Hunt for the Palantíri RPG

[Rinfanawen]

"I am asking you to go and hide on the shore behind the rocks and the snow bluffs in one of the secluded groves."

Diera's heart jumped in glee at Marreth's words. Spying on the Elves again, are we? she thought. The rest of her captain's orders seemed like music to her ears, even if they were to camp on land again. It will be worth it all in the end, she constantly told herself. She soon returned to her cabin beneath deck.

She opened the door of her room quickly, smiling as she stepped inside. Diera stood over her bed, thinking of what she would need to bring with her. "You are to leave immediately," Marreth had said. Diera stared sideways in thought. No, there will be no time for packing. She picked up merely her long, leather cloak and hat. Both had somehow managed to dry in the elapsed time after the battle. Her small knife remained sheathed nicely within her boot. Her sword she left on her bed. Swords are not needed for spying, She thought, trying to comfort herself. She looked back at the sword upon exiting her cabin, almost going back to take the weapon. She shook her head. Turning away once more, she shut the door of her cabin and walked to the deck.

Doyal and another trusted shipmate of hers were already waiting on deck. Diera gestured a ‘hello’ as she approached. Soon after, Jynne appeared from below deck, looking rather unsteady in his walk. Diera looked at him curiously. Her thoughts returned to a few nights ago when Marreth spoke to her about Jynne. Her captain himself had warned her of Jynne’s suspicious deeds, and now she was beginning to see them herself. Diera stared at Jynne. A thousand questionable comments went through her head to say to him, but she remained silent. A time for inquiring would come later. Their small group departed soon after.

The group quickly rowed to shore. Quickly they rowed, but quietly as to not draw attention to themselves. Diera stepped onto the earthy soil of the land with much hesitation. Ever since that cold night on the ice, she could not keep from thinking of her parents. She sighed. Don’t go there, she thought as she stepped off the boat. The rest of her crew was already on shore. She looked up at them with soft eyes.

“Let’s go,” she said. Her voice quivered and squeaked as she spoke, but she quickly cleared her throat and repeated the phrase in a more commanding tone.

The land was deathly quiet, apart from their own light footsteps. They were the only Corsairs to be found, and no Elf had been seen leaving the ship. The air was cold. It blew through what thin clothes they wore until it froze even the tiny hairs on their arms. Diera could sense the frost was coming. She could smell it in the air, as if snow had already touched the ground.

Their slow, cautious pace was quickened as they came nearer to the location of the Elven ship. Diera bent low behind a few patches of shrubs in the secluded area Marreth had pointed out. The Elven ship could clearly be seen, but nothing unusual was taking place at the moment. A light wind began to blow. Diera held her wide-brimmed, brown hat over her head as she peered out towards the deck of the hideously graceful ship. Soon a few Elves appeared in her view, followed a rather large crowd of Elves.

Diera closely watched the interesting scene that was taking place on the ship. The attention of every Elf and pro-Elf Lossoth was fixed upon a certain Elf in the middle, named Luindal, who seemed to be of a high order. Diera watched as the Elf spoke words she could not hear. Luindal then singled out an Elf of whom she did not know. Luindal spoke more words to the crowd, acknowledging the other Elf through the whole speech. Diera sighed. For the first time, she wished she had the vision of Elven eyes so she could at least try to make out what was being said. She soon let the absurd thought flee from her mind as she waited to see what would happen next.

[Arry]

Carandû had not meant to be late to the hearing. It was his turn for galley duty, though, and the pots and pans and dishes needed to be cleaned up. Lunch would follow soon after the meeting was done and clean bowl and spoons would be needed for the soup the cook had simmering. With a final swipe of the dish towel, he nested the last bowl on the cupboard. Tying his hair back a little more neatly, the Elf hurried down the passageway and up the stairs to the meeting place.

The crowd was large already. Carandû shoulder his way to where he could see Annû standing. ‘Your pardon,’ he murmured many times as he jostled his way through the throng, once stepping inadvertently on a Lossoth foot. ‘What’s going on?’ he asked in a hushed voice slipping in next to his brother.

‘The Captain’s just spoken of what Alahseey has been accused of,’ Annû replied. ‘And brought up, too, that he thinks there’s a spy in our midst.’

Carandû frowned at what he heard as Annû explained all that Luindal had said. ‘Is that why he set me to reindeer duty, do you think? Did someone step foreword and accuse me?’ Annû shook his head, saying the particulars of the part about the spy had not been addressed.

‘Who was it who accused the Elder?’ Carandû’s gaze swiveled about the room looking at those who stood near the front, wondering if the same person had fingered him.

Annû raised his arm and pointed to where Hilde stood. ‘Her!’

Carandû’s mind raced back to the evening he had found the Captain’s door open and gone in to shut off the lamp. It was after that that Luindal had assigned him to reindeer duty and would not let him join in the search parties that had gone out onto the ice. He looked to where Annû had pointed, his eyes going wide, as he remembered it was she, Hilde, who had seen him exiting the room. She was in profile, standing a little ways away from Luindal, and this view of her sparked another memory of that day Galhardir had almost drowned. ‘Brother, I must make my way to the front where the Lossoth stands accused. They have the wrong one!’

The brothers made their way to the front amidst the grumblings of those pushed aside for their passage. Luindal saw the two Elves and bade them step forward, asking if they had anything to say. Annû spoke a few words in his brother’s ear, then pushed him forward.

‘That day that the lines were cut, Captain,’ Carandû began, his gaze shifting from a close study of Hilde’s face back to Luindal. ‘I wasn’t supposed to be near the operation. I’d been assigned to see to the reindeer. But my brother was out on the ice and I was not one to be parted from him should danger arise. And I was worried that it might, given our previous mishaps in the cave search. Needless to say, I left my charges in the care of a Lossoth and climbed to a vantage point where I could watch what was going on. I saw my brother and the others already on the ice when I arrived at my vantage point, and I traced their lines back to the tree where they were secured, wanting to make sure all had been done properly. My eyes followed my brother’s group and periodically I would sweep back to see the ropes that kept them safe. Just before Galhardir went in I saw a Lossoth with an axe in hand standing by his party's rope. I swept out again to see my brother slipping along, when the cry went up that a rope had broken and one of the searchers had slipped into the water. Then the Corsairs attacked, of course, and the chaos of battle ensued.’

At the word ‘Lossoth’, the crowd had begun to mutter and look hard at Alahseey.

‘So,’ began Luindal, ‘it was Alahseey you saw with the axe definitely in her hand . . .’

‘No,’ said Carandû, firmly, in a loud voice, as to be heard above the swell of harsh talk. Luindal looked at him expectantly. ‘The Elder was standing some ways away from where the rope was severed, or so I have pieced together from the rumours I sorted through of where the cut was made.’ Annû had made his way round to where Hilde stood and now grasped the woman firmly by the arm. ‘It was her I saw, standing near the rope, axe gripped in her hand,’ Carandû continued. ‘Hilde, the Captain’s confidant, the one who had knowledge of all the plans, and free run of the ship.’ He took a step closer to Hilde who drew back against Annû.

Annû pushed her forward, his grip still hard on her. ‘And tell them how you saw my brother leaving the Captain’s cabin after he’d gone in to turn off a lamp left burning on the desk. Tell how you accused him of being the spy.’ ‘Tell them!’ he commanded in a wrathful voice, his tall frame looming over her.

[Orofaniel]

Galhardir gazed.

Could it really have been Hilde who had done it and nearly killed him?

"Please, will you let me speak?" Galhardir then said out loud and got up. Luindal ordered the Lossoth and the elves to be quiet. "Please do," he said and looked at Hilde. Annû tried to be quiet, but Galhardir noticed his eyes glanced over at Hilde constantly.

"My memory from that horrible day is still a bit unclear, but I do think my thoughts and those memories I have are important for you to hear," he started. "I remember handing over the end of my rope to Alahseey and Hilde, so I think it’s most certain one of them cut it too..." Some of the elves started to mutter, looking back and forth at Hilde and Alahseey as they were trying to vision the event. "When I noticed I had lost Luindal on the ice and I was surrounded by thick fog I panicked. I remember pulling my rope slightly, to see if it could lead me back to the bay. As you all know, the very reason we're here is because it was cut off. Alahseey has been chraged for this terribl action, although I do not think she is the guilty one...." Voices of great confusion was to be heard. Galhardir didn't expect anything else either as there was now several people charging Hilde instead of Alahseey for the terrible deed. "The rope had been cut only a short time before I got lost, or so I think. To be able to cut my rope one had to use an axe..."

"Get to the point," one of the elves muttered.

"What better way of hiding your own traces by pointing the suspicion to someone else is there?" Galhardir then asked the crowd. "I've bee asking myself this question since the very moment I heard that Alahseey had been charged for this deed. Please do think about it...A spy would do something as horrible as that, but only a spy. I tell you, Hilde is that spy. Not Alahseey."

As he had finished, great anger and accusations came from Hilde. Annû smiled mischievously because he knew Hilde would have to pay for what she had done. It was like a victory. Galhardir sat down again, waiting for Luindal or some of the Elders to say something regarding Galhardir's accusations and thoughts. "Oh, one last thing. If it hadn't been for you," he said, looking at Rôg and some of the elves, "I wouldn't have been here today," Galhardir continued, pausing. He sighed. "The person who has betrayed us should be punished for this and not walk away thinking she can fool us by leading another innocent person into her own miserable level."

[piosenniel]

‘If only I’d not gone back to my pack to get those foot warmers!’ Rôg shook his head, remembering how his feet had been cold and his pack, just a short distance away, held some furl-lined socks that Bear had given him. The ropes had been fine when he’d left; he’d checked their knots and seen that the three Lossoth he was standing watch with were all in place, watching the searchers inch out onto the ice. He’d heard the cries for help just as he returned to where the ropes were anchored. His immediate thoughts had been to go quickly to the source of the cries, as he saw a multitude of hands catch hold of the cut rope. Thoughts of how he best might help, though, had crowded out a glimpse he’d gotten just as he neared the anchoring rocks, before the cries went up.

One of the three Lossoth safeguarding the anchor points had just stooped down slightly and shoved an axe a little ways away on the ground. He’d hurried on as he saw hands grip the escaping lifeline. But his next images were of Alaahseey and Freyn running as he passed them to grab onto the rope. He gasped, audibly, at what this meant. The person who’d put down the axe must surely have been Hilde! He’d not seen her use it, but . . .

His attention was caught by the murmurings of the crowd in front of him. And the loud voices of Carandû and Annû. They, too, were accusing Hilde of the deed. Luindal had called for everyone to be quiet and be calm. Rôg heard him ask Carandû had he seen her use the axe, but the Elf could not say he had, his attention diverted by the cries for help and then the Corsair onslaught.

Rôg stood up on a crate at the ship’s railing and wave his arms wildly to draw the Captain’s attention. ‘Now, I didn’t see her swing the axe and make the cut, either,’ he said. A smug look crept onto Hilde’s face at this admission, and quickly fled as he went on. ‘I have to admit I was away for several moments. But I did see who laid the axe down as the rope snaked into the waters of the Bay.’ Rôg looked consideringly at Alaahsey. ‘The Elder and Freyn were further up the lifeline when I saw them trying to grasp it and stop its movement. The only other Lossoth there that I passed on my way to help was the one whose hand I saw cast the axe a little ways away from her.’ He nodded toward Hilde with his chin. ‘It was her, Hilde, whose hand held the axe just after the severing blows were struck.’

[Kitanna]

Nilak had slept later than he meant too. He had to get back to Corsair ship and speak with Sernir. See what jobs he had in store for him today. The failure on the ice had left Sernir angry and irritable, but this was really no different from the Corsair in a normal mood.

Nilak trudged along, moving slowly today. He was in no real hurry, though he should have been. As he walked along he overheard two Lossoth men talking about Igal. Nilak slowed down when he heard that Igal was bringing supplies to the Elven ships. The words "he needs some help with the loading" floated into Nilak's ears. He dropped his coin pouch into the snow, pretending he had dropped it on accident. He got down on his knees and listened to the Lossoth men talking more about Igal and his shipment to the Elves.

This was it. This could be what Marreth and the Corsairs needed to get ahead. Nilak could go offer help to Igal. He could gain the advantage for the Corsairs. He smiled to himself and grabbed his coin pouch. This was perfect.

Now Nilak walked faster to the ship. When it was in sight he realized this would be dangerous. He couldn't go alone. But who could he possibly bring with him? Who did he trust? There was no one he truly trusted, but there was Tarn. Tarn had gone into the caves with him and he didn't try to stab Nilak in the back. Nilak sorted through his other choices. No one. It looked like he would have to try and enlist Tarn's help.

On the ship Nilak searched out Tarn. He was not too hard to find. "Tarn." The larger Lossoth man looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "I have a proposition for you."

Tarn listened to all Nilak had to say. He spoke rarely, but nodded from time to time. After Nilak explained his plan Tarn agreed. They would go to Igal as soon as possible.

[Lalwendë]

Tarn had been sitting idly on the deck of the Corsair ship when Nilak came towards him in a rush. His news had been interesting, and the plan was well thought out. Tarn didn’t have any questions to ask, and found himself easily agreeing to the man’s scheme. He had gained a sense of respect for Nilak since the episode in the caves; the man had shown courage and had proved to be a trustworthy ally. He was quite content to go along with Nilak’s idea, and standing up, whistled for Thynne, who had been watching the sailors scaling the rigging.

*

As they drew nigh to the Elven ship, Tarn could see that some of the loading had already begun. Men were bringing supplies across the water in small boats, but were clearly struggling; it appeared that Igal had failed to employ enough men to get the job done quickly. Nilak said what Tarn was thinking, that this would make their mission easier.

Pulling a woollen scarf and a hood from the inside pocket of his overcoat, Tarn covered up his head and the lower part of his face; this would help shield his identity, something which Tarn suspected might be necessary. He could do little to hide his coat, which was distinctive in an area where most wore furs, but he stooped a little to make himself a bit more unobtrusive. Large crates were sitting on the shoreline, unattended, and Tarn loaded an empty boat with the cases until it was full, when Nilak pushed the craft out into the water.

The ship was close to shore and they soon reached it. Nilak went up the ladder first, and as nobody challenged him, he motioned to Tarn and Thynne, who passed up the crates before scaling the ladder themselves. At one end of the ship, there was a large crowd gathered, what appeared to be the whole crew, along with many Lossoth faces. Tarn’s deep eyes squinted as he tried to make out who was there. It appeared to be a Lossoth woman who was in some kind of trouble, and he burned with curiosity to know what she had done, but had to turn away in case he was noticed.

Those onboard were too interested in the trial to notice the newcomers, but a stocky, beetle-browed man soon saw them and hastily came across the deck towards them.
“Igal,” said Tarn. “I see you have found yourself a deal here with the elves? Profitable no doubt?”

The man stood with his arms folded, a sour expression on his face. “And why would you want to know? Think someone’s outdoing you here do you? A shipwrecker and a profiteer?” His voice raised slightly and Tarn and Nilak moved to stand on either side of him, menacingly.

“And what might you be then, Igal?” hissed Tarn. “Goods sold at no doubt high prices, and I see your pitiful wages have failed to find you enough men for the job.”

“What about it? I know you two won’t be here for the wages. Come to steal my labourers, have you?”

“Lower myself to that?” spat Tarn, his face full of derision. Turning aside with a sneer, he took a handful of the corn in one of the sacks which had been opened, and examined it, sniffing the grains carefully as they ran through his long fingers. It had a tainted smell and he knew that Igal would have mixed bad, cheap corn with the good quality produce which the elves were paying a premium for. Igal blanched. He knew that Tarn would have no hesitation in revealing his secret, and then he would be ruined. He readied himself for what the men were going to ask of him.

Tarn was too proud to offer his labour to any of the Lossoth, especially not to Igal, who was an unscrupulous trader, but full of pride that he was held in high regard by the community as a merchant. Tarn hated the man for his false pride, not recognising the same quality in himself. His sense of self-importance was at the centre of his being. The difficult youth he had endured drove him to prove that he was better than everyone else, more powerful, wealthier, stronger; it also drove him to assume that he was all of these things, even when he was not. But he had at least managed to scare Igal.

When Nilak told the man that they wanted the job of attending to the goods in the warehouse and bringing them onboard, his relief was visible. Igal did not seek to question the men, in fact he had as yet not been able to secure anyone willing to do the job and had been worried that he would have to do it himself. His manner changed and he expressed thanks to the men. Nilak nodded to Tarn, and the deal was sealed. They knew that Igal would not say any more of the matter, he had considered himself to have got off lightly.

Thynne was positioned behind the large crowd, hidden by the mast and rigging from the eyes of the elves; he was watching the trial. Driven by their curiosity, Nilak and Tarn sauntered across, where they both listened to the proceedings with interest, thinking how much Marreth would welcome this information.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hilde had pulled back from the circle and now stood defiantly at the far end of the room. Her hands were clenched tightly to her hips as she glared obstinately at her accusers. If she felt any fear or trepidation, it was not evident from the expression on her face.

Turning angrily from her accusers, she directly addressed Luindal, “You would believe these men? I am a poor woman. I have no reason to be involved with outlanders or their dealings. I cook and clean and labor. Intrigues over lost Stones mean nothing to me.”

“Look instead to Alahseey. She has many reindeer herds and is an Elder. She and her kin are used to getting her own way. Her family supplies furs to the outlander ships and gains riches thorough the trade. What nonsense they have in their heads I do not know, but I am certain they would use their slippery tongues and promises of wealth to secure their mother’s release.”

The Elf countered calmly, “You are saying that Alahseey’s family bribed my men to speak as they did?”

“Aye, that I am… She could not do it herself. But we have had dozens of Lossoth on and off this ship with the supplies. With my own eyes I have seen her youngest son loading barrels in the hull. Who knows what mischief he was sowing?”

There was an uproar among the onlookers as the nature of Hilde’s charge became apparent. One of the brothers had to be restrained by his fellow Elves to keep from breaking out of the crowd and personally throttling Hilde’s neck.

Alahseey wrenched free of her captors and hurled herself in front of Luindal. “Let me speak! I must answer these charges for Hilde’s words touch my family and its honor. My son is an honest trader who supplies furs and other provisions for your crew. He would meet any in fair combat to defend his mother's honor, but never would he stoop to cunning and deceit. If there are lies here, they do not come from me or my family.”

“You hate me!” Hilde countered, her face livid with rage.

The Elder pivoted about, “No, not I. But I do feel sorry for you. You may desire to lead a simple life, but not your son. He dreams of gold and power and commanding others, and will stop at nothing. He even uses his poor mother to achieve his goals.”

Glancing at Luindal, Alahseey continued, “I knew the other day but had no time to tell you. Her son has put her up to this.”

“You have no proof!” Hilde retorted.

“No proof? If my guess is right, she holds the proof in her own hands. Luindal," she added, "look at the bag she carries at her side. Search it thoroughly and see what you find.”

The bag was immediately deposited in front of Luindal and its contents dumped out on deck. There was a clanging sound as a handful of gold coins bounced free, rolled a ways, and then came to a stop. Luindal bent down to retrieve a single coin, examining it closely. “Gold!” he confirmed. But it is not a coin I know.”

Rôg, who had been standing close by, glanced over his friend’s shoulder with a knowing look, “That is because it is from Umbar, the city where the Corsairs make their home.”

Luindal set down the coin and turned first to Alahseey, “I am sorry for this misunderstanding, and apologize for any slight to your family. We will talk later. I owe you much”

Then he faced the other woman and announced his decision, “Hilde, you are to be bound and turned over to the Council of Elders who will determine the punishment for your misdeeds. Andtuariel, could you go now and gather a band of Elves and Lossoth to accompany you to the Hall of the Elders? The Elders have asked that Hilde be held there under lock and key…”


The posse of Elves and Lossoth quickly regrouped at the far end of the deck. They secured Hilde's arms and legs with rope and formed an escort on either side of her. With Andtuariel in the lead, members of the group climbed down the ladder over the side of the ship and slipped into the small boats. Luindal continued to watch as the band reached shore with Hilde in tow and started their trek to the central Lossoth settlement where the Hall of Elders could be found.