RL time: Wed Oct 31 11:03:17 2001

LOCATION:

Summergate Square

A decent-sized, cobblestone-paved square spreads before the Summer Gate of Umbar, from where you can take the passage through the gate and come to New Town, or follow one of the two streets inside the city. Small shops are placed around the square, and more cling to the walls on either side of the gate. Relaxed guards stroll through the area occasionally in twos and threes, and the traffic mainly consists of people coming and going to New Town for recreation and enjoyment of its pleasures. Carriages are not allowed through that gate and have to take the road through the city, all the way to Eastgate.

The Sea Street climbs a hill to the north from here, to the castle and harbours, while the wide and glorious Gimilbatan, the Star Street, goes in the southeastern direction, towards the centre of Umbar.

OOC Note: There are +VIEWables here. Type +views.

Obvious exits:

* Blue Door leads to A Shop: The Scripted Page.

* Gate Out leads to Umbar, New Town: At the Summer Gate.

* North leads to Azrubatan: The Way of the Ships.

* Southeast leads to Gimilbatan: Shipwrights' Quarter.

[Inzilgadin:] As the sun peeks over the mountains to the east and its rays splash onto the streets and byways of Umbar, business wakes all over the city. Lights show in windows all around but only a few show in the shops and homes surrounding the Summergate. The air is chill, with a hint of rain to come, and those few who are about at this early hour all hug their cloaks close, heads bent, as they hurry about errands that clearly they would much prefer to delay until the day breaks more fully. One such individual hurries into the Square from the north, turning as he enters and vectoring towards a shop with a blue door. Reaching it, he pauses, looks up and tilts his head, apparently listening. Hearing nothing, he sighs and leans his back against the shop wall, arms folded dejectedly and cowl pointing towards his feet.

[Barzag:] The man leaning against the door is not the only lingerer, however. Another has been standing observing the shop for several minutes now. The labourer Barzag has halted on his way to work to gaze at the shuttered windows, for the shop has been locked for many days now, the beginnings of a scowl on his face.

[Inzilgadin:] After a few moments, Inzil lifts himself and looks about, startling when he notices his companion. "Barzag! What are you doing here at this time of day?" He peers at the laborer and purses his lips in disapproval. "Have you been lounging about here often?"

[Barzag:] The labourer seems equally surprised, perhaps insulted by the insinuation - or perhaps just wondering what Inzilgadin means by `lounging'? He shakes his head, shooting a resentful glance at the scribe, then says, "I go to work - to the Castle Street, where there are wall repairs. And I do not come here so often," he pauses, frowning, before adding, "But I have not had a reading lesson for very many days now. Is the lady Rozil-el no longer in the city?"

[Inzilgadin:] The attache's glare softens only marginally at Barzag's retort, but he does straighten and turn that glare on the shop wall, to the point of reaching out and laying his hand upon it. "I know not, Barzag. I last saw her some days ago and this is the first day I have had liberty to follow up what we then spoke about." He glances over to the laborer. "I am sorry to have missed your lessons. But even evenings have not been mine to dispose of as I would. Do accept my apology for that."

[Barzag:] Barzag looks surprised at the scribe's actions - after all, is it not rather odd to stand stroking a damp wall. Still, he shrugs. "May I ask when we can have a lesson again? Or," he pauses, "when the lady Rozil-el will return? I still did not pay her for the materials ..."

[Inzilgadin:] Inzilgadin leans against the wall, then straightens again, slapping the plaster and turning. "Well, it cannot be today. I was hoping I would be able to touch base with her before I went on a little errand of my own." Here he unconsciously glances to the southwest, where even in the bright early winter morning in which the air is crystal clear through much of Umbar, a low brown haze can still be discerned, over towards the wall at the southern end of town. "And not knowing where she has gone, I'm in no position to say when she'll come back. I do know that murmurs grow in her office at the Summer Residence. Work is piling up because of her absence." He turns fully now to openly look to the southwest, then turns to gaze thoughtfully at the laborer. "What you could do is accompany on that errand, if you like. Tis a quarter I entered only with trepidation by myself and even at this time of day, having company would be preferable to showing my face a second time." He darts another glance towards his destination. "Memories are long and my face would be remembered."

[Barzag:] Barzag frowns now, heavy brows drawing down as Inzilgadin makes the suggestion. "And what use would I serve?" he asks, not openly hostile, but clearly doubting the man's sincerity. "I am not of Umbar - I am marked out wherever I go. This is what you wish - to be noticed in the company of one who is despised?" His lips twist and he raises one hand to the bruised jaw.

[Inzilgadin:] Inzilgadin raises an eyebrow and carefully notes the other's action. He nods and says, "Under the circumstances, where I must go is a place where the 'despised' seem to congregate. I should seem to be one accompanied by a bodyguard, and that would be how I now seek to employ you." He pauses, "How did you get that bruise, by the way?"

[Barzag:] Barzag scowls at the final question, and there is a long silence. "It is no matter," he says at last. "But if you wish protection you should look elsewhere."

[Inzilgadin:] Inzilgadin shrugs. "As you will." He turns to go and even takes a step or two, but then turns again and says, "I am sure that Roziliel would appreciate if you were to keep an ear open for news about her. I cannot believe that a scribe of her dignity can simply disappear without somebody wondering why. After all, the patrols have been doubled." He smirks to himself. "Perhaps that is the company I should seek." Looking up at Barzag again, he says simply, "Be well, Hillman." and moves off, his step quickening as he reaches the southern end of the Square.

[Barzag:] Barzag's hostility changes to puzzlement. "Disappeared?" he mouths the word as he watches Inzilgadin's retreating back. Perhaps he is wondering why the scribe has suddenly made this claim - after all, he did not seem overly concerned about the woman's absence before. In any case, the labourer must be on his way. With a shake of his head for the vagaries of Numenoreans, he moves off northward.