Tharbad

[tomcat]

Nain and Durgil strolled down the road once more towards the city. The long ribbon of the river stretched to the north and south, and it was straddled by the large city that was before them. The ramparts were still in good order, although the Dwarf saw little evidence of proper sentries. On the outskirts of the walls, where bazaars and other trading markets would usually be erected by lesser, or local merchants, the grounds were empty of folk in any great number. The two companions did see people, but they were few and all of them were grouped to themselves.

The city was still wonderful to look upon - another great work by the hands of the Men of Westernesse. Though established early in the Second Age, it was not until the coming of Elendil and the formation of the north and south Kingdoms that Tharbad was given any great attention. The High-king of the newly formed Dúnedain realms deemed the city the gateway that connected the two nations and so great earthworks were done and the city raised. Nain was impressed by the hands that had once moved the stones that made up the northern wall and gate, for they were sound and would stand here long after these folks were gone.

The north wall had a total of eight gates - seven lesser and one main gate, Annon Forn. The two companions made this their target, as the road on which they walked led to its towers. As they approached, Durgil saw that the large, iron-reinforced doors were open and access to the city and the bridge over the Gwathló was unhindered. Cobblestones were now under foot and Nain and Durgil walked under the shadow of the north gate. It was here that they were finally hailed, "Yo there! Speak your business in the city."

Durgil saw a group of men, all armed and armored, though their mail was light. Each had a spear in hand, shafts pointed to the sky, and swords on hips. There were four standing guard and another two forms were standing in the shadows.

[Stefan]

Nain looked up at his companion.  One never knew in these dark days how humans would react to the presence of an unknown  Dwarf in their midst.  He thought it best to let Durgil speak for them.

[tomcat]

An older man strode out of the gatehouse, his whiskers grey on his cheeks, his hair thinning on his pate. He, too, wore a sword on his belt, although the leather had seen many new holes added to its length, as the man's girth was wide with a belly. Still, he had the kind face of a man who had seen many years, most sad and dark, but one who knew of better times. There was also a strength in the eyes that gave proof of his station as a guardian of the city.

Though he was not of the kin, he had served under a number of those who carried the blood of Isildur, and so knew Durgil right away as a Dúnadan and a noble. He also had great familiarity with the Dwarves of the Mountains having greeted them on both sides of the city, and so in a huff he called to his men, "Oy now! Do you not recognize the blood of Kings, when you see it - and have you no courtesy for our friends of the Mountain-folk!"

The old soldier made his way to the two travelers, "Good day, good sirs! Welcome to Tharbad - might I draw you some water from our well to quench the thirst from your road? Have you horses needing a groom? Er...I forget myself, no Dwarf would be caught astride a horse! Do you have a wain bearing goods? Are you here to enter the city or merely pass through and over the bridge?" This last question brought an evident look of concern to the old man's face, but it was quite obvious that he had not seen many reputable travelers in recent days.



the man in the pic has no facial hair and is a bit more ornately armored, but he gives off the image that I see in my brain of an older guard.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Durgil smiled kindly to the gentleman.  "Yes, please, you are most kind," the Dunadan said taking a sip.  "Don't mind your friend, these days have troubles and we all must stand fast against them.  I am Durgil of Arthedain, a liege-lord to the King of the North.  This is my friend and companion, Nain.  Our business... well our business these days is your business -- the business of Tharbad and its people.  We seek to inquire with the lords of your city regarding these troubled days.  My friend and others were on the riverbank last night," he says, massaging a still sore wound.

[Stefan]

Nain looked up at the man.

"There was a time that I'd ha' brought goods to your fair city, but these days my skill with the ax has been in more demand than my skill with the forge."

[tomcat]

"Those were better days," replied the guard to Nain, "would that they could be again."

Another of his men came with a bucket and ladle of fresh drawn water from the well just inside the gates. He handed the ladle to Durgil and answered, "It is long since we have seen an embassy from the King in Arthedain! I am gladdened to hear that King Argeleb has once more taken an interest in the city of Tharbad, though our own liege-lords rule here." With those words, the old man's face took on a concerned look. "Governance of the city has fallen from our High-lords to lesser-men. It was Lord Farnor, son of Argolan, that had ruled here for many years. Sadly, he and his family took ill and wasted away over the last winter. Lord Hamad, our Margrave, took up rule from my liege-lord whil'st he lay in his sick bed. Hamad still sits upon Tharbad's seat. Come, walk with me."

The old guard turned towards his men, "See to the gates. I wish to walk a ways with Lord Durgil."

They passed through the North Gate of Tharbad, which rose three-stories. Before the gate had been a moat, or a canal, which were prevalent within the city - small waterways that had been dug out to allow the river to fill them and so provide a means of transport, commerce, and defense. The city was known by some as the City of Bridges. The old man led them down the main throughway called the Menetar. Businesses and residences were visible on both sides of the street - carpenter, smith, cooper, haberdasheries, and homes. An inn sat near the gate, too, to welcome any travelers. A thin line of smoke rose from its chimney.

Nain noticed the quiet of the city. There were people about, conducting business and being hospitable, but there was a pall over everyone. It was certainly not the ebullient city that he remembered from past journeys.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"I see," said Durgil, contemplating the politics of the city.  "What more can you tell me of this Hamad?  And what of this Guilin, who led the defence last night?  And where does the people's allegiance sit?"

[Stefan]

Nain walked quietly behind the two men, watching, listening and contemplating the changes that he saw to this once great city.

[GandalfOfBorg]

  his wife's 

[tomcat]

Ummm... Shawn... you are with Celdrahil at the river, not with Nain and Durgil. 

Good post though! 

[sdrotar]

Ummm... Shawn... you are with Celdrahil at the river, not with Nain and Durgil. 

Good post though! 

Clearly, I need more sleep. Let me try this again. 

[tomcat]

"Hamad is a good man and lord, though his blood leaves many to question his station. He is of both Eriadorian-stock and Dúnedain, but the blood of Westernesse is thin. It is said that his lineage reaches back unto the Second Age and the Númenórean colonists that settled the region...who built Tharbad, even! But those days are long gone and Hamad's forefathers did not stay true to their kind, some taking up with women of these lands. When the Elendili came and settled and took up reign, Hamad's grandsires were already of lower station. Still, he is a good and just man and has ruled here in Lord Farnor's stead since he passed."

They continued walking towards the river and the bridge that crossed it, "The people listen to him, but the city has become broken into smaller cantonments of strong-men, or sick. The many physicians that we once had who were wise in leechcraft instructed us to isolate the sick within the city, and so we did. The physicians though were soon reduced in number as the sickness took even them. Now, Hamad has us rule in strength against any that might seek to escape these cantonments of sick folk. In other areas, thieves and ruffians - those that would seem to do the Dark Lord in Angmar's will - defy us and raid into the areas we keep safe and civil. Lastly, wild news comes to us from across the bridge of a rising darkness under the banner of some king out of the hills, though no immediate threat has been made to the city."  The old guard's words were interrupted by Durgil's last question, "Uh...Guilin? Who is he Milord?"

[GandalfOfBorg]

"I cannot fault the man for his duty to his people, reminds me of someone I know..." Durgil trailed off.  "We should meet him, I think," he says sideways to Nain.  "We've heard of this Gibbet King through others and the news is dark, but we should see to the matters on this side of the river first.  But I must say I'm surprised you've not heard of this man, Guilin.  He led a large contingent of men in defense of the city last night.  My friends and I had just arrived when word came of an invasion of orcs and brutal wild men."  Durgil and Nain recount the tale of the previous night.

"I do have one more question to ask, are there any that plot against Hamad's rule, within Tharbad that is?  Even whispers would be useful."  Durgil paused a moment, a little disgusted with himself regarding inserting himself into political intrigue -- a trait his father excelled at, thus he rejected.  But these circumstances required it, marginally at least.  "Father would be proud," he thought, shaking his head.

[Telcontar]

  doug, i was a little confused for a bit too. I thought Guilin was in or closer to Tharbard than it appears he was.

[Stefan]

Nain simply nods at his friends suggestion that they meet Hamad, it seemed like a good idea to know this ruler if they were going to be spilling blood in defense of his city.  He was also a little shocked at the fact that the gate guard didn't recognize the name of the man who led the forces protecting his cities flanks.