At long last the two parties were prepared to depart. Addiela, Finchley, Ryn and Nethrida were bound for Bree and a meeting with the dwarves, while Eduwiges, Xanderian, Calidis and Ellsabeth rode Arnach to seek the freedom of Daedre, so that Edu could learn more of her past. Xandilif had departed the night before on a mission of her own, and Nimlindir and Aliandith remained behind to see to the Island.
Calidis was still holding a length of rope just in case Edu needed to be tied to the saddle. However the flaxen haired warrior seemed to have sobered up from the salve incident, though her bruises seemed even more livid.
Addiela dug out another jar of salve from her bag and handed it to Edu, whispering to the woman as she did so, "Only use a little amount at a time, enough to cover in a light application….and next time, do it yourself."
Before mounting her horse, Xanderian struggled not to hug Addie. "Please, sister of my heart, give my apologies to the dear Mute One. I know he will be heartbroken I cannot attend upon him but give my kindest regards and most solumn regrets.” Xanderian took a lace handkerchief from her pouch. "And do give him this, a token of my support and affection and a promise of aid should he require it.
Addiela smiled brightly barely controlling her laughter. "I shall deliver that message to him, Xanderian. I am sure that he…umm…would have loved to have seen you." Addiela took the handkerchief. "And shall I wrap it around his shoulders?"
Xanderian nodded earnest, 'If he is cold, indeed.'
Addiela tucked the handkerchief into her satchel as Finchley gigglesnorted from atop Destiny the Wonder Horse. Finch knew full well how much Xan terrified poor Bryge, who the elf called the Mute One. In fact, everyone knew the dwarf could not stand to be in the same room with her…everyone except of course for Xanderian.
Finchley’s bird Galvra settled on her shoulder and in a good estimation of Xan’s voice squawked “Hail dear Mute One…Hail…Hail” before Finch could hold her beak shut, staring at the bird in horror.
“Hush you crazy bird…” Finchley whispered. “You’ll give poor Mr. Bryge a heart attack if ya do that…”
And so with much waving and offers of Godspeed and mutual concern the two groups of friends departed in two different directions.
--
Several days later, Eduwiges and company rode through the outskirts of the fair city of Arnach, nestled in the Lebennin region of Gondor. Arnach was clearly a city on the move, with money being obviously spent on expanding and beautifying the existing city. In the fields around it, space had been made to train and garrison soldiers of Gondor. This not only served to protect the town and support the war effort, but to expand Arnach’s sway on the area.
In short, Arnach was like many second tier cities in Gondor, but filled with ambition. If you asked folk in the market they would proudly say that Arnach would be bigger and better than Dol Amroth once the war was over....as if that would be the answer to all their prayers.
Eduwiges looked around as they rode, her bruises had faded a bit while they were travelling, but she will still quite proud of her black eye now that the swelling had gone down. Calidis was keeping the rope close at hand just in case, however.
Riding towards the town square, they noted banners everywhere advertising "A Festival of Gondorian Justice" to take place in five days time. The banners spoke of a hanging under the authority of Lord Forlong, master of Arnach…but Captain Baranor's name appeared more often and in larger type than Forlong's.
Calidis glanced over the banners and raised a brow. 'A festival to celebrate a hanging? That does seem a trifle...barbaric, does it not?'
Having never ventured to the place before, Elsa followed Edu closely , looking around a bit wide eyed at the bustle and the vibrant colors.
Xanderian leaned close to the girl. "Arnach is known as the City of Flowers" and indeed the entire city seemed in bloom.
Eduwiges looked around. 'Xan, old Fat Forlong would not be happy with what is happening here. Who is this Baranor?'
Xanderian smiled, 'Baranor is captain of the guard of Arnach, and the man Forlong left in charge when he rode to war...most regarding him with favor, up to a degree. He is a well decorated soldier and leader, but since Forlong departed he has…changed, some say.'
Calidis frowned a bit as she read over the banners again. "It seems in Forlong's absence, the man has set himself up as the lord of the place..."
Eduwiges nodded, 'Aye, but do we know anything else about him?'
Xanderian pointed at another banner, matching several more along the street. It declared support for a faction called The Lebennin Loyalists, along with their motto, "Our Land, Our People, Our Future"' She looked Back at Edu. “We know he is politically aligned with these Loyalists, just as the late Roric had been in Linhir...and there are whispers there is an intent to make this the first town to fall wholly in line with their movement.”
Ellsabeth shook her head. 'Politics…All the more reason to watch each others backs for as long as we are here.'
Several people were drifting the streets wearing the golden flower that was the symbol of the Loyalists..and those often stared at Xan and Cal with suspicion.
Calidis casually pulled up her hood in reaction…but Xanderian notably did not. Whether this was due to ignorance, inattention or defiance, who could say.
Eduwiges scowled back at those staring at Xan and Calidis. 'Most of these idiots come from Elvish stock. These are as bad as the ones in Linhir.' She spat on the ground beside her horse Oenone.
As they rode through the main square of the town, past flowering beds of roses, a massive gallows and ornate speaker’s podium were almost completed, with workers still hard at their labors. Numerous food stalls and smaller stages for street entertainers were also being erected. It truly seemed Naranor meant this to be a public execution, a political rally AND a street fair.
Calidis winced at the juxtaposition of the gallows, the flowers, and the food stalls. "This is... horrible. And truly odd."
Ellsabeth rode with the others while noticing the Food Stalls. "Oh....Maybe they will have Rats on Sticks for supper, like Mr. Thwock's cavalcade?"
Eduwiges grimaced at the memory. 'This smells of Man's handywork, not that goblin’s. Too bad Little sister is not with us. She would love the food stands'
Xanderian paused for a moment, concerned for Finchley being so far away without either herself or her sister Xandilif looking out for her, but let the worry go remembering Nethrida was guarding over her. She pointed up at the bulk of the Great Hall of Forlong just beyond the square. There was a gracious dome to one side, and a towering, block-like tower past that, hewn from black stone. “That dome is the treasury that this Daedre sought to pillage and beyond..the Donjon of Arnach. It is said to be one of the most secure prisons in Gondor, even more than in Dol Amroth. Some have even said only the dark lord of the East offers less hospitable quarters than the Donjon of Arnach.'
Eduwiges gritted her teeth at the thought of Mordor, and of the poor wretches held inside that cruel tower before them. 'Do you have a plan for getting in and out of Fat Forlong's great hole?' she pointed at the Donjon.
Xan shook her head. 'Not as of yet...but we seek a local inn, called The Sly Widow. Hopefully the person we are to meet there can be of help...'
The group slowly rode down into the darker, more remote parts of the city, along winding, broken streets with fewer banners and flower boxes. Many of the typical ruffians and vagrants of any city in war time milled about, and some even seemed to consider the quartet of women likely prey…until they saw the prominent arms and armor and resolute demeanors. Then they kept their distance.
Calidis stuck close to Xan and Edu, keeping her hood up and wearing her mask of calm. She was deeply uncomfortable, but most would never notice, behind her studied “elven” demeanor.
Finally they came upon an inn, with a sign over the door that depicted a matronly woman with her skirts up over her head, revealing lacy bloomers.
Xanderian, the Monk of Osgiliath smiled. 'We are here, dear ones…The Sly Widow.”
Eduwiges pulled her gauntlets tight and eases her sword in its sheath. She checked her bow and quiver strapped to the horse's side. “That sign is obscene…I like it. Stay close Cal,' she growled, 'Anyone comes near threatening, I’ve got you.'
Ellsabeth hopped off her horse and found herself face to face with another banner, beside the door of the inn, much like the ones in the better parts of town. However on this banner advertising the Festival of Justice, someone had scrawled IN before the word Justice.'
Ellsabeth pointed it out to the others. "Check out that banner."
Xanderian nodded softly. 'It would seem Baranor's festival is not so popular with all his citizens.” Xanderian glanced around, then pusheed the door open..stepping into the inn followed by the others.
The Sly Widow was be dark and smokey, but not as bad as some pits they had all been to...various drunks, a few prostitutes, a good number of working men and women hiding away from society. It was not as family oriented as the Pony, but not as rough as the Albatross....but Xanderian held Cal's hand tightly none the less.
Various heads glanced up as they entered...but none seemed especially interested.
Xanderian moved to the bar and caught the barkeeps eye..."Ale all around...and here…I wish to speak with someone." She slid a note across the bar to the man.
The grizzled barkeep looked at the note and grew a bit pale. "You sure about this?..Even if he is here, and I ain’t sayin he is…he don’t have no truck with the likes of you.'
Xanderian just smiled. "Tell him Vannis sent me...but first those ales I think. My companions thirst.”
Eduwiges looked at Calidis and smiled, 'Act like you own this place Cal. People here smell uncertainty and fear.' She looked around objectively, 'And bad food...Elsa' she whispered. 'Keep an eye on the door. I will watch our backs.'
Ellsabeth nodded and positioned herself with a clear view of the door while listening to her companions speaking.
The barkeep drew four pints and then glanced at his assistant to keep the bar as he went into the back, taking the note with him. Xanderian passed the mugs around, first to Edu.
Xan shook her head softly, 'I feel a strange sense of...anger. It seems things are not all unity and flowers in Arnach'
Calidis nodded, 'Considering the defaced banner outside, it seems this place is a sort of haven for those... not taking the popular side.'
'Tell me, Edu..what did you think of these Loyalists in Linhir?' Xan tilted her head, curious.
Eduwiges smiled as she took the mug gratefully, 'Thank you Lethy.' She drank deep before continuing. 'Hmm, a bunch of trouble makers if ya ask me. The kind that whisper plots and prejudices, easily led and easily swayed. Not many have a mind of their own. There is always someone to blame for their problems. That is why Mans was able to do so well there I bet.'
Xanderian sighed. "That speaks of grim days ahead...perhaps the war is not only on the front lines.
Calidis whispered low, "... Is there a possibility that Mans has created some of the extremism here as well?"
"It is always possible...´ Xanderian looks at Cal. “…but this sort of factionalism does not require the power of Sindya to inflame simply well chosen words, and a spark..
Eduwiges drank again, 'The fecking war has all the leadership off fightin’. It was the same in Rohan. The weak ones are left in charge and they are often corrupt.'
The Bartender returned, followed by another assistant. "He will see you...go with the boy here.' The bartender paused..."You better pay for those ales now, just in case ya can’t later….and no tab.'
Eduwiges was about to object but Xanderian slid a few coppers across the bar.
Calidis had forgotten about her mug and, feeling guilty that Rian had paid for it to be wasted, belatedly had a sip of her ale and managed to not make a face. She missed her wine already.
They followed the boy into the back of the Inn, and down a set of stairs to a heavy wooden door. The boy said "Knock and wait to be let in..." and then scurried upstairs again'
Ellsabeth had also ignored her ale as her attention had stayed mostly on the door since Edu had asked her to watch it. Now looking at the door before them, she wished she had had a drink.
Xanderian knocked firmly and a small window in the door slid back. Bloodshot eyes and the window closed again. A few moments and the door unbolted, swinging open.
As they stepped in, a large, well armed figure was standing to the side, and gestured to the darkness on the other side of the room. "Big Boss will see ya....but make it quick, he's got a lot on his mind....'
Calidis just stared at the large figure without really meaning to. She was liking this less and less with each passing minute but knew it couldn’t be helped.
In the darkness, they could barely make out the shape of a desk, with apparently someone seated behind it, utterly swallowed in the shadows.'
A voice intoned, rough and quiet. "So....Vannis sent ya huh....considering he is into me for 1000G that broken down old soldier must have balls the size of Palantirs....'
The desk was big enough that as long as the figure leaned back in the chair, not even the elves could get a good look at him, which was utterly intentional.
The voice continued. “The note says you children are looking for a map of the Donjon...and a plan for bustin’ somebody out. Well sure, no problem...I'll get ya that, and my old mother's best sunday underpants....HA…don’t make me laugh. You children got a good reason I don’t have my pal Reg back there take the smaller ones of ya, and shove em up the arses of the bigger ones?'
Calidis had to literally bite her tongue to keep from saying anything cutting. Xanderian leaned close to Edu..."Tell him why we are here, Eduwiges.”
Eduwiges looked unsure, 'The truth?'
Xanderian nodded. “I think that would be wisest”
Eduwiges leaned over putting both hands on the desk. 'We are here to get Daedre out before they kill her. What can you do to aid us?' she straightened up.
The voice gasped softly. "Are you messin with me? You gotta be crazier then an orc in a bowtie to even think about somethin’ like that. That prig Baranor has 45 guys standing around in her cell, and that is just for starters...And what da you want with the Shadowslip, huh? Bunch of lightsiders and do-gooders like you...yeah, I know your kind'
Eduwiges nearly snarled, 'I do not think you do. We need her for information. We need her out and away from here, alive.'
'Are you saying you're incapable of doing it then?' Calidis was looking her most elven, haughty and imperious.
The figure in the shadows snorted at Elsa's bravado and then Cal felt the man behind the desk look at her, a long pause..."Yeah that's what I'm saying ya damn Fairy.'
Eduwiges slowly cracked her knuckles and tightened her gauntlets in the ensuing, almost electirc silence.
They heard the man take a sip of his drink, then the tension eased a bit. “You lot look like ya can handle a few things, but do ya really think you can spring the Shadowslip out of the Box in the Donjon?'
Eduwiges nodded, 'You get us in, and we will get her out. I do not think you want her dead either.'
Calidis merely stared at where she figured he could be behind the desk and nodded sharply. "Shadowslip is her moniker is it not? If she cannot 'spring out of the box' herself, surely with help she can if she is worth that name."
The figure in the shadows raised his voice..."YA HEAR THAT REG?'
Reg, hulking near the door, nodded. "I heard that Big Boss”.
The figure continued, even louder. “PRETTY FUNNY HUH REG?'
Reg nodded again. "Pretty funny Big Boss'
The figure in the dark paused and took another drink. "Ya know what fairy, that is a pretty good point...while you lot are getting your brains stomped out, it might give the Shadowslip an edge... You bunch are really serious about this?'
Ellsabeth smirked and nodded, 'Be so easy we will be back here for lunch and drinks before you realize we left in the first place.'
The figure ignored Elsa’s boast and looked at Edu. “If Vannis sent ya ya must be pretty good at killing things..so who knows...ya just might make it in...once ya get her out of the Box, Shadowslip should be able to do the rest unless they broke her…and knowing Baranor he will want her lively and spitting mad when she takes the drop, looks better for the kiddies. Daedre the Shadowslip, finally payin’ for her crimes… ”
They heard the rasp of the heavy chair as it was slid back, then the light thump of boots coming down onto the floor.'
Eduwiges took her dagger out and stabbed the desk with it. “Whoever this Vannis is did send us which speaks to our reputation. Stop wasting out time and let us get on with it!'
Big Boss stepped out of the shadows and looked up at Edu from about waist high. "Keep your knife where I can't see it, Cupcake, or swear ta feckin god I will bite yer kidneys out.'
Looking down, Edu beheld a hobbit...his head was shaved, scarred in several places and a pale grey skull was tattooed across his face like some kind of unearthly mask. One of his eyes was blue, the other brown.'
Eduwiges, Calidis and Ellsabeth just stared down at the figure, so unlike what they were used to they nearly laughed but noting the look in his mismatched eyes, thought better of it.
Behind them, Xanderian whispered. “And this is Guido "Big Boss" Featherbottom, the leading crime lord in this part of Gondor. Now we can finally get down to business.”
Big Boss nodded. “Damn right we can. Reg...get the maps....'
