Rangers: Headquarters & Armoury

[Arnyn]

The Sixth Circle houses the Rangers of Gondor, created by King Aragorn Elessar after the the War of The Ring.

HEADQUARTERS


The first building of the Rangers to meet the eye is the one housing the Headquarters. The unique architectural design of the building gives it the look of a six-pointed star.

A heavy oak door protects the way into a spacious hall with a couple of windows opening up towards the street and allowing the light to enter.

Next to the door of the Commander’s office is a large notice board with pieces of parchment pinned upon it, telling of roster updates and other important things Rangers should know.

Here, you may:

• Ask to be enlisted in the Rangers

• Have a mentor appointed for you to proceed with training

• Let your Commanders know if you will be away for a lengthy time

Uniform and equipment of the Rangers

• The formal uniform is black with the white tree emblazoned on the chest.

• Armour is left up to the individual ranger.

Ranger Ranks
Officer ranks:
(May be added to if the number of active Rangers justify it)
Captain
Lieutenant
-
Specialization ranks:
(A Ranger can have several advanced skills or areas of expertise, but can only hold only one specialization or 'master skill')
Cúner (bow) / Ehtyar (spear and/or polearm)/ Hyandaner (sword)/ Pelecconer (axe)/ Tirdinen (survival or scouting/tracking or stealth/camouflage)/ Yantyar (healing or smithing or logistics)
-
Ranger
-
Training ranks:
Initiate
Trainee
Recruit


How do I train?

1. Sign up to the Rangers with your character's name, weapons and armor. You may bring an experienced character (with experience through for ex. some other military structure such as the Rangers of Ithilien, the Gondorian Army, different groups, personal background, etc.) or a character who still needs to learn much or nearly everything. Side note: The command will ensure that not too many unexperienced recruits enlist at the same time.
2. New recruits and any Rangers who wish may draw a uniform, armor, and basic weaponry from the supply room.
3. Once acknowledged, you may join in Ranger storylines. A mentor may be assigned or requested, with whom you can work on training individually or in the context of a campaign.

How do I obtain a specialization?
If you hold the Ranger rank, the command keeps track of your posts 'in the line of duty' which may count toward a specialization. When you are eligible to earn a specialization, the command will reach out to you.


Currently active Rangers

Name	Rank	Primary Weapon	Secondary Weapon	Healing	Scouting/Tracking
Pele Alarion	Captain	Longsword	Recurve bow	Healing specialization	Intermediate
Arnyn Dealedwen	Lieutenant	Longsword - Sword specialization	Shortbow	Elementary	Advanced
Duinion Raedor	Tirdinen Ranger - Survival specialization	Longbow	Daggers	Intermediary	Advanced
Ilisys Azrubêl	Ehtyar Ranger	Spear - Polearm specialization	Shortsword	Elementary	Intermediate
Karis Ziranphel	Cúner Ranger	Longbow - Bow specialization	Shortsword	Intermediate	Intermediate - advanced
Kaylin Maethyr	Hyandaner Ranger	Shortsword and shield - Sword specialization	Knives	Elementary	Elementary
Abrazimir Dimaethor	Ranger	Sword and shield	Armoured fists	Elementary	Elementary
Mourgan Alarion	Ranger	Longsword	Bow	Elementary	Elementary
Thûllir Bregedŷr	Ranger	Longbow	Shortsword	Advanced	Advanced
Unalmis Raxëlilta	Ranger	Shortsword	Knives	Elementary	Elementary
Trastion Leithor	Trainee	Longsword	Shortbow	Elementary	Elementary

ARMOURY


Adjacent to Headquarters is the Armoury. It is a low but very spacious building, and the torches on the walls between racks of weapons give it steady light. The many wooden tables and racks displaying armor and weapons all but create a maze that might bewilder a newcomer, or an overly sleepy soldier.

There is a section with spears and javelins lining up neatly according to their lengths, and next to them is a collection of battle axes. After these is a vast display of swords - lines upon lines of long swords, several lines of short swords, some broadswords and some rapiers. Then there is a section almost as large, but dedicated to bows. The greater part of it consists of longbows, followed by recurves. The tables in the midst of the large room contain pieces of armour, various daggers, helms, belts, scabbards, and various other accessories.

Along one wall, shelves rise almost to the ceiling; the bottom rows are filled with boots, and the garments such as extra cloaks, trousers, and tunics are stacked high on the other shelves.

The back door leads from the armoury into a small forge. The bulk of the weapons and armour are made by the city's blacksmiths; however the smith in this forge works mainly on maintenance. Her hands are full trying to repair all the weapons and chainmail, and whatever else wrought of steel the Rangers bring to her.

Current Smith
Calithilidis Dringolben

***

Locations (please post in the color indicated for each location)
HQ: standard black
Armoury: grey #808080

Guidelines for overall thread use:
Always indicate your name, rank, and location at the top of your post.
In character posts only, please.
If you must have an OOC comment, white it out, or even better - post in the Rangers OOC thread.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

She'd risen early and had witnessed the sunrise over the Pelennor. From where exactly shall remain unsaid for now, but she was always alone there and it had farout the best view she'd come across other on the Sixth Circle. After, she'd gone to get an early breakfast and she'd left the mess well before the morning mealtime was over.

No armour for her today. Arnyn had simply donned the black uniform with the White Tree, tall black leather boots and a long black coat to keep her warm. Now that the fireplace was crackling in the office, however, there was no longer a need for the coat, and her badge of office was visible on the shoulder of her uniform.

After having finished the large stack of paperwork yesterday, only a few papers had found their way to the desk by the next morning. One of them was a report from Lieutenant Brian. She had already gone through them and was standing near the fire when the knock on the doorpost came. She turned around. "Yes?" she responded automatically, before realizing she should probably add something else. "Come in." She was expecting Duinion, but you never really knew who might want to speak to the Captain or herself.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office - After Breakfast

It was definitely Arnyn's voice inside, and so when she added 'come in', he did as instructed. The sound of his crutches was sure to precede him into the room, so he felt no need to announce his identity. Stopping once he was in the room, he gave a small nod. "Lieutenant," He greeted her, his tone cordial. Since he was in the HQ, he had dressed in his uniform, which seemed surprisingly clean and fresh in contrast to the faded, travel-stained clothes he would normally wear while out in the woods. Of course this was because the uniform rarely got worn, except when he had a particular cause to wear it, so it wasn't as likely to have mud or stains on it.
Pinned to his shoulder was the Tirdinen badge that Pele had awarded him, polished and shined.

Despite having spent the night doing just about anything but sleeping, he did not seem to appear any different than normal since he was fairly used to staying awake all night, whether from being unable to sleep, or having a shift on guard duty, as he had been the night he got injured. Though he wasn't wearing his daggers at this moment, they were freshly cleaned, sharpened and polished as well as the badge. "I didn't see you at breakfast," he mentioned, curious if he had simply overlooked her, although it was partly only said because he felt that he ought to say something more than just 'lieutenant'. It might also have been, in part, a subtle way of letting her know he had done as she ordered, and had been in the mess hall for the breakfast meal.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

"Duinion," she greeted him in return with a nod. She gestured at one of the chairs in front of the desk. "Please," she said, "unless you prefer to stand." Her dark eyes casually assessed him when he spoke of breakfast. "I was early but did not stay long. And it is a large room. Next time, perhaps." A faint smile appeared on her face.

After closing the door, she sat down on the other chair in front of the desk, rather than the one behind it. Calm and patient, she watched his expression. Arnyn did not ask any questions for the moment. Sometimes it was better to simply let the answers come, unprompted, if they would come that way. He knew at least one of the questions she was expecting an answer to. And perhaps he would offer more of his own volition. That remained to be seen.

[Ercassie]

Ranger Unalmis Raxëlilta
At the Armoury with Erynneth Raedor.
Seeking the New Smith – Before Midsummer
@Rillewen

Unalmis had asked Eryn to meet him in the courtyard since, even though he knew she was concerned about bumping into Lieutenant Brian again, the young woman had been adamant that she would come with him. She would be hard pressed to miss his arrival, or his passage, as the Ranger bore as much of his weapons and armour as he could at once in both arms, and was as a consequence, weighed down from his usual unhindered gait. The recent practice in avoiding a trip-hazard/attention-seeking dog was finally serving a purpose, as he had taken no spills so far whilst glimpsing his direction only over the top of such a pile. And the Armoury was a building set apart from the HQ or Barracks, so he did not expect too much traffic that might trouble him with risk of a collision.

Tempted to drop his bundle on the ground, once he reached the Armoury entrance, Unalmis refrained, if only from the lack of appeal in gathering it all back up again soon after. He had flung all things from his window that he wished not for the Barracks Master to find in his room, but this heft of equipment had been thankfully allowed to stay inside. There was no argument that could be made against it being stored in his quarters after all, besides the fact that he had not had it checked for a while. And Ilisys had insisted that he do just that, before she would see him on the training grounds. He had brought with him all that he could find that he was sure was his, and not in fact Beren's.


The fact that Eryn had a small piece of equipment of her own, which required the smith’s attention, was a lesser known fact. But the reason why his friend was going to join him in the errand this morning. The new Smith at the Armoury was unlikely to be wise to Nal’s identity, much less his tendency for certain schemes, so he was hopeful that Eryn’s dagger could be snuck in with the rest and no questions asked.

But there was only one way to find out.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Erynneth Raedor (civilian/guest)
Armory; The day after the Incident of the Dog

Discussion had happened, plans had been made. Celebrations had happened as well, once Aggie and Cailon agreed to let Hattie stay at the farm. Hattie had no idea what Eryn and Nal were so happy about, but had just leaped around and celebrated along with them, and run around in circles, barking and being excited about something she didn't know involved her. Despite choosing to leave the dog at her new home, today, Eryn had had difficulty in actually accomplishing this feat. Hattie did not want to be left behind, and it had taken a little help from Aggie trapping her in the house before Eryn was able to slip away unaccompanied by the little troublemaker. She only hoped the dog wouldn't sneak out of the house and come chasing after her in a short while.

Since Nal had had to go on ahead, to collect his gear and possibly give some account for his whereabouts the previous night, and Eryn had some chores to get done before she could go into town, she had gone about those chores as quick as she could so not to keep Nal waiting too long for her. And then she hurried up through the circles, and was quite out of breath by the time she reached the sixth one. Fortunately, she no longer had to rely on someone else to get her through that gate, having learned the password so that she could come regularly to visit Kaylin while she recovered. That would be her next stop, after seeing this weapon smith Nal had spoken of.

The dagger was in its own sheath today, and tucked into a bag she was carrying, to conceal the weapon so not to have everyone see her carrying it through the city. At last, she arrived at the courtyard, the designated place to meet Nal. Arriving just in time to spot her friend making his slow and careful way across the courtyard, Eryn held back a laugh to see how high his collection was piled in his arms. "Here, I'll get the door," She grinned, hurrying ahead of him, so that she arrived at the door where he was heading, just ahead of him. "Do you actually use all of that stuff?" She wondered, eyes widening slightly at just how much gear Nal had managed to scrounge up. After losing almost everything he owned to the Barrack's master just the previous evening, it was a wonder he had anything at all left to his name!

[Isolde Alarion]

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Armory: After the incidents at the dance w/ Cali
@Rillewen

He was unsure what to tell her, what he could tell her. All he knew was that she deserved some sort of explanation from him. At least that's how he felt in his heart. It's what spurred the tall mans steps down the hallway. He scratched at his stubbled chin in thought and speculation not really seeing those he past along the way.

She'd been upset that night and he hadn't been there to help her, duty had terrible timing. Was there a way he could make it up to her? She needed to at least be aware of the troubles lurking among their ranks although she herself wasn't a Ranger but she did work there and that could put her in danger none the less.

Before he knew it his thoughts had lead him to the entrance to the Armory. He didn't hesitate to enter but he did look around to see if Cali was there and if anyone else was there also. "Cali!" He called out when he didn't see her immediately. "Cali, are you here?" Once more he called as he neared the forge.

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Hallway of HQ building - Day of the Midsummer Festivities

The place was almost eerily quiet today, with everyone away at the Erulailtale, but Trastion didn't mind being here on his own. Having volunteered to take Mourgan's place on guard duty, so his roommate could go and enjoy himself at the festivities, Trastion paced up and down slowly in the hallway. His boots echoed in the empty space. To pass the time, he tapped his bracer against his side, amused by the sound it made, and gradually it turned into a sort of melody. The shift wasn't half over, so he had a long time left to go. Not that he minded, since he wasn't planning to go to the festivities anyway. And someone had to take the guard duty, so it worked out perfectly.

Reaching the end of the hallway, he turned and scanned the hallway before setting off again slowly. He wasn't entirely sure why there was a need for guarding the hallway when everyone was out at the Erulaitale, but at least it gave him an excuse for if anyone asked him why he wasn't going out to enjoy the festivities. He'd only been on duty for a short while when he watched the smith lady storm out of the armory looking ready to strangle someone. Raising an eyebrow at this, Trastion decided it wasn't any of his business, and so went on about his pacing. As far as he could tell, now he was the only one here. Probably the only one in the entire sixth circle, for that matter. Except the people in the houses of healing, he amended his thoughts. The injured and sick people couldn't go down to the celebration. But aside from them... yeah. He was the only one here.

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Cali Dringolben
Armory - After the Midsummer event

The armor gleamed as she set it on the rack. Cali stepped back and brushed her hands on her apron, sighing in relief as she placed another set of armor back on its place on the rack. She still had a pile of things left to finish, and she needed to go through her inventory once more to make sure that certain items hadn't somehow ended up misplaced. She didn't mind the work.. it was good to have something to keep her occupied, but the 'misplaced' weapons concerned her. She needed to keep busy, lest she begin to worry and think too much about things she didn't want to think about. After rubbing her tired eyes, she turned to return to the forge so she could start on the next piece, then paused as she heard someone calling for her by name. She paused, peeking around one of the rows of armor. Mourgan. Why didn't that surprise her?

Leaning against the side of the armor rack, she cleared her throat to draw his attention to the right place. "Over here," She answered. "Need some armor fixed, or.. coming to place an order for custom armor?" She wondered, curious what had brought him here. She recalled having spoken about that with him, at the midsummer. Just before everything got crazy. She did feel bad that the nice time they'd had at the dance had been interrupted, partly because of her. But she couldn't really help how that had all turned out, and there was still a lot of it she didn't quite understand. And she realized, the same was true for Mourgan, and she might ought to give him some sort of explanation now that she had a chance.

edit: making a few changes to fit with certain developments that have occurred since this post was originally written

[Isolde Alarion]

@Rillewen
While the Cats Away..
Recruit Amber
Hallway of HQ building - Day of the Midsummer Festivities

The place seemed to have emptied out, quiet as a tomb one could say. She liked it that way. Earlier the place had been buzzing with people preparing for some festival they all seemed eager to get too. Have at it. It would give her time to look around without people interrupting her. More then once she had to act lost to explain her being somewhere she shouldn't be.
Her booted steps echoed on the cold marble stone floors. She walked casually and took her time looking through a couple empty barrack rooms, their tenets now occupied with the event. They would only miss the small items she pocketed when placed in other rooms to set that person up. Nothing like causing a little discontent to pass the evening.

Just as she was coming close to the corner to the hallway she heard it, the tapping. She stopped and listened. Someone was in the hall. She cursed under her breath at the intrusion. Just when she was having fun. She snarled and inhaled deeply and with an exhale she donned her facade. Her amber eyes widened with innocence and she softened her expression to seem approachable and vulnerable . She then turned the corner and saw him.

He was still tapping his bracer against his side. Young was her first thought. As was her habit she instinctively tallied up his worth in coin. Her lips parted into a welcoming smile as she approached him. Not that she cared to be friendly it was the gold he could bring to her purse that brought the smile to her lips. "Hello there." Her voice was like warm honey. "I see I'm not the only one left to walk these halls this day. "

[Ercassie]

Ranger Unalmis Raxëlilta
At the Armoury with Erynneth Raedor.
Seeking the New Smith – Before Midsummer
@Rillewen

“Thanks,” he gave out, to the voice that he assumed was Eryn. “And also good morning.” He had seen her earlier that morning of course, but it had been quite a bit earlier than it was now. “Did Hattie settle in the end ?” he wondered, to both ascertain it was his friend he was speaking to, and because this was the first time he had left her alone in a strange place, since he’d left her with his father that once. Admittedly the dog did seem to like the farm a lot more than the small shop, and Aggie and Cailon had been so kind and understanding about it all, that it could not have worked out better if he had planned it himself. Hoping that Eryn might know of a farm who would help cater to the animal’s exuberance .. he’d never even put the thought together of the farm where Eryn herself lived. But she had, of course.


“Well yes,” he replied when she asked if he used all the things that he was carrying. “But not all at once. And I didn’t see the point in dressing up in all the armour or the leathers to walk over here, cos then I’d have to take it all off again,” he explained. He was dressed in his black and white official uniform, though, since the Barracks Master had unwisely elected to confiscate most of his clothes, which had else been dirtying up his room before, as laundry had a tendency to. “Did you bring the .. you know ?” Rather unwisely, this was the last thing that the Ranger asked, before the corridor they were walking down opened out into the armoury proper. It had been a while since Unalmis had been in there, but he’d never met the new smith, since the old one had retired.

“Umm help ?” he greeted the presumed stranger, from behind the pile of his gear. Only the top of his brow and hair was visible over the top of it, and indeed it must have looked as though the equipment had gotten so tired of waiting for a check in that it had all walked over here of it’s own accord to be serviced. Footsteps and sounds betrayed the presence of somebody who was clearly busy and about their own equipment in the armoury. Whom he took to be the person he was looking for. “I am supposed to get this all checked over,” he explained. And reached out a hand blindly toward his friend to nudge her about slipping in her father’s dagger in with the rest. “My friend has some of it as well. There is I’m afraid, rather a lot in all.”


As though to prove this point, the young man gave up and released the burden down onto the floor in front of him. Without either care or courtesy, because honestly if weapons and armour could not cope with being dropped to the floor from such a short distance, then they would require far more than just a simple check, to be fit for the use they were intended. Brown eyes surveyed the mess at his feet somewhat embarrassed, to his credit. But when he happened to glance up and meet the new smith he had been expecting, she was far from what, or rather who, he had been expecting.

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Hallway of HQ building - Day of the Midsummer Festivities

He was fairly sure that his tune was off, given the fact his only 'instrument' was some metal piece that held the bracer together, tapping against something similar on his side. But it didn't matter, since Trastion was the only one around to hear it. It wasn't as if he'd ever studied the making of music, anyway. He enjoyed the sound echoing in the empty hallway, as it sort of made the place feel slightly less deserted and eerie. In fact, it was the first time he'd ever known of the place to be so incredibly empty, and it was both comforting and unsettling at the same time. While he knew where everyone was today, it just felt strange to be the only one here.

Except.. he wasn't. He turned as he thought he heard a footstep. A frown crept onto his face, wondering if he was imagining it. After a brief pause to listen for the sound again, he told himself he was being ridiculous, and carried on with his patrol of the hallway, and his 'music'. A moment later, his suspicions turned out to be correct after all! A girl wandered into the hall, looking quite lost. Trastion paused in mid-stride, surprised by this. She looked sort of familiar. After a second, as she approached with a smile, he remembered having seen her before in the captain's office, the same day he enlisted. Waiting, no doubt, to do the same.

He returned the smile. "Hello!" He greeted his fellow recruit. "No, someone has to stay behind on guard duty," He answered her comment with a shrug. "Although, I thought everyone was down in the Pelennor, at the celebration thing." He tilted his head. "You enlisted the same day as I did, didn't you? I remember seeing you in the outer office when I came out. Are you lost?" He wasn't sure how well he'd do at giving directions, being as new as herself, but he could try... he'd had a great roommate to help him learn where everything was.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Erynneth Raedor (civilian/guest)
Armory; The day after the Incident of the Dog

"Yes, good morning," Eryn grinned, opening the door wide to allow her burdened friend through. She followed. "Yes, well. Aunt Aggie had to keep her in the house so she wouldn't follow me," She answered. "I didn't think it'd be smart for her to come back up here today... after last night." There was no need to remind him of what had happened, nor why it would be unwise to bring the dog back to the scene of her greatest worst crime yet. She really hoped the dog would get used to this new set up, and she could understand her confusion that Nal was leaving without her, when they had all arrived together. And she couldn't understand the words when he promised to visit often, nor that it was going to be a lot more fun for her to stay at the farm, where there was so much room to run and play, than to cause trouble at the barracks.

Trailing alongside Nal, Eryn tried to see what all the gear consisted off, but she could only make out a piece of an armor here, the end of a sword there, and so on. He assured her that it was all necessary gear, so she took his word for it. Someday, perhaps she'd have a collection similar to it. "No, I forgot it." She answered his query with an eyeroll, and a tint of sarcasm in her tone, before grinning and retrieving the item from her bag. "It wouldn't do much good to come, without the reason for coming, would it?" She added in a whisper, as they approached the workshop part of the armory. She could tell they were close, because of the heat radiating from the forge. And then they came through the doorway into the room with the forge, and she was somewhat surprised to see that the smith was a woman, and she was busy at work on she she thought might be a sword.

Armorsmith Cali Dringolben
Armory - Sometime before Midsummer

There was a certain resistance that came from working in a forge, in all types of weather. As spring had faded into summer, the days had, naturally, grown hotter. That made the forge feel all the hotter, too. Cali had always felt at home around a forge, ever since she was a toddler, when she'd stood at a distance and watched her father work. The heat though, could get difficult to endure in the hottest months, and she had a feeling the worst was yet to come. Taking a long drink from the cup of water nearby, she was disappointed to find that it was no longer cool, but had absorbed warmth from the air around it, apparently. Oh well, such was the way of things.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead and pulled the blade from the coals. A few taps from the hammer, and back in it went. She would allow no flaws to get past her, and this sword had been in need of a few small repairs when she found it on the rack, trying to pass itself off as battle-ready! She was just taking it out of the coals when she heard someone call out, 'umm, help?' Glancing up, Cali blinked at the sight of what might be taken for a walking pile of armor and weapons, if not for the voice that had drawn her attention in the first place. She knew that voice; it was as familiar as her own. Cali set the blade off to the side of the coals, to let it stay warm without continuing to heat, and turned to face Nal and his companion, who appeared to have only one small dagger compared to his gigantic load. Interesting... an eyebrow raised suspiciously at this, Cali leaned lightly against the heavy anvil as she waited for Nal to finish.

The entire load dropped suddenly to the floor, bringing a small cringe from the smith. More at the noise than any concern that the items would be damaged, for the resulting clatter was, momentarily, deafening. Now that she could see her friend before her, Cali found it somewhat amusing that he still had yet to take notice of just who he was talking to. His attention was focused downward, at his own private armory that he had just deposited at her feet, with unsurprising inconsideration, she noticed. As if she had nothing else in the world to do but stop everything and check over all of his equipment!

Folding her arms, Cali let her own gaze rest upon the pile of gear now scattered on the floor, and looked up at Nal as he also looked up at last. As their eyes met, it was all she could do not to laugh at the comically surprised look on his face. "You realize, of course, that you'll be held responsible for any damage done to the floor?" She mentioned, as if that was the most important thing to be worried about. After, she gave a small smile. "I wondered how long it was going to take you to come in," She added quietly, her tone betraying that she was pleased, despite her pretending to be annoyed. Glancing briefly at his young friend, she turned her gaze back to him with a questioning look. "Your idea of 'even distribution' could use a little work, Nal." She mentioned, shaking her head as if disappointed in him. "She has one dagger, while you carry everything else? What's the point in getting her to help you carry your stuff, if you don't have her actually help?" In actuality, she had a suspicion that he was up to something, that he was planning to pull off some sort of scheme, but rather than ask.. she figured she'd humor him and let him try to explain. And then she'd decipher what his story wasn't telling, and figure it out from there...

[Ercassie]

Ranger Unalmis Raxëlilta
At the Armoury with Erynneth Raedor and Cali Dringolben
Finding an old Friend – Before Midsummer
@Rillewen

He’d laughed when Eryn teased about forgetting the dagger. “Reconnaisance ?” he suggested, as an alternative reason for coming to the armoury without bringing what they needed to have fixed. It might have been a good idea, to scope out what they would be dealing with, before hand. Because as they each raised eyes from the mess on the floor, Unalmis could only blink for a moment to recognise Cali standing before him.

There was a part of his brain which wondered if he was imagining this now. For all the times that he had been around a forge, it had been with her, or Ryn, or the both of them at once. It felt almost familiar, although he never had seen her at this particular forge before. She’d not so very long ago confessed that she’d been learning the craft, for far longer than he might have imagined. So the association was confusing. Was he now remembering that conversation and imagining the rest. Her words, and ‘that look’ upon the new Smith’s face convinced him it was real. It was really her. Still it took him quite a moment to pull himself together and by then Cali was expecting more than a reaction. She'd want an explanation. She was not quite the only one at that !


“I’m already paying off the damage to the wall,” he started, with a whole other conversation which he did not properly explain. Still somewhat stunned. But one thing at a time, and she was already suspicious. Of all the smiths in all the world, she had to be exactly the one he was hoping would not know him well enough to know better.

“Well,” he added, shifting one foot and throwing a brief panicked glance to Eryn. “I mean, it is .. a lot of stuff,” he admitted, mentally throwing out any idea of claiming that he was carrying most of the equipment because his assistant here was a little girl … that would get him a smack ! Perhaps from the both of them in fact. “And it’s mine so. I shouldn’t, you know, expect anyone else to .. because I wanted to prove that I ‘could’ carry it all and then .. so, I thought I had it all already in hand, until then .. Eryn .. Oh, this is Eryn by the way,” he put in helpfully, “Then Eryn here said that I’d missed that .. err one. But I could not even see over the rest to take it from her, since I was already ready to go, and so she said she’d, you know .. carry it for me. To help. And here we are.”


It could have gone better, but it was hard to think of all the reasons he had previously toyed with, before he had to face down Cali, of all people. Who had made it her mission over their mutual childhood to correct and improve upon his terrible attempts at lying.

“So come on then, what is your excuse ?” he gave out as a sudden throwback into her side of the court. “Have you been hiding out here, all this time,” he raised an eyebrow right back at the smith, “Just because you knew how much we need your help ?” A rather earnest plea was brandished. Unashamedly but still, perhaps, for old times sake .. ?


She had to be curious; I mean, by now even if she had not been before. And if there was anything that you could count on for Cali, it was letting her inform you how a scheme could be managed even better. Under such circumstances it was only polite to allow her to demonstrate quite how, in fact .. Maybe this was in fact a better turn of events than he had ever dared to hope for !

“Eryn this is Cali; the very best female smith I’ve ever met,” he winked to the redhead at his side.

[Rillewen]

@Someone Else

Erynneth Raedor and Cali Dringolben
Armory; The day after the Incident of the Dog

As her friend protested that he was already paying off damage to the wall, Cali couldn't help wondering, 'what wall?' It definitely wasn't any of the walls in here. So, she had no need to concern herself over that, although she also couldn't help noticing that his statement didn't particularly surprise her. Grammy-O had always used to worry about how to get the money to repair this or that, due to Nal's overexcited playing as the group was growing up. She remembered once when Ryn decided to practice making tin dishes at the forge, just so he could then donate them to Nal's family, because all the breakable dishware in their house had become... somehow... broken. And one shouldn't even get started on all of the damage done to various pots and pans that, between those three boys, had been dented, banged, scratched, and scuffed. And then there were the walls, and the floorboards, and the ceiling, doorways, windows... and that was just in Unalmis' house! It was with a small bit of amusement, mingled with pity for his grandmother, that she wondered if repairing all of the damage caused by Nal might be what had set his father along the road toward becoming a carpenter.

And now, here he was, launching into another of the worst explanation stories that she'd ever heard. She picked up her glass and took a sip from it while he was explaining, then settled into a 'waiting' position. Resting her elbows on the anvil's surface behind her, Cali allowed her head a small tilt to one side, an expression of pure skepticism on her face*, as she listened to her friend ramble on with his nonsensical tale. One word was almost readable in her expression; really? As the child-posing-as-an-adult carried on with his clearly made-up-on-the-spot story, Cali gave a few nods and uttered a few small noises like 'mhmm' here and there, to give the impression that she was listening.

"Hi.." Eryn replied to the introduction with a tiny wave, wondering if this had been a mistake. The lady clearly did not buy Nal's story for a second, and she wasn't sure what to expect now. Nal seemed to know her, though, so maybe she was alright.

Cali paused to nod a greeting to his young friend that he introduced as Eryn, before letting her gaze return to Nal. When he finally finished stumbling out his pathetic story, Cali gave him a long look in silence as she considered, and sorted through, all of the details he had inadvertently given. One eyebrow slightly raised slightly as she looked back at him. "Are you done?" She wondered, feeling sure that he must be finished.


Inhaling slowly, Cali shook her head slightly in disappointment... that Nal had not learned anything in all the years she had spent covering for him as they grew up. Even Ryn could've come up with a better cover than that. Assuming he had nothing more to add, she glanced at Eryn before turning back to Nal. "So." She began, straightening from her place at the anvil. "I know you didn't bring all of your gear to be checked simply for the sake of doing it..." She looked from him to her, and briefly studied the pile he'd dropped, and then quietly pulled out a short sword from the mix, and looked it over with a small feeling of nostalgia to see it again. "I can only assume, knowing you, that you have some ulterior motive for this sudden decision to bring all your gear in at once." She added thoughtfully as she held the sword in both hands, sheath resting on one palm, hilt on the other. She glanced up, meeting Nal's eyes for a moment before offering the sword to him, with an unspoken request that he give a bit more care to that one in particular.

"Therefore, I shall make a guess that you are actually the one wanting something repaired.. yes?" Turning to the girl once Nal had taken his sword, she held out an empty hand to her, expectantly with a small smile. "And I would further venture to guess that you aren't a ranger. Which would explain why Nal was trying to.. sneak your dagger in with his stuff..?" She turned a glance toward Nal as if daring him to say she was wrong, and smiled slightly at his friend. "It's alright, I don't care if you're supposed to be here or not. What have you got?"

Eryn blinked, somewhat astounded that the lady smith had been so quick to see through it all. But, Nal proclaimed her to be the best female smith he knew of, and so, there was a chance that she might be able to help. And since she had so astutely assessed the situation between her and Nal, she decided maybe there was little point in trying to conceal the facts, so long as they didn't make it back to her father. Silently, Eryn laid the sheathed dagger in her hand and looked down apologetically. "It's borrowed from my father," She explained awkwardly. "Only, um. He didn't exactly know that I'd borrowed it," She fidgeted. "And then.. that happened," She pointed to the damage on the handle. "So I need to get it fixed before he gets home... please, can you help?"

Taking a careful look at the dagger, Cali paused as she caught sight of the maker's mark on it. The angle at which it was stamped told her exactly which of her family members had made it... and that was one she had not seen in a while. Lightly running a thumb over it, she smiled faintly to herself as Eryn explained her situation. She was strongly reminded of some of the predicaments her and her friends (especially Nal!) had found themselves in, not to mention the very person she knew had made this particular dagger. She almost laughed at the coincidence. Instead, she turned it over to look at the damaged side as Eryn pointed to that, and the smile fell away slightly. That was going to pose a bit of a problem.

Nal's inquiry distracted her for a moment. Glancing up, Cali flashed an innocent smile at him. "Didn't you know? I'm the new smith here." She revealed news that was likely to astonish him further. She had waved at him, the day she came in to apply for the job, but he had been gone by the time she returned from the captains office, and couldn't think if she had even seen him since then, but she'd not mentioned anything about it to him beforehand, so she knew there was little chance that he would have known this. And it was so satisfying, seeing the bewilderment and surprise etched all over her friend's face to see her here unexpectedly, as well as to be the one to inform him that she worked here now.

She rolled her eyes with a little scoff as he declared her to be the best female smith he'd ever met. "I'm the only female smith you've ever met, silly." She reminded him, before turning to Eryn. "About your dagger," Cali added with a tiny frown, studying the weapon thoughtfully. It was very familiar, and she was quietly digging down in her memory to find an explanation. "I can fix the damage, that's no problem." She gave the good news first, then hesitated before breaking the bad news, "but I won't be able to replace the stone that's missing, unless you have the stone that goes here..?"

Eryn's shoulders slumped as she shook her head, disappointed. "No... Couldn't we find one that looks similar?" She asked hopefully, knowing how difficult it would be to return to where she had lost it.

Cali looked at her hopeful expression for a moment, and back to the dagger. "You said this is your father's?" She asked, trying to piece things together. After Eryn had nodded, Cali glanced over at Nal. "I'd like to speak with Eryn for a moment.. I suggest, if you want me to take a look at your gear, you pick it all up, and put it all neatly on the worktable... please?" She suggested, in a tone that implied it might be more than a suggestion, before motioning for Eryn to come along with her as she moved off to where the girls could speak with a bit of privacy.



*see Cali's image at top of post for a visual of this pose/look

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

Taking the nearest chair to him, Duinion leaned the crutches against the side of it, resuming the same position from yesterday.. and today's meeting was not too far off from the same time as yesterday's, he noticed. "Perhaps," He replied, though it wasn't exactly like he was hoping to run into her, or any other person in particular, in the mess hall. He was mildly surprised to notice that she chose to sit near him, rather than behind the desk facing him. It made her seem slightly more approachable, at least, and a tiny bit less like an authority figure, and more like a peer.

He paused, clearing his throat slightly, and decided to get on with it. "I know you're waiting for my decision." He looked at her, hazel eyes meeting hers. "It.. was a difficult choice, but I've decided I prefer the 'every other week', option." He informed her, wondering if she had any idea how stressful this whole ordeal had been for him... and would be, for the coming weeks. He didn't feel it necessary to elaborate on any of that statement, and hoped that he could get on with his trip to the houses of healing, though it was still a little while before his appointment.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

He was uncomfortable, but at least it didn't seem to make Duinion jumpy that she chose to sit on the same side of the desk as him. When he said he knew she was waiting for his decision, Arnyn nodded but did not speak. Every other week, was it? He did not offer anything else.

The Lieutenant let silence reign the office for a moment before responding. "So a full day, night and morning every two weeks? You remember the first day starts from breakfast one day and the second lasts until the midday meal?" She wanted no chance of her being unclear or Duinion remembering it wrongly.

And since she was asking questions now anyway, she might as well add some others she was having trouble keeping in.

"Which days of the week were you thinking, Duinion? A day where Eryn can take bring you, or do I make arrangements for your arrival or departure? For I will gladly do so." She slanted her head, perhaps most curious about his reply to her next question. "Will you be taking an empty room or would you prefer to share Unalmis' room when you spend the night at the barracks?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

He paused slightly, then nodded, refraining from a sigh. "I remember." It wasn't pleasant, of course, but neither option was. And he had concluded that this was the less difficult of the two. Partly because he remembered that he was supposed to get a sufficient amount of rest so his foot could heal, and it would be more difficult to do that with the other option. This way, at least it would only be one night every two weeks, rather than every week. It was difficult enough that he had this injury, and now this new situation was making it even worse for him to endure.

Arnyn's next questions didn't need require much time for thought. "The same day as it was, this week," he replied. "My appointments will be on the same day each week, so it would be most convenient, that way." He definitely did not want to have to come up to the sixth level for one thing, then return on yet a different day for another. Best to get them both out of the way at once. "As for the room," He paused with a faint smile of amusement, remembering the bit of misunderstanding the day before, "I would much prefer to stay in Unalmis' room, if that poses no problems in the future..." He had a suspicion Lt. Brian had not been very pleased to be surprised with the younger ranger's unexpected guest, but hopefully in the future, all such things would be sorted out in advance.

"I'll be coming in with Eryn, she's already promised to drive me right up to the door each time I have to come." He added, leaving out the fact that she had actually insisted, rather than promised. "They don't need the cart today, so it doesn't conflict with anything for Aggie or Cailon." He added. "Was there anything else that you wanted to discuss before I go to my checkup?" He asked, trying to seem patient outwardly, though he was eager to get outside and enjoy the sunlight. He hoped to go over to the houses of healing earlier than needed so he could sit for a while in the gardens while he waited. So, he couldn't help hoping that this meeting wouldn't take much longer.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

Oranor to Orithil, then. Arnyn made a mental note. She would write it down after Duinion left.

She pretended not to notice his smile when he spoke of Unalmis' room. If that poses no problems in the future... Arnyn couldn't help the amusement on her own face as her eyes tracked back to Lieutenant Brian's report which was still sitting on the desk. "No problem at all," she replied confidently. "Now that I have specific dates I will inform the Barracks Master accordingly." Ugh. "Usually Eryn would not be allowed to enter the barracks," she said calmly, acknowledging in this limited way Brian's outrage at yesterday's events. "But seeing you are injured, I will give her permission to help you with your personal items upon your arrival in the barracks and when taking your leave. I will inform Lieutenant Brian of the same. She will not be allowed to stay for tea, a long chat, or anything of the sort, however." She could bend the rules with proper arguments, and Brian would have to accept that, but Arnyn saw no reason to downright antagonize the Barracks Master (not any further than she had already done in the past, anyway).

Duinion's quick question caught her off guard. Arnyn blinked as she watched him. The sudden question had somehow emptied her own mind, and she was almost tempted to say that no, there was nothing else, and to let him leave. However, she forcefully reminded herself there had been other things she wanted to talk about. It took a moment to gather the thoughts which had been so clear.

"Yes, a few things," she said finally, clasping her hands and deciding not to let him rush her. "So. As per our agreement, every two weeks you will be in the city for a full day on the second day of the week." Oranor, the day of the sun. "I have a trainee who could benefit from your added guidance. I propose that you spend some time educating him on survival tactics and forestry in the afternoon. Late or early afternoon, I will leave up to you. How long you wish to make your sessions, I will also leave up to you."

She had suggested the afternoon, so he would not have to come up to the Sixth Circle for breakfast and then immediately have to return down the circles for the sessions again. And if Duinion chose early afternoon, then perhaps he could fill the rest of his afternoon somewhere around the market or what not, back on his way up to the barracks in time for the dinner meal. For clarity, she added: "At the training grounds, just outside of the city. There is a small forest there."

This also meant that Duinion would not have to spend the entirety of the day in building or even in the White City. Rather it meant he would have a few hours of 'freedom', so to speak. Within the training grounds, yes, but they were very much outside and in the open air. It would definitely break his mandatory stay in Minas Tirith. And it would give him a very useful thing to do as a Ranger. "I will provide a small wagon and have it set outside of the stables. You can both ride down to and from the training grounds on the wagon seat." Using one of the horses from the stables, obviously. The Lieutenant watched carefully for Duinion's reaction.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

He nodded slightly, in regards to Eryn. "I will inform her. I assume that includes the mess hall and common areas as well, then?" He wanted to check, so he could be properly informed of the rules, which he had never bothered to learn since he never expected to have to spend any time in such areas. She would be disappointed that she couldn't hang around, but it was better not to go around breaking rules and such, even for the sake of helping one's parent. He didn't need as much help as she seemed to think he needed, anyway.

His hopes of getting out of here quickly were then dashed as Arnyn replied that yes, there were more things to discuss. What now? He only just managed not to frown, but sat back slightly in the seat, wondering what more there was to discuss. Did she want a report on how the night went? How he felt about it? He wasn't enthused about discussing that at all, especially to the person who was responsible for it. Luckily, that wasn't at all what she had in mind. He was relieved as she brought up an entirely unexpected topic; a trainee. Slightly surprised, he listened with curiosity. That was certainly a way that he could be useful! It might be more difficult to teach a trainee, of course, being unable to walk around as easily, but then that would just mean that the trainee would have to do things more 'hands on' than usual. He gave a small nod as Arnyn mentioned leaving the time, and length of time, up to him to decide. Good, he preferred that. For a moment, he began looking forward to this new task.

Then she mentioned that it must be at the training grounds, and it hit him suddenly.. that was going to be a problem. A big problem. He blinked as he absorbed the realization of what this would mean for him. She couldn't be serious. That meant he would have to come up to the mess hall for breakfast... Eryn would leave him at the door, so that part wasn't a problem. But then... THEN he would have to come all the way back down through the circles, out to the Pelennor, and however far it was to the training grounds... on crutches. And then BACK again in time for the midday meal? Was that even possible? The thought of trying to hobble down one level on these horrible things seemed overwhelming, let alone all six levels. That would take forever! He'd have no time to do anything! It might take all afternoon just to get to the training grounds... how could she expect him to have time to teach the kid anything?

He was silently staring at the lieutenant with growing disbelief as all of these thoughts raced through his mind, until at last she concluded by mentioning that she would arrange for a wagon. At that point, he let out a small sigh of relief. "Oh, a wagon..." The relieved words slipped out before he caught them, and he cleared his throat quietly. "In that case, yes.. I'd be happy to teach him whatever I can." He smiled, actually quite overjoyed to have a task that would take him out of the city, and into a forest, which could take up most of the afternoon. "When would you like me to start that with him?" His expression, and mood, lightened significantly with the prospect of such an activity, in contrast to the boring lack of anything to do, which he had feared would be occupying his time on the days he had to come here. "Also, do you want these training sessions to be only on the days that I am here, or should I arrange for other times, between?" He wondered, unsure whether the trainee would have time for more times than every other week.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

"Yes, that includes the common areas as well such as the mess hall," she confirmed upon his question.

Duinion looked relieved when she spoke of him taking on a trainee, and then outraged and in complete disbelief when she mentioned the training grounds. Arnyn had figured he would be glad to get out of the City! The relieved sigh when she spoke of a wagon, however, explained his earlier reaction. The Lieutenant had to refrain from rolling her eyes. He hadn't been listening to her yesterday then. She had mentioned wanting to arrange for transportation, hadn't she? Arnyn told herself that Duinion had probably been too upset at the prospect of having to spend time in the barracks and the city to listen properly. And that thought made her both more understanding of his reaction now as well as more confident that her orders were the right choice.

The Tirdinen's genuine smile finally told her he was as content with this particular assignment as she'd thought he would be. Arnyn smiled in return when he asked some questions. "I would like you to start that the next time you are here. So in two weeks on the day of the sun. No need to do it more frequently than every other week. I already have him on a demanding enough schedule. His name is Trastion Leithor and he resides in the barracks as well, in the same room as Ranger Mourgan. Room 3. Trastion knows this is coming. Can I leave it up to you to contact him and let him know the day and time he is expected to report to the stables?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

He silently filed away the information about the recruit. Room 3. He didn't know the other ranger mentioned, but had vaguely met him during the excursion out. Or rather, he had heard the young man referred to as Mourgan, though he had not actually been introduced. This other name, Trastion, was unfamiliar to him, however. He thought back to the most recent meeting, the one where Arnyn had become a lieutenant, and remembered the young man who had so enthusiastically cheered for her. Maybe that was the one she was speaking of, but he wouldn't know until he had met him.

Every two weeks then. Each time that he had to spend a night here... that was something, at least. A chance to get out in the woods for a while. That definitely made things better, although there was still a lot of time to have to spend in the city. He would find something to do to occupy his time, though. Her question drew him back to the topic at hand. "Yes, I can do that." Duinion nodded in answer to the lieutenant. Room 3 would be just a couple of doors down from Unalmis, he noted, so that wouldn't be a very lengthy trip to go find the recruit. And luckily.. no stairs involved aside from the ones he already had to take to get to Unalmis' room. "Is there anything in particular that I should know about him, ahead of time?" He wondered, unsure what exactly to expect.

[Isolde Alarion]

While the cats away...
Recruit Amber
Hallway of HQ building - Day of the Midsummer Festivities
@Rillewen

He returned her greeting and her smile widened. She didn't interrupt him as he spoke of seeing her in the outer office the same day he enlisted. "I did, I remember seeing you also." She came to stand not far from him. To answer his question she shrugged slightly. "It would seem so. " She cast a glance around the hall. "It all seems to blend together and I can't seem to remember which way to go." She offered a small embarrassed pursing of her lips as she turned her amber gaze back to him. "I'm embarrassed to admit it." Her lips slipped into a small smile.

"I've no need to go to the Festivities, I don't know anyone that would be there. I'm new to the city. "Well, she wasn't completely lying. She was new to the city but she was sure there would be others there she knew. Besides, when would another opportunity such as this arise, never!

"I'm Amber. Who might you be?" She asked through the same smile. Normally names meant nothing to her but he might be of some use to her so she took the time to ask.


Ranger Mourgan Alarion w/ Cali
Armory - After the Midsummer event

His call didn't take long to get an answer. Seeing her leaning on the side of the armor rack he made his way toward her as she asked about needing armor fixed or ordering custom armor. He came to stand not far from her as he briefly shook his head. "No, none of that." He briefly waved it away.
He wanted to tell her everything but where to start, at the beginning was probably the best place.

"I, I need to speak to you. " He wanted to take her hand but resisted the urge so he settled for leaning against the opposite rack. " The other day at the event, I didn't mean to leave you. It turns out the woman we thought was being kidnapped wasn't. She's actually an escaped prisoner and a very dangerous one at that." He really should tell her more but wasn't clear if he was allowed. She needed to be warned though.

"She has very dangerous ties to Umbar." His expression turned to curiosity, he remembered Calis reaction to the man that had been with Shamara. "That man she was with, you seemed to know him?"

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Hallway of HQ building - Day of the Midsummer Festivities

Trastion tilted his head curiously. "Well, where are you trying to go?" He wondered, thinking perhaps he could at least try to help her. "My roommate was nice enough to help me learn where most things are, so maybe I can help you." He gave a friendly smile. He had an idea there were fewer female rangers, much less recruits, around here, so it was entirely possible that she didn't have a roommate, or perhaps hadn't made any friends yet, to help her learn her way around. For that matter, Trastion hadn't met a lot of people either, so aside from Mourgan and Nal, he couldn't really consider anyone a friend yet.

"I'm new here, too." He admitted with a shrug. "I guess it's not as exciting when you don't really know anyone," he relpied in understanding as the girl mentioned she had no desire to go to the festivities. "Nice to meet you, Amber." He smiled again and put out a hand for a handshake, as it seemed only courteous when making introductions. "I'm Trastion. So, was there someplace I could help you find? I can't really go far from this vicinity, as I'm on guard duty, but perhaps I can direct you where you want to go." He offered.

---

Cali Dringolben
Armory - After the Midsummer event

It soon became clear as he answered her, that Mourgan was here on a more serious matter. Cali subsequently grew more serious as she listened to him. Her dark brown eyes grew slightly wider as he revealed that the woman was, in fact, a dangerous criminal herself... Umbarian at that. So that woman wasn't ever in any danger, apparently... did that mean the man she knew as Lowendir, was not attempting to pull the same trick again? She remained silent for a moment after Mourgan asked her about him, feeling slightly stunned. Thinking about that whole ordeal again made her pulse speed up slightly. She stood very still, heart pounding as various thoughts and facts swirled around in her head, before realizing he was waiting on an answer.

Taking a slow breath, Cali closed her eyes for a moment as she released it a moment later, trying to force herself into a state of calm. "Perhaps, they were working together then, rather than what I thought..." She mentioned thoughtfully, opening her eyes. A troubled frown settled onto her face as she turned to study the nearest piece of armor, at random. Something to focus on, to distract herself slightly from what she was about to say. Because, as much as Mourgan felt an explanation was needed, Cali felt he was owed one in return. She thought she had said something at the time about how she would explain later, right? Though reluctant to bring up unpleasant memories, she cleared her throat. "I don't exactly.. know him," She answered, wanting to make that clear. He was definitely not someone she hung out with, and she hoped Mourgan didn't have that idea about it. "I um, had to give my statement to the guards yesterday. So, it only seems fair that I give an explanation to you, too." She mentioned, glancing at Mourgan. "Last autumn, at the Eruhantale fayre, my friend Iole and I.. we were abducted. By that man." She drew a shaky breath. "It was.. a frightful experience, and.. I'd like to say that I was unaffected by it..." She paused and dropped her gaze, as well as her voice, as she continued, "but that would be a lie."

The metal gauntlet she was inspecting had a smudge of fingerprints on it, so she absently rubbed at it with her sleeve. "I don't like to talk about it..." She mentioned, in a subtle way of asking him not to ask her to go into any details. "Just.. well, if it hadn't been for Unalmis, and Trevadir.. and that other boy Nal is friends with.." She swallowed. "Iole and I would probably be either dead, or..wishing we were, most likely. The ship that he put us on was bound for Umbar..." She took another deep breath, focusing intently on polishing the gauntlet which was by now free of fingerprints. "So, when I heard his voice..." Trailing off, she took a slow, deep breath and glanced at Mourgan, hoping he could better understand now why she had been so set on stopping the man from doing the same thing to another woman, even if it turned out she wasn't actually in any danger.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

"He's about nineteen or twenty," she told Duinion. "I've been working with him on the sword and the bow, as well as overal agility and strength required for obstacle courses. He hasn't been in Minas Tirith for very long. He isn't from around these parts. I've learned that his past is a bit sensitive, so it would be best if you left that alone. You'd better focus on his present and his future." Arnyn smiled. "He's a nice enough young man, the two of you should get along alright."

Her smile grew. "He's already gotten on the barracks master's wrong side, I'm afraid - but so do most of the recruits who reside there." The Lieutenant shrugged, as if to emphasize such a thing should not matter much. Which reminded her of another detail Duinion might like to know. "In fact, I think he's the one responsible for the daily inspections of the room in the men's wing," she mentioned almost casually. "Though those should be at an end soonish."

The Lieutenant fell silent, contemplating something she hadn't been able to make up her mind about until and including this very moment. Duinion was injured, and would not be able to defend himself as other Rangers could. It hadn't been an issue when he'd been out on the Pelennor all the time, hardly ever coming into the city and only for the briefest stretches when he did. Now he would be frequenting the barracks, however. And he would be very distracted. By his injury, but also by the obligation he was under, and the stress and discomfort it gave him. He would be much less alert to threats than the average ranger. More at risk. Not to mention that his teenage daughter would be dropping him off and picking him up every time. Arnyn's expression turned serious and even gloomy as she considered these facts for the umpteenth time.

She didn't like it. She didn't like it one bit. Even with Shamara captured... that still left Relic at large. And Relic was the bigger threat. And possibly in disguise as a young and innocent recruit. The Lieutenant gritted her teeth and rose from her seat.

There was no reason to make this more complicated than it needed to be. If Amber was Relic, and if she targeted the Tirdinen, who was only there by Arnyn's orders, or his daughter - Arnyn would never forgive herself. "There is one more thing, Duinion." Even if that might make it seem like she was handing things out to just about everyone. Besides, such a perception was simply untrue.

"One more thing I would ask of you." She went behind the desk and pulled out a small pouch from a drawer. She debated what would be the best way to approach this with a man like Duinion. "Do you know anything about belladonna?" Her eyes found his as she leaned forward on the desk. "Deadly nightshade?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

Duinion had learned of the daily room inspections yesterday, so it was no surprise to hear her mention it. But he was a bit curious to hear what Arnyn said about it being because of this recruit, as he had gotten the impression it was due to someone else. "Hmm," He was pretty sure he'd heard something else, but decided to reserve judgement about that. He gave a small nod upon hearing that it was best to leave the young man's past alone. He could understand that, as there were plenty of things he wasn't keen on talking about to just anyone.

As Arnyn stood up, Duinion watched her with mild curiosity, which grew stronger as he noticed a slight shift in her mood, and stronger still as she unexpectedly asked him about Belladonna, or Nightshade. He paused, blinking with surprise at the seeming randomness of the question. "I.. know enough about it, I suppose." He answered with slight hesitance. "I know what it looks like, I can recognize it if I see it. As does my daughter," He added, just for good measure, then paused, thinking for a moment. "I believe it can be used for some medicinal purposes, though I wouldn't try to make anything out of it myself." He thought a little deeper. "Seems like I heard somewhere, a long time ago, that you can put the bruised leaves from the plant on a burn for pain relief, but it's not a good idea to use too much. I stay away from it completely, personally." He tilted his head as he tried to read on her face what might have brought this topic up. "Why do you ask?"

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

"Because it has been used in unrecognizable forms as a debilitating poison by a few criminals," she said, amazingly direct. "One such individual has been apprehended at midsummer, but we have reason to believe that another might be hiding in the City. Or even in the Sixth Circle. As a rule, Rangers are cautious and alert for threats. But your daughter will be bringing you and picking you up. And you yourself will be facing other challenges during your stay."

Even though she had not known him for long, given his responses yesterday and this day she did not doubt he was anyone but Duinion Raedor. Besides, he had family she had seen and met for herself. This was no guise and she felt confident in her trust for him. "So I am breaking one rule and warning you, in order to adhere to a higher one." She pushed the pouch forward on the desk, toward Duinion. "Take these. On the off chance you or Eryn might need to counteract the poison. Do you know the signs?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

The news that Arnyn revealed was...rather stunning. Criminals running around using poison, possibly even as high as the sixth level? He was surprised the guards hadn't prevented the criminals getting that far, but then, he realized that all one would really have to do was feign an injury or sickness, and no one would be denied access to the houses of healing, and it wouldn't be terribly hard to slip away after that point. He frowned as these thoughts occurred to him, and wondered just how secure this city was.

The thought of Eryn coming to and from the sixth circle occurred to him quickly after, just before Arnyn mentioned it. Not only would she be dropping him off, and picking him up, but she would also be going to the houses of healing quite regularly for her healer training. All of that flashed through his mind quickly, but before he had a chance to begin worrying too much, he had to put all such thoughts aside to focus on the present. "Signs.." He repeated, thinking quickly. "Yes..." He had to pause to collect his thoughts. "Blurred vision, headaches... seems like there could be a rash involved," He paused to think. "Your speech may become slurred, you might have hallucinations. In severity, one might have convulsions, before eventually.. death." He frowned, wondering who these criminals' target might be, if they had one.

He considered asking, but then recalled how she had said she was breaking a rule. That was.. interesting. What rule would she be breaking by giving him proper warning of a threat? Taking a curious look at the pouch she had pushed toward him, Duinion refrained from asking the various questions racing through his mind, though he wondered what might be in the pouch. He wondered a great many things, and found it hard to decide which questions were important, and which weren't as important. Clearing his throat, he managed to put one of those thoughts into words, "How many people know about this?" He wondered, half expecting to be told that he was the last one to know anything about it. It would make sense, given his infrequent trips into town lately, and, well, to rely on Unalmis to tell him every bit of news was... unreliable, to put it nicely. And although he found it hard to accept the idea that the young man would forget to mention something as important as this, it wasn't unheard of with him.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

"Not enough," Arnyn grumbled uncharacteristically. She caught herself quickly. "Only a handful. One, we do not want to cause a panic. Two, we do not want the criminals to realize that we are aware of the poison being used as a weapon or that we have an antidote. The rule... is that we keep the number of people in the know very small. Lest the small advantage this knowledge brings us, unbeknownst to our enemy, is lost."

"Therefore I am trusting you to say nothing of any of this to anyone, save for the Captain if the need arises. To my own chagrin, that would include Unalmis and Eryn." She raised a hand in case he was thinking about objecting.

"However. I do think you should tell Eryn about nightshade, its effects and this." She indicated the pouch. "Khyar beans. Eat one if you catch the symptoms very early, two for most cases and three if it has gotten bad before you can take any. Nothing about criminals or danger, however, Duinion. Disguise the knowledge as a contribution of yours to her healer training. Urge her to keep some on her at all times. Knowledge is power, after all, and a healing apprentice should always keep a few things on them. Tell her this would be a good place to start. She need not know the rest."

Arnyn was acting outside of the orders given and agreements made, which troubled and distressed her, and she could only hide it in part. Her dark eyes spoke volumes and her usual good posture suffered for it.

It was one thing to give the antidote to Trastion, a recruit she was spending much time with and might turn into a target of Relic's easily if the trafficker realized Arnyn was in the know. Besides, she had told Trastion nothing of the circumstances.
But telling Duinion... and having him tell Eryn... then where did it end? Should she not tell Unalmis then? Or Thûllir? Or all the rangers she knew personally, for that matter?

If it were left up to her alone, Arnyn now realized fully that - yes. She would. She would tell them all. Working hard to hide her consternation at this realization, the Lieutenant slowly lowered herself into the seat on the other side of the desk.

[Isolde Alarion]

Recruit Amber w/ Recruit Trastion
Hallway of HQ building - Day of the Midsummer Festivities
@Rillewen

She looked at his offered hand and reminded herself it was a polite form of greeting here, she lightly took his hand and clasp her fingers around his. Momentarily she held it, her eyes narrowed infinitesimally. It would be so easy. So easy indeed to pull the life from his body and leave his corpse where she found him. She had to tamp down the urge as the corners of her lips curled into a smile.

"Nice to meet you Trastion." Her fingers slipped from his welcoming grasp. She then looked around a moment. "Well, since we can't go anywhere maybe you can help me in another way. I'm trying to learn everyone's name and rank. We've obviously met the Captain but I'm not sure about a couple others." She paused a moment to see if his reaction would be favorable to proceed.

"I'm supposed to report to a Lieutenant.." She paused to think and even pressed a finger to her chin in supposed thought. "Arnyn? For training. Do you happen to know anything about her, that might help me?" She added, curious what he might tell her. She added a couple blinks from her doe eyes to seem even more helpless.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Armory - After the Midsummer event

He'd remained quiet while she spoke. He could tell it was difficult for her and not something she shared with everyone so out of respect for her feelings and the bravery it took for her to explain he waited for her to finish before he said anything. He needed a moment to take it all in anyways. He wanted to find this man and give him the same treatment the helm received but that would have to wait.

He looked away from her for a moment, mostly to get his own anger under control so she wouldn't think it was aimed at her. "Cali.." he looked back at her. "You were trying to do the right thing. Neither of us knew the truth of what we were seeing. " He hoped his words were comforting her but he could see she was deeply effected by her experience.

To see her this way tore at him, if he had known who the man was and what he'd done to her and her friend he would be viewing things from behind bars instead of looking at this beautiful woman with such sorrow in her eyes. He left the rack and tentatively moved to take her sleeved hand in his, his thumb gently ran across the back of her hand. He offered comfort if she would take it.

"It'll be alright, I won't let anything happen to you. The Guards are now aware of him but there is still something I need you to do to be safe. " Orders be damned, he couldn't leave her helpless. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his closed fist. With this he purposely found her gaze. "Cali." His voice deepened with the seriousness of what he was about to tell her.

He gently turned her hand over and he placed his fist in the palm of her hand. "You must trust me with this." His fingers opened and three small items he placed in the palm of her hand. Beans. " We have reason to believe the woman we arrested that night is but a pawn, used to do the bidding of someone even darker. More dangerous.
We have reason to believe that person may have infiltrated the Rangers but we can't prove it, yet. " He looked at the beans. "We feel poison will be the preferred method of inflicting damage to the Rangers. You must keep these with you at all times. Should you feel unexpectedly ill and not yourself you must eat these as soon as possible."

He knew it was a lot to take in so he paused a moment. His brown eyes found hers. " Those are an antidote to Belladonna, Nightshade. Without them.." He paused, unsure what horrible fate awaited it's victim. "Just please, keep them with you till we've dealt with this situation." His eyes searched hers for the promise he wanted from her. If she were safe he knew he could focus his attention on finding this Amber.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

He gave a slow nod as Arnyn explained about the reasons for keeping fewer people informed. He didn't know that he agreed with that, but he understood about following orders. And by the sound of things, it went against what Arnyn would like, as well. He kept quiet as he processed all of this information, brow furrowing with concern. The fact that he couldn't tell Eryn was.. understandable, even if it was upsetting that he couldn't give her a proper warning, but to hear that he also couldn't include Unalmis... he wondered how many other rangers were being kept out of the loop on this regard. And suddenly, something the younger ranger had said the day before returned to him. About how Ranger Isys had told him not to wander the halls at night... Hmm. If she was aware of this, that would seem she was trying to give a subtle warning to the young man, at least. That was slightly comforting, yet, he worried further still.

As Arnyn went on to suggest that he warn Eryn about nightshade, and its symptoms, he nodded absently, still somewhat distracted with the thought that there was a dangerous, poison-using criminal on the loose. He looked down at the beans in the pouch, thoughtful. "Khyar beans? I have never heard of those. They work against Nightshade?" He paused, thinking for a moment before offering up a small bit of information he had on survival in the forest, "I don't know if this would be helpful with this situation, but I'll mention it anyway... I learned this a long time ago, but in the event that you accidentally eat the wrong plant, you can take the powder of charcoal which has been heated to high temperatures, and swallow a handful with a glass of water. It will neutralize the effects of poison in the stomach." He mentioned. "But... of course, that only helps if the poison was consumed, rather than applied to a blade," He added with a small frown.

He turned his thoughts then to her suggestion that he teach Eryn about the deadly plant. "Eryn ought to know all about it, and other toxic plants, already." He mentioned, knowing that both he and her mother had taught her of those things at a young age. "But, in case she has forgotten, I will give her a refresher course." He agreed with a small nod. "I will include other plants, so she doesn't find reason to question why I'm telling her about it." He decided, since this was supposed to be kept under wraps. "What about Unalmis? Is there anything I can tell him, so that he is at least on his guard?" Duinion inquired, frowning. "Should he have any of these?" He held up the beans, hesitating. "I.. could never forgive myself, if something were to happen to him that I could have prevented." He added quietly, troubled by the very thought of such a thing.

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Hallway of HQ building - Day of the Midsummer Festivities

For a moment it looked like the girl was hesitant, but then she accepted his handshake. Trastion wondered if maybe it was improper to shake hands with girls... perhaps that was what had made her pause for a moment? He tried not to focus too hard on that. Even after a couple of years among folks his mother would call 'commoners', he was still learning his way around some of the things like that. Hopefully, it didn't stand out too much.

"Likewise, Amber." He smiled as he listened to her inquiry, and gave a little laugh. "I'm still learning the same, myself." he admitted, hoping that might make her feel less embarrassed. "There's plenty of rangers I've yet to meet, let alone learn their names. But I definitely do not recommend getting on the barrack's master's bad side." He made a face. "That's one lieutenant you do not want to meet, if you can help it." He cast a glance around then, quickly, just in case the lieutenant in question somehow turned up right behind him or something. But thankfully, the coast was clear. Amber then mentioned lieutenant Arnyn, and Trastion smiled. "Oh, her!" He nodded. "Yeah, I know her. She's my trainer. She's very nice, if a little...strict?" He added, trying to find the right word for it. "I can introduce you, but not today. I think she's down at the festivities, with everyone else." He explained. And as he had mentioned already, he couldn't leave his post.

"Actually, I doubt you'd be required to do any training or anything like that today. I think everyone's taking the day off. Well, except me, obviously. But," He paused, thinking, and ran a hand through his hair. "She's often in the office here, I think. There should be some information about when and where to meet her, on the thing that told you to report to her. But if you still haven't found her by morning, maybe you could look for me at breakfast and I can help you look for her." He offered, completely understanding how easy it could be to get lost and disoriented in a large, unfamiliar place like this. "Oh, and.. when you do go to your training session, I recommend bringing or wearing all of your gear. Even if you think you won't need it..." He grinned a little sheepishly as he offered a bit of friendly advice, based on his own learned lesson...

---

Cali Dringolben
Armory - After the Midsummer event

Cali glanced down as Mourgan took her hand, slightly caught off guard by the gesture. She hesitated, but didn't resist or pull away, for now. The whole matter had been rather confusing; that they let that man, Lowendir or whatever, wander around unbound, so long as he stayed in sight, while the other woman was quickly apprehended and led off with many guards. She hadn't even been able to sleep that night, or the next, worrying about everything. Whether he would somehow get away from Isys, whether he might know where to find her or Iole.. whether he might come looking for them in the middle of the night, to make sure they couldn't give a report to the guards in the morning.. She had not returned to her mother's apartment that night, and had been relieved to hear her mother would be on nurse duty all that night. And then to find things missing when she came to work today...

She drew in a deep breath, not really feeling very comforted by his reassuring words that she would be safe from him. If he could get in here when no one was around, as he'd apparently done, what would stop him doing it again when she was here, alone? "The guards were supposed to already be aware of him." She frowned, further upset by the fact that her first report had apparently become lost. How do they lose a report about such serious crimes? It wasn't like he merely stole candy from her and Iole! "I still haven't heard whether he's locked up or not, either..."

Before she could get all worked up into frustration, Mourgan surprised her by pushing something into her hand. Puzzled, and a bit derailed from her prior train of thought, Cali looked down at the small things. Beans? Her brown eyes glanced up to find his, searching for some explanation. As it came, her eyes grew wider. For a moment, she was at a loss for words as many questions and concerns came rolling into her mind. One of those was, why hadn't Nal mentioned anything about this? Then she wondered if he had even known. If he had, surely he would have warned her about it, given the fact he knew she worked here now. He definitely hadn't known that man would be at the Midsummer; his reaction alone was enough to convince her of that, but she also knew that he wouldn't have pressed so hard for herself and Iole to come, if he had known. As frustrating, annoying, and irritating as Nal could be at times, she knew he also wouldn't do something mean to anyone, let alone her or Iole.

She gave a tiny nod at his request that she keep them with her at all times. "I will..." She hesitated. "But what about others? Does everyone have these?" She wondered, frowning. "Why..." She stopped, realizing she might be asking things he couldn't answer, and shook her head slightly. "Do you really think this person would try to harm me? I'm not a ranger..." She frowned, both puzzled and a bit concerned that he felt it necessary to give her warning about this.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

Arnyn nodded in response to his question about the Khyar beans, distracted by the realization that she could not in full stand behind the agreements that had been made in this very office. "Yes, they work against it." It was the first time she could not rhyme her own code with the circumstances, and it was shocking to her that she had never fuly comprehended her issue with the matter before this very moment. "They hail from Harad. Not the easiest of commodities to come by," she understated, as the wheels in her mind turned ever on and on. She expected more presence of mind from herself. How could she have not seen this sooner, and how could she not have brought it up at the meeting?

Duinion called for her more of her divided attention when he mentioned charcoal. "I must admit it is not my area of expertise," she said, her words quiet. "But since we spoke with someone who is better versed at this... The poison was also used as a vapor at some point, I thought. So you are saying charcoal would not help in such a case?" she asked. She was curious, despite the spiral her thoughts were following even as she listened and spoke.

After all, were the bad responses at that very meeting not the result of holding back information in the first place? Should the Rangers not present a united front?
Yes, one of the recruits had been called into question. And yes, Pele should not have to suffer everyone knowing of her hurts and involvement in the matter - not if she was not ready. But as it stood only a handful knew the full truth, and a few more knew to look out for poison. Arnyn knew many of the rangers, and she knew they could not possibly be Relic in disguise. They, at least, had a right to know what threat could befall them. More than that. Arnyn now distinctly felt it was her duty to tell them.

Duinion's plan of how to tell Eryn sounded good, and Arnyn nodded to show her approval. When Duinion mentioned Unalmis, and went on to say he would never forgive himself if something were to happen to him, Arnyn stared at the ranger on the other side of the desk. Little did he know that that same sentence had rolled through her mind earlier. The Lieutenant drew in a breath and parted her lips as if to speak, but did not have an immediate answer. Breathing out through her nose, her gaze fell to the table. The accompanying head moment, small as it was, caused a lock of her long blonde hair to slip foward over her shoulder.

She tried to organize her thoughts and look for the logic, as she always did. Logic and feelings needed to be balanced, but people so often forget the logic part. She wanted to support her forehead with her hand and close her eyes for a moment to think it through, but Duinion's presence made her refrain. Despite telling Pele she thought officers could show vulnerability... Arnyn held back a sigh. Did she need to listen to her own advice?

Finally, she swallowed back her reservations. After all, she'd always appreciated leaders who were honest, and had strived to be honest with those under her command in the past.
"My own sense of what is right and wrong is not the only factor at play here. I... find myself torn." Her dark eyes lifted from the table, to Duinion's. There was sincerity in her gaze, an openness that was strangely disarming.

"Torn between protecting a friend and protecting the rangers as a whole. And between other things." There was no way she was going to put any perceived blame on Pele by saying she had her orders and that was that. Besides, they'd all had a say and had decided on a course of action together. It would be a lie to say such a thing.
"Torn between the initial reasons not to inform everyone, and my current feelings on the matter. I decided to tell you because I feared you may be too encumbered by your injury or too distracted by your orders to stay at the barracks to protect yourself or Eryn as you usually would. And Eryn is an innocent who will now be here frequently, seen with you and perhaps other Rangers. The threat is currently... more focused on the Rangers. As far as we can tell. I want you to know you need to be on your guard. But one of the reasons I am not telling you everything now is also because the more I tell you the more you and Eryn could potentially be at risk."

"The truth is the situation is very complicated and everyone is doing the best they can under the circumstances. I realize... I would now prefer another course of action." Arnyn glanced away before looking back at the Tirdinen. "But it is one I cannot decide on alone."

"I'm sorry, Duinion. But you can't tell Unalmis anything. All I can say for now is that he has another watchful pair of eyes on him, which might comfort you."

She looked at the pouch with the beans. "As I said before, the beans are not easy to acquire. We have a limited supply. I can only give you six. Enough for you and for Eryn. Unalmis is not injured as you are. Do not give yours away." Her eyes returned to Duinion's. If the Tirdinen in front of her was anything like she was herself... he would consider doing just that. "And that's an order."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

To hear that the beans came from Harad caused a slight raise of one eyebrow on Duinion's part. He wasn't all that familiar with Harad, but he knew someone who was. He filed that bit of information away for later, focusing for the moment on the meeting at present. The news that this poison had been used in vapor form quite surprised him. "A vapor?" He repeated, trying to imagine how such a thing could even be done. Slowly, he shook his head to her question. "I'm afraid I couldn't tell you that," He answered regretfully. "I only know that it works for ingested toxins. My former captain Rosdolad taught me that, long ago when I was a recruit." He smiled faintly at the memory of the man he had learned so much from. "I don't quite know how or why it works, but the way it was explained to me is that the powder.. somehow sticks to things, like toxins, and prevents the body from absorbing it, or something of the sort. Then passes through your system harmlessly." He explained. "As for a vapor... others would know better than I how well the charcoal would work, in such a case." He frowned, imagining how very dangerous such a thing could be. Did that mean that an entire room could become lethal? His gaze drifted to the window. "I wonder if we ought to keep the windows open." He couldn't help remarking, thoughtfully.

Turning back to her after a moment of silence, he couldn't help becoming aware that she seemed almost as distracted as he was feeling. He sat back in the chair, wondering somewhat about this as he focused a bit more on the lieutenant. He realized there was something troubling her. And, given the topic they were discussing, he could easily guess what that something might be. Regardless, he found himself slightly surprised to see a different side of her, suddenly. Given he did not know Arnyn all that well, he had very little to go by when it came to how she usually acted, but thus far in previous encounters with the woman, he had observed her to be reserved and difficult to read.

He grew thoughtful about this, watching Arnyn as she replied at last to him, Duinion was a little caught off guard by what she admitted; that she was torn. He remained silent, inwardly sympathizing, because he felt exactly the same way.. on another matter. It occurred to him that Arnyn might not even have been supposed to be telling him any of this, and wondered at that. The words that followed left him slightly stunned by her straightforward honesty, even admitting her feelings on the matter. It felt very strange, to have her suddenly speaking so openly to him. And it made it difficult to continue with the.. somewhat resentful feelings he'd had toward her, lingering from yesterday. There was a tinge of guilt in his gut as he met her gaze, and saw how troubled the woman looked. It mirrored how he felt, hearing all of these things. It occurred to him that maybe he ought to say something in return, but couldn't think of anything really suitable for the situation. But she carried on before he could come up with any sort of response.

It troubled him to hear that he couldn't warn Unalmis. It bothered him somewhat that he couldn't properly warn Eryn, or any others he would be worrying about now. Not just Unalmis, but Addhor.. and others. It was a relief, therefore, to hear her mention that there was another pair of eyes watching Unalmis, but it didn't alleviate his concerns for the others on his mind. "Ranger Isys," He muttered, making a guess, but without really expecting Arnyn to give a yay or nay on that. Still, it made the most sense. She was related to the family somehow, he was pretty sure, and he knew that Unalmis had frequent training sessions with her, and the fact he remembered Unalmis complaining only yesterday about how the lady had ordered him to stop roaming the halls at night... therefore, if it was her, it put his mind slightly at rest, knowing that she might also be looking out for the other two he was most concerned about.

As Arnyn spoke again, cutting through the whirl of wonderings and worries going through his mind, Duinion was somewhat caught off guard to hear that he was not to give any of these beans away.. that it was an order. Hesitating, he didn't reply right away, realizing that the thought had indeed flitted through his mind.. there were six of them, after all... one for Eryn, himself, and four others... but he realized that might spread them too thinly, and gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. "I understand." He answered quietly, after a moment to tamp down any protest that might have burst out, otherwise. While he understood and accepted this order, no one said he had to look happy about it... so he made no effort to hide the fact he was not.

[Ercassie]

Ranger Unalmis Raxëlilta
At the Armoury with Eryn Raedor and Cali Dringolben.
Friends and Favours – Before Midsummer
@Rillewen

The Smith’s first reaction was to confirm that she had heard all the relevant information. Unalmis folded in his lips to hide a smile, recognising that the cogs were already beginning to spin, behind Cali’s signature stern glance. “That rather depends on you,” he put to her then. Since it was, after all, Cali who he was talking to. The initial plan had been already, entirely and spontaneously thrown out, as the Ranger was forced to adapt to an utterly unexpected audience. But a likely more pliable audience, for all that. Was it likely that he would get into trouble now, over just a tiny technicality, if she was truly the one in charge here ? It did not even matter any more that she had figured their ruse, save that it would further instill her self-confidence and save them all a lot of time. All good things.

Nal might have recalled, at that point when his old friend brought it up, that there was in fact an actual reason why he was bringing all his equipment to the armoury in the first place. Aside from the quite obvious ulterior motive. But then Cali handed him back his sword, of all the pieces, and the reception of that weapon in particular, involved far more of them both than would any other. Because of who had brought that blade into being. It had not been wrought by this smith, not entirely. Her late brother had begun it ..

The Ranger accepted it back into his custody with all the sudden gravity as if it were the sceptre of Annuminas. There was no need for words when silence spoke the name. Ryndir. Unalmis did not even notice the progress of Cali’s supposings for a time, as the surviving twin turned her attention toward Eryn. But he was thankful for that moment of quiet recollection, without scrutiny. He had no need to interject into Eryn’s explanation, nor concern that Cali would complain over it. He’d observed the day before, that there was a similar maker’s mark to his sword, on the damaged dagger. So he left the two young women to it now, laying his dead friend's blade out with atypical sobriety upon the table. Fingers ran across the length of it before he could leave it completely be, belatedly apologetic as though it had been the skull rather than the skill, of Ryn. But Cali’s claim called him back to the present.


“If you'd told me before now,” Unalmis began quietly, then cleared his throat some as he regained proper focus on the scene. "I would certainly have come to see you sooner," he assured her. And could not refute his friend's pride, that she was the only female smith he’d properly met. “You can be both,” he decided with a resolute nod, for her being both the only and the best at once. “You can do anything,” the encouragement continued. With as much subtlety as a sledgehammer. He didn’t care. So long as it yielded the desired result. And it didn’t hurt his oh so ‘grown up’ friend, to occasionally take her older skill set out for a test run once in a while. Noone would ever have to know and it wasn’t hurting anybody. It was in fact, exactly her sort of project, as fate had turned out. There was no way she was going to be able to refuse to help them to mend the dagger.

“Maybe you could guess where the Smith who made that, might have sourced the original jewel from ?" he tossed out the idea, as though it had just now occurred to him, adding weight to Eryn’s similar enquiry. For it was what he had always meant to ask Cali, as part of this 'missive'; although the plan had been to tend to that detail after they had visited the smith. Now, they should be spared the extra trek.

There came no protest from the young man as Cali chose to disengage him from her thought process. He managed to refrain from pointing out that it was, apparently, her job now, to look over his weapons and armour. So rather than argue the terms and conditions of her cooperation, he applied his own first. Keywords such as ‘neatly’ might have been mouthed silently with a shake of his head, as the Ranger commenced the chore, but it harmed him none. And what the two girls clearly needed to confer on was a matter which was naught to do with him at all. Even the unintentional background clatter that he conducted to manage the simple errand, was unlikely to stir the two from their own owed revelation.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

Duinion's reaction to her candour was, more than anything else, thoughtful. For a moment there, he looked troubled, but the thoughtful cast about his eyes soon returned. She let that sink in.

His guess about Isys almost made her smile. Almost. "I cannot speak one way or the other for anyone's involvement, and that includes Ehtyar Azrûbel," she said, feeling that his guess needed some sort of reaction - for silence was too often seen as agreement. Never mind that he was right, of course.

The words 'I understand' settled her slightly, despite the evident displeasure on the Tirdinen's features.

Thinking the matter over as they sat in the office, the Lieutenant ventured a suggestion that might put him somewhat at ease. "If you say charcoal has proven effective against poison, maybe you could find a way to suggest keeping some of that around to the others you would wish to protect. It might be better than nothing. It will not counteract it as well as the beans, but if it could keep them alive if it came down to it... Something to think about... Even though not being able to tell them of a known threat would complicate things." The Lieutenant considered it a moment longer.

"None of this is easy," Arnyn then said quietly, painfully aware of that fact herself. "Keeping secrets never is, especially when we have to keep them from those we care about. But I am trusting you with this, Duinion. That we know of a threat like this should never reach the wrong ears."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

He hadn't expected any sort of verification or denial about whether it was Isys. Neither was he very doubtful about his guess. But he merely gave a small nod in reply to her comment, taking it as neither yes or no. He understood that this was a touchy matter of secrecy, and therefore little could be said about anything. Still, it was a small comfort to let himself believe that it was Isys, because then that would mean that perhaps Dom was also watched over, even if he didn't know.

Duinion considered the suggestion she made then, about the charcoal. "Indeed, that's something I always recommend that anyone carry with them when going into the woods," He replied with a little nod. "You never know when an accident could happen.. especially with recruits, and younger, less experienced foragers. Grabbing poison hemlock instead of queen's lace, for example..." He considered that train of thought. "You said the bean supply is very limited... perhaps for the ones who couldn't be filled in on this matter, you could ensure they each have a supply of the charcoal powder? It could be presented as a training exercise, of some sort.. something to think about, maybe?" He thought for a moment. "I usually only keep a small pouchful of the stuff on me, but I'm sure we could gather quite a bit more from one of the blacksmith forges, to get enough to distribute to others..." He gave a small shrug, leaving that idea out there for Arnyn to do with as she wished.

He listened, then, as she spoke of how difficult it was, keeping secrets, and keeping them from loved ones. 'Tell me about it,' he thought, completely understanding. He nodded slightly, holding back a sigh. His expression grew more serious as he gave another nod. "Your trust is well placed, I assure you. I am..quite well accustomed to keeping secrets." He assured her, privately wondering just how many more secrets he might end up holding onto before the first ever came to light. "And I hope that perhaps my suggestions have been of some help, even if I can't know the entire situation." He added, wishing he could have provided more help. He fell silent then, unable to think of anything else to add.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

The rub was, of course, that if they gave everyone charcoal powder, then Amber would be given it as well. And if she proved to be Relic, she would know not to use poison. According to Pele the poison had been used more to incapacitate than to kill. And perhaps if Relic knew it would be more difficult to incapacitate people... she would turn to killing sooner. If she was indeed as dangerous as Pele had made her out to be - and Arnyn believed Pele...

Duinion's reference to a blacksmith forge reminded Arnyn of an overdue visit. And there would be no harm in gathering charcoal powder already, just in case they needed it. "Thank you for the idea," she said. "It is definitely worth exploring, and I assure you I shall." She definitely needed to speak with Pele.

A faint smile appeared on her face when he said he would keep her trust and that he hoped his suggestions were somewhat helpful. "You have helped in one way at the very least," she said, the cryptical meaning of her words clashing with her straightforward tone.

She rose from her seat and stepped back around the desk. "I think we have discussed all I was thinking of. Unless there is something else on your own mind, I will see you in two weeks, if not sooner by happenstance. When you break your fast after your arrival, find me in the mess. Think of it as a scouting task perhaps." A tinge of amusement gleamed in her eyes. "Good luck at the Houses of Healing, Tirdinen Raedor."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

He tilted his head curiously, but didn't ask in what way he had helped. "I'm glad to have helped, however small it might be." He answered with a small smile, figuring if he did ask, she'd only tell him she couldn't answer. As she stood, he was somewhat glad to hear that the meeting was concluded. Partly because he was anxious to get out and enjoy the daylight outside, instead of sitting in here. But also because he'd rather arrive earlier than needed to the appointment. He had nothing in mind that he wanted to talk to her about, so there was nothing keeping him here any longer.

Grabbing the crutches, he rose to one foot, the other hovering over the floor as he positioned the crutches. "Good luck?" He raised an eyebrow and gave a little smile of amusement. "I hope I won't need luck. But thank you, let us hope for a positive update.." He sighed, then nodded. "In two weeks, I shall find you again, in the mess hall, after breakfast." He agreed. Hesitating briefly, he shifted his weight slightly and managed a fist to heart salute, while trying not to drop the other crutch.

[Arnyn]

Headquarters - Captain's office
@Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After breakfast, the morning after Duinion's first meeting with Arnyn at HQ

Her smile grew more pronounced as Duinion repeated her good luck-wishes with that little smile of amusement. A positive update would do much for his morale, she thought, and she dearly hoped he would get exactly that.

His agreement to find her in the mess in two weeks, settled the meeting for her. She was about to move to the door, when Duinion put his fist to his heart in a salute.

That gave Arnyn a moment's pause. First of all, she would not have expected a salute from him, least of all while standing up. The crutches were difficult enough as it was. And, as she recalled, he had not saluted her on his way out the day before. While others might have expected a salute when leaving a commanding officer's office either way... this felt different to Arnyn.

After the way he probably felt she had breached his confidence, linking orders to what he had told her off duty at the Pelennor, it felt like... progress? Or was she reading too much into this? Reason told her she could not be sure, but her gut told her the gesture was significant. The smile on her lips faded as she locked eyes with Duinion for a moment. Appreciation lit her eyes as she gave a fist to heart salute of her own.

She turned her head away even as a smile broke through once again. She walked to the door to open it for the injured ranger. Her parting words were simple. "See you then."

[Arnyn]

Armoury


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After the Midsummer event

When she walked into the armoury, she wasn't being intentionally loud, nor was she being intentionally quiet. Nonetheless, as she stepped further it seemed like the Lieutenant had stumbled upon a scene she had not been supposed to stumble upon.

Mourgan was standing near a young woman, holding her hand. It was the same person she'd seen on Mourgan's arm at Midsummer, she remembered. Judging from her clothes and general appearance, Arnyn assumed she worked at the armoury. Pele had told her that the new smith was a young lady. Perhaps this was her?

The two seemed huddled together next to a weapons rack. The Lieutenant cleared her throat. "Excuse me..."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Tirdinen Duinion Raedor
Captain's office

It was evident that his salute had caught her off guard. He meant it sincerely. While he was still very upset by the order from yesterday, the things she had revealed to him today, at the cost of breaking a rule for herself, that had meant something to him. The fact that she entrusted him with such a secret as this had been unexpected, but greatly appreciated. He certainly wouldn't like going around unaware of any possible danger to himself or to his daughter. And the reassurance that Unalmis was being watched over had helped to console him in that regard.

Duinion waited until she had returned the salute, and then returned his grip to the handle of the crutch. With a nod to acknowledge the lieutenant's parting words, Duinion crutched his way out of the office, glad to be finally dismissed to go on about his day. Though he couldn't go home just yet, he was eager to sit outside for a while. He had brought a book along, with the intention of reading to pass the time. After all the news he'd just learned, he wasn't sure he'd be able to focus on the story, but then again, perhaps reading would help to get him more relaxed by the time the healers were ready to check his foot. Whatever the case, he wasted no time in leaving the ranger headquarters, and headed straight for the houses of healing for that appointment, a bit apprehensive, but trying to feel hopeful for good news.

[Isolde Alarion]

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
w/ Cali @Rillewen Lieutenant Arnyn @Arnyn
Armory - After the Midsummer event

He got the promise he sought but he could tell it came with more questions then he could answer at the moment. He shook his head slightly. "No, not everyone. Just those closest to the problem. We were allowed a few extra. " He took his hand that held the beans back as he continued. "I believe this person doesn't care who she hurts to get what she wants, Ranger or not."

Just then he heard a clearing of the throat and he turned to see the Lieutenant. He let Calis hand slip from his as he came to stand at attention and offered Arnyn a salute.
"Lieutenant." He recognized her rank. It dawned on him what Arnyn walked into and how it looked, he tried to move away from any questions that might bring up.
He looked between the two women. "Sir? Have you met our new Blacksmith? Cali Dringolben?" He offered a small smile.

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion @Arnyn

Cali Dringolben
Armory - After the Midsummer event

Great, as if she didn't have enough to be nervous about, now there was another potential threat hanging over her head. Maybe not her specifically, but.. Mourgan's words were slightly puzzling. Perhaps the fact that she worked here, as part of the staff of the rangers, put her in danger? Her mind was spinning with all of this new (and limited) information. So now it was not just one Umbarian, but two? And he'd called this other one a she. But they'd captured a woman at the midsummer... so did that mean there were two? How did this many dangerous people get into the city, let alone right into the very midst of the rangers?

The sound of a person clearing her throat snapped Cali out of her dazed pondering. With a tiny jolt of startlement, Cali looked past Mourgan to see a woman there. Her hand closed around the beans and dropped to her side, as if it might be something she was supposed to keep hidden. It took a second before she realized it was the same blond woman who had ordered Mourgan to assist in the detaining of that Umbarian woman, at the midsummer event. She looked a bit different today, in her regular ranger attire, hair in a braid, rather than the dress she had been wearing that day with her hair loose.

With a brief glance toward Mourgan as she observed him standing at attention and saluting, it was less of a surprise then to hear the woman addressed as a lieutenant. That both explained and verified Cali's suspicion from that day, when she had guessed the woman to be his superior of some sort. If she had known this woman was someone in charge, then, it occurred to her she might have been better off to speak up directly to her, concerning the other Umbarian who had not been detained. But what's done is done, they say. Cali exhaled slowly, reminding herself to relax once the identity of this new person had been declared. It seemed unlikely this was the threat of which Mourgan had warned her. "Hello, Lieutenant." Cali replied cordially, managing to relax slightly, though she couldn't hide the worry that lingered in her eyes. "Can I help you with something?" She wondered with a slightly forced smile, guessing that she must have had some reason for coming to the armory.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Erynneth Raedor and Cali Dringolben
Armory; The day after the Incident of the Dog
Friends and Favors

After only a few steps, Cali paused and turned. "And don't start messing with my tools, Nal!" She called out to her friend, with a hidden smile. "Or the coals!" With any other person, such a warning would have been ridiculous. But... well, one could never be quite sure about him, and it was somewhat fun to tease him, even if the warning was unnecessary. "Don't burn the place down, either!" She added a third warning, in case the others weren't enough. She grinned at Eryn to show she was only kidding their mutual friend, then gave a little motion of her head to indicate that Eryn should come with her. The two girls stepped further away from where Nal was left to pick up his gear, so they might speak in private.

Pausing once a reasonable distance away, Cali looked down at the dagger which Eryn had brought, a faint smile flitting across her face. "Did you say you borrowed this from your father?" She asked Eryn, tilting her head with curiosity.

"Yes, that's right." Eryn answered, slightly nervous about why the smith was asking. "It's very important to him... I never should have borrowed it, but I had no idea anything like this would happen..." She sighed heavily, feeling guilty for having been so irresponsible.

Cali considered this bit of information carefully, slightly puzzled as she studied the dagger again. Her eyes had not beheld this weapon in many years. Though she had been quite young when last they did, she remembered it quite distinctly. While she was trying to put together her memories surrounding it, she struggled to reconcile her memories with what Eryn was saying. That had her puzzled. "Where did your father get it?"

"It was a wedding present to my father, from my uncle. That's why it's so important to him," Eryn explained, dropping her gaze slightly. "He made it himself."

Cali paused, giving her a thoughtful look as she considered that information. Given the fact that she knew exactly who had made this dagger, and had been present some of the time while it was being made, Cali couldn't help wondering how this girl's uncle could claim to have made it. Unless... hmm. Could it be? "I know who made this dagger..." She mentioned softly. "What was your uncle's name?" Cali watched the girl with curiosity as she posed this question.

"My uncle? His name was Dawion," Eryn replied, puzzled. "Why? Daddy says he was a very good smith... but he's.. gone now." She explained sadly.

Aha, that explained everything, Cali thought as the last piece fell in place. She gave a faint smile, and nodded. "Yes.. he was." She agreed quietly. She looked again at the dagger, turning it over thoughtfully. "He was my brother."

Eryn looked up at her in surprise, noticing the smith wore a sad smile.

"I remember when he made this." Cali continued, sighing. She was still trying to remember what was about those stones that was so significant, but that much didn't matter. "I remember asking him all sorts of questions. I asked him why he picked these stones for it," She mentioned, then looked up from the dagger, brown eyes meeting Eryn's hazel ones. "Your father's a ranger, isn't he?" Cali checked.

When Eryn gave an amazed nod in the affirmative, Cali went on. "They seem like common enough stones, but if he's as observant as I should think he would be, then he would definitely notice if you tried to replace one of these with a different one." She explained. "I don't remember exactly what the story was behind them. You'd have to ask your father about that. But there was some sort of sentimentality attached to these particular stones. Dawion told me that much." She gave her a sympathetic look. "So, you see now, why I said that I wouldn't be able to do anything about the missing stone unless you can bring it to me.."

Eryn nodded slightly, shoulders slumping down as she sighed. "Yes. I see." She frowned, already beginning to try and think whether it might be possible to go back and search for it. "But, can you at least fix the scratch?" She wondered, hopeful.

Cali smiled. "Of course. Do you think you might be able to find the missing stone? I could keep the dagger here until we have it, if you like. Then we can send it with Nal once it's fixed."

Eryn hesitated, thinking about that, then gave a small nod. "I suppose that would work. I don't expect him to be home for another few days, maybe over a week. Maybe.." She bit her lip, considering. "I'll see whether I might be able to find it. I..um, I think I know exactly where to look for it." She neglected to mention how difficult it would be to actually get to that spot... "Thank you, Cali." She concluded with a smile. "I'm really glad to have met you."

"Likewise," Cali smiled. "Now... shall we return, before Nal breaks something?" She asked with a little grin.
Eryn laughed lightly. "We probably oughtn't leave him too long," She agreed, and followed Cali back to check on their friend's progress concerning his gear.

[Arnyn]

Armoury


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After the Midsummer event
@Isolde Alarion
@Rillewen

She returned Mourgan's salute calmly. "I did not mean to interrupt," was all she said concerning the way she had found these two. "I have not," she replied in response to his question as she approached them. They would note the cast of dark circles under her eyes, even though her posture did not betray any weariness. "Well met, Cali. The Captain did inform me of your name and new position, but I have been remiss in paying the armory a visit in order to introduce myself."

Arnyn nodded her head in greeting. "My name is Arnyn Dealedwen." She offered the smith a smile. "I did not come here to add to your workload today. Merely to make your acquaintance.. and inquire after something, perhaps." Her brown eyes rested on Mourgan for a moment, before returning to Cali. "Have you met many of our Rangers so far?"

[Rillewen]

@Isolde Alarion @Arnyn

Cali Dringolben
Armory - After the Midsummer event

Slipping the beans into her pocket, Cali listened curiously to the lieutenant. While she spoke, Cali couldn't help thinking she looked about as tired as Cali felt. It was a minor relief, therefore, to hear that she didn't come with more work to give her. As it was, Cali already had piles of it to keep her occupied. Especially after she'd been delayed by coming to the midsummer (which she now somewhat regretted) and then the next day by having to go down to the guard's station and give that second report...

"Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant Dealedwen." She replied, politely. Realizing she still had the gauntlet in her other hand, she quietly replaced it with the set of armor it belonged to, and turned to give her full attention to the lieutenant. She grew curious as the other woman mentioned wanting to inquire about something. "Perhaps I might make an inquiry about something as well," Cali mentioned thoughtfully, followed with a brief glance toward Mourgan as she recalled what she had just been speaking to him about, before he started telling her about the other danger and giving her the antidote beans. Perhaps the lieutenant could give her answers concerning that matter. "After you, of course." She added, turning her gaze back to the lieutenant.

Cali then blinked at the question she had asked. Was that her inquiry? Cali paused to think for a moment. "No, I have not." She answered, shaking her head slightly. "Only Ranger Mourgan, and two recruits; a young man, and a young woman, who came by on the same day a little while back." She answered. "I believe the former might be Mourgan's roommate?" She glanced at him to verify that. "Aside from them... Unalmis is the only other I know. And I have known him since we were very small children, so that doesn't quite count I guess..." Pausing, she remembered another. "I met Ranger Isys as well.. at the.. recent event." She added, recalling the brief introduction between herself and Isys, under rather distressing circumstances. "Why do you ask?" She wondered, recalling what Mourgan had recently mentioned about this dangerous person who had infiltrated the rangers.

[Arnyn]

Armoury


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
After the Midsummer event
@Isolde Alarion
@Rillewen

The smith was very polite, Arnyn noted mentally. And the young woman seemed to reflect her own tiredness, as well as the ability to mostly shove it away behind an attentive exterior. "No need to be so formal as to use my last name, Cali. If you insist, however, then I will also insist on calling you Smith Dringolben in turn."

She kept her facial expression even during Cali's reply. Two recruits, one of which could only be Amber. She was the only female recruit at present, after all. "Ah, Trastion? And Amber? I trust they treated you with the appropriate respect and kindness?" With the first hint at amusement, Arnyn's eyes flicked to and from Mourgan - just once. "I like to keep tabs on our recruits and those two are both under my tutelage," she offered as a way of explaining her question. "Recruits often have much to learn, and I do find joy in the teaching. Mostly they have the right attitude, but sometimes it needs just a bit of finetuning. And if so, it's best to get to that early."

[Karis Ziranphel]

Cúner Ranger Karis Ziranphel
Two days after Midsummer
Headquarters - office

The great doors to the hall opened smoothly as Ziran stepped through and shut them quietly behind her so that they didn’t make any noise. She was not in the habit of letting them slam, and saw no need to do so when she wasn’t in a rush. Even when in the greatest hurry, it helped to do things precisely so that a calm appearance could be maintained, and she wasn’t in a hurry. Yet neither was she attempting to delay, so she quickly turned to stride across the hall towards the door of the Commander’s office that was now shared by both Pele and Arnyn.

The door stood open, so Ziran only cast a glance toward the message board beside it before stepping up to the frame and rapping lightly against the door. “Karis Ziranphel reporting for duty. Permission to enter?”

[Isolde Alarion]

Recruit Amber
W/ Trastion
Hallway of HQ Building - Day of the Midsummer Festivities
@Rillewen

She watched him as he spoke about a barracks master and not getting on his bad side. Bad side? Trastion didn’t know how close he now stood to the bad side. A bad side that would like nothing more then to run rampant through this place leaving nothing but bodies and blood in it’s wake.

“I’ll be sure to avoid him.” He went on to describe this Arnyn and she took note. Strict, trainer. Things to be aware of should she come up against her. Her amber eyes moved in the direction he mentioned when he pointed out her office. When he finished with advising her to wear all her armor when she met her she gave him a thankful smile.

“I’ll remember that Trastion. Thank you for the information. Maybe I will see you in the morning but till then I have some things to take care of. Have a good watch.” She offered him before she turned to head back the way she came. She couldn’t go to the office at that moment. She turned back to look at him, gave him a small wave then turned back to leave him to his duty.

She rounded the corner. Ack!! She could spit from the words that had come out of her mouth! Her features darkened and the doe eyes narrowed in contemplation. Where to strike first? She couldn’t play their game forever and honestly she didn’t want to, who would?!

A bit down the hall she stopped and looked around. The peace. The quiet. It was time to rattle some cages. Oh how she missed the cages. The screams and cries. Sounds of hope dying.

With a renewed resolve and a twinkle in her evil amber eyes she left the hallway and headed towards the armory….