Nethrida sighed and pushed herself away from the bar. Calmly rolling her shoulders she made her way outside to see what the commotion was, the others following.
Septimal Caine tossed a few coins on the bar..and tossed the rest of the sausage to Finch as he walked past her. "Quiet little town, ya said?'
A small mob had formed in the wide street in front of The Rusty Barge made up of perhaps two dozen people but growing rapidly. One of them called out to Neth as she appeared. "CAPTAIN!!!...they caught that Corsair the Mayor was talkin' about!!! Hiding away he was, plotting his next murder no doubt!'
Being pushed along, arms bound to a bar across his shoulders, was a dark skinned man, now shirtless, skin streaked with blood. His skin was dark from his birth, as well as from hard labor under the unrelenting sun. Rocks were thrown, clearly not for the first time and the man fell to one knee in pain as several of the locals began setting up a makeshift gallows.
A cry went up from a woman near the Corsair, which was soon echoed by the rest of the mob. “MURDERER!!!!!'
Many of the company stared in shock, having never seen such a public display of blind rage. Xandilif the Banshee just sighed to herself, and looked to Captain Kraddock who cocked one eyebrow, also seemingly unsurprised by the quiet local folk being suddenly transformed into a blood thirsty mob.
Lif leaned close to him, her voice low and harsh. “Well….here’s the crop Mayor Ordan has sown…hope they all like the harvest.”
Finchley's mouth had dropped open and her eyes were wide in horror. "... I thought you said the Mayor was gonna prevent a witch hunt..."
Kraddock shook his head. “We said no such thing….we said he aimed to stop a witch hunt of LOCALS, not of foreigners. Gotta have SOME witch ta hunt.”
Septimal Caine nodded sadly, one hand on the hilt of a blade casually. “My only question is…did Ordan KNOW there were men of Rhun about before he raised the issue of Corsairs?”
Running up from the port to catch the mob was an old woman. She was badly winded and trying not to stumble.'
Nethrida gasped quietly at the spectacle. "By Elendil..." she murmured. She had no love for the Corsairs, certainly not when one was caught in her hometown. Regardless she made her way over "Has this man confessed?" She inquired calmly as Ryn followed her.
One of the looked at Neth. "Confess!!?? Look at him, there’s yer confession all over his face. What would one of these be doin’ here but to kill us??? He was hiding in a fisherman’s hut down on the shore....wouldn;t be surprised if he still has the knife hidden somewhere, the KNIFE THAT KILLED POOR ARION!!!!” At his last statement, the mob roared again and the upright of the gallows was raised, casting a long shadow.
The old woman was plainly local, still wearing the dark scarves of the bereaved and seemed to be saying something but was drowned out by roars of the mob.
Nethrida sighed a little "Believe me friend I share no love for their ilk. But certainly we of Gondor are above such mindless hanging? Rather barbaric, is it not?" She inquired with a raised eyebrow.
Another of the mob stepped up. "A good hangin’ is all this kind understand....thought you would know that Captain Nethrida, brave Corsair fighter like yourself, but if ya prefer beheading, as a local hero you can do the honors with that sword a yours once we get a block dragged over.”.
Eduwiges leaned close to Nethrida and muttered, 'Well Neth, here is your lovely town that does not do violence.'
Nethrida closed her eyes, ignoring her friend’s jibes and nodding slowly. "Yes, I have seen what they're capable of. Which is why it is all the more important that we do not stoop to their level. Certainly you fine folk can spare a few minutes for me to interrogate the man?" She inquired with a somewhat wry smirk. A bluff?
Addiela hung to the shadows, preferring to stay out of sight of this crowd, but she looked to the distraught Finch and pointed the old woman out to her. The old woman stumbled, tried to catch herself and half fell...'
Another of the crowd leaned into Neth as the mob grew. “Once he's dangling, interrogate him all ya want!!! Bet his answers will be more respectful then, Capn!!!” More whoops and cheers went up.'
Carneryn grimaced and shook her head... Even by her reasoning this was wrong.
Finchley meanwhile looked to where Addie pointed and nodded. She slipped out to stand near Nethrida. "Neth, I think that lady back there wants to say somethin'," she whispered.
The old woman had finally caught her breath enough to shout..."WAIT...IT'S...NOT LIKE...THAT..." but no one was listening'
Eduwiges looked at Neth and the words behind her eyes were clear…either Nethrida did something or she was going to, and it would be nearly as uncivilized as the mob.
Nethrida frowned a bit and redoubled her efforts. "Come now my good man. What if he is but one of a whole crew of cutthroats? I say we extract every bit of information out of this cur before we hang him. What is the time it takes to ask a few questions compared to the security of our people?" She looked at Finch and gestured to the old woman.
A rock would suddenly hit the man solidly in the side of the head, knocking him down in a spray of blood. Nethrida stepped in to block the woman who had thrown it, recognizing Lina, Arion’s mother, who then spat on the corsair. "You killed my girl....MONSTER!!!'
“ENOUGH!“ Nethrida lashed out at the group "Enough! Justice will be meted out! But I will not watch many with whom I grew up, some even admired, descend to such anarchy!" She pointed roughly at the direction where she knew the memorial she disliked so was. "Those Twenty Seven whose names are engraved into the plaque here did not give their lives so we may abandon all reason to madness, even if the accused is a corsair cur!"
A few of the crowd paused, listening unsure to Neth, but the combination of national hatred, fear and bloodlust had a firm hold on the mob
Xandilif cursed under her breath and pointed at the old woman...."Babygirl, Nethrida is busy…just go get the hag before she kicks off right there in the street.”
Finchley stepped past the man accused and then looks to the crowd. "Hey! stop throwin' rocks!" She looked back to Lif and nodded, skirting around the outside of the crowd and offering her hand to the older woman. "Come with me, aye? Then you can say what you want to."
The old woman had not be able to find the breathe to yell again and was now weeping from sheer frustration. She clutched at Finchley’s arm in relief. "They...they can’t...he ain't done nothing wrong...'
Finchley nodded and tried to smile reassuringly, but mostly just looked scared and somewhat sick. "C'mon." She escorted the old woman over to where Neth stood as quickly as she could, keeping in mind that the poor lady was already out of breath.
Nethrida straightened her posture and pointed to her chest with her thumb "I will see that this wretch pays for their crimes. But we will do so by -our- rules. All I ask is but a few moments, look upon the cur. Does he seem to be in a state to flee? Or fight back?" She continued in a louder voice and drew her sword. Holding it aloft. "Should he try I shall see to his end myself!"
Eduwiges whispered behind her, 'Good job colonel. It isn’t going to work though. They are too far gone. You’re going to have to smack a head or two. That’s the one right there' She pointed to a ringleader with the big mouth. “The one dragging the corsair.”
Finchley raised her voice so she might be heard. "EXCUSE ME! But I think this lady here has somethin' to say! If you'll all be quiet for a moment!"
One of the mob turned, looking down at Finchley and began yelling at her, something including outsider and bitch..but would suddenly scream at such a pitch that everyone would fall silent. The man would be on tiptoes now, with SilverWand between his legs from behind, edge against his crotch....'
Xandilif the Banshee, Champion of the Azure Faithful, Maiden of Madness and Last Guardian of Caerfella Redoubt raised her voice slightly. 'Now everyone SHUT THE FECK UP, unless ya wanna explain to this stallion’s wife WHY he got gelded....this babygirl belongs TO ME, and MY babygirl wants ta talk...and you will all fecking listen, and you will LIKE IT.'
Nethrida lowered her sword and pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation as there was some grumbling...but mainly silent shock and resentment.
Caine leaned closer to Captain Kraddock, whispering. “It is a stone cold SHAME that harridan isn’t of the Vanguard. Lord the messes we could make.”
Xandilif slowly surveyed the sullen, but now mostly silent crowd. “THANK YOU, now talk babygirl'
Eduwiges began to laugh and crossed her arms.
Finchley blinked and gestured to the old woman. "Umm..hello everyone. This woman here, she'd like to say somethin'. Go ahead, ma'am. Floor is yours for however long you want it."
The old woman held onto Finch gratefully. "He ain’t no corsair..well...not now...his name is Farage. I found him on the beach hungry, starving to death, a few months back. He was lookin’ for bread for honest work. If he had wanted ta steal what little I had, I couldn’t have stopped him. He tends my driftnets for me, since my boy Laren got called up. He is a quiet man...makes no trouble....'
Carneryn raised a brow looking at Neth, she had a soft spot for those trying to escape their terrible pasts.
Finchley smiled and encouraged the old woman to continue patting her hands. "Is that why he was stayin' in the hut?"
The old woman nodded. "The hut be mine, where I store my nets and traps....it's where he sleeps...'
A murmur began again, and a group of Councilmen approached, with Mayor Ordan in the lead. Looking at him Nethrida thought his chain of office looked twice as heavy as it had the day they arrived.'
Unaware, Finchley nodded and looked to the crowd, expression somewhat angry. "... Did you all just walk right down there and drag him out first chance you got? Didn't let him say anythin' himself and decided he was guilty all on your own?"
Mayor Ordan held up a hand, the other patting Finch’s shoulder. "Well done, folk of Linhir...but Captain Nethrida and this boy are correct...we are not animals, he must be tried and convicted properly, then properly executed for his crimes.'
Nethrida sheathed her sword and crossed her arms, nodding slowly.
Finchley looked to Ordan and shook her head. "Tried? But he didn't do anythin' and you already got him properly convicted and executed??"
Ordan shrugged and patted Finch on the head "It is mighty odd him being here at all, young fellow...and illegal to boot. This IS wartime, after all. I am sure the captains will get the truth out of him and once they convict him he can be hung by military law....Captain Nethrida, would you and Captain Kraddock see to his questioning, as proper military authorities? As this man is of an enemy nation, whatever his crimes, they are the business of military justice, not civil.'
Xandilif leaned close to Addie. “Clever old fox…that is why he was screaming about Corsairs. If it is a corsair, then it is not his problem but a failure of coastal defense…and the military will need to try the killer, not him. That is also why he asked Kraddock to remain. A Company Captain can dispense High, Middle and Low Justice in the name of the Steward on their own authority.”
Nethrida nodded slowly to the Mayor and motioned to the older woman. "She has vouched for his innocence. I would wish to ask a few questions of her as well so he may be convicted if guilty, or be let loose should he prove to be innocent."
Ordan sighed and looked at Xandilif."Now, if the first born would kindly release Wil's marital parts, all you good people can leave this to the professionals, who I asked to stay here just for this purpose....yes?'
Xandilif let SilverWand fall, and slipped it back onto her shoulder. "Sure, he can have em back...sorry if I nicked em, he needs what little he got intact.
As Xandilif released the man, Eduwiges walks and smiled at the man sweetly, 'You called my friend over there' she pointed at Finchley, 'A bitch'. She then punched the man square in the jaw, knocking him out cold and flat on his back.
Nethrida cried out, 'Eduwiges!'
The man went down like a dead trout and the crowd started to bristle again, growing a bit ugly as Eduwiges and Nethrida faced them down, the former angrily, the latter most reluctantly...as Caine would step between the two warriors and the mob. "Calm yourselves down folks, the man had it coming, you have to admit, throwing insults at the young lad…lass? Whatever. Now I know that Corsair hunting is thirsty work, so DRINKS ARE ON THE HOUSE AT THE RUSTY BARGE…. courtesy of Isildur’s Vanguard and our Captain, Kraddock of House Gaffen, in tribute ta all of YOU, the heroes of Linhir!!”
The crowd would cheer, and promptly forget the entire thing as they surged into the inn, leaving the unconscious man behind.
Xandilif watched them go, shaking her head at the Captain of the Vanguard. “You sure that Roric is the only one trying to run for office around here? Keep this up, they’ll elect ya Steward, Lil’ Sauron.
Nethrida nodded a bit as the crowd thinned out, then grab Eduwiges by the front of her armor. "We do not assault people like that. You are an outsider!" She snapped, genuinely angry at her.
Eduwiges turned to look at Neth, matching anger with anger. “I was not an outsider when you asked for us to come Neth. Will ye not stand up for your comrades?' She looks at the hand grasping her armor. 'I suggest you move that before you lose it Colonel. Perhaps then you will remember what we are here for...'
Nethrida scowled "And I expected you'd know how to behave! Or shall we next travel to Faldham so that I may threaten your folk and floor them with a punch over a meager insult." She snapped and let go. "Lash out again like that and I'll see that you spend the night in the brig. The situation is precarious as it is. We need not the townspeople think of us as enemy." She scowled.
Finchley looked to Eduwiges. "Edu, Neth, stop. It's fine. Actually... That's the first time I've ever been called--... Well never mind." She smiles to the old woman. "Nethrida here will make sure justice is done. She's good at that."
Eduwiges stared at Finchley, 'If one of my folk called you bitch in Faldham, I'd have decked him myself. You can take your precious, murdering townfolk and stuff them...' she shoved Neth away and walked back towards the tavern.
Kraddock looked at Xandilif and smiled..."I like your friends, Warchild....they suit you. That is quite enough of that, ladies.” He looked down at the unconscious man. "Nice punch....but did the folk of the Mark EVER see a fight they didn’t like?'
Finchley looked to the old woman clinging to her as tempers cooled. "Are you okay, ma'am?"
The old woman nodded back to Finch. "I..I'm fine..just a long run up here from my place...they nearly killed him right there in my hut but one of em said they had ta bring him to the Mayor...oh poor Farage....'
Nethrida huffed and turned to Kraddock after taking a few deep breaths. "I've known this woman, Min, my whole life. I've no reason to doubt her words, if this... Man is aiding her and not causing harm I believe it... We should not deprive the elderly their aid... She is not the only one who has had loved ones called for the war."
Kraddock looked hard at the dark man..."She says your name is Farage....is that true?' The man would stay silent.
"I would answer his question.” Nethrida would glare. “I've known Min my whole life and I would see her not fall to despair, but if you do not cooperate there is little I, nor Kraddock here can do to prevent you from being hanged"
The man stared at the sky, then whispered “My name NOW is Farage....it was the name of my brother but he is dead, so I am now Farage.'
Kraddock nodded. “Don’t give two damns about yer dead brother. Did ya kill those girls?'
Nethrida tilted her head to the left a bit. "I see... And what brings you to Gondor? And to the lands of Lebennin?" she asked a short moment after Kraddock's question.
The man went silent again.
Kraddock sighed. "Yeah he is gulty of SOMETHING...but who knows what....Look, whatever ya did, ya won’t be judged here...if need be you will be taken to Minas Tirith for the justice of the White Tree....
Finchley looked over to Neth. "That's not exactly a reassuring alternative to justice here...He might be a little afraid to talk after how he was treated, Neth. Can we not bandage him up first?"
Nethrida took a deep breath and reached into her various pouches. From which she pulledout a dried up pouch of Athelas and two rolls of bandages. She handed them out to Finch. "You probably should do that. Just apply the Athelas first." before nodding with Kraddock "I do not believe you're guilty of these most recent murders. Indeed it is my belief that you are hiding not from us, but from your own kin..."
“Whoever he is hidin from, if he doesn;t talk, these folk will figure that is a confession and if they come in here to hang him, there will be too many for us to stop.” Kraddock just leaned back, his eyes never wavering from the man’s face.
Finchley took the bandages and athelas with one hand and then looked to the old woman. "Will you be alright here? Or do you want to help me?"
Min smiled toothlessly. "I can help ya, lad...thank you...seeing how worked up the folk are I doubt if Yula the Healer will be of any help…'
Finchley paused and then giggled a bit, but said nothing, stepping over to where the ex-corsair is. "I ain't no healer like this Yula, but I'll do my best. So, sorry if this hurts a bit." She took up the athelas first and very very carefully applied it to what wounds she could see. As she worked, she whispered to Farage, "You can trust Nethrida. She's a good person and is tryin' to help you. So is Eduwiges, she is just…well…punchy. We all are trying to help. Whatever you've done, you can say it and we won't hit you. Promise."
Carneryn looked at the wounded man almost sympathetically "Some of us know all to well what it's like to run from a terrible past.
Farage closed his eyes. "I….I killed no one...I...I was sent to these shores to spy, yes...but the ship that was to pick me up never came...so I remained...The woman Min has been kind...I do not wish to spy any longer...'
Finchley finished up with the athelas with Min's help and applied the bandages. She looked over to Neth and Kraddock. "Well... you heard him. He doesn't want to spy anymore. Can you not give him a chance? He's harmed no one and proved his worth to Min here."
Kraddock shrugged. “I admit he don’t seem like the sort of killer we are seeking. We are gonna have to lock him up either way, lese that bunch will come back around looking for him'
Finchley looked a little crestfallen. "But what about Min? Who'll help her? And how long will you lock him up for? What if he's not treated well?"
Xandilif pout a hand on Finch’s shoulder. “You saw that bunch...we send him on his way, eventually one of those hoopleheads will march into the Inn carrying his head, like it was some kind of heroic act.....we can make sure he is locked up pretty safe...then if another girl gets killed, he is in the clear...'
Carneryn crouched down next to the man "We'll do what we can for you... At least until the mob finds some other reason to hang you..." she said in an oddly reassuring manner.
Finchley slowly accepted that fact and nodded. "But who will help Min out then? Ain't right..."
As the questioning drew to a close, Eduwiges and Addie stood near the Inn door, listening to the crowd inside grow raucous on free ale. The anger was practically steaming off of Eduwiges in waves. Addiela frowned and whispered to her, "I can understand feeling out of place, Eduwiges, and I can also understand the frustration at feeling that you're not helpful, but we do need you and therefore need you to keep your wits about you." Addie paused for a moment so that she could formulate her words in a way that would relate to Eduwiges. "You are used to fighting a clear enemy that is boldly out in the open, but that is not the case here. We are facing an enemy that is careful to remain hidden. Sure, putting a target on your back might work in most cases for a trap, but only once you have confirmed you have the right one to hunt and trap... I know that you have been taken by surprise recently by that elf woman's betrayal in Rivendell, but trying to strike before someone can strike you can sometimes leaves you all the most vulnerable and open to attack from the stronger foes that were waiting and watching for a reckless move…and you know that we have those."
Eduwiges sighed and took a deep breath. 'I am not a fool Addie. I understand the hidden enemy and what might be lurking out there for us…bah! It is no matter.” She reached for her flask and had a good pull. “Hopefully this corsair is guilty and this is the end of this…and we can go home. After all that nonsense in Imladris, we need a few nights where we can sleep with both eyes closed.”
Back near the prisoner, Nethrida looked to Kraddock. "I do not want him treated like a criminal. And in... The unfortunate event that another murder occurs... He must be set free, or at the very least cleared of accusation" She turned to look at Finch with a hesitant smile. "I shall speak with my father about this. Mayhaps he will be able to secure an arrangement to help Min until this situation calms down."
Finchley smiled brightly at Neth. "Really?" She looked to Min. "Would that be alright with you?"
The old woman nodded. "I just don’t want Farage to get in trouble for helping me...and as long as someone brings in my fish, I am fine...you are such a kind young...' she pulled Finchley into a tight hug and stopped. “….man?”
Finchley just smiled and turned away as Xandilif walked up. “Alright then, Kraddock will lock our corsair friend up in the cells they have in the City Council building…that should be safe enough. As for you lot, sun is going down, lets get back to Nethrida’s farm and see how many wild boars the poor woman has roasted for us. I’d guess an even dozen.”
And so, in a mixture of tension and relief, the company saddled up for the ride back to Nethrida’s home, hoping there would be no more bodies found that night, but not holding out much hope.
