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Nerindel · 08-14-2003, 07:22 AM

It was late when the Envoy returned, Ghurdan dismissed his men and followed Dristi and Rahvin to Sevora's tent. She was standing outside waiting for their return, as they walked towards her, Ghurdan could see that she was not looking at them but into the endless darkness of the desert. She turned to them a twisted smile playing on her lips.

"Eight I sent out, but only seven now returns, What happened?" she snapped her smile dissipating into an angry scowl.

"The infidels refused to see the true path!" Dristi seethed

"On our return we were attacked. We killed the foolish infidel, but not before he killed one of our men." Ghurdan informed her.

Dristi and Rahvin told Sevora all that was said and then the three of them gave detailed descriptions of the valley, the elders and the warriors that they saw, "They kept their main forces hidden from us and they followed us as far as the mouth of the valley, but they did not come beyond!" Ghurdan continued, his voice even and unconcerned.

"It is late! rest the men and at first light we will hold councils of our own" Sevora finally said after some thought. Ghurdan realising that this was a dismissal , bowed slightly and went to find Zasfal.

He found the younger man sat by the fire with a few of the crew and some of the new warriors, Ghurdan was pleased to see that he had indeed already taken out the bows. He stood for a minute watching Zasfal, there was a battle ready gleam in his eyes as he polished the black arc of his bow. Ghurdan thought about how Zasfal had come to be part of his crew, he had bought him from a slave trader in Umbar, with the intent of training the young lad to be his heir, but the young mans deceitful and sneaky nature had lead to the crews dislike and distrust of him, He would have to prove himself well in battle if he hoped to gain any respect or trust from the crew." "Are we to fight!" one of the crew men nearby asked him eagerly, pulling him violently from his thoughts. "Yes!" he grinned feverantly, then he went to sit next to Zasfal.

"Are the men ready!" Ghurdan asked nonchalantly, "Yes! I think they have been ready since we left Umbar " Zasfal laughed, Ghurdan nodded his agreement to the young mans statement, then stared thoughtfully into the flames of the camp fire, after a moment of silence Zasfal turned to Ghurdan "You have a plan, I assume?" he asked, Ghurdan chuckled and looked at his first mate "Yes, indeed I do my young friend, but I wish to keep them until council, needless to say that I see you and your archers playing a prominent roll!"

"Friend??" Zasfal looked at Ghurdan wondering what he meant by that, he had never seen them as such, but now when he thought on it the sea captain was the one who always got him out of trouble, gave him task that would allow him to prove himself and on occasion even stuck up for him, albeit in a cold and ruthless way. Ghurdan seeing the way that Zasfal was now looking at him, scowled and rose to leave, "come to Sevora's tent at first light" he spat before stomping away into the darkness.

Zasfal watched Ghurdan disappear into the night, then began to curse himself, realising that if he had only followed Ghurdans advice from the beginning, it would be likely that the sea captain would have willingly named him his heir. The irony stung like a sharp blade in his chest. Sighing he got up and went back to his own tent to get some much needed rest.

As Ghurdan stomped back towards his tent he saw that Thorgom was bound to the back of the Cart, his sour mood lifted as the tribesman looked his way, "What are you looking at!" Thorgom spat viciously, but Ghurdan just shook with cold heartless laughter and moved on. He had just reached his tent when he saw Sammael poking his head from his, seeing as the man was awake he went over and told him that his and Damodred's presence would be required at council, first thing in the morning in Sevora's tent. "Could you tell Essenia that her presence will also be required?" Ghurdan asked with a slight mischievous grin playing on his lips. He then gave Sammael a curt nod and returned to his tent.

Inside he unsheathed his sword and began practising, offensive and defensive strokes and the many feints he had masters over the years, exhausted he re-sheathed his sword and lay down on his bed roll, he looked up at the blank canvas of his tent thinking on strategies and was just about asleep, when he heard a commotion outside.........

[ August 14, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]

08-14-2003, 07:22 AM	#150
Nerindel Spirited Weaver of Fates Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: In an endless sea of dreams! Posts: 827	It was late when the Envoy returned, Ghurdan dismissed his men and followed Dristi and Rahvin to Sevora's tent. She was standing outside waiting for their return, as they walked towards her, Ghurdan could see that she was not looking at them but into the endless darkness of the desert. She turned to them a twisted smile playing on her lips. "Eight I sent out, but only seven now returns, What happened?" she snapped her smile dissipating into an angry scowl. "The infidels refused to see the true path!" Dristi seethed "On our return we were attacked. We killed the foolish infidel, but not before he killed one of our men." Ghurdan informed her. Dristi and Rahvin told Sevora all that was said and then the three of them gave detailed descriptions of the valley, the elders and the warriors that they saw, "They kept their main forces hidden from us and they followed us as far as the mouth of the valley, but they did not come beyond!" Ghurdan continued, his voice even and unconcerned. "It is late! rest the men and at first light we will hold councils of our own" Sevora finally said after some thought. Ghurdan realising that this was a dismissal , bowed slightly and went to find Zasfal. He found the younger man sat by the fire with a few of the crew and some of the new warriors, Ghurdan was pleased to see that he had indeed already taken out the bows. He stood for a minute watching Zasfal, there was a battle ready gleam in his eyes as he polished the black arc of his bow. Ghurdan thought about how Zasfal had come to be part of his crew, he had bought him from a slave trader in Umbar, with the intent of training the young lad to be his heir, but the young mans deceitful and sneaky nature had lead to the crews dislike and distrust of him, He would have to prove himself well in battle if he hoped to gain any respect or trust from the crew." "Are we to fight!" one of the crew men nearby asked him eagerly, pulling him violently from his thoughts. "Yes!" he grinned feverantly, then he went to sit next to Zasfal. "Are the men ready!" Ghurdan asked nonchalantly, "Yes! I think they have been ready since we left Umbar " Zasfal laughed, Ghurdan nodded his agreement to the young mans statement, then stared thoughtfully into the flames of the camp fire, after a moment of silence Zasfal turned to Ghurdan "You have a plan, I assume?" he asked, Ghurdan chuckled and looked at his first mate "Yes, indeed I do my young friend, but I wish to keep them until council, needless to say that I see you and your archers playing a prominent roll!" "Friend??" Zasfal looked at Ghurdan wondering what he meant by that, he had never seen them as such, but now when he thought on it the sea captain was the one who always got him out of trouble, gave him task that would allow him to prove himself and on occasion even stuck up for him, albeit in a cold and ruthless way. Ghurdan seeing the way that Zasfal was now looking at him, scowled and rose to leave, "come to Sevora's tent at first light" he spat before stomping away into the darkness. Zasfal watched Ghurdan disappear into the night, then began to curse himself, realising that if he had only followed Ghurdans advice from the beginning, it would be likely that the sea captain would have willingly named him his heir. The irony stung like a sharp blade in his chest. Sighing he got up and went back to his own tent to get some much needed rest. As Ghurdan stomped back towards his tent he saw that Thorgom was bound to the back of the Cart, his sour mood lifted as the tribesman looked his way, "What are you looking at!" Thorgom spat viciously, but Ghurdan just shook with cold heartless laughter and moved on. He had just reached his tent when he saw Sammael poking his head from his, seeing as the man was awake he went over and told him that his and Damodred's presence would be required at council, first thing in the morning in Sevora's tent. "Could you tell Essenia that her presence will also be required?" Ghurdan asked with a slight mischievous grin playing on his lips. He then gave Sammael a curt nod and returned to his tent. Inside he unsheathed his sword and began practising, offensive and defensive strokes and the many feints he had masters over the years, exhausted he re-sheathed his sword and lay down on his bed roll, he looked up at the blank canvas of his tent thinking on strategies and was just about asleep, when he heard a commotion outside......... [ August 14, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ] __________________ "Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live" ~ Mark Twain.