LOCATION
Umbar, New Town: Healing Houses
The sounds of the city are forgotten here, in this grove of young cypresses artfully planted along the granite-paved alleys that converge to a large building to the south. The road by which you came bends into a tight loop around the park that the alleys traverse, curling from northwestern direction away to the southwest. Several people are strolling through the park or sitting upon its benches, and the birds frolick busily in the trees above them. The building contains the Healing Houses of Umbar, placed outside the city for greater comfort of the patients and perhaps healers as well. The walls of Umbar loom to the north and east, a silent testimony of the Numenorean power in this area.
[Galenrien] Behind her the Healess glances every few moments as she weaves through the crowd to get to the Healing Houses. Behind her still is the Rhevain man - but she seems uncertain that he will still be each time she looks - judging by the number of times she has looked back, at least. Yet he is there.
Sson, they com to the porch of the house and the healess turns to wait for the man. As he comes closer, she beckons and gestures to the chairs on the porch of the house. "Here, Barzag. Sit, I shall bring the cloak out to you. I will just be a moment." She pauses and turns back. "Have your coins ready." Her expression is serious, yet her tone is light, as if she were smiling inside. "Do sit." And she turns to go inside, her clear voice acrrying even out into the night, as she walks into the hall. The words are uninteligable through the door, yet they seem full of command. Apparently, her words carry weight in this place.
[Barzag] The Hillman remains standing for a moment, clearly uncomfortable in this setting. Still, after a moment he gingerly lowers himself to the indicated seat, shoulders hunching as he gazes warily around at the park. At this hour the place is quiet - or so it would seem, though the encircling cypresses create a darkness that the single lantern swinging from the porch can do little to dispel. He waits patiently for the healer, or perhaps one of her minions, to return.
[Gimilphel] Within the Hall, a slender dark-haired form - the young healer's apprentice Gimilphel - is seated at a table in the corner, head bowed as she pores over a piece of parchment - or perhaps she merely drowses? In any case, she springs to her feet as the door opens, smiling up at her teacher even as a flush of embarrassment begins to spread across her pale face. "I was just ... studying," she mumbles to Galenrien in half-apology for her inattentiveness.
[Galenrien] Once inside, the healess calls out to get some aid. Zimpharel looks up at her owlishly and her wrinkled face puckers up as she starts to stand to heed the Mistress's words. Galan shakes her head at her as if to say - do not get up - stay and the woman wordlessly drops back into her acustomed seat - releif spread on her weatherd cheeks.
Now Galen turns her gaze unto Gimilphel and she smiles. Either ignoring the grils' guilty look or simply not seeing it in her fevered excitement and haste, Galenrien says. "Gimilphel, if I may charge thee with an important mission?" She continues on, grey-blue eyes bright. "There is a man outside on the porch. He is not of our people. I am late for my duties and I wish you to help me." She lowers her voice just sligthly, for in this great hall it carries well. "Go to my office and fetch the cloak that I have tucked under some blankets in my truck." Her voice drops even more. "That key is hid is my desk in the top drwaer in the back. Put it back when you are done. I am entrusting you." She pauses. "Bring the cloak out to the mana nd take his fivce coins." She hesitates and sighs. "I would have given it to him, but he does not seem to trust me. I suppose I would not take it either from a stranger. Perhaps you will have better luck with him that I." A small sigh. "It is not new and it needs mending but it is warm and he needs it." She smiles again. "Perhaps you can somehow encourage him to come back here - if you can. I must go. I know.. that I can trust you with this, Gimilphel. What say you? Will you take this charge to heart?"
[Gimilphel] Gimilphel gazes wide-eyed at Galenrien as the healeress speaks, trying to appear alert and attentive. Galenrien's dramatic declaration of an 'important mission' causes the young girl's lips to curve in a smile, and a hand is hastily brought to her mouth to hide this. But as the key is mentioned, all trace of mirth fades. Gimilphel swallows and nods wordlessly, despite the puzzled frown that appears on her brow as the exact nature of the 'mission' is revealed. It is not an apprentice's place to question her mistress, and if the wise Galenrien considers the matter important ...
"Of course, I will go and fetch the cloak right now," Gimilphel murmurs at last, even going as far as to take a few steps forward. But then she halts, asking thoughtfully and with a slight note of worry, "A man who waits outside, you say? There may be many who wait - how am I to know which one?" A slight blush graces her cheeks at the thought of approaching a complete stranger - possibly the wrong one.
[Galenrien] Galenrien watches the maid's face and it's play of expressions thoughtfully. "You will know him. He is not of our race, Gimilphel. His height is markedly less and his features are not as ours. Do not fear him and be patient with him. I chose you for your tolerance and patient. You will need all of these skills to communicate with him." She smiles and says. "He was along when I left him, but a few moments ago. His name is Barzag and he speaks our lnaguage haltingly yet well enough."
Again that flutter of a smile. "He is cloakless, also will this tell you that he is the one you speak." A pause. "And please, try to urge him to come back, if you can or meet him elsewhere. Thank you, Gimilphel."
With that the Mistress Healer looks to the lad who stands just beynd the circle of her and Gimilphel's voices - patiently waiting for her attention.
[Gimilphel] Gimilphel nods earnestly, "Just as you wish. I will try my best." She flashes a smile at her mistress, before walking towards the Healer's office, one slim hand rising to her mouth to stifle a yawn. The door swings shut behind her, and there is the sound of drawers being opened and papers rustled as the young girl searches for the key, followed by a creaking as she raises the lid of the heavy chest. A few minutes later Gimilphel emerges, cloak folded neatly over her arm, and goes through the double doors on to the porch, perhaps looking a little nervous.
Barzag glances up as the doors open, but the figure who steps on to the porch is not the one he was expecting. Sighing, he starts to turn away again, halting as he notices the cloak tucked over the girl's arm.
Gimilphel steps forward - even without Galenrien's description she could not mistake this man's identity, for there is no-one else about. Clearing her throat softly, she says with a timid smile, "You are Barzag? Galenrien sent me to give you this cloak." She holds the bundle of grey cloth out for inspection.
Barzag watches the girl warily, then gives a slow nod. "Yes," is his gruff reply. He peers at the cloak, his sharp eyes noting a tear that will need mended - but also the good quality of the cloth. It looks as if it has plenty of wear left in it. The Hillman nods again, abruptly. Rising to his feet, he pulls out the pouch containing his coin. "I - I thank you. I will give you ten coins for it."
Gimilphel hesitates. "Galenrien said she would take only five," the girl tells Barzag, the beginnings of a worried frown crossing her face. In the dim light of the lantern she seems oddly pale.
The Hillman looks not at the healer's apprentice but at the ground, and one hand clenches into a fist. Then he says slowly, "Very well. I will give you the five coins," his voice harsh as if he has to force the words out. A few moment later, he has emptied five coins into his palm, and holds these out to Gimilphel.
Looking more than a little puzzled by the Hillman's manner, the girl accepts the coins and hands Barzag the cloak, offering a smile of reassurance.
Barzag takes the cloak, and folds it once more, saying quietly, "I thank you - and I thank Galen-ren. And now I must be on my way." Before Gimilphel has time to react, he steps off the porch and strides out into the darkness, surefooted despite the lack of light.
"But - wait!" Gimilphel calls out, but too late. Her cheeks redden as she realizes in dismay that she not asked the Hillman to return, as Galenrien had instructed. She peers after him, frowns then shakes her head. "Perhaps Galenrien will understand," she murmurs very softly to herself as she reaches out a hand to push open the heavy double door of the Healer's Hall.
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