Homeward Bound RPG

[Folwren]

Merra

Merra understood more than Mir gave her credit for. She nodded her head to both his first and his second, true command and then withdrew. She tugged mutely at Penram’s sleeve and together they slipped out of a door leading farther into the house. There they stopped, and Merra told Penram what Mir had said.

“But I don’t want to hide. I want to see what happens.” She looked at her brother, her eyes giving him the pleading expression she gave when she was trying to get him to do something.

--

Hama

The house was surprisingly nice, in Hama’s eyes. He had never been inside his previous master’s home, so he really had nothing to compare it to, but he did not think that a captain of the guard would own such a home and keep such furnishings. It was not like the home of a warrior in his own country, where the décor would have been simple, and practical. There was little extra finery in Rohan.

When Mir addressed them, Hama fixed his eyes on him and locked his attention into his words. At first, he reached up and clasped his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair. But as Mir’s voice continued to grow softer and his words more poisonous, Hama’s hands came down and soon rested on his knees. His eyes flicked between Mir and Regnár, knowing the results of Mir’s words would likely be a fierce rejoinder, if not a physical attack. Although Hama was not the only slave there who knew that Mir’s life must be spared at present, he was probably the only one capable of keeping Regnár from taking it at present. He waited, poised to spring, if necessary.

[Durelin]

They approached the Easterling's home without much trouble; few wished to exchange word with what seemed to be the captain and his guards in full array. Of course, it was an odd scene, bringing both his slave children and his guards with him. But it seemed plenty had seen him with those slaves before, and how a captain commanded his men was up to him. Besides, it was a strange day to begin with. No one was interested in what this captain was up to on a festival day.

It had not been Regnár's choice to bring the slave children, but he had no chance to argue. They claimed to be Gondorian, and they were of paler complexion certainly than their master. But two children along, as well as an old woman...if they needed to be left behind he would not hesitate to do so. And Regnár was not going to waste time trying to protect them or spare them. Either they would all make it out, or he would bring as many Easterlings down with him as he could. If the weaker of the party were able to escape because of it, so be it. But he would not give into any demands in order to protect them.

Things were going better than Regnár had anticipated. He had put most of his hopes simply in making it to the barracks and taking some of the men there down with him, including this Artamir. But now they were walking the streets unchallenged, and would get supplies, and...they would see if they could make it outside the city. Then...maybe home was a possibility, after all.

Regnár's heart pounded a little faster when the fat neighbor approached them. He watched both the Easterlings closely, standing as close to Artamir as he could without bringing up questions of 'respect for a superior.' If the Easterling captain made one out of place gesture or comment to alert his neighbor, Regnár would kill them both without hesitation.

The neighbor told the 'guards' and slave children quite a bit about the captain; even in his focus on maintaining control of the situation, Regnár noted how this fat man had an awful lot to say that should not really be said in front of anyone but one's closest family. It seemed ages before the man shut up.

Once they were inside, Regnár threw off his helm and drew the sword at his side as he watched Artamir. The Easterling gave instructions to the slave girl, and the Gondorian narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Those children better not be out of my sight for more than a minute," he snarled.

The Easterling captain turned on them and began to speak, as if he were perhaps lecturing a group of students. He exuded arrogance. Regnár could not believe his tone, his insults, and his statement about 'swaying' him. Was this man mad? A mad fool. They were here because he was a coward, who would rather live than see to it that the slaves he captured were not permitted a chance at freedom.

"It is not a matter of swaying you, Easterling, but whether you do what I tell you or I kill you," he barked.

Then the creature of a man turned to Regnár and addressed him specifically. He caused bloodshed? He? A man of Gondor, who fought to defend his people from the malice and cruelty of Sauron and his minions, such as these Easterling creatures; who had fought to end the bloodshed. No servant of Sauron ceased to be a threat to all. And as soon as he escaped here...if he escaped...he would be back with an army to raze this city to the ground, erasing its history of evil and its degenerate customs.

This Easterling was no man; his blood was not worth much. And he had just shown them that he was of no more use. Regnár charged at the man with his blade, poised to strike at his chest, stomach, and then perhaps take a little extra time to sever the man's head. If these Easterling blades were strong enough to manage that.

[Thinlómien]

Judging by the interior of his house, the Easterling captain was rich. Rich Easterlings lacked taste: it was all gold and silver and heavy purple curtains. Bigger windows, shades of blue and green here and there, perhaps a living plant would have made the place much more beautiful. But then again, Susca knew that these Easterlings were barbarians - how could you expect them to understand anything about things like Art or Beauty?

She listened to Mir's lecture with cool indifference. Easterlings loved to show off, and this man had apparently decided to show off with his knowledge of geography and ancient legends. How this barbarian had acquaired so much lore would have been an interesting question if there weren't so many more important things at hand. The tension between the Easterling captain and Regnar was thick in the air and the two other soldier's - the pretty boy and the Rohanian - were watching the exchange eagerly. And the kids, they had been sent away - why, did the Easterling have a soft spot in his heart? or were these perhaps his own bastards? - but their footsteps had halted not long after they had passed the door. They were eavesdropping for sure, as children always were.

Now the Easterling was downright insulting Regnár. Had he only taken them to his home to die in his own living room? And if something within Regnár snapped, what would happen to Susca herself? No doubt the whole bunch of them would be executed for the murder of Captain Artamir Wainrider. There were two options - fleeing or doing something before Regnár lost his nerve. Susca backed away quietly, when there was a rush of movement. She turned to see Regnár charge at the Easterling with blade in his hand.

"No! Idiot! You will just get us all killed!"

And with those words she realised she was as deep in this mess as everyone else in the room.

[piosenniel]

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~*~ Pio