The Tale of a Warrior Maid
Chapter 14
When Kesteral entered the king's tent she noticed several familiar faces. Not only where both the kings there as well as their advisors, but Haradwë was deep in discussion with Elessar and Nimli was debating amour quality with one of the advisors."
"Excellent, now that Kesteral is here we can begin, oh wait never mind,"Elessar paused as a hooded figure made his way into the tent, "Now we can begin, nice of you to get here on time soldier."
"Sorry Sir, I was stuck on watch and couldn't get away in time." The young man apologized. He removed his hood and Kesteral could see that Eowyn and Arwen had managed to secure a position for Dernhelm after all. He gave her a mischievous smile, and took his place beside her.
"Now that you are all here, I will explain the situation. Pharazon is far stronger then any of us had expected. He has massed an army of at least twenty thousand. We have no hope of victory unless your mission succeeds. You four will be sent into the Haradwaith disguised as merchants. Your task is to locate Pharazon during one of his regular rides; he will be armed, and accompanied by many. Kesteral will then put on an act. She will claim to be the daughter of a merchant who was killed by one of the emperor's generals. The army is not allowed to attack the merchants with out orders at penalty of death. Kesteral will then pull a blade and attempt to avenge her father's death. If all goes well, such an action will impress Pharazon, he will execute the general and take Kesteral into his care. Pharazon is searching for a wife; Kesteral must attempt to gain this position. During this time, the rest of you will stay low in the nearby town and act as back up. When Kesteral has secured the position as the Emperors wife, she will attempt to gain his trust enough for him to let her get close. This is an assassination mission, when Kesteral can get close enough, she will draw a hidden dagger and end Pharazon's tyranny. At this point, the army should fall into disarray, Haradwë will report back to us that this has happened and we will attack. If anything goes wrong, you are to report it to us and wait for further orders. As for your merchant duty's Haradwë will take the role of your jeweler, he has knowledge of this art, and will be supplied with items to sell. Nimli will play as the metal worker; he will also be given stock. Dernhelm, will take on the part as barterer, as we have already seen, he is skilled at getting what he wants. Kesteral will be the translator, and her father will have been the tailor. You have each been informed of any personal duties, and will leave as soon as you are packed. As you exit, several of my men will give you civilian clothing, put them on, but keep your weapons on and concealed. Fate be with you." At this Elessar dismissed them and settled back into his throne a tense, worried look upon his face.
From the look on her companion's faces, Kesteral could tell they had been briefed more fully before she had arrived. She approached one of the guards who handed her a plain brown gown. Out of the Corner of her eye she could see Nimli receiving a well blackend Blacksmith apron and tunic. Haradwë eyed his new olive green pants and course jacket with distaste and Dernhelm examined his new tunic and leggings carefully. Each of them was given a tattered cloak. Obviously someone had been sent to the local market and found the oldest cloths possible.
"Personalize your wardrobe with several items from your cart, and try to make yourselves look less like warriors, and more like tired merchants," One of the advisors said as he pointed out the way they stood, stiff and strait. Immediately they hunched over and relaxed. "Much better," The advisor complemented. Out side toward a pony that was attached to a cart full of goods. The company began to search through the items, and familiarized them selves with their supplies.
After adding a brass bracelet and a twine belt, Kesteral returned to her tent and packed up her things. She concealed her knives under her cloak. Then cast her armor, Bow and quiver onto her blanket. She bundled up her bedding and brought it back to the cart. The others had done the same. Through out the whole ordeal there had been little talking. All of them realized the graveness of the situation and none of them wished to discuss the possible outcomes. Dernhelm took his place by the pony's head, Hardwë walked at its right and Nimli trailed on behind. Kesteral began to walk at the pony's left.
"No, no Kestral, the lady would sit on the cart," Elessar instructed, signaling one of the guards to give her a boost up. She perched on top of a large basket filled with cloth feeling embarrassed at not having to walk like the others. A small group of soldiers assembled to watch the company as they departed; they waved good bye, before breaking into a short and grave song. Kesteral was glad when they had left the singers behind them, and they began their coarse east word she felt more confident, now that those assigned to go with her she knew.
Chapter 14
When Kesteral entered the king's tent she noticed several familiar faces. Not only where both the kings there as well as their advisors, but Haradwë was deep in discussion with Elessar and Nimli was debating amour quality with one of the advisors."
"Excellent, now that Kesteral is here we can begin, oh wait never mind,"Elessar paused as a hooded figure made his way into the tent, "Now we can begin, nice of you to get here on time soldier."
"Sorry Sir, I was stuck on watch and couldn't get away in time." The young man apologized. He removed his hood and Kesteral could see that Eowyn and Arwen had managed to secure a position for Dernhelm after all. He gave her a mischievous smile, and took his place beside her.
"Now that you are all here, I will explain the situation. Pharazon is far stronger then any of us had expected. He has massed an army of at least twenty thousand. We have no hope of victory unless your mission succeeds. You four will be sent into the Haradwaith disguised as merchants. Your task is to locate Pharazon during one of his regular rides; he will be armed, and accompanied by many. Kesteral will then put on an act. She will claim to be the daughter of a merchant who was killed by one of the emperor's generals. The army is not allowed to attack the merchants with out orders at penalty of death. Kesteral will then pull a blade and attempt to avenge her father's death. If all goes well, such an action will impress Pharazon, he will execute the general and take Kesteral into his care. Pharazon is searching for a wife; Kesteral must attempt to gain this position. During this time, the rest of you will stay low in the nearby town and act as back up. When Kesteral has secured the position as the Emperors wife, she will attempt to gain his trust enough for him to let her get close. This is an assassination mission, when Kesteral can get close enough, she will draw a hidden dagger and end Pharazon's tyranny. At this point, the army should fall into disarray, Haradwë will report back to us that this has happened and we will attack. If anything goes wrong, you are to report it to us and wait for further orders. As for your merchant duty's Haradwë will take the role of your jeweler, he has knowledge of this art, and will be supplied with items to sell. Nimli will play as the metal worker; he will also be given stock. Dernhelm, will take on the part as barterer, as we have already seen, he is skilled at getting what he wants. Kesteral will be the translator, and her father will have been the tailor. You have each been informed of any personal duties, and will leave as soon as you are packed. As you exit, several of my men will give you civilian clothing, put them on, but keep your weapons on and concealed. Fate be with you." At this Elessar dismissed them and settled back into his throne a tense, worried look upon his face.
From the look on her companion's faces, Kesteral could tell they had been briefed more fully before she had arrived. She approached one of the guards who handed her a plain brown gown. Out of the Corner of her eye she could see Nimli receiving a well blackend Blacksmith apron and tunic. Haradwë eyed his new olive green pants and course jacket with distaste and Dernhelm examined his new tunic and leggings carefully. Each of them was given a tattered cloak. Obviously someone had been sent to the local market and found the oldest cloths possible.
"Personalize your wardrobe with several items from your cart, and try to make yourselves look less like warriors, and more like tired merchants," One of the advisors said as he pointed out the way they stood, stiff and strait. Immediately they hunched over and relaxed. "Much better," The advisor complemented. Out side toward a pony that was attached to a cart full of goods. The company began to search through the items, and familiarized them selves with their supplies.
After adding a brass bracelet and a twine belt, Kesteral returned to her tent and packed up her things. She concealed her knives under her cloak. Then cast her armor, Bow and quiver onto her blanket. She bundled up her bedding and brought it back to the cart. The others had done the same. Through out the whole ordeal there had been little talking. All of them realized the graveness of the situation and none of them wished to discuss the possible outcomes. Dernhelm took his place by the pony's head, Hardwë walked at its right and Nimli trailed on behind. Kesteral began to walk at the pony's left.
"No, no Kestral, the lady would sit on the cart," Elessar instructed, signaling one of the guards to give her a boost up. She perched on top of a large basket filled with cloth feeling embarrassed at not having to walk like the others. A small group of soldiers assembled to watch the company as they departed; they waved good bye, before breaking into a short and grave song. Kesteral was glad when they had left the singers behind them, and they began their coarse east word she felt more confident, now that those assigned to go with her she knew.