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Old 04-22-2004, 06:21 AM   #176
Nerindel
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Korpúlfr

Korpúlfr watched the young maenwaith disappear into the shadows, before shaking his head and turning back to rejoin his guests. Tinar’s sudden and unexpected offer to follow the northerners had caught him of guard, allowing the rash young man to act before he had time to gather enough wit to stop him. Tinar had professed to being able to take care of himself, but Kor was not so sure! The boy did not know the city as he did; the dangers were many even for those who possessed their abilities. Not only were there thieves and cutthroats on every corner watching and waiting to pounce on the unwary and unsuspecting denizens of the city. But there were the scavengers, nocturnal animals that would emerge form dark places to scavenge for food and to whom other smaller creatures would present but a delicious treat. Also, he could not forget the wild dogs, vicious creatures that many of the less reputable inns and taverns kept in order to keep their even less reputable clientele in check.

Entering again the hall of tales he pushed his concerns temporarily aside, he had already resolved to have Hasrim go out and ensure that the boy did not run into trouble. Thankfully, another tale had begun allowing him to return to his seat with only a few members of his household staying his course and only long, enough to gain from him assurances that there was nothing to be concerned about. As he took his seat, he looked to his cousins, who both quietly moved to join him.

“Tinar is following the northerners!” he told them in a quiet whisper, looking at each in turn, as he spoke.

Asrim as usual wore a concerned but thoughtful expression, he knew that the more diplomatic man would be thinking further ahead and contemplating the repercussions should anything go wrong. However, Hasrim was another kettle of fish altogether, his deep scowl relied clearly his feeling on the matter, and it did not stop him from airing them verbally.

“The boy is a fool!” the warrior snapped trying hard to keep his voice to a low whisper, “he almost gave us away tonight, if not for you quick intervention, he would have unwittingly told that captain exactly what he wanted to hear.”

Korpulfr nodded his agreement with a slight frown lining his worried brow. The fault was not Tinar’s alone, he had underestimated the Captain and even as he thought back on Tinar’s mistake, he realised that the question had been carefully placed to catch them out. Thinking again on his own hasty reply he could not help but feel that the captain had gotten exactly what he had wanted.

“That may be the case…” he continued, pushing the thought aside. “What’s done is done. Should he succeed it would put him in good standing with his mother and in more of a position to be considered as her successor!”

“And if he fails, or worse goes and gets himself killed?” Hasrim retorted, his bearded face turning a deep shade of purple as his frustration increased. Korpulfr took no offence to the mans heated reply, he knew full well the warriors feelings regarding Wyrma’s youngest son, he saw the boy as an unnecessary liability and so far Tinar had done nothing to change that opinion.

“Wyrma will listen to no excuses if something untoward happens to her son!” Asrim added coming out of his silent contemplation, “she will hold you accountable, weather you are or not.” he warned.

“Then we will just have to insure that nothing untoward does happen, won‘t we” he replied solemnly. “Hasrim as you have so little faith in Tinar’s abilities you can go and keep an eye on him, ensure that he does not get into any trouble and that no trouble finds him, if you know what I mean.” Hasrim nodded knowing that he meant for him to keep the boys path clear of the more dangerous residents of Umbar.

“Only intervene if it becomes absolutely necessary to do so!” Korpulfr continued, “You never know he might surprise us.” Hasrim still not entirely please with the situation nodded his understanding and silently stole from the house in search of his quarry, while Korpulfr remained to carry out his duties as host and head of the wolf household in Umbar.

~*~*~

As the night steadily wore on, he remained distracted, his thoughts for a long while remained on Mithadan’s story of the shape changer, Bird and the effect her presence would have on the Maenwaith’s current situation. He knew that there were those among their kind who did not hold with Wyrma’s great plans. Treacherous Rebels his father called them, though he himself had seen no such treachery, but he had no cause to disbelieve his father’s words. And what if this bird character found these rebels? He thought to himself. Would she with her northern knowledge aid their rebellion? He quietly wondered if it were not best for them to locate this woman first. Asrim too was concerned with this stranger’s presence in their lands, for when the tales and songs had ended and his guest had all departed for home or retired to their rooms, he spoke to him of his concerns.

“What if the Captain lied about their friendship and she is no more than a valuable commodity that he has lost and is seeking to retrieve?” Korpulfr shook his head at his friends suspicions, “No, his concern seemed genuine if not a little guarded.” he replied thoughtfully guiding his cousin towards the study were they could talk more freely. For several hours, they debated this and many other concerns that had arisen from that nights proceeding.

Finally tired of talk that seemed to be getting them nowhere and growing more and more concerned that neither Tinar nor Hasrim had yet returned he turned to the widow reaching out to open the thick heavy drapes hoping to get a little air with which to clear his head. Pulling back the drapes he gasped, Asrim immediately joined him and together they both watched the thick dark smoke rising from the harbour below, both catching a fleeting glimpse of white sails before the dark blanket of smoke totally obscured their view.

It now seemed that at least the Northerners and their captain were no longer a concern.
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