Middle-earth time is:
Daytime on Mersday, Day 20 of November.
Raelin
Before you stands a dwarf of medium height and build. His fluid movements tell
of a life lived moving quickly and silently. A small scar shows across his left
cheek, but other than that his features may have well been carved from the
mountains themselves. Every so often, this dwarf scratches his brown,
well-combed beard, and peers out intently with magnificent orbs that are as
hard and grey as the rocks themselves.
A long, golden tabard falls from the broad shoulders of this dwarf,
ending at about his mid-thigh. On both the front and back of the tabard two
axes crossed over a beautiful anvil are embroidered in fine detail with a
crimson colored thread. A wide silver collar is cut to mid-breast height,
symbolizing the rank of Royal Guard on this Khazad. Underneath the tabard the
gleam of a finely crafted hauberk of chain mail is visible. Covering this stiff
Khazad's legs are a pair of finely tailored black woolen trousers. The black
trousers are tucked into a pair of black leather boots, that are turned down at
the top, and are always polished to a shine. A black leather belt around the
dwarfs waist holds up a fat money purse, and an intricately forged battle axe
swings lightly at his side.
Gumbart enters the camp carrying two large bundles under his arms. He drops
them on a heap close to three ponies and wipes the sweat from his brows. "Ah!"
he sighs, "That was the last one of them."
As the dwarves about him bustle to prepare for the long journey home, Raelin
sits atop a barrel watching the eastern skies as they light up with the fingers
of morning approaching. His reverie is broken however, as Gumbart drops his
bundle nearby. Sighing and stepping down from his barrel, Raelin nods to
Gumbart, inquiring boredly, "That the last of 'em, eh? Tis good, for we depart
soon."
Gumbart nods eagerly, "Aye, so I heard. Do you know more? I finished all my
business here amongst the Easterlings so I've started packing... I sure hope
this coffee will earn me a nice profit back in Erebor! And if it weren't for
this black eye of mine, I would would be a very happy dwarf. But now I can't
wait to get home!"
Raelin nods and looks about to the other hustling khazad as they load wagons
and prepare the mounts to depart, "Lord Nori said last night that we depart for
home at dawn, depending on the scouting reports of the road ahead," Raelin's
voice drifts off to a low grumble at the last, and he can on barely be heard
further commenting, "Wouldn't trust me own life in the scouts hands these days
though..."
Gumbart nods, "I met a Dalelander scout, yesterday. He seemed to be nice at
first, but he didn't want to join me for a drink, seeming to fear too much
attention. He wanted to guide me through the Dale lands -- just him and me! Of
course I would never surrender myself to such a shadowy person." He laughs, "I
was robbed here in Buhr Mahrling itself, on Millers Market, no less! Why would
I follow a native into the wilderness? They have weird ideas."
Raelin eye's narrow a bit at the mention of the dale man, his voice growing
suspicious, "A daleman ye say? How curious....." Shrugging it off, Raelin says
more jovially, "A few of the locals decided it would be a good sport to try to
mug me and a few others yesterday eve.." chuckling to himself and patting his
axe, the guard finishes, "A few of em didn't go home, and several more had a
serious headache this morn."
Gumbart eyes the guard's axe suspiciously, "I'm glad that it ended well for
you. I'm a bit against excessive violence myself... Was the bloodshed really
necessary? It seems so weird. When I was robbed, the thugs just ran into Mauler
Street and we lost em there. Did they really try to kill you?" Gumbart seems
unsure and adds, "Anyway, I am sure you did what was right..."
Raelin is taken slightly off-guard by the other khazad's inquire and distrust.
His own tone growing rather harsh, he replies, "They had us surrounded, drew
weapons and rushed us, we did what we had to to save ourselves.."
Gumbart opens his eyes wide, "It seems that I have underestimated the Buhr
Mahrling scum! I knew they cheated, and I knew they didn't like us. But such an
open attack! Did you ever find out why you where ambushed?"
Raelin sighs and shakes his head, "For the sport of it I suppose. I was just
tryin to have a good even eating with Gander, and they approached us casting
insults and showing blades. Eventually they got tired of just insults and
charged.."
Gumbart shakes his head, "It's time we left. Them radicals seem to be gaining
strength. There will be trouble soon, if we don't go. Politics!" Gumbart spits.
From outside the camp > Nori heads down the south.
From outside the camp > Nori has arrived.
Raelin looks up the road and then back to the khazad, "I think possible that
trouble will be sooner than either of us hope lad." Noticing the first of the
wagons at the head of the line begin to roll, Raelin grins, "Well sir, tis been
a certain pleasure meeting ye today, but I am afraid that I must get to me
duties, could be a dangerous road ahead..." With that, the guard gives a small
bow and makes his way quickly towards the moving wagons.
Gumbart starts to tie his bags and barrels up, loading his two ponies, and
getting into the queue.
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