Hunt for the Palantíri RPG

[Imladris]

They were back on the ship now. Marreth was in a nasty mood because the filthy pure ones had escaped. Jarlyn's face wore an I-told-you-so mask. Jynne glared moodily at the both of them from under his heavy brows.

Jarlyn. Jynne's eyes narrowed, and his lips slid into a sneer. The dog. Accusing him of cowardice. Always looking at him suspiciously. Jynne made ready to spit, but caught himself just in time. No...it would not do to ruin all before the time came.

Marreth was pacing restlessly across the cabin, casting impatient glances as the sun went down. Suddenly, he lit a latern and winked it three times in succession. Jarlyn's brow arched, but Jynne peered at him.

That was a signal. Who could Marreth be signaling to? Jynne's eyes narrowed to black slits.

Jarlyn spoke up, "What are you doing, Marreth?"

Marreth turned, and flicked a glance at Jynne. A thin smile stretched the Corsair's face. Couldn't tell his dear pal what he was up to with nasty, slinking Jynne around, could he. Well...then nasty slinking Jynne would just leave.

Slipping to his feet, Jynne asked, "I'm going to get a tankard of ale. Want some anyone?"

Jarlyn -- how predicatble -- nodded and eagerly asked for some. Marreth glowered at him and then nodded his acceptance as well.

Hovering in the shadows, Jynne slipped through the door and made his way towards the cook's quarters. He took down three wooden mugs and notched the rim of one with a knife that had been left carelessly on a barrel.

Slipping his hand underneath cloak, he unhooked a small leather bag that was filled with even smaller bags. Carefully he selected one and extracted a soft green sprig with a cluster of small white flowers. A thin smile stretched his face.

With his long brown fingers, he began to shred the green leaves, pouring them into the cup. Tenderly he plucked the dainty white petals and let them float for a long while in the ale. He was not concerned with how long he was taking. Let them wait...let them talk of their plans...

When he was satisifed, he fished some of the leaves and petals out of the ale and threw them overboard. He didn't want the drink over powered...

Balancing the third mug on his head, Jynne slunk through the shadows until he reached the captain's lodge.

"What took you?" said Jarlyn with false cheer, for his eyes had narrowed when Jynne slipped in.

Jynne merely smiled and shrugged, handing the captain and Jarlyn their mugs. He slightly raised his mug in toast, and drunk deeply so that none would see the malicious grin.

Jarlyn yelped and said, "By a Dwarf's beard, I almost got a splinter!" He examined the mug carefully, and said, "Oh look! Something notched the rim...ah well...such is the life of a mug that is forever in battle or on a long journey." Winking a Marreth, he raised the mug to his lips, and drained it.