The House Debates, the Quest Awaits



(Previously...)         

           The members of House Bar-en-Acharn fell silent for a moment, as Lady Seregrían paused her tale and called for the company to share their thoughts.  Mounting an expedition to the Lone-lands to find an ancient treasure was neither for the faint-hearted nor the frivolous-minded.  After a beat of silence, voices began to swirl around the table.

          Kortheod scratched his chin, thinking out loud in planning.  “Ancient castle, a ruined tower, goblins or worse throughout – swords and bows first, then shovels and pickaxes…”

          Applecider was clearly excited as she gasped, “Sneaky underground treasure hunting!!!”

          Boghadair blew a smoke ring that lingered across the table before he spoke.  “But is that treasure ours to take?  Is it not the property of the remnant of the Dúnedain?”

           “Wait, isn't that what it's all about?” Anurania said.

          “An’ who said we gots ter take it?”  Applecider said.  “We jus' gets ter FIND it.  We find it, we can tell Mister Sir Candaith an' Mister Sir Halros an' the other Tall Folks’ Bounders.”

          "Hey, it's not theirs!”  Anurania replied sharply.

          “Well, yeh cannae say it were many others either,” Applecider said, “an’ they be th' descendants o' the Tall Folks’ Bounders, aye?”  Anurania shrugged in reply, clearly caring little of “descendants of tall bounders”.

          “The name Candaith rings a bell,” Kortheod said.  “Is he not the friend of Daervun from Esteldín?

          “Aye, thar were him,” Applecider said, “the flaming ginger what keeps vigil at the old castle on the hill.”

          “All this means little or less,” Boghadair said, “if those greedy Dourhands have already dug it up.  They have a head start, as do any others.”

          “I shall offer this,” Seregrían said, her voice stopping all debate.  “Applecider is correct, we have to find the vault first.  As to who might claim ownership to anything recovered, that will be up to negotiation - and that falls to myself, and to Mistress Aifiolossë.   What I hear from you all is talk of ownership – which I assume means that you are all predisposed to the search.  Shall we agree that the expedition is on?”

          “I'm for whatever you want to do, Seregrían,” Anurania said, “but you know that already.”

          “I be set ter go on the hunt fer it,” Applecider said, “but I dinnae see how ye could nae in good conscious NOT tell th' Tall Folks' Bounders.  Besides, they be more in knowledge o' their own lore, an' we may need that fer the search.” 

          Kortheod nodded.  “I'm in. I bet there will be many a goblin skull to crush!”  Anurania smiled at the enthusiasm against the goblins.

          “It is true that such a hoard could be put to good use in the right hands,” Boghadair said.  “I presume, Your Ladyship, you thought through the risks?  If we deem the reward of sufficient merit to kill for, then we must be prepared to do so.”

          “And what say our latest members, Iyenue and Finrolas?”  Seregrían said.  “Surely you have voice as well?'

          “The sense of danger sounds delicious to me,” Iyenue said, “so I would be more than glad to pursue it.  My blades are up for the challenge.  I am anxious to put them to good use inside of an orc.”

          “Indeed, Your Ladyship,” Finrolas said, “my voice won't say much because I'm parched, but just point where you want my arrows and I´ll get it done.”  Applecider handed Finrolas another ale, which he accepted eagerly.

           Seregrían rose, her hands resting on the table.  “Friends, you must realize what it is we seek.  Not only the chance to enrich ourselves with coin, but also with renown - and the lore we may find locked away as well.  For the Dúnedain prized lore as well as wealth; though both will serve our House well,” Seregrían smiled a lopsided grin.  “Any of you may dissent without risk. But I would have all of you in this venture.”

          “I agree the lore is worth fighting for,” Boghadair said, “much has been lost and much is needed in these times.”

          “The prize of knowledge,” Iyenue said, “on top of sharpening my skills, lovely.”

          Applecider hopped to her feet, “Hooray! All th’ makings of a new song:  House Bar-and-Acorn versus Screechy Gobbos & the Magic Door!  An' maybe now, Mister Sir Halros will let us visit the secret magic castle he said be only fer hooded bounders.  Hah!!”

          “Your Ladyship,” Kortheod asked, “I wonder, will we use the help of the Rangers? Or should we proceed without letting them know?”

          “Gee, are they gonna just take everything we find, though?” Anurania hissed.

          “We must do our best to restore the better part to those who have the most claim,” Boghadair said.

           “It be that legacy after all,” Applecider replied, “an' we may need their inside lore. They be prone ter keepin’ track o' their history right meticulous like.  If’n we be needing hints as ter secret doors an' towers an' such, they prolly has old plans, or at least stories.”

          “Applecider is right on one point,” Seregrían said, “the lore of the Dúnedain is needed. Half of what I have learned is because of their records.”

          “I don't got nothing against them,” Anurania said, but added bitterly, “but if we find stuff that's just sitting there for a thousand years, well, they had their chance.”

           “We have every need to be cautious,” Boghadair said.  “After all, we have seen what disputed treasure does to alliances and friendships, all too often…”

          Seregrían looked around the table once, then said firmly, “It is decided, then.  Our first task is to find the vault, if it is still intact.  Thanks to Anurania's work, we have a clue: the Tower of Ost Laden.”  Anurania grinned at that.  “That alone rules out most of the ruins and makes the search somewhat easier.  But, as has been pointed out, it is dangerous for unwary folk, which is why I have given thought as to how our Expedition shall be formed.

          “We shall be formed in three groups,” Seregrían explained.  “The first shall be the Lore-seekers, who shall go through the dig for clues…”

          “Team Library!”  Applecider cried.

          Seregrían looked sidelong at Applecider, then said, “I had hoped that there would be four of us for the dig itself: myself, Anurania, and Lainneth and Thinfingon.”  Anurania smiled, clearly happy to be in company once again.

          “The second group shall be the Guard, who shall keep safe the site with blade and bow –“

          “Team Pokey-sticks!!” Applecider squealed, Kortheod smiling amusedly.  Seregrían raised an eyebrow at the halfling and continued.

          “Boghadair, I name you Captain of the Guard,” Seregrían said.  “I charge you with ordering things as needed once we set out.”  Boghadair took out a wicked looking dagger and honing stone, grinning as he worked. 

          “The Guard shall be me, Iyenue and one other,” Boghadair said.  Iyenue nodded in agreement. 

          “Now the third group shall be the Train, who shall bear the supplies and the gear needful for the other two.”  At that, Seregrían looked meaningfully at Applecider.

          “Team Bill the Pony!”  Applecider cried – then saw Seregrían’s eye.  “Oi now, you mean - why do I gots ter be Bill the Pony?'

          “I seem to recall the famous words of one who said, 'somebody has to keep these skinny Elf-types fed’, does that remind you of anyone?''  Seregrían said with a wry grin.

          “Oh aye, I do recall such,” Applecider confessed,  “but thar be in between walloping sessions…”  Applecider then pouted while munching on a piece of pie.

          “Kortheod, I name you Captain of the Train,” Seregrían said.  “I charge you with seeing to our supplies - and Applecider shall assist you.”

           “I can help with moving supplies,” Finrolas said, “ and help make sure the beer arrives safely... and the pies!”  Kortheod grins.

          “So, for the Guard,”  Boghadair said, “who shall stand with Iyenue and me?”

          “Me!  Me!  Pick Me!!!”  Applecider squealed, waving her hands.  “Seriously, I gots a frying pan, an' a lute, an' a sword I calls ‘B-Sharp Major’ an' a dagger I calls ‘B-Sharp Minor’ - what more dy'yeh need, aye?”

          Boghadair turned to Seregrían.  “Your Ladyship, might I ask that Applecider indeed be a part of the Guard?”

          “It may be that we all must lend blade and bow - and staff - to the effort,” Seregrían said, “until the site is secure.  So be it.”

          Boghadair looked at Applecider with a conspiratorial wink, "We will show them, won’t we?"

         Applecider smiled and clapped.  “I'll get busy making Elf-Toast an' pasties; they travels better than pie.”

          Seregrían straightened and stood before them.  “All of you, lend hand and assist wherever you see needful,” she said, “for we shall all be needed for this effort.  In two days hence, we shall depart.  Prepare yourselves, your gear, and hold yourselves ready.  We leave at dawn."

 

(Next Chapter:  Plotting at the Hunter's Lodge)