Here There Be Dragons - RPG

[Nerindel]

After watching Tinar leave, Korpulfr turned full about and made his way back to his study, where in he stood looking upon the finely crafted Tulwar that hung on the wall behind his desk, contemplating if it would be needed, he did not want to appear hostile, nor that he though his new customers untrustworthy, but neither did he like the idea of being close to so many Corsair's without some form of protection. His hand went to the hatchet in his belt, every male of the wolf clan wore one, he remembered his grandfather telling him that it was an important tool for their people, who were once primarily hunters.

As always when he thought of their old way of life the images would shifted to that of their hunters the hard faced Umbarian soldiers and the painted Haradwaith warriors, laughing coldly as they torched tent after tent, he could still remember the terrified screams of women and children as the warriors dragged them away, he tried not to think about what happened to those taken away! With controlled effort he push the painful memories aside and decisively reached out and carefully lifted the sword from its mount. Taking hold of the ivory hilt he pulled it a few inches out of it's leather scabbard, the sharp blade glinted in the morning light that streamed through the rooms arched windows, satisfied that the blade was sharp he slid it back and strapped it about his waist, moving his hatchet to the back of his belt, he then lifted a finely cut cinnamon coat from the back of his chair and as he pulled it on he gathered up his papers and made his way to the stables.

His cousins Asrim and Hasrim awaited him and their solemn expressions told him that they were not happy with his decision to take the shipment himself, he did not fault them their concerns, he knew they thought of the future and that someday he would be required to take his fathers place as leader of their clan and that he should leave the risk taking to others, but this was not Korpulfr's way, he would not trust anyone else. A wry grin pressed his lips as he approached the older men, "morning cousins, fine day for visiting the harbour, wouldn't you say!"

"I'm glad you think it amusing, Asrim told me about the carver!" Hasrim answered sternly. causing him to shot his other cousin an angry glare.

"He only thinks of your safety!" Hasrim continued,

"I can look after myself, I'm not a young cub that requires the protection of the rest of the pack, I need your loyalty and trust not your concerns!" he retorted, making the effort to control his anger.

"You have our loyalty, but you do not know these foreigners intentions! should they discover us or you what then?" Asrim replied slightly wounded by his cousins rash words.

"At least take an escort!" Hasrim pressed.

"Very well!" he relented, seeing that he would not shift their position on the matter, "Hasrim you will come with me, find me three men to help unload at the docks." The wolf clan warrior nodded and went at once to gather a wagon crew.

"Asrim you will see to the rest of the day's trade and keep an ear, let me know if you hear anything concerning the foreigners and their recent purchases." he said turning to his other cousin, who nodded his understanding then hurried to set about his days work.

As he waited Hasrim's return he rounded to the back of the cart and inspected the shipment, insuring that it had been loaded as per his specific instructions, the spice barrels were at the head with the silk rolls in chests to the rear and all barrels and chests had been branded with the seal of his house, he ran his fingers across the charred wood tracing the wolf's head, assuming that Falasmir's thugs did not too closely inspect the containers he would be able to learn if they fell into his hands and then be able to take measures to have them retrieved. With a satisfied grin he re-rolled the vellum scroll tying it closed with iridescent ribbon and tucking it into the inside pocket of his coat

Just then Hasrim returned with three eager looking young men, who all stood before the cart awaiting his instruction. "We're going to the dock's were you will help to unload our cargo," he told them.

"To the Gondorian ship!" the youngest of the three men asked excitedly.

"Yes!" Korpulfr answered with a grin, "but be mindful , there is also two Corsairs ship berthed" he warned, knowing full well the young men knew the reputation of the Umbarian fleets motley crew.

"Now on you get!" he laughed. The three young men climbed into the back, while he and Hasrim sat up front. Taking the reigns in both hands he started the horses forwards, out of the stable across the courtyard and out into the city streets. As they past through the market many of the trader stopped and bade them good day and one or two lords even enquired as to where he was off to so heavily laden.

"To the docks" he would answer with a well practised smile and a courteous nod of his head. "As if they don't know!" He would hear Hasrim mutter through his forced smile.

As they approached the commercial quay, rounding a row of dark warehouses, he, like his three young companions could only stare, the two three masted dromonds, with their large, square, ominous looking black sails over shadowed the two masted merchant vessel. In that moment the young merchant found himself pitying the Gondorian captain and his crew, their situation seemed worse than he had first imagined, it hadn't looked so bad from his aerial position of the previous day.

The quay was a bustle with merchants from the previous night bringing their shipments, dispersed among the merchants and their help he saw Falasmir's guards and looking up at the nearest Corsair ship, he noted that many of it's crew watched with interest the proceedings below. 'With to much interest!' Korpulfr thought bitterly. "Their searching the wagons!" Hasrim whispered beside him.

"What!" he exclaimed incredulously, thinking his cousin had meant the Gondorians, but that was not the case, as he looked round he saw that it was Falasmir's guards who were inspecting the cargo, for what! he thought bitterly.

Pulling the team short of the Gondorian ships gangplank he jumped down, telling the others to wait till he found the captain or his first mate, "Look after them, make sure there's no trouble!" he whispered to Hasrim, with a concerned look between his young helpers and the Umbarian guards. He hadn't got a few feet from the wagon when he was stopped by one of Falasmir's men.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the desert rat that likes to play Merchant!" Korulfr's eyes narrowed as he turned to come face to face with one of Falasmir's captains. "So you managed to off load some of your tat, eh lad!" the man mocked turning to several guards that stood nearby, who had joined in their captains laughter. He felt his jaw clench as he suppressed the urge to wipe the smile right of his face!

"I'm here to do business with the Northern Captain, not to partake in name calling with one of Falasmir's hired thugs" he answered darkly.

"Check his cart!" the captain snapped to the two guards behind him. Then his face still red with anger he took a step closer and leaned in and hissed in his ear, "The Nobility of this city may think you one of the Gentry, but I know desert scum when I see it, mark my words! you put so much as a toe out of line and I will have you!" he warned, then he stalked away to harass the next merchant. Korpulfr's hand had moved to the hilt of his sword during the encounter and there it stayed till the captain was out of sight, relaxing his hand, he returned to the cart eyeing the two Haradwaith men inspecting his goods with contempt and suspicion, he wasn't the only one, Hasrim and his three helpers veiwed the two men distainfully.

"So what did he have to say?' Hasrim whispered coming up beside him.

"Doesn't like desert people!" he shrugged darkly.

"I will try finding the captain again once our friends here are satisfied!"