The Ambassador's Report

MORDAIN EMBASSY

Within, the embassy is dark and gloomy, the only natural light from very long narrow windows lining the east and south walls. The thickness of the wood shades whatever light passes through them. The Black and red wall hangings cover north and west walls. A large wooden door lurks between two of these hangings. The floor is tiled in black, several red tiles in the center creating a motif of the EYE. A large fireplace occupies the south-east corner of the room.

Sparsely furnished with low-backed wooden chairs, the one impressive aspect to this room is a massive desk of dark-polished wood, behind which rests a high-backed armchair, carved and cushioned. It stands between the rest of the room and the large wooden door. Torches jut out from the south and east walls.

Contents:
Tibo
Mordain Soldier
Obvious exits:
Office of Ambassador and Out

Taelon is sitting on one of the dark wooden chairs set along the wall. His arms are folded over his chest, slowly rising and falling with his breath. This is in fact the only sign of life shown by the ageing man in black, his eyes are closed, his head hangs to his chest, and he is otherwise motionless, apparently taking a nap.

Tibo sweeps the floor as silently as possible, trying not to disturb the sleeping man. From time to time he stops ans leans on his broom to catch his breath

You can hear the sound of heels as someone arrives on a horse...then the sound stops...

Akhorahil walks into the Mordain Embassy from the street.

Akhorahil has arrived.

Akhorahil opens massive doors and enters from the street

The sleeping man stirs slightly at the sound the hooves outside, letting his head tilt to rest back on his left shoulder, but remains in the realm of deep slumber.

Akhorahil walks in quietly, takes a quick look around and closes doors behind him, staying close to them...

At the sound of the heels Tibo stops sweeping the floor and he walks over to the entrance, looking for the visitor. Then he walks up to the person, comming to a halt at a few steps from him, holding his broom closely to his left leg, a bit like a soldier holding a spear and he bows slightly "Goodday Sir, welcome to the Mordain embassy, how can we be of service..." then, as he takes in the stranger, there seems to go a shudder trough him and he drops his broom to the floor with a loud BANG...

Akhorahil notices a sleeping man near a big desk and watches him for a moment...suddenly another man comes closer (Tibo) and starts to speak to him..

Tibo quickly bows to pick up the dropped broom and he says "I'm sorry Sir...*euh* ... how can we assist you ?

Akhorahil turns his head slightly and looks at man who talks to him, watching broom falling on the ground...then he hisses quietly..'Who are you, human?'

Tibo glups uncomfortably and then quickly says "Tibo... Tibo Sir... at your service...;"

Akhorahil remains silent and awaits an answer from a man, who is watching him in a shock..

Akhorahil says nothing in response, but starts to walk around Tibo, watching him carefully and with interest

Tibo starts fidgitting with his right hand, playing with the seems of his pants while his left hand clenches the broom

At the scutiny of the visitor Tibo seems to become uncomfortable, but he tries tostand as still as possible, dough you might notice some sweat beads rolling from his temples

Akhorahil hisses quietly while walking around Tibo...'What isss your job here, human?? You do not look like a Mordain..'

Tibo starts to study the floor, trying to keep his eyes of the visitor, but still, something seems to draw his eyes to him

Suddenly, Taelon shudders, and his sleep is broken. His grey eyes blink open and stare dully around the room for a while, lingering on the dark figure. Then all trace of sleepiness is gone from him, and slowly he stands up from the chair, trembling slightly.

AKHORAHIL:

You see a tall man, all hidden in a long black robe, which covers also his head and face. For the first few seconds you start to think, that it is just a merchant...but then you quickly find out, that you feel very uncomfortable...your heart begun to pound faster...you breath much more harder.

Now you noticed eyes of that stranger and fear overhelms you....Just two shining gems..Who is that? Who is that man in front of you?

Akhorahil raises his hand and points at Tibo's beard and mustache..'Thissss...I really dissslike thisss thing...When you are in sservice, you ssshould remove it, human..

Mordain Soldiers look up from their various tasks, and watch the unfolding scenario with a mixture of fear and twisted enjoyment

Tibo tries to speak, but no sound comes forth... then, a hartbeat later he says in a squeeky voice "I'm a humble servant of Lord Mardahk, Lieutenant of Durthang, second in command to the great Mouth of the Lord. I'm a local Sir, this has an advantage when running errants

TIBO:

Before you stands a short (5'2") man with a lean build. When you look at him you notice he has light brown eyes, almost the same color as his sun tanned skin. The rest of his face is mostly hidden under a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache. His dark black hair is shortly cut. Currently he's wearing a pair of highly polished black boots. On top of these boots he has a pair of plain black trousers and on top of these trousers he wears a black shirt that fits him very loosely. On his left chest you notice a red patch in the shape of a lidless eye.

When he speaks he does so in a monotone and precise voice, almost boring.

Akhorahil watches silent TIbo for another few moment and then quickly turns, hearing some sounds..

Tibo seems to cringe when the stranger points at him

Tibo bows shakily and says "I'll get rid of it Sir...

Akhorahil quickly notices a man who just woke and and turns his head back to Tibo..'Lord Mardahk you sssay...interesssting...and who isss firsst in command to the Mouth Of Lord?

At the words of the wraith, Taelon takes a hand, gloved in black leather, up to caress his own short grey beard, and swallows drily. The trembling becomes more noticeable.

Akhorahil makes few steps back, so now he can watch everyone in this room...both man and group of soldiers..

Tibo gulps "I.... I have no idea ... forgive me Sir... I never... learned

Akhorahil makes a strange voice which should be considered as a smile...'You never learned....Thankfully there isss alwayss a chance to learn new thingssss, am I right, human??

Tibo nods vigorously "Oh yes Sir... I'm always eager to learn...

Akhorahil nods slowly...'Yesss...I believe you are...esspecially when there will be sssome red-hot metal on your sssskin...

Tibo looks confused and very scared... he looks at you (A) with wide eyes and says "hot metal Sir.... euh.. *gulp*

Akhorahil shifts his look at second man (Taelon) and starts to speak much more loudly..'Enough...And you call thisssss an EMBASSY!!?!? THISSS?!!

Tibo quickly says, trying not to fall over his words "Thre is no need for that SIr... I'm very talented.. I *falls silent at the response*

Taelon collects his hands at his lap, his fingers writhing together nervously. He glances from the dark one to Tibo and to the door, but dares not move or speak, other than ocasionally shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Akhorahil looks around at items in this room and hisses, ignoring weak words of Tibo..'Who isss ressponsssible for thisss embassy!? Who isss that Mardahk, sssecond in command to The Mouth?

Akhorahil walks to a high-backed armchair and sits on it, hissing more quietly now..'I'm giving thee two minutesss to call that Mardahk or whoever leadsss thisss place...two minutesss, humanssss!

Mordain Soldiers fidget nervously. At last, one stands up.

Akhorahil looks up and start to watch the ceiling, waiting...

Tibo quickly drops the broom and runs of to the door of the office, brushing past the surprised guards and never bothering to knock, crashes into the office

Tibo has left.

Mordain Soldier looks at his feet, and says, "Uh, sir... Lord Maradhk, sir, has been charged with overseeing the human populations of Mordor, due to, um, other responsibilities that are mroe pressing to the Mouth..."

Mordain Soldier trails off, shuffling his feet, and watching Tibo's exit nervously.

Taelon bows his head deeply at Akhorahil and finally takes a step forward. Looking down at the floor where the black robes of the 'man' before him rest. Taking a deep breath, he opens his mouth, to speak, but decides to say nothing when Tibo runs towards the office door, and merely glances towards the Easterling.

Akhorahil stops watching the ceiling and looks at speaking soldier, without any word...then hisses and his voice is full of anger and hate..'Charged you ssssay, human worm?? Charged?? Well then he can be alssso degradated!

Akhorahil hisses some more...'Now get out of my sight, human sslave....Get out and bring that Mardahk here! NOW!'

Mardahk has arrived.

Mardahk says quietly, "I am here. And who are-"

MARDAHK:

The human Lord of Durthang before you is tall, even for his kind, and of a slim but muscular build. His eyes are a dark gray and while the hair on the top of his head is jet black, he also wears a neatly trimmed soldier's beard, the color of which matches his eyes. His face is angular and hawkish, lined with wisdom and experience, as well as more than one scar. Clad entirely in black and gray, a patch over the Lord's left breast depicts the Lidless Eye. Four long pale scars run parallel down Mardahk's left cheek. Another pale mark can be seen under his chin.

Tibo has arrived.

Akhorahil quickly turns his head and looks at a man who comes from a different room..

Mardahk stops abruptly at the sight of the figure, and fingers long, pale scars running down his cheek.

Tibo slowly comes in, keeping well back and trying to mergin into the shadows on the side of the room

Akhorahil is still sitting on a comfortable chair and watches the newcomer silently

Mardahk kneels, and lowers his head. He says, "I am Mardahk, overseer of this humble operation..."

Tibo raises his eyebrows with surprise when Mardahk kneels down

Mardahk looks up again. Sweat begins to trickle down his brow. He says quietly, in a subdued tone, "Does the... Does the Lord have need of our service in a new manner?"

Akhorahil still sitting starts to speak in his hissing voice...'Ssso thisss is Mardahk, sssecond in command to the Mouth of The Lord...

Taelon steps back again, wincing from the anger of the dark one, until his legs unexpectedly meet the edge of a chair. Losing his balance, the man trips, and falls down to a seat on the chair, rather loudly.

It looks like nazgul is ignoring what Mardahk said and continues in his silent hissing...'Sssso thisss isss the Lord Of Durthang, overssseer of our embasssy in Rhun..

Mardahk nods almost imperceptibly. "The... The Mouth of the Lord requested that I oversee the operations of humans in Mordor. He has more important business, I believe, but what is not for me to know."

Akhorahil turns his head as Taelon falls on a chair loudly and gives him really angry look...then he moves his attention back to Mardahk

Tibo slowly removes his gaze from the scene in front of him to look for the origin of the sound, then he quickly returns to the scene

Taelon scrambles up to his feet, taking a step away from the chair. A nervous smile plays on thin lips, but no amusement is in his eyes, these are widened in awe, and fear...the same fear that makes beads of cold sweat trickle down a troubled frown.

Mardahk licks his lips, and is silent for a moment. Finally, he says, "There... is information I believe I should pass on to my superiors..."

Akhorahil nods slowly, hearing Mardahk's words and hisses..'Goood....It looksss like you ssshuld be experienced in diplomacy and drill, sssso I do expect that you will now tell me your report about what hassss happened here in Rhun..

Mardahk nods, now looking marginally in control of himself again. Slowly, he stands.

Akhorahil sits comfortable in his chair and watches all of you silently, waiting for the report and news

As the gaze of the stranger falls over Tibo he falls down on his knees too, keeping his head down to the floor

Akhorahil shakes his head slowly and hisses quietly...'I sssaid that you ssshould report to me, but I do NOT remember ssssaying, that you can ssstand up, Ssssir Mardahk!'

Tibo shudders as if the remark was directed at him

Akhorahil points at Tibo and hisses..'Jussst a nameless worm, but he hasss a better behaviour then you, assss it looks!'

Mardahk drops to one knee immediately, but his gaze remains pointing upward in the general direction of the speaker. Try as he might, Mardahk can not bring himself to look directly into the empty hood.

Mardahk decides not to try and focuses his gaze somewhere between the figure and the floor.

Mardahk says again, in a hesitant voice, "The Eye may already be aware that the city of Riavod, indeed the entire nation of Rhun, has been swept with revolt."

Akhorahil nods slowly and hissess..'Better...now the report, PLEASSSE!'

Akhorahil raised his voice and his last word echoed around angrily..

Tibo shudders and his fingers seem to try and grab the floor

Taelon slinks back into a corner, occupied with what appears to be an itch on the back of his neck, which he scratches strongly with the right hand. His gaze is directed everywhere but for the dark figure and its immediate surroundings. At each time the wraith raises its voice, he flinches slightly, and scratches his neck harder.

Mardahk continues slowly, "The former King of Rhun, known as Ulfang the Black, was not faithful to the Eye. He was killed, and now the High Priest of Rhun's mutation of the Dark Religion rules this nation."

Akhorahil nods slowly...'Go on Ssssir Mardahk...You ssstill have my attention..

Akhorahil hisses...'Really?? When he wasss killed?

Mardahk's lips purse, as he chooses his next words. "Numerous improvements have occured under the priesthood's administration. Mordor has been given the privilege of eliminating the so-called 'loyalists' which remain faithful to Ulfang's administration. Many of those supporting the old power structure fled immediately to Buhr Mahrling in the north.

Mardahk says, "Approximately six weeks ago. I sent a messenger to Mordor, but he may not have arrived even now."

Akhorahil nods slowly...'Your messanger ssstill did not arrived....but doesnt matter, now I know and that'sss important....

Akhorahil stands up from the chair and starts to walk around Mardahk...'You sssaid that Dark Religion now rulessss thisss city...That's good, but I want namesss..I want to know who persssonally leadsss Dark Religion here..

A fly buzzes in from one of the narrow windows to the south, circling around the tense atmosphere on the room towards the dark one. In mid air, it begins to buzz louder, spins around quickly, and darts back out the window. Even these small creatures sense the fear that hangs upon the area.

Mardahk says, "His name is Dilao. He has been unable to speak with anyone for some time, however; his assistant Lok'Mod has been dealing with routine business."

Akhorahil stops and looks at Mardahk...'Dilao?? I have never heard that name before...

Mardahk adds, his voice gradually growing stronger and more confident, "However, before he shut himself away, I spoke with Dilao and we made an... agreement which I believe will please the Eye."

Akhorahil hisses with some interest..'Yesss?? What kind of agreement? I'm lisstening..

The hint of a smile appears momentarily on Mardahk's face; then it vanishes again, and he lowers his eyes a few inches more. "Dilao said he would comply with the arrival of a few hundred Mordains, to act as a sort of vanguard for an occupation force."

Taelon follows the insect's flight to the dark one, and suddenly, his eyes are transfixed upon the figure that until now he had not dared to look upon directly. Slowly, he is driven to his knees by the terror, as if a force pushed him down, his own fear controlling his actions.

Akhorahil hisses after some time..'That isss really interesssting, Sssir Mardahk..Any other newsss like that?

Akhorahil notices Taelon's look, but says nothing and pays all his attention to Mardahk

Mardahk licks his lips. "There is... other news. But I don't think it would be appropriate to speak about it in front of them-" At this he nods vaguely in the direction of Tibo, Taelon, and the soldiers.

Akhorahil looks at Tibo and Taelon too and slowly hisses..'I'm sssure that they will forget everything what was and willbe sssaid here, am I correct humansss??'

Tibo squirms and says in a squiky voice "yes Sir.... my mind is blank, my memory wiped....

A pained expression crosses Mardahk's face, but he merely nods and continues.

Akhorahil doesnt wait for reactions and hisses to Mardahk..'But if you prefer ssssome privacy, jusssst lead me.

Taelon 's breath is shallow for a while, until he manages to pull his sight away from Akhorahil, and towards Mardahk. His countenace seems to harden at his superior's words, but again is smitten by fear when the dark one addresses him, and manages only to nod and mutter a low, "Yes..."

Mardahk nods, and sighs with relief. "Of course."

Mardahk glances at his feet, contemplating whether or not he now has permission to stand up. Al last, he stands, and walks slowly toward the door to his office.

Akhorahil looks at Tibo and Taelon for the last time and follows Mardahk..

Mardahk nods almost imperceptibly to his guards. A few of them manage to stand, preparing to move to either side of both the door to Mardahk's office and the door to the street.

Mardahk has left.

Akhorahil has left.

As the stranger comes towards him he presses himself closer to the floor, you might even notice a few sweat beads on the floor in front of him, then as the stranger passes and the door closes Tibo seems to relax a bit and he slumps on the floor

After a few minutes Tibo rolls over to his back and shakily stands up, bending over to clean the sweatstains from the floor.

Taelon remains on his knees long seconds after the dark figure has left towards the office, until he finally stands up, on shaking knees, and turns his attention towards Tibo, saying in a wavering but loud voice, "Bring me a drink..."

At the sound of Taelons voice Tibo seems to come back to this world and he nods, then he hurries over to get a tray with a bottle and some glasses

Tibo comes over to Taelon, offering him a glass of fine wine

Tibo's hands shake as he poors the wine

Taelon staggers back and slumps down on one of the chairs in a corner, reaching for the glass, nearly ripping it off Tibo's hands, causing a few drops to fall on the tiled floor. A trembling hand raises the glass to equally trembling lips, and he takes a long swig...until all the wine is gone. The grey bearded man extends the glass towards Tibo once more, muttering, "More..."

Tibo nods quickly and poors in some more wine, the bottle clinging to the rim of the glass

Taelon holds the glass before him a while, gazing at the wine inside it. Then he brings it to his lips again, this time, however, drinking it slower, taking long breaths between the sips.

Tibo says in a trembling voice "Who was that person Sir, do you know him ?

Taelon 's only answer is shaking his head and waving a hand at Tibo, for silence. Again he thrusts the glass towards the easterling, motioning with a nod towards the bottle.

Tibo fals silent and then fills up the glas again, more slowly this time and more concentrated, still there is a little ringing sound as the bottle hits the glass

Taelon holds the glass with both hands by his lap, remaining silent and quiet for a long time, before starting to take sips of the wine. Clearly, it is having its effect, as he seems to be more relaxed now, and the little trembling that can be noticed on him, is now probably due to the drink, and not the visit of the dark one.

After the glass is filled Tibo takes another glass and fills that up for himself

After he quickly finishes his glass, Tibo puts down the bottle next the you and he says "Well, Sir, if you don't mind helping yourself, I have a job to do for our esteemed guest

Tibo strokes his beard and mustache

Taelon mutters something under his breath, while looking straight down at the glass resting on his lap, and ignores Tibo completely for some time. When he is finally finished with his ponderings, he turns to the subservient easterling and mumbles faintly, "Yes...do...yes..."

After a few moments of silence Tibo leaves the room and comes back a few minutes later, shave, without a mustache and beard. You might notice a few cuts here and there, but it is gnoe

Taelon glances up at Tibo, and doesn't immediately notice what the change was, though the confused look on his face seems to indicate he thinks something is missing. When he realizes the disappearance of the beard, he lets out a loud laugh...a strange hollow sound. With a hand, he rubs his own beard and moustache and glances towards the door of the office, smiling softly.

Tibo looks a bit uncomfortable and absencmindedly strokes his face a few times...

Tibo says, "Well, it seemed like a good idea to try and please that person"

Taelon flashes an amused grin at the shaved easterling and nods, saying in a cold tone, strange, as if hinting of a threat, "Inded it is. It is the wisest thing I have seen you do so far, to try and please that...person, yes. Did you not notice something...strange...about that person?", he sneers quietly.

Tibo shivers as he remembers "Well, he had this strange euh... presense... I really didn't feel comfortable around him... I was.... dead frightened...

Tibo says, "And his eyes *shudder* they were scary and strange..."

Taelon looks at the drawing of the red eye on the floor tiles and nods, whispering, "Yes, his eyes..." A shiver runs down his back and he sighs, lifting the glass towards Tibo, "More wine."

Tibo nods quietly then he takes the empty bottle and rushes out of the room to get more wine. A few moments later he comes back in and walks up to you. THen he stops nearby and poors you a new drink

Mardahk has arrived.

Mardahk's forehead is covered with sweat, and as he stumbles into the room, an unseen force closes the door behind him.

Mardahk mutters, "The office... is occupied, for the moment."

Tibo looks fightened to the door of the office and then seems to relax as it is only Mardahk that somes out

Mardahk looks back at the door, and a cruel smile slowly spreads across his face. "That was a very productive meeting. A bit tense, but productive nonetheless."

Taelon sips slowly from a glass of wine, sitting down, or rather, slumped as a heap on a chair by the wall. He glances up from his drink at the sound of the opening door, but, seeing that it's Mardahk, he returns his full attention to the wine.

Tibo bows and says "I am happy you feel that way Master... and I would like to appologize again for rushing into your office like that

Mardahk's smile widens, and he nods dismissively to Tibo. "I think we can expect to see some improvements made to the embassy. We've got more than enough finance."

Tibo strokes his face absentmindedly, as if something is missing there

Tibo says, "Euh... will this ... guest be staying long Sir ?"

Taelon blinks sleepily and places the glass down on the chair next to him, letting it topple down and roll to the edge of the chair, and beyond. It hits the ground with the loud sound of glass shattering into thousands of shards. Taelon pays it no attention, his drunken dull gaze directed at the ceiling.

Tibo frowns at the loud sound, as if it could attract unwanted attention, then he hurries to clean up the glass, trying not to cut himself

Mardahk ignores the commotion, emitting a mild snort of disgust. "I'll be leaving now. I have business to attend to elsewhere."

The yellow sun sinks down to the west, leaving the sky dark and the city more dangerous..

Mardahk leaves

Taelon flops down to his side, stretching his legs across two other chairs lined up with the one he sits on by the wall. Putting his arms under his head, as pillows, he curls up slowly. Twice he blinks, before his eyes are definitely closed, and he drifts to sleep.