in sooth thy half-baked curiosity? Well speak!"

If only I were fifty years younger I would deck this impetuous rascal to teach him his place!


Nîsa

She tried to hold Onli back by grabbing his garments, but she missed. Nali would not be amused if he saw Onli listening in on his conversation. The old man was nice enough, but he was old and held very traditional views on manners and duties.

Nîsa was about to call after him, but Vriti, who Onli had placed on the ground, scurried past her and was heading for the doors. As quickly as she could, Nîsa caught Vriti by the tail to stop her and picked her up.

"Not that way, precious. If Trór were to see you messing around near him, he would fit you to his cruel spear. Let's get back to your master."

Carefully creeping along the pillars, Nîsa went towards Onli. She could have stopped him, she could have pulled him back, but she didn't; the old dwarf had stirred and she was frightened. It was too late, Onli had cleared his throat and drawn the attention of Nali, whose temper was none the better for it. In a fume of rage she heard Nali let in to Onli about his rash action.

"Is the predicament that we are in sooth thy half-baked curiosity? Well speak!"

Nîsa couldn't stand it. Even if Onli was rash, she was the reason he was there. Nîsa gently put Vriti in her pocket and stepped out into view. Nali looked stunned by the unexpected sight of her.

"Nîsa? What art thou doing here? Trór will skin the both of you alive if he finds out that thou art snooping around so close to the council, if snooping it was." Nali again turned a venomous glance at Onli, and would have seized him by his scruff if Onli hadn't been quick enough to jump back.

"No, no," Nîsa pleaded and reached to stay Nali's hand. "He hasn't harmed me, and you have no right to speak to him so. It is my fault that he's here, I led him to the council because he wished to speak to Trór. Please don't harm him."

Nali was stunned by Nisa's honesty and openness, this was not her usually reserved character. The old man smiled at Nîsa and turned back to Onli.

"Perhaps I was a bit impetuous myself in rebuking thy's actions, young man. Although thy's eavesdropping was uncalled for, I offer my apologies on my fault. My name, as thou probably have guest by now, is Nali. What is your name, and why doest thou wish to speak to Trór: the new lord of Khazad-dum?"

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Onli was not quite pleased by Nîsa's intervention, his initial thought was that this hen has once again ruined it all, now he will have to talk to this old soldier and explain everything...

He looked at Náli. He remembered him, back then from Erebor, where he had held an important place among the nobles. They never encountered each other, but Onli had heard about him. He got the impression that Náli is a rather charismatic speaker, which may or may not have been good for Onli in this situation. He was happy, for one part, that he can talk to somebody who was not just a mindless iron-hat, however, if he was encountering a real diplomat just now, that might have proven unlucky as well. He could easily outtalk Onli and send him back from where he came. But Onli had to try his best.

"I am very sorry that my presence here had disturbed you, venerable master Náli," he said, bowing his head. "This is all just a misunderstanding. I did not want to, as you say, eavesdrop on anyone, that thought would have never entered my mind, and indeed as young lady Nîsa here says, I was led here by her just to talk to Trór, whom I had hoped to find here. I deem your Council had already decided on important matters, nevertheless, if Trór's leadership of this colony is to continue in the track of our great lord Balin, I suggest he gives a hearing to me. I wish to offer my service to him."

[Groin Redbeard]

The messenger, Gror, obeyed Trór with some reluctance as if unsure of his success. He stared at the map for several minutes mumbling to himself and tracing his finger along, what Trór guessed was, his route from Erebor. Gror, however, soon made up his mind.

“Here,” Gror said (actually it was phrased more like a question than an answer). He pointed to where the river of Kibil-nâla flowed into Kheled-zaram. “The Orcs seemed very intent on speed and I don’t think that they would waste time going around the waters of Kheled-zaram. Is this good?”

Trór smiled a broad, which looked more like a teethy scowl, and placed himself beside Gror. “You see here,” Trór stated, speaking to Gror, but in fact he was relaying his battle plans and the members of the council knew it. “We are on the western side of the river. See how the high ground is in our favor. Give me a company of able bodied warriors and I could hold that position long enough for defenses to be erected here. There isn’t a better position to hold on the entire map, if what you say is true. Are you certain that they are coming by this route?” Gror nodded his head. “Then this is good. My plan is simple: we cannot defeat the Orcs in an open battle, but we can outlast them in a siege. Defenses will need to be made here on the base of these Eastern Gates. I will need at least sixty dwarves with skilled engineer or mason to stay behind from the battle and do this. I, meanwhile, will take my regulars and hold the Orcs back long enough for this to happen. The rest of you will muster those who, five years ago, helped in the storming of the Halls and come to our aid as quickly as possible.

“Now is the time when criticism is appropriate,” Trór shot a crooked eye at Kénan when he said this. “What adjustments need to be made to this plan?”


Nali

"I am very sorry that my presence here had disturbed you, venerable master Náli. This is all just a misunderstanding. I did not want to, as you say, eavesdrop on anyone, that thought would have never entered my mind.”

Nali was taken back a bit by the man’s smooth words, but was disturbed by the way this Onli fellow was trying to weasel himself as blameless in the situation. Apparently eavesdropping had been on his mind, otherwise he would not have been standing so boldly close to him and Kórin. Nevertheless, Onli’s words faintly reminded Nali of himself in younger days; and Onli’s willingness to serve was a welcomed at the moment. There was, however, just one important question.

“Trór now holds the title of Uzbad Khazaddûmu and can never be approached as easily as before. This council is of importance and is not for any common Dwarf’s ears, I will not suffer to have thou disturb him just at the moment. However, if thou is in ernest to serve him, thou will do well to wait for the council to conclude and then wait for my signal to approach him. But tell me, Onli, what use will you be to Trór and how will you serve him? Though thy’s speech is cleverly structured, it seems that thou, hast no experience in managing great affairs.”