Arkadhur and then
Ilisys
with thoughts of things to come ..
@Lantaelen @Arnyn @Pele Alarion
It was an opportunity indeed, and one that he had not expected for the lady to allow him. But there was small cause to fear, for this second Swan Knight already knew something of who, or what, he was dealing with.
Abrazimir’s use of
Arkadhur’s true name set the tone for the conversation to come. And let the Umbarian know that the Lady had shared at least some of her knowledge of him, with her kinsman. He wondered though, how much .. how recent .. ? The remark about ’enjoying the comforts’ in particular paid so little heed to current undertakings ... And he was relatively certain that
Ilisys would not eagerly share some of her secrets with those she held in any manner of esteem.
“
I would think that, where it comes to ancestral and adopted homelands, the definitions are rather more blurred by time than by geography,” he returned, calmly gathering a glass of red wine more for show of ease than any real thirst.
Arkadhur gave a good play of perfectly mimicking
Abrazimir’s vague hand gesture, falling into the familiar portrayal of a likeminded man of means. Despite the less typical subject of their smalltalk. “
For all that your mighty conqueror may find the prospect of fast spreading himself thin over too vast a lie of land now be his undoing.”
Arkadhur raised his glass to press against his lips in all the pretence of there spilling the wine within. And did not.
“
Umbar does not soon forget the hurts afforded her,” the man divulged, raising his untouched drink toward a toast, the gesture spilling just enough to lessen the content of the glass a believable amount. “
Whereas Calenardhon scarce recalls that she did ever know that name. I wonder, what might .. now .. render the one as ally and the other foe, when both enjoy the same strain of independence from tyranny? Neither has long maintained what their neighbour in common has proved he can not command outright."
Arkadhur idled in the security of their apparent seclusion and soft spoken words. As though they two stood in some timeless ballroom of the south, rather than here, and now. He watched the Belfalasian with interest while he was granted such an advantage, having come well versed with the Lord’s own ‘family traditions’, so to speak. He had not required the Lady’s tongue to untether that particular rumour. The name of
Dimaethor and associated scandal of the past was not a secret in Dol Amroth. And
Arkadhur had called that city his home for some many years before he had been given cause to abscond. This Lord came of a long line of those who had shown great sympathy to
Arkadhur’s strain of ancestors. Might be it was time to make intrigue of that connection, for a further ally or potential even, would prove no small boon within the current climate ..
“
The coming is oft accomplished with more ease than the going,” the Umbarian tilted his head and considered the nobleman apparent idle musing with an indication of interest. This was perhaps not the first ale the Belfalasian had enjoyed this day, he considered .. all elements of any significance. “
Though I know of one in particular who would see .. you .. ever of a fluid state. Perhaps that is why you are come so far from the schoals yourself ?”
There was no need to speak more keenly of
Keket’s threat; to see
Abrazimir forever cast as oar slave that he might convey his kinsfolk from their raided homes to new vestiges of despair on foreign shores. A fitting fate, for the man who had insulted the less fair of their two mutual acquaintances. At least in the mind of the designer. But did not that designer now desire similar dejections visited upon his one time servant ? And there was the matter of other inheritance that might affect them both ..
"
What issue exists betwixt your kinswoman and myself is, a matter for future consideration, more so than any regretful past,” the Umbarian sighed, honestly. “
Rest assured though, I shall see what is mine own, returned. Perhaps you seek the same ? For you stand so far as I, sir, from whence your deepest of roots were once entangled. And who knows in such days, where all lines shall end ?”
Aware of
Ilisys, now returned from speaking to
Sorrela, hovering to one side, not to forget the collected approach of
Arnyn, the Umbarian took a step back from where he had leant in to share ‘words’ with the man who’d invaded his homeland. Fair was fair, and an eye for an eye. And as far as
Arkadhur was concerned, this knight was no better than himself. But both of them knew well enough to concede to a lady’s arrival.
So he did not interrupt when the blonde woman, Ranger, ... he corrected himself, claimed his company for herself. One eyebrow simply rose in anticipation of observing the gentleman ‘comply’ with his evident commander. Arkadhur said nothing in response to the Lieutenant’s attention to his own self, but watched without blinking as the Rangers went toward their new assignments. Sensing
Ilisys beside him, the Umbarian did not bother to turn.
“
A lot, here, now,” he gave back to her earlier observation. “
I imagine it is time for there, soon ?”
The Ehtyar allowed for the Ranger party to depart further with their entrusted entourage, and pondered her own options. She would of course rather to remain and strengthen the watch over
Pele with her kinsman, since to do else felt like forsaking their main priority. If it were not for the matter of the Smith girl, she might have been more inclined to. But now she knew her choice was none at all. She would have to see her ‘contact’ elsewheres from all those she would see spared. There was much, naturally, that she had a want to speak of with
Arkadhur, now more than ever, for herself. But a delay so that he may not catch up any where close to see
Shamara’s direction would be wise. Meanwhile, there was
Abrazimir and the guard to remain with
Pele. It was unfortunate, but she did not see how she might split her commitments. Thankfully, rumours suggested that the King himself might come to light up the bonfire. He would have at his command and company no doubt a good many armed guards. There were also, of course, still a fair quota of Rangers and City Guard still spread about the festivities. On duty or else, they were not to be discounted should the worst occur.
“
There is yet wine in your glass,”
Isys remarked, and saw
Arkadhur deftly turn his hand downside in a defiance, so that the grass ran red. He had the distinct impression that he might need to avoid imbibing before the conversation that would surely, shortly come. He made to pocket the emptied glass, but the woman held out her hand for it. And found the man unresponsive. His eyes were upon the grass, he raised one foot slightly off the ground then replaced it. She waited. “
Come, now,” she added quietly.
The prospect saw him turn, and meet her glance with his own. He was thinking, and she readied, expecting the flight. This was the moment. This was where it would come down to .. Of course she had not yet divulged her plan to the man, to deliver him to the City Guard for questioning on the morrow. He no doubt believed they would be headed now for where they had tended to meet before. She allowed him that belief, for so long as it might now serve.
"
For now,” he muttered, glancing then toward
Abrazimir, and after, back across the field. But never toward
Pele, his minder was relieved to note.
Arkadhur raised a silent toast and finally handed over the already emptied wine glass, which the lady placed calmly upon the closest table top.
Isys had purchased a house in the city which she used at times, as a home where her mother and the grand entourage from Lond Col stayed; when the
Lady Eressild deigned to visit in Minas Tirith. Noone would disturb them there. There had been plenty disturbances more easily observed already.
“
Captain,” she bade
Pele though, before departing. “
Watch you stand far enough from the flames that have been promised. For I have a want to know you still upon the morrow,”
Isys thus delivered her assurance that she would check in with
Pele, after the rest of this ‘holiday’ was done. Also her firm affirmation that she should find her friend and commander safe and sound by then, despite all of the ‘excitement’. With a final meaningfully slow nod of respect granted to
Abrazimir, the Ehtyar put her hand into
Arkadhur's back and cut off his own pointed meet of gaze toward her kinsman, as might a beleagoured parent urge her hesitant child to bed with no supper.
