[Nerindel]

Korpúlfr

Korpúlfr raised his glass with the others as Lord Falasmir made a toast to "future relations with their northern brothers." If he had not seen for himself the two corsair ships berthed either side of the Gondorian Merchant vessel, he would have believed that Falasmir's words where sincerely meant, but as it was he believed that nothing could be further from the truth , but just what the ambitious Lord was up to he was not Certain. His suspicious nature had initially lead him to believe that Falasmir planned to seize the ship once it was fully laden, but now he was not so sure.

As he had went about the merchants and lords plying his wares and procuring goods for his return to the growing Maenwaith city, he had listened to a great many rumours and suspicions regarding the nature of the Gondorian ship and it's crew. Some of the lords still seemed to bear ill will towards the Gondorian's and believed that Falasmir should never have permitted the ship to berth, some even thinking that it's crew where spies posing as merchants, but most of these lords were young, brought up on tales of the rich land of Harondor that the Gondorian's stole from them, He too had been raised with these tales and lead to believe that the men of the north were greedy power hungry dictators, But if Airefalas was a Gondorian spy then he was a good one, his friendly manner and knowledge of price negotiation had him convinced that the man was a competent trader. But there were a few that believed that trade with the northerner's would be profitable and even he could not deny this, even with his suspicions of the sea captain and his interest in his people. Then there was Wyrma! did the leader of his people have a hand in Lord Falasmir's intent, surely she too could see the gain trade from the north would bring?

Korpúlfr shook his head as he realised he was questioning the validity of his leaders decisions before he even know what they where, looking up from the red liquid in his glass he noted that Falasmir and his party had left and as he looked around to see if Tinar was still present he saw the Gondorian captain and his first mate join their guards to be escorted back to their rooms, it was then that he noted that a number of the servers in the room watched the two men and relaxed as they were escorted away by their guards, "More guards!" he wondered. Walking in the direction of one such server he deliberately bumped into him as he passed, for an instant the server glared at him then remembering his position he bowed low "My humble apologise sir, please forgive my clumsiness." Korpúlfr nodded curtly and continued on as if the incident was entirely the servers fault and that he accepted the mans apology, but the bump had confirmed his suspicions, he had felt a blade concealed beneath the servers wide loose pants and as he looked around he noted that the real servers all gave the impostors a wide berth, this had not been noticeable in the packed hall but as the room slowly emptied he counted at least fifteen such servers, were they Falasmir's men or was there another factor at work, one of the lords many rivals perhaps? No the men had relaxed as the two northerners left in the care of their guards, either they where there to protect the captain and his first mate from those that still bore ill will towards Gondor or Lord Falasmir was interested to find out what the two men discussed and what they purchased during the function.

Draining his glass and handing it to a passing server he decided that whatever Lord Falasmir was up to Wyrma in her new position would already know of it and would be making sure that it had little or no effect upon their people or their planned advancement, but what she might not be aware of, is the Northern captains interest in their people, a matter that did not sit well with the young merchant.

"Korpúlfr are you still here, I would have thought you would have had your fill of the palace by now, I know I have?" Came the jovial voice of his young cousin, cutting through his thoughts.

"Jahr, Just the person! I need you to do something for me!" he grinned patting the young mans shoulder and leading him to the stand were he had been displaying his wares all night. Searching through the piles of invoices and bills of sale, he found a blank piece of parchment, dipping a white feathered quill into a nearby ink pot he began to write a quick note asking Tinar to meet him at his house first thing in the morning, before he made his delivery to the Gondorian ship, telling him that he had some important information that he might find interesting. Then once signed and the ink dry he carefully rolled it up, tying it closed with an iridescent black ribbon and handed it to Jahr.

"See that Tinar gets this at once, then return to the house. I want you to take a message to Hálfr, I will explain more when you return" he whispered with some urgency. Jahr nodded without question and went to deliver his cousins message.

Kórpulfr then turned back to the room, the hall was now all but empty a few merchants and their servants remained to pack up their wares and the palace servants silently went about clearing up the remnants of the banquet. He stopped two passing young servants and offering them a few coppers he persuaded them to help him pack up his things and take them back to his cart. Once the cart was loaded and hitched to the horses he paid the lads and lighting a lantern he gladly made his way out of the palace and back towards his own home where he intended to write a message informing his father of his suspicions, that if any Gondorians did find their way to the city they would be prepared.