The Tower Guard

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen @Lantaelen @Ercassie

Lord Macardil Himhathol
Guard Headquarters - December 28th

He had not taken it well.

Macardil watched the Tower Guard Captain wearily, from the time the first line left the man's mouth. Unfortunately, Macardil had been right on the nose when he had compared Ostoher to Amathen earlier. Honestly, Macardil had not been sure what to expect, despite his own attempt to smooth over Halberion's and Ziranphel's responses. Amathen had been very volatile in such matters. That is why he'd taken Macardil on as his Second.

It pained Macardil too much to spend more time on such thoughts, however. The lord pulled himself back to the present...

Only to find himself in a very undesirable situation.

A situation where he seemed to have found himself standing in between the Captain of the Tower Guard of the captial of Gondor and the Reunited Kingdom... and his best friend and wife.

If Macardil had been a swearing man, this would have been the time.

For part of him was itching to respond to the way the Captain had addressed his wife, his friend. He wanted to address the way Ostoher had spoken to them, wanted to condemn it, wanted to... By the Valar, he yearned to rage at it. For, even if the Captain had not specified literally, it was clear from his words to Macardil that Ostoher's focus was very much on them.

But... but a very different part of Macardil had also recognized the slights which had been thrown at Ostoher, whether those had been consciously thrown or not. That recognition had been why Macardil had rushed in with his attempt to smooth it all over. The way they had outright refused to cooperate with a Captain of Gondor. The Captain of the Minas Tirith Tower Guard. About a case in his own city. Concerning one of his own men. In his own... headquarters.

For Ostoher had recognized all the slights that had been thrown at him, it seemed. Whether those had been intentional or not. And he was choosing not to turn the other cheek. If Macardil knew anything of the disposition of men like Amathen, like Ostoher... the man was not boasting, either, when he claimed this would have consequences.

Macardil's sapphire eyes travelled to Ziran with no small amount of concern. He would intervene on Ziran's behalf, except... there were two very real problems with that.
He was not at all sure whether she would even want him to, or if she would see it as a declaration that he did not trust her to take care of her own business.
Nor did he believe that anything he might say to his wife's or friend's defense, would actually improve on the situation. In fact, if he had been a betting man, he would be willing to bet good coin on the odds that anything that any of them would say now, would only make things worse. Be it in the eyes of one party... or the other.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel @Ercassie @Lantaelen

Halberion Veranis
Guard HQ - Dec 28, Evening

They had spent a long time here, trying to give the guard captain all of the information they had, so that they could make the best use of it. So that they might spare Ric from further suffering, due to his brother. And yet, in spite of that, it seemed to him like it had only brought about the opposite results. Hal was tired, and annoyed, and not very happy. It felt to him as if their time and effort was all wasted. It was frustrating to him. He wanted nothing more than to march out of here and forget it all. In his younger days, when he was about the age Ric was now, that is exactly what he would have done. But he had been far more impulsive, then. He had been rather hot-headed, in those days. He'd lost track of the times he had rushed headlong into something without pausing to consider if it was wise or not.

He was irritated by the captain's attitude, which seemed arrogant to Hal. And the fact that he seemed to think his way was the only right way. That no one else's input could possibly change his mind. That he refused to even consider any other options... and he had ignored Hal's question about whether Ric was aware of the plan, and if he agreed to it. Hal did not like that, and he felt that it didn't bode well for the young man. He could feel his irritation building, and he was all ready to let it spew out like an erupting volcano, to demand justice for the innocent man. It wasn't right to keep him locked up, and Hal was strongly opposed to the very idea of it.

It was Macardil's words that stopped him from speaking his mind, again. It was his friend's attempt at a peaceful resolution, which started Hal thinking of taking a step back, mentally. Taking a slow breath. Clear his head. 'Lack of cooperation', his friend said. Is that what he thought? That Hal was being uncooperative with the captain? The captain certainly made it clear that he thought so. It took Hal a moment to bring himself to consider why it should matter. Hal had wanted to be stubborn. To resist the restriction that he felt was being placed upon him. It was.. a strong part of his personality. Being stubborn and defiant was like a Veranis family trait, he thought with amusement. It was.. the very reason he had not succumbed to despair. Why he had not lost what made him.. him, during those terrible years in that dungeon. Why he had not let his spirit be broken. He had drawn on that "Veranis stubbornness", and that was why he was still here, and still mostly the same 'Hal Veranis' that he had always been. Or was he the same?

Now, he was wondering; did his friend think that he had been wrong in refusing to agree to the captain's demands? He glanced over at Macardil with a thoughtful frown, then looked back at the captain, trying to replay the words in his memory. Perhaps, in his irritation about what he perceived the man was demanding, he had jumped to some conclusion that was not correct. It occurred to him, then, that maybe it was going to be harder than he had thought to readjust to living around real, regular people. People who were not cruel, malicious, and deceitful. He had to take a deep breath and remind himself that the people here were not like the one who had held him captive for the last five years. And maybe, he also considered, maybe this captain was not merely trying to sweep an awkward investigation under the rug and pretend it didn't happen, like the previous one had done.

Refusing to dwell on that thought, his thoughts went instead to his mentor from so long ago. Shen had taught Hal a lot about having patience. Thinking before you speak. Learning to curb his temper and not act so impulsively. Not to jump to conclusions. To consider things from all angles. And, so, Hal told himself that, despite the fact that he did not like the captain's attitude, he should not automatically assume that the man had any sort of deceptions in mind. So, as the captain began to talk, Hal forced himself to listen more carefully to what he was saying. To hear beyond the tone which he used, a tone which had irritated Hal. His frown remained, but he was thinking about the man's words. Because if he had misunderstood, then perhaps Hal had reacted too swiftly. He didn't like to think that he had, but.. maybe, he needed to consider the possibility.

Hal remained quiet while Ostoher was speaking, while leaning on his friend for support. Ostoher seemed to be just as ready for the three of them to get out, as the three of them were to leave. But Hal wasn't really pleased to hear him implying that he somehow had the idea that their priorities were to do with their own affairs. Had he not heard any of the concern expressed over what was going to happen to Ric? That was the whole issue, after all. Hal wanted to protest and point out that the entire problem here was that the captain refused to tell them what he was really going to do with the young man. But instead, Hal closed his eyes for a second, took a slow breath in, and let it out, mentally picturing the frustration and annoyance just floating away from him. Attempting to see more clearly. It wasn't easy, but he tried it, anyway. The captain had spoken of keeping Ric safe, he reminded himself. Maybe, this was his way of trying to do that? By not telling anyone where he was, he could limit the possibility of any hostile persons attacking him. That made sense, Hal supposed, even if he didn't like not knowing.

When they were 'dismissed', Hal let his eyes open again and he regarded the captain thoughtfully. While his pride threatened to flare at being treated like an obstinate child, he reminded himself that he wanted to leave anyway, so it shouldn't bother him. And maybe it wasn't even meant like that. So, he let that go, too. Still, he had something to say, first. After taking this time to reflect and reconsider his impulsive reaction earlier, Hal decided that this was necessary for him to do, before leaving. He was careful about his tone, making sure to remain polite.

"If the concern here is in keeping the details of an active case from becoming public, then I can assure you, captain, that you needn't worry about that from me." He declared. "But that is not what it seemed to me that you were requesting, before. I offer my apologies if I misunderstood." He paused briefly, finding the next part more difficult, but he pressed onward. "And, I offer further apologies if I.. harbor any lingering reluctance to trust the guard to do the job they are meant to do. Considering.. the previous experiences I have had with them. It is something I will have to work on, I suppose." He concluded the sentence as nicely, but also as vaguely, as he could. He did not wish to get into that topic again, having already spoken earlier about how the previous captain had done nothing to investigate when his son went missing. And there was no need to mention how often Ademar had posed as his brother. None of that left him feeling very hopeful about the guard's reliability, but he had to remind himself not to judge this guy based on his predecessor's actions, nor the entire group by the actions of an imposter.

"Good night, Captain." Hal inclined his head politely in farewell. He had remained standing for all this time, and he felt as if he'd pushed himself to his physical limits. He was pretty sure he would need Macardil's support to get him out of here. If not for Macardil, he would have had to sink into that chair a little while ago, and rest. It was a struggle not to let that feeling of frustration also overcome him, because he wanted to be able to walk out of here on his own with his head high, but he had to rely on the strength of his friend, for now.

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn @Rillewen @Lantaelen @Ercassie

Karis Ziranphel, Lady Himhathol
Guard Headquarters - December 28th

She saw the man had stopped listening by the eyeroll he gave before she had gotten even half-way through, but it was confirmed when he erupted after Macardil’s conciliatory words. Her lips tightened and she raised an eyebrow at his threats about her supposed insubordination and lack of honor. He might outrank her, but she wasn’t his subordinate. She supposed the newness of his rank was still touchy enough that he couldn’t take any suggestion that he was overstepping his authority. He very obviously had not even heard her words of commitment to not speak of the case beyond those who needed to know in her command, only processing her refusal to swear to his exact demand. He did not seem to in any way comprehend that all of them in the room had indeed agreed not to speak more than necessary, but rather reiterated and furthered his claim by implying that it was a simple thing to agree to complete silence as if they couldn’t understand simple language.

She resisted the temptation to shake her head at his own grandstanding, knowing that he needed to save face in his own eyes and the eyes of the rest of the men in the room. It was the way of male egos. Certainly, he ended with threats of consequences for her lack of cooperation and insufficient respect. He obviously gave not even a modicum of respect to anyone he considered to have disrespected him. Eyeing him as he deliberately ordered them out of his office and no longer addressed her in his parting words, she gave a single upwards nod of acknowledgement and a simple, “So be it.” No words would help this if he couldn’t listen to simple speech. She knew that his response to her mention of his overreach and not agreeing to ask how high when he told her to jump meant that he wouldn’t listen to a single thing she had to say. Yet his very attitude in response did not make it easy to regret her words. He seemed very much a man in the midst of a self-righteous temper by his belaboring their apparent hysteria with typical chauvinism. They had been entirely cooperative when she could have skipped telling him anything. She had acted entirely within her responsibilities as a Ranger to obtain the assistance of the local guard and in sharing information with them to further the investigation into Ademar and keep on the lookout for further activity. She could feel the heat sparked by his words, but stubbornly pushed it down. If he thought the rift had only begun here, he had much to learn about his new position. Hopefully he would reform the institution, but she wasn’t holding her breath.

She felt the weight of Macardil’s concerned gaze, but was glad in that moment for his silence. It was Halberion who filled it. His apology for misunderstanding was much more eloquent, but Ziran did not nod along. Captain Ostoher had been crystal clear with his demands and then deliberately obtuse when interpreting their responses. She had not wanted any of this from the beginning, yet had risked life and limb and many hours more than this man already in pursuit of justice in the matter. Ziran would be glad to be done with it, but couldn’t be until she had turned the matter over to her own officers and the King. It wasn’t purely a military or policing matter since it had to do with the wrongful death of nobility and seizing of vast lands. She had no desire to be involved in the dealings of the guard in the city. If the King rescinded his invitation to continue as one of his own Rangers after this man’s demands, she would give him her resignation a second time. But not this Guard officer.

Unlike Halberion, she did not waste her breath with apologies that would go unheard by Ostoher while he was without reason and feeling snubbed. One did not reclaim honor and integrity for an office or institution through bluster, but he was doing an admirable attempt. Actions would either bear his words true or false about the integrity of the guard. Turning on her heel after Halberion’s words of farewell, she didn’t bother taking up the rear this time and led the way out into the entry hall in silence beyond the swift tap of her boots.
Waiting for the return of her knives that had not immediately been returned upon leaving the interrogation room was a further test of her patience as they seemingly needed just as much paperwork to give it back to her as to receive it. The week had been a long one, and it was past time to get home. She would still need to send Pele and Arnyn a note to let them know she had returned and request time to meet with them on the morrow, and a formal request to meet with Elessar afterwards.

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

City Guard Thorledhos Darthor and Guard Recruit Sorrela Korsey
With Aderic Androllius. In an interview room.
Late in the afternoon of December 28th

The interview rooms were not constructed for comfort. Their function was to encourage witnesses to speak their piece without breaking, some times to break the nerve of a tiresome suspect and have them make their peace. But never to set up home. Until tonight. This day really was a first in so many, many ways, and few of them were good. Sorrela could not help but wonder if there had ever been such a strange state of affairs in all the history of the world. But Thorley’s head was already sifting through problems he could actually do something about.

“I don’t expect it would be permitted, nor timely to have something fetched from your home,” the Guard mused over their 'guest's request for warmer clothes. All the young man seemed to have brought with him was a notebook after all. “There would be extensive paperwork ..”

“Maybe something from the lost and found ?” the recruit put in, before her mentor began to lose himself in the hopes of paperwork.

“Either instance might throw up a case for corrupting potential evidence of a crime,” the Guard concluded with a sigh. “I wore my coat in to work today. It will have to do. I’ll be around for a while yet anyway,” he decided, and then glanced pointedly toward Sorrel. “I know the Captain said for you to not leave his side,” he nodded toward Ric. “But if bathroom breaks are required, anything like that, you shout for me. I will take care of .. that. Or at least ask that it be considered,” he offered. And waited until the young woman nodded her understanding. “I’ll bring you both some food,” he concluded, and apparently left them so he could manage that.


Back to the two of them, Sorrela tried to remember what they’d been talking about just before. The relief that she had not gotten told off for talking to Aderic called for her to lose her blush, gladly. She poked at the table uneasily. She had not answered before, when Ric asked whether anyone had checked Captain Bealthor’s house. Her face though might have said more than she would have admitted. For what sort of guards would they be if they did not even go call at their command’s house when he simply stopped showing up for work ? It might have been a good thing that she did not pose that response aloud, of course. For quite what sort of guards some of their unit had been, in fact, was still only now being unveiled. The man’s second question though was more or less negated by his first. If Bealthor had left word where he was going or why he would not be back imminently, then there would have been no need for anyone to call on him to find out in the first place.

Thorley returned fast, and she guessed he must have run with more haste than she would have expected. Although the man did not demonstrate any panting or perspiration to support her theory. A large plate of cheese and unexciting biscuits was laid on the table, along with two mugs of tea. Coffee .. the Guard had decided .. was probably a bad idea.


“I will go and get that coat,” he promised then, proving that his speed might be explained by having only done one of the two errands so far. As he left the two of them, the older man could not help a backward glance into the room.

It was not that he believed Sorrela was in any danger. Not in the traditional sense anyway. She could certainly handle herself about Aderic if she needed to. But the more experienced guard was more concerned about this, the second occasion, when his young protegee had been in a position where somebody she knew well was up to their necks involved in a big mess that she was involved in resolving. It was a scenario which Thorley had faced more than once or twice, but he had gathered years by now of means to cope. The recruit .. would she be alright with this ? And afterwards .. what about afterwards ?

She was always inviting him to come around to her rooms after work, to really brain storm, as she put it. They could not do so at a coffee house for fear of anybody overhearing confidential information. But at the office, there was always some call out. And it was far from comfortable, clearly. She had said a lot about wanting to learn from him, but honestly the man had gotten the impression that the young woman must be quite lonely. Why else would anybody her age want to waste their free time working, off the clock, with a grizzled old bore like himself ? And if Sorrel was lonely, and of a similar age to Aderic .. she was still new and still building up her methods. This might be too much, too soon. Maybe he ought to take her for a coffee after work, after all. At the very least because he was the only person she could talk about all ‘this’ to, in confidence. Their former colleague. Their personal friends .. who'd suffered from .. the identical twin of their former colleague ... It was a lot. He would have to help her through this. He was her mentor. She was his responsibility.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Aderic Androllius

Ric was not quite sure how to reply, or even if he should reply, to the comment about fetching something from his home. As if he even had a home anymore. He severely doubted it, by now. But why would there be paperwork for that, anyway? He looked toward Sorrela as she suggested the lost and found, but he felt like the chances of there being a jacket or coat or cloak in there, were probably slim. Furthermore, why should it affect any evidence, to borrow something from the lost and found? His gaze returned to Thorley at that, trying to discern whether he was merely making up excuses for why nothing could be provided to him. In other words, it sounded like he would be stuck shivering in this room all night.

Just when he was beginning to resign himself to that idea, though, Thorley made a surprising suggestion. He would let Ric borrow his coat? He had not expected that at all. Quietly, he dipped his head slightly in gratitude. "Thank you, I would appreciate that very much." The rest, he made no comment on, although he couldn't help but hear it. It was quite clear that he was to be treated as a prisoner, and he was feeling more and more disappointed by his 'reception'. Any hopes he'd entertained during the trip here, that he would be wrong in assuming he would become a prisoner upon his arrival, was long gone by now. Not that he was surprised or anything.

There was only a period of silence between himself and Sorrela, during Thorley's absence. Ric was acutely aware of it, and he halfway wanted to break it, but he could think of nothing worth saying. And he half-assumed that she did not want to talk. Fortunately, there was not a long wait before Thorley returned with a plate of snacks. And tea, to his surprise. There must have already been a pot of water heating somewhere, for the man hadn't had time to put on a kettle and wait for the water to heat.

Ric straightened up slightly as the items were placed on the table. "Thank you." He said again, even as Thorley hastened off to retrieve his coat. This time, as he took a few items to nibble on, Ric made a little more effort to think of something to say, to break the silence. "Have they had you working very many night shifts?" He asked quietly, after eating a piece of cheese, and looked up at her. For it seemed a little odd, seeing her working through the night. Before his departure from the city, when Ric had a say in the work schedules, he'd been careful to have her shifts during the daytime, so that she would be able to be home with her family for supper, and so that they did not have a young woman recruit working at night when there may be more dangers to worry about. How much had changed in the last few months? Was this her regular schedule, now? And he also couldn't help wondering if her father had made protests to such a change in her shift scheduling. The man had been upset with Ric for asking her to put a horse in the stable, after all. Claimed it was 'too dangerous'...

"And, how is your family?" He added as an afterthought, to further any hopes of conversation. And to keep silence from taking over again. Carefully, he took a sip of tea, hoping to drink in a little warmth, but for the moment it seemed hot enough that he only likely to burn his tongue, so he set the mug back down.

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

Guard Recruit Sorrela Korsey
With Aderic Androllius. In an interview room.
Late in the afternoon of December 28th

When Ric started to try over, started to make conversation, Sorrela toyed with her cup, blew over the surface until it lightly rippled. Then put it back down again on the table. The sugar which was slowly starting to dissolve in it was still undeniably evident, and the Recruit had a suspicion that Thorley had swiped these off the front desk staff. One of those she’d noted arrive for his shift was a very keen fan of sugar in his tea. The Recruit leaned back in her seat then, making clear that the food was all for their ‘guest’. He looked like he could do with a good meal.

“Any other day I might have complained about my family,” she mused, before glancing over to the former officer. “Not today,” she promised, quietly. Today, compared to what Ric’s family had brought him to, even her crowding, noisy, demanding mess of kin only made her feel very fortunate. Large hands pulled her hair out of it’s restraining leather thong, shook it out free just for a moment, and then tied it back into exactly the same state it had been before. Out of her eyes. Professional. “Technically my shift ended about an hour ago,” she admitted though, rather than remark upon Guard rota patterns. He was no longer the Lieutenant. Who worked when was no longer his problem. What was she supposed to say, I’m getting overtime because of this very unusual emergency situation we find ourselves in ? We’re still short staffed and everyone more important than a recruit has other things to be doing ?


“They did not let your landlord rent out your home to anyone new,” was what she actually told Ric, realising that he would have already overheard all that bother about evidence and paperwork of course. Still she declined to mention whether his former residence was still being watched. Or if it ever had been. There had been lapses, because they had been short staffed. Because until the Acting Captain arrived, they had been unsupervised. There had been, after all, an extraordinary amount of mysterious deaths, injuries, and disappearances amongst the Guard of the White City, in the last few years. It ought to have gotten better after the war. Somehow it had not. Now .. they had a great many suspicions .. why not. “It would not be safe there for a new tenant,” she said instead. “If your brother came back, or sent somebody .. Its all locked up. Everything that was left there is considered evidence.”

Even the word. Evidence. It conjured up the thought of Thorley. He’d impressed upon her from the start, that evidence was everything.

“He has been my mentor,” she mentioned, eyes to the closed door where the Guard had departed. “Guard Darthor. Since you left. Third time lucky, perhaps.” She waved one ink-stained hand at Ric. “Lots of paperwork,” she almost smiled. Thorley’s forms were legendary by this point, to everyone’s displeasure. He was probably off somewhere now, filling in some form about loaning out his coat. Everything had to be official. By the book. At least this mentor would not leave town with no warning ! The previous two both had.


“I wish that you had spoken to me, instead of leaving me that letter.” Somehow the truth flew from Sorrels’s mouth now, as though it occurred to her that she may never have this chance again. “Instead of just leaving !” She frowned, undeniably. Took one of the biscuits she had sworn to leave for him, and broke it in two. As she gingerly placed half of the biscuit back on the plate, and turned the other half over in both hands, Sorrel focused on staring through the tiny morsel as though it could give her all the answers to the universe. “Leaving was pretty dumb,” she declared, sure of that much. “And you’re not my Lieutenant now, so I can say so.”

---

City Guard Thorledhos Darthor.
Joining them for just a moment.

Of course that was the moment in which Thorley returned, this time without knocking. To be entirely honest, he had just witnessed the trio of other guests departing the Headquarters. Without the man they had come here assuming they could announce and then whisk away with them. As though any part of this whole mess would be that easy ! The older man closed the door behind him, and then looked from one of thos in the room, to the other, and then laid his coat on the table for Aderic. With a nod of acknowledgement. He laid out Sorrel’s as well, which he had clearly thought to bring up from the cloak room.

“It’s probably not what you were hoping for,” he ventured. “But it could have been a whole lot worse,” Somehow it did not sound like he was simply talking about his plain, old worn brown coat. Which was long if not very smart. It would be warm, if nothing remotely as comfortable as a bed would have been. “Noone will hurt you here,” he did venture though, and met Sorrela’s eye so that she agreed with a nod of her own. “You know where to find me,” he concluded. So did the Captain. “I have a lot of paperwork to get through.” As excuses went, to make himself available, helpful, given the circumstances, it was an alibi that no one who knew him could ever doubt.

Somehow the recruit managed to keep her face straight as the Guard took his leave. Rising to gather up her coat helped somewhat to conceal her expression of course.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Aderic Androllius

He let his gaze drop to the table as Sorrela commented about her family, in comparison to his. He could understand that, although it didn't make him feel much better to be reminded of his own family. As if he wasn't already feeling miserable enough. He could already imagine the sorts of things his father would say about this whole debacle. And his mother. She'd never been one to hold back in berating either of them for the least little thing.

He was drawn out of his thoughts about his parents by the information that her shift had ended an hour ago. Blinking, he looked at her in surprise to hear that. And realized, perhaps, that it was because of him. "Oh. I'm sorry." He really was sorry to hear that. He fully knew what that was like, working longer than your shift was supposed to be. He'd done it often enough. Most of the time, without getting any extra pay for it. So, he hoped that she was, at least, getting paid for this. Somehow, though, it seemed like he shouldn't pry into this matter. He felt a bit like an outsider, now. As if he had not been involved in helping make the schedules for the last several years. And filling in wherever needed, and so on. He took one of the biscuits and tried to focus on eating.

The next bit of news that she dropped caught him off guard. Ric looked up from his snack. "I haven't lost all of my things, then?" He asked with surprise. As she went on to explain about it not being safe, he nodded slowly in understanding. "Right. I see." He answered quietly. Everything in there, evidence. Who knew how long it could be tied up as 'evidence', then. Lord Veranis would not be able to claim his son's effects, then. He frowned slightly as he tried to think about what exactly it was evidence for.

That thought was disrupted though, when Sorrela mentioned that Thorley was now her mentor. Ric nodded slowly, once again. "I'm glad you have someone." He told her softly. He knew how hard it was to have no one to whom one could turn for help, or even advice. He couldn't quite bring himself to smile, though, at the comment about paperwork. Thorley was well-known for his near obsession about paperwork. Ric had never really minded paperwork, for he had always felt some sense of comfort in writing facts down. That was why he had began writing his journal, in fact. But even he had never been so enthusiastic about paperwork as Thorley happened to be.

Sorrela's next words surprised him almost as much as the news about his apartment. Ric paused and looked at her, slowly lowering a piece of cheese he had been about to eat as he let the sting of her words sink in. He didn't mind, or even hardly notice, when she took one of the biscuits. For a moment, he was not sure at all what to say. She was upset at him, he realized. And she was right, of course, that it hadn't been the smartest idea to simply leave. He didn't get a chance to gather his thoughts enough to form a reply, however, since at that moment Thorley returned. Ric swallowed and gave a small nod to him. "I appreciate the loan." He told Thorley, meaning the coat, although he found the other comment a little puzzling. Why did they think anyone would hurt him? While the other two spoke briefly with each other, Ric quietly put on the other man's coat and stared down at the table until he had gone.

Only once they were alone again, did he attempt an answer to Sorrela's comments. "I apologize for letting you down." He said quietly, to begin with. He drew a slow, shaky breath, finding it hard to look up at her. A part of him wanted to say 'so you did get the letter.' But he didn't. He closed his eyes for a long moment, taking a moment to hold his breath before letting it back out. "People.. do tend to do stupid things when they're panicking." He agreed quietly, not denying that it had been stupid of him. His gaze remained fixed on plate of snacks for the moment. "Especially without anyone they can turn to, for advice." The latter part was barely audible, yet still just audible enough for her to hear in the quiet of the room.

He shook his head slightly and sighed. "What could you have even done, if I had spoken to you?" He wondered. What would she have done? Turned him over to the guards? That was exactly what he had been afraid would happen. He raised his gaze up to look at her with sadness in his eyes. "I doubt you would have believed me, if I told you about my brother. No one ever does. Why should you be any different? In fact, you probably have more reason than any of the other guards have, to doubt that story." He frowned. She had been in school with them. She must have heard him trying over and over to convince the other kids about his twin, only to have them call him a liar. He realized now that they all had good reason to believe he was lying, so he couldn't blame them for it. But she, out of all the other guards, seemed most likely to scoff at his any attempt to claim his twin brother was guilty, not him. Especially since she was friends with both Iole Ishen and Unalmis Raxelilta!

He sat back in the chair with a little sigh of frustration, wrapping his arms around himself to try and keep the coat wrapped close to keep the chill out. "Perhaps you could have offered better advise. You've had far more training for this position than I ever did." He mentioned with a little frown. "You have far more people to help you with any given problem you might come across, than.. than I've ever had in my life." He swallowed hard and clenched his jaw shut as he looked away, trying to stop himself from speaking any more in bitterness. She was fortunate, and he really didn't begrudge her that. It just got so... tiresome, being on his own in everything. And he felt more alone right now than he'd ever felt in his life. And now, to be judged for a decision he'd made with good intentions while his world shattered around him... it certainly wasn't helping to improve his mood.

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

Guard Recruit Sorrela Korsey
With Aderic Androllius. In an interview room.
Late in the afternoon of December 28th

Her orders had been to keep watch for the man, not to keep his spirits up. Which was a relief, as Sorrela was beginning to come to the conclusion that Ric seemed determined to be as miserable as he possibly could. Despite all the leniency which had been afforded him, thanks to the many witnesses who had spoken up on his behalf. While she could, of course, acknowledge that the man’s predicament was far from pleasant, the Recruit had been raised on the concept of doing the best with what she had. And seeing the man mooning about as though things could not possibly be worse, when in fact of course they could be much worse, it was tempting to take full advantage of the fact he was no longer her superior.

“You already apologised,” she let him know quietly, pushing arms into her coat, and settling back in the chair, now suitably swaddled. The letter he had left for her had covered all the 'sorry', and some more. But her unhappy companion was bemoaning all poor decisions made in panic. Did he regret sending her the letter then ? The young woman aided the slow erosion of her biscuit piece, idly littering the table with crumbs.


“I guess we shall never know now,” she figured, when he asked what she might have done, if he’d asked for her help. He’d asked her to have faith in him, in that letter, even though clearly he had not held any faith in her. Despite her never speaking out or acting against him in all the time they’d worked together as Guards, in spite of their mutual school drama. She wasn’t going to hold it against him. She hardly knew him. But she was not about to let him drown in self pity if she could help it either. And then he said she’d had more training than he ever had .. More trainers perhaps, she conceded mentally. And then he said she’d always had more help than he ever had. And that was when Sorrela dusted the palms of her hands together to clear off the remnants of that wasted biscuit half.

“It’s no wonder you’re not thinking right, with all that self deprecating garbage clouding your head.” Sorrel half recognised her own mother’s tone in the observation she voiced, with a slow shake of her head. “It’s Mar that always told you no one else cares about you. It’s Mar who told you that you can’t trust anybody else. I found your diary, Ric. I read it.” She paused to see if that would have him turn back to at least face her. Even if the realisation made her recall, too late, how furious she had been at Roselly for reading her diary … By this point she was convinced that it would do less harm to help Ric try to break out of this miserable brain lock, than it was to have kept secret that they’d found his journal. Thorley might disapprove, but Thorley wasn’t dealing with their dejected guest. Besides which, she had already said it now and it could not be taken back.



“So I know that you know now, what he really is. I followed your line of thoughts in that journal as it all fell slowly into such an awful place. And even if you weren’t here today because of uncovering all he’s done. Which you are. Why are you still listening to him ? Up here ?” The Recruit tapped one side of her brow pointedly. “You say you’ve always been alone, that you’ve had nobody and that’s exactly what he wanted you to think. But it’s not true. You had him. He made sure that you only ever trusted him, and no one else. And he’s not here now. He’s the only one who’s let you down, and left you in this mess. And everybody else around you who you’re so afraid to trust, we are all running around now trying to help you. I mean, better late than never .. it took us a while. It took you a while too.” Sorrel paused to take a sip from her tea and grimaced some from the generous sugar quota.

“So now for maybe the first time in your life, people are starting to listen to you. We are starting to separate the you from all that he’s ever done. To all of us. But nobody can give you back your life Ric. You have to take it for yourself. This is your chance. Everybody knows about him now. Everybody believes you. So, I don’t know. Pull yourself together or something. Because it isn’t over yet, by a lot. And I know that you are stronger than you believe you are. You’ve survived every worst day you’ve ever had. You’re still here. And you have to keep on, for those who are no longer here.”


The young woman wiped down the table of biscuit crumbs, sprinkled the collection from her hand into the tea and watched the concoction react. A mess. It was all a big mess. And she had channelled her no nonsense mother for at least part of the tirade, but she wasn’t even embarrassed to admit it to herself. “If you hadn’t gone to where you knew your brother lived, even if it was dumb to have gone alone, maybe Lord Veranis wouldn’t be here today,” she conceded, unwilling to deny what he had managed to accomplish there. “You probably saved a man’s life. And there are more people offering to help you today than there ever have been before, in your whole life. You don't have to be alone any more. But that's up to you now.”

Yes Serenda Korsey would be proud of her eldest daughter. Even if Aderic Androllius was beginning to think he’d rather be alone in a dungeon than listen to her right now.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Aderic Androllius

He was not quite sure what to think about her words, as Sorrela pointed out that they would never know. And went on to tell him off for basically everything he had said a moment ago. His instincts of loyalty tugged at him to defend his twin, to try and explain a few things. There were certain things she was wrong about. About Mar, and with how he was to Ric. But the recent revelations about him made Ric reluctant to offer any sort of defense, for how could anything defend such actions? How could he try and defend anything Mar had done, even to Ric? And yet, there were still all the memories of the times Mar had helped him through their unpleasant childhood. Without him, Ric didn't think he could have endured it. But then... how much different might everything have been, if Mar had not done those things he had done?

Torn between these mixed feelings, Ric put his forehead down to rest between both hands, propped on the desk at the elbow. His confusion about all of this was starting to give him a headache, and it seemed as if he could not hold his head up any more. But when she mentioned that she'd read his journal (not diary, he mentally corrected), he did look up in surprise. More than surprise, in fact; shock. "But.. that was stolen." His quietly spoken protest served to explain his confusion and surprise. For how could she have read it, when it had been stolen months ago? His arms slowly fell to the table, one folded over the other.

Ric stared at her with a quizzical frown, trying to make sense of this puzzle. He did not want to accept the most obvious answer. While he didn't know her well, he wanted to believe that she wouldn't have stolen from anyone, much less from someone who was, at the time, her superior officer. No... he reminded himself. She hadn't even been working that night. So, that left the question; how did she manage to have access to reading a journal which had been stolen close to a year ago? Next, of course, he began trying to remember if he had written anything in there which might be embarrassing for her to have read. He'd been through it a dozen times in his memory so far, trying to recall if there was anything of which he needed to be concerned in case Mar read it, but he had not even considered the possibility that anyone else might read it.

While his mind was racing over those problems, he still heard all that she said. Listening to Mar, in his head? He frowned at that. "I'm not.." He tried to protest, but he stopped trying to talk as she continued on. She didn't have any idea what was going on in his head. And he wasn't sure he wanted to try and explain. And as for him, he did not understand what she meant about 'everyone running around now trying to help him'. He sat back again, keeping his arms folded, but now against his chest. "I'm sorry, but it doesn't feel like anyone is helping me." He admitted, with a pointed glance around the room while she paused to try a sip of tea which she didn't seem to enjoy very much. "It feels more like I'm a prisoner." He shook his head slightly and sighed. If anyone was trying to help him in some way, then he hadn't heard about it.

But she was not finished. He held back a sigh, focusing his gaze on the plate of snacks on the table. He was not sure how much more she planned to rant at him, and he didn't really know what to do about it. But then she said some other things which made him go quiet. Several things she said were... unexpected. But in a good way. He swallowed as he heard her words. "Nobody can give you back your life Ric. You have to take it for yourself." The words struck him a little harder than she may have known. "This is your chance. Everybody knows about him now. Everybody believes you. So, I don’t know. Pull yourself together or something. Because it isn’t over yet, by a lot. And I know that you are stronger than you believe you are. You’ve survived every worst day you’ve ever had. You’re still here. And you have to keep on, for those who are no longer here.”

Ric took a slow breath, letting his arms unfold from his chest, and even more slowly, let out the breath. He kept quiet while turning those words over in his mind, still a little stunned that she had said them. As if she almost knew his thoughts. "I followed your line of thoughts," He recalled her saying. It was a little weird to think about that. But even so, even with her saying that, he doubted she actually knew what was going on in his head. How could she? And yet... her words resonated with him. While she continued to speculate on whether Lord Veranis would have been rescued, if not for him, Ric stared at the table as he pondered on whether to tell her anything about what he had been struggling with inside.

He made no comment about his part in getting Lord Veranis rescued. He took another slow, shaky breath. "I don't know what to think, anymore." He admitted softly. "And I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about all of this." He swallowed, trying to push down the lump in his throat. "I just.. don't know how to.." He frowned, not even sure how to finish that sentence. He paused, trying to fill in the blank, but nothing that came to mind really fit. Then, he changed his mind about finishing it, anyway. "I feel like.. I can't trust my own mind, most of the time." He admitted with a sigh, instead, glancing at her, uncertain whether she was judging him for what he was saying. "That's.. that's why I started writing things down. So I could try and sort through.. the jumbled mess in here." He waved a hand toward his head, then gave a sad smile. "That was Reilly's suggestion, a long time ago. Took me a while to decide to try it, but it did help. Some." He shrugged and reached for one of the biscuits on the plate, although he wasn't sure if he'd be able to eat it with his throat feeling tight and dry. Maybe a sip of the tea would be better.. it should be cool enough to sip, now. But he didn't reach for it, yet.

He glanced again at Sorrela. "How did you end up with it, though?" He couldn't help his curiosity, and suddenly worried she might refuse to divulge any further information about that. "Please, tell me? ...I really thought Mar had it, all this time. I.. I was convinced he'd.. gone to drastic measures to lure me away so he could steal it, and that was how he was a step ahead of me when I came to arrest him.. and I've been troubled about that ever since it went missing." He frowned in confusion. "But if you had it all along... now I'm starting to question if I'm even remembering it right..."

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen

Guard Recruit Sorrela Korsey
With Aderic Androllius. In an interview room.
Late in the afternoon of December 28th

She had never expected that the man would immediately concede to her advice and pull himself out of the evident dejection he was wearing like another coat. The situation was so confoundedly complex that in truth she could not begin to imagine how Aderic could make sense of it. But she was certainly not about to enable his despondency. She had said her piece, and she felt better for having done so. He had needed to hear it, in her reasoning. What he decided to do with it, well that was up to him. He was a grown man, not one of her little sisters.

To his credit, he at least sounded surprised when he remarked that the diary she’d read had been ‘stolen’. Sorrela might have expected some predisposal toward the opinion of her being a thief. Since her grandfather was a money lender with a reputation of violence towards those who racked up debts with him. Since her father had served time, at this very city dungeon, for a grievous (if somewhat unintentional) assault. If he had not been already released by the King’s return, then she never would have been approved to train there as a Guard at all ! And still, one of her sisters was not opposed to claiming anything that nobody would see her take, while yet another was already bullying her classmates at school … The recruit’s ambitious attempt to do something to try and salvage her family’s name in even the First Circle … had led to her enlisting in what had turned out to be one of the most corrupt authoritarian forces in the entire city. And a lot of that ‘corruption’ was either due or exacerbated with thanks to Ric’s brother.

So when he said he felt like a prisoner, .. Sorrela took a deep breath. Because she had been trained. Because she would do better. Because she had to. Not just because that had been the order. Because it had been what she had vowed to do. The right thing.


“Noone has placed you in chains, nor locked you up in a dungeon, nor ignored your side of the story,” she reminded him. “If you are a prisoner it is in the prison that your brother has forged for you with his every horrible crime. And while you may be weary of being denied your more literal and physical liberty these last few months, I would only remind you that you are largely unaware of what has been happening here in those same last few months. We have a new acting captain, just for a start, who we all hope will stay on. For a while, things were even worse here than they were when you left, and now they are getting better all the time. And that is since he stepped in. If Ostoher had not agreed to help put things back into order, I do wonder if there would even still be a city guard in the King's own city. But it is not easy to undo all that was made wrong.

There are still people in this city, some maybe even within this city guard, who have been wronged by your brother. A fact I am sure you will not even try to deny. And many of them are not aware as yet of the entire truth, any more than they can be certain at quick glance whether you are yourself, or him. So keeping you, as you have been held thus far, I am almost certain sure is to do with being careful. For your sake, for everybody’s sake. I should not like to see you walk out of this building and come across somebody who would easily mistake you for your brother. You could be hurt, they could be imprisoned for a crime they committed against the wrong person ! Even more lives might be ruined. So, what you think of as captivity, I would say is caution. You are being protected, Ric, and so are all the people who might otherwise act on some uninformed instinct against a man who looks like your brother. The Guard is charged with keeping the peace in this city, after all.”


She had tried to remain measured and controlled, without becoming emotional. All the people whom she personally knew and cared for, who would fall into the very ‘what if’ category she had described ? Her want to protect them was a strong motivation. A brave resolve saw her finish the rest of the sugared tea, and if she grimaced it was not at the man’s new expressions of despair, but at her afflicted tastebuds as a consequence. She heard his desperation though, through the words of clear confusion, confoundment. The woman was about to rise and offer to go fetch him up a quill, ink and more parchment, if it would aide Ric to busy and order his thoughts onto paper, as he described. And then he asked. The question which she ought to have known would come. The very reason why Thorley would have advised her to not mention that she’d ever seen the diary. Because one fact will inevitably point toward others. And where would it all end ? It may be an interview room but she was not here to be interrogated. Could she now leave him to wonder ? After opening that new subject ?

“I found your diary, after you left town. After I had previously found the letter that you left me. So a part of me wanted to believe that you had left the diary for me, on purpose, to explain or try to help, since you would not stay to do so in person,” she considered the man in a focus to try now to read his any reaction to that. “Where it was found though .. " she only then alluded, with a frown. And without confirming. That it had been found in her home, under a floorboard, after she had moved into that home some weeks after Ric had reputedly left the city ... "It seemed unlikely that you had put it there. Still it was a clue. And that is our job, to put together clues. So I read it.” The admission was as true and clear without compromising the case as she could make it. There had been doubts at the start whether they could be sure that the diary was not deliberately planted, to excuse Ric. But as Thorley had pointed out, it would not have been in Mar's interests to give away even a suspicion of his existence, as the diary suggested. Sorrel switched up which of her ankles hooked over the other, as she sat. She did not say whether she had handed in the letter or the diary though. And if Thorley or the Captain later asked her why she had raised the matter at all, she would confess that it had been an effort to see if the baited subject would throw out any new evidence from Ric's reaction.


“As I said," she reiterated, "people have been running around trying to solve your issue. You have not been here to see, Ric. There has been much work done by many in regards to gathering evidence, putting together what could be realised, and supported. For this whole thing is far bigger than just you, and Feirion. The number of people who have been injured, abducted, killed, framed, ruined, or simply disappeared. The entire integrity of the City Guard has been brought into question. Yes, it has become a priority,” she put to him. “And really, I am not at liberty to disclose all or any of the particulars in any detail until I am cleared to. ”

The concluding sentence felt as though something she ought to say, professionally speaking. It made it no less true. But, moments after she had said so, Sorrela’s brown eyes did soften somewhat. “Look, if you wish, I can ask Thorley to fetch you some writing materials. Since you are unlikely to sleep much, despite how tired you must be. I was going to ask him for a book I can read as well. I mean, the people in charge are going to do what they do, and it is all above my pay grade really. So, maybe we shouldn’t even really be talking about it. ”


She kept up her self imposed silence then for the rest of the duration they remained together in that room, that night. Her concern over whether she had already spoken too much would torment her whenever she allowed it opportunity to invade her thoughts. The book which Thorley had found for her was a handbook for City Guards, which was not exactly pleasant reading, but at least served as a constant grounding force of what her role was in this whole strange set up. It helped, despite her initial reluctance when she first had accepted it, as the only available option. She could only hope that Aderic found some degree of peace or reassurance from the parchment, quill and ink which he had been gifted as a pastime to get through the restless night.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Roquen Ostoher son of Aithion, Acting-Captain of the Tower Guard
Tower Guard Headquarters, Minas Tirith, Gondor
Early morning, December 29th, Fourth Age

It wasn’t even seven hours after he departed the previous night that Ostoher and his squire Farion returned to Headquarters to resume the daily functions of Tower Guard responsibilities. Hurin the cat greeted them at the door and bounced about their legs as they entered the building. Farion, struggling to conceal yawns, bore with him a covered basket which he placed upon the Acting-Captain’s desk, while Ostoher received the activity report of any nighttime ongoings or business. Just a handful of drunkards and rowdy tavern-goers, a bit more than the usual number on account of the festive week that came with the winter solstice.

Ostoher packed his pipe and lit it, shaking the match to extinguish the flame as he puffed and smoke filled the office space. ”Rouse Aderic Androllius and bring him to me.” He instructed the Ohtar, who nodded and went out to fetch the former Lieutenant from whatever interview room he had been given to spend the night in. Hopefully the last and only night for him. Hurin followed him, preferring the fresher air of other rooms than the Acting-Captains abundance of burning leaf.

Farion knocked on the door politely before opening it a crack, just so he could speak in, without seeing. Hurin though darted in and meowed at Aderic, with whom he was already familiar with. ”Sir?” Farion called in, ”The Acting-Captain would see you now, Sir. If you please. Breakfast will also be provided.” He informed the former lieutenant and then shut the door and waited outside for Aderic to rouse and prepare himself, as best he could, and exit out. Farion would lead him on to Ostoher’s office, opening the door and holding it, and then closing it after Aderic entered, remaining by the door all the while.

”Have a seat.” Ostoher beckoned Aderic without looking up from the nighttime reports. ”The basket is for you. Soup, bread, and coffee. Eat and drink as much as you like. And listen.” His one eye flickered up, removing his pipe and overturning it over a small bowl, emptying out the still smoldering ashes. The man could eat and replenish himself while Ostoher updated him on his situation.

”I trust you rested as well as one can in these chambers.” He eyed the other man up critically. That’s why they were being generous with breakfast. From a good café. ”Your proponents have spoke much in your favour and regard. You are fortunate to have such supporters. They believe, in contrast to my stance, that you are under equal endangerment to your life here in the City, under my watch and custody, than you will be beyond the confines of the city walls.” Ostoher folded his hands on the table. ”It is your life of course. And how you wish to spend it should be your choice. I think it would be unwise for you to depart and take yourself out from the protection of the men of the Tower Guard and of the City.”

”But there are some who think that the Enemy within, if one might arise, would still be able to get to you, all the same. And the other issue remains, and while you all think your twin brother will not be making an appearance here after all this came to light, I cannot take that chance, and must prepare contingencies all the same for such a possibility. Do you understand? He might return in your guise, and cause tremendous damage and disruption, to this investigation or to any other.” Ostoher knew that some brave folk had taken pains to mark or scar Ademar in a way that made him identifiable but he knew from long experience that all manner of things could be faked, concealed, disguised, covered. He couldn’t afford to take any chances.

”So I am reiterating this choice to you. Stay here, under protective custody, and kept under guard in case your twin or his supporters seek to harm you. Or depart forever, to a new home in Gondor or anywhere else in Middle-Earth, and take your chances. But know this, Aderic, that while this case is ongoing and active, should you return here, or your twin in your stead, the Tower Guard and I will take all means necessary to apprehend and seize either of you to avoid confusion and the risk of sabotage. Even if your identity is proven, this process will still be very uncomfortable or embarrassing, and perhaps dangerous to you. For I must think of the City and it’s denizens, for whom I am responsible to protect in this role. I will not give even the slightest leeway in carrying out my duties.” He concluded his spiel.

”Do not make a decision right away. Eat and drink. Take thought. Confer, if you can, with any of your friends or proponents who might visit here in the following day or two. Weigh up your options.” Ostoher surmised, before leaning back, drawing his hands onto his lap and gazing at the food and drink before the other man. ”You sure you don’t want anything stronger than the coffee?” He nodded in direction of his liquor cabinet. Cognac, at this early hour, would be a most potent jolt to the system. But the man looked like he could use one of those, all the hell he had been through. And still more yet to come.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Aderic Androllius

Ric couldn't quite find any response to what Sorrela had to say about him feeling like a prisoner. To try and explain himself anymore, it would just seem like he was trying to argue. And that wasn't his intention. Even though he could point out that it wasn't just a weariness of having his freedom that bothered him, he said nothing. He didn't think many people could understand, and he didn't feel like trying to explain. And he didn't feel like mentioning that the captain had threatened him with the dungeon if he tried to leave town. And yes, he was unaware of what had been happening... that was why he was trying to find out what he had missed in his absence. And, while he understood that the guards had their orders and that they couldn't just answer all his questions, it was frustrating. It was a little too similar to what he'd been dealing with the last few months. But at least Sorrela was talking to him. Answering some of his questions, telling him a few things that she could.

He also noticed the way she spoke about everyone being glad when the new captain took over, and how much better things were getting. Maybe that meant there was hope. He'd only had one interaction with the guy, but it had not seemed to go well, in his opinion. But he knew she was right about the people who might hold a grudge against him, for what Mar had done. He dropped his gaze as she spoke about how he was here for his protection, and to protect them from doing anything they'd regret. With a small, wry smile, he thought of the fact that Mar had claimed he was keeping him locked up 'for his own protection'. "Right. I understand." He answered softly.

He was relieved, however, that she did answer him regarding the journal. Found it? He frowned in puzzlement at that, but continued to listen to what she had to say. He wanted to ask where it was found, but.. he thought better about it. "I did not leave it for you." He assured her quietly, still quite puzzled by that. But he was quite willing to believe her. He wanted to believe that. But he also wanted to ask where it had been found, since she did not say. But... he also guessed that she didn't say, because maybe she wasn't supposed to say. He gave a little nod to show he understood why she had read it. He took a moment, trying to think, before offering up a little explanation. "I was here when it was stolen." He informed her, frowning. "In the file room," he added, with a nod upward. Then he hesitated, before adding, "Do you recall, when you came in to conduct the interview for Ms. Ishen, how you had been up late the night before searching for that missing report from Ms. Dringolben?" He asked, more rhetorically than anything. "And.. I told you that if I had known, I could have told you it wasn't there.. or something along those lines." He cleared his throat quietly. Almost a bit nervous that she wouldn't believe what he was going to tell her, he hesitated, but then continued. "I knew that, because several files went missing, back in April." He explained. "I reported the files being missing, of course, but later, I couldn't find any record of that." He found that troubling, too.

"I still don't know how it happened." He looked up again. "I was in the file room, trying to make sense of a number of forms and reports that were in my handwriting, that I'm sure I didn't write," he sighed. Because yes, he knew how that had happened. "If.. if you read my journal, then you'll know what I was writing about when it ended," He added quietly. Recalling that he'd been in the middle of a sentence, he thought she might appreciate an explanation. "Someone came into the lobby, hollering about a murder happening. I rushed down to hear what happened, and.. as it turned out, I was the highest ranking person there." He almost cringed at that. He hadn't even been on duty at the time, but he didn't mention that. "So, I went to have a look at the crime scene, and when I got back, not only was my journal gone, but all the files that I'd had on the desk. After that, I searched through all the files that were in the room, comparing what I found with the logbook, and found a few others missing, as well." He did not mention how many hours he had spend in that search, but she could probably guess. "I... well, I assumed that Mar had something to do with it, but I don't really know." He admitted, sighing. And they still did not know. That was the frustrating thing. Even worse, he didn't even know if all those files went missing at the same time, or if they'd gone missing little by little over time.

It was somewhat reassuring to hear that there were more people now trying to solve this whole thing. Because he had found it nearly impossible, by himself. He didn't know how to go about it, on his own. He'd always felt sort of overwhelmed and lost in it all. And he'd always felt as if he were completely alone in it, without anyone to ask for help, because who would even believe him? People would have laughed at his story, or called him a liar. So, hearing that it was a major priority now... yes, he was relieved. It was no longer on his shoulders to solve it.

Her offer surprised him. Something to write on. Yes, that would be very good. He nodded. "Yes, please. Thank you." He was aware, too, that she wouldn't be allowed to simply sleep, given the fact she was on guard duty. And he didn't think he could sleep even if she wasn't there. So yes, he would very much appreciate something to do. "I understand," He added, regarding her not being supposed to talk about it. "But I do appreciate you talking with me as much as you have." He sincerely meant that, even if she might not realize how much he really appreciated her talking with him for a while. It helped him to not mind too much when she became absorbed in her book, and all conversation ceased for the remainder of the night.

---

The hours passed, and Ric kept himself busy by writing, only taking breaks now and then to walk around and stretch his legs, and to rest his hand, before returning to his seat. And then, after a knock, the door opened. And his old furbuddy came pushing his way in to greet Ric. A little smile broke upon his face in spite of his tiredness as he put down the quill. "*Nârdagnir," He murmured softly, reaching down to let the cat sniff his hand before petting him. That was the name Ric had always called him by, and he did not know what the captain now called the feline.

Ric looked up as Farion spoke, explaining that he should now come to the captain's office. And, to his surprise, that breakfast would be provided! Ric blinked in surprise at that. "Thank you." He replied to the young man. He glanced at his writings, seeing that the ink was dry, then stacked the papers and left them. He wasn't too worried about anyone trying to read it, for it was in shorthand, and he doubted there were many people around here who knew how to read that. Even if they did, it wasn't like it was anything private.

He followed Farion, with the cat close at their heels. He darted in ahead of the men and jumped up onto the desk, once it was clear that they were heading to the captain's office, as if Farion was holding the door for him, not for Ric. Ric couldn't help but smile faintly at that, but he looked solemn again as he entered the office. He wasn't quite sure what to expect, and he was a bit anxious about it. As he was bidden to take a seat, Ric hesitated before doing so. Hearing that the basket, which was currently being inspected by the curious cat, was actually for him, Ric gave a slow nod. "Thank you, sir." He responded, reaching to take it from the desk before the cat found a way to get at the food.

Soup, bread, and coffee. An interesting breakfast, but he didn't mind. Ric was glad for a good bowl of hot soup, and if he was correct, he recognized the place it had come from. He picked up the bowl and looked up. "Has anything been given to lord Ver-" He started to ask out of habit, before remembering that he did not need to ask that, anymore. "Nevermind." He mumbled, trying not to feel embarrassed. As instructed, he started on his meal, listening while the captain began to talk, but then the cat began meowing, protesting because he smelled food. And he did not have any!

Trying not to look amused, Ric broke off a small piece of his bread and offered it to him, which fortunately kept him quiet for a little bit. Ric wasn't sure whether he was supposed to answer about whether he rested well, but.. well, he hadn't. He hadn't rested at all, in fact, but he didn't think it needed to be said. He ate his soup and bread, sipped the coffee, and listened without a word while the man spoke. When his soup was down to just a few more spoonfuls at the bottom of the bowl, Ric set it down on the floor, and donated another small piece of bread to the cat as well. The coffee he did not donate, since he didn't think coffee was a good thing to give a cat, but also because he didn't really think a cat would like it much. He slowly sipped on that throughout his meal and after, while he grew thoughtful about this new choice being given to him. Meanwhile, the rest of his soup was polished off, the bowl licked clean, and then the cat rubbed on his ankles for a bit before deciding to climb into the basket, which Ric had left the covering off of. Apparently, it looked like a cozy hiding place for a cat.

Ric folded both his hands around the mug of coffee, his gaze focused on his drink, while his mind focused on the man's words. "I understand," He answered quietly, in answer to that, at least. It wasn't difficult to understand; he could either stay here in the city, under guard, or.. leave and never return. Essentially, it sounded as if he would be banned from returning. The irony almost made him laugh. So many times over the years, he had asked to be transferred. He'd wanted to leave this city. To be sent to Pelargir, or Linhir, or somewhere that he could try and find some clue about his friend's disappearance. He'd wanted to work anywhere but in the city where everyone hated him. Now that people were finally starting to believe him, and now that he knew that Reilly was dead and there was no point in searching for him anymore... now he had the choice to leave. Ironic.

For a long moment after Ostoher had finished, Ric sat staring thoughtfully into his coffee. Then as the man asked if he wouldn't like something stronger, Ric blinked and looked up, and followed his gaze toward the liquor cabinet. Ric quietly shook his head. "No.. thank you, sir. I don't drink," He explained quietly. He cleared his throat, and sat up slightly more. "I.. I really don't know how to answer that just yet, sir. But if I may ask a question..." He hesitated. "I have been wondering about it all night." He almost felt awkward to even ask, but it was bothering him. "Do I.. still have a job? I mean.. I resigned as lieutenant, but not from the guards. But then.. with everything going on, and all that's happened, I would understand if I am no longer a guard. But I haven't really heard anything to confirm whether I have been..discharged, or not." He explained uncomfortably. It had been bothering him for a lot longer than 'all night', but rather all the last few months it had been a thought that kept returning to him, and he felt like maybe it should be addressed before he could properly make a choice, right?


*(Sindarin; means 'rat/mouse slayer')

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Roquen Ostoher son of Aithion, Acting-Captain of the Tower Guard
Tower Guard Headquarters, Minas Tirith, Gondor
Early morning, December 29th, Fourth Age

With Aderic came Hurin the feline, who hopped on the Captain’s desk like it was his usual stomping ground. Ostoher was not one to interrupt or impede such customs and traditions and merely shifted some items away from the cat, knowing their nature with knocking things over. A silent observer to the high level proceedings of the White City’s policing and law enforcement. Why the cat chose this place of all the views and haunts in Minas Tirith, Ostoher was not going to question. He guessed the place had a natural feel. Nothing untoward must have occurred here, at least not in any great length, to make even the innocent and inconspicuous animal life of the world not want to wander here.

He planned to keep it that way.

As Aderic ate, Ostoher spoke his mind. Though, he did catch the attempted remark about a Lord. Lord Veranis. Also a recent guest here and an involuntary prisoner alongside Aderic. It was a strange thing to ask about the Lord when he left with the Himhathols, who surely didn’t seem the type to torment and starve the old fellow. It must be a sad remnant of a dynamic Aderic must have witnessed amongst his former captors and the Lord, in the dungeons of the Ansellidus estate. Forced starvation. In these days of peace and bounty, the last thing either of the former captives should want for is food and nourishment.

I understand Aderic stated but Ostoher lifted a slow, grey eyebrow. Do you? To catch an imposter, a saboteur, a conman, took considerable energies, intricacies, plotting, observation, and a whole network of timing. The strategy was complex and until Ostoher learned more about Ademar, this man’s twin, the strategy would stay convoluted and strange. But that was how it was. He could not risk the damage and harm the impersonation of a Tower Guard officer or personnel could cause. The files he had inherited had numerous examples. And the recently defeated Great Enemy had used similar tactics as well. Vigilance had to be severe. It might seem harsh and unfair, but that was how it must be.

So…Aderic’s next statement surprised Ostoher, who straightened and leaned back in his chair, which opened his lap to allow Hurin to occupy, paws grating against Ostoher’s Fountain Court armour, sable and silver. Ostoher sat a gloved hand on the cat’s head. ”You still wish for the job, despite the damage done to your reputation and identity by your culprit of a brother?” Ostoher asked back, the question being rhetorical. Gave up his commission but not totally resigned from the Guard. ”Well no one can force you to do a job. If you’re out then…you’re out. Resigned and discharged.” Ostoher shrugged his hands. What he was really saying…the choice was Aderic’s. That was something he had been bereft of for a long time, no? Choice.

”You want to stay on as a Tower Guardsman?” Ostoher queried slowly and softly. ”You were a good Guard, the record shows. A damn fine officer too, until this nasty business.” He gestured at the files before him, before resuming patting Hurin’s head, eyes never leaving the man before him. ”But if you want to keep this job then…then I will only take you as a Lieutenant. The War has been costly and good men and women are in short supply. You have experience and knowledge of the job. I need you at the higher level.” Ostoher explained, before ceasing his petting and leaning forward, talking more softly, more seriously.

”Yet whether as a Lieutenant or common ranker, you will be under my purview and command. And I expect you to follow orders. Orders such as the strategy I just discussed, of being observed by your fellow Guardsmen, in case your brother or any other associated with this conspiracy come seeking you. You would be, as the phrase goes, undercover.” Ostoher stated with a soft smile. Right back in the thick of it nonetheless. Maybe the job wouldn’t be so appealing to return to. The whole world was still out there, to be explored and enjoyed and a new life found. ”If you chose to remain, the protective custody is not forever. We’ll start with a trial period. A week, a month, half a year…if nothing progresses regarding the potential threat to your life, then you’ll be totally a freeman.” He concluded, before giving a silent nod upwards to Aderic. Chew and muse on that.

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie

Aderic Androllius

The answer that he received surprised Ric. He stared in stunned silence while the captain informed him that he would only take him as a lieutenant. What? He couldn't possibly mean that... right? But.. the man did seem serious. And Ric was speechless. The captain thought he was a good officer? And he wanted him to be undercover. He was more than willing to help in any way he could, but... he was still reeling from the man's request to have him stay on as a lieutenant.

Swallowing silently, Ric's gaze shifted to the files on the desk to which Ostoher had gestured. Suddenly, he knew that he could not keep quiet about the thing which had been weighing on him for so long. He had wrestled with this dilemma off and on for the past few months, and most often in the past few days. It had been almost a constant nagging thing in his mind, ever since being told he would have to come back to Minas Tirith with them. He had been torn about whether to keep silent about this.. because it would feel like he was betraying his former captain if he told. Or, perhaps it would be doing the right thing to tell what he knew, and leave it in the hands of those more knowledgeable than himself. He wasn't even sure whether he ought to have any loyalty toward Baelthor anyway... but he had been Ric's captain his entire career up to this point. So, he had very mixed feelings about the whole thing. Still, whatever came of it, he couldn't not tell. Not after what Ostoher had just said.

Figuring out how to tell was hard, of course. He found it difficult to find his voice to begin. And there was a nagging doubt in his mind about whether he would even be believed. But he tried to ignore that feeling, and cleared his throat quietly. "I.. I am honored, to hear you say that, sir." He truly meant that, because there had been plenty of times he'd felt like he was just blundering through the day, trying not to seem like a new recruit or something. He dropped his gaze, however. "But... there are some things which you ought to know, which may make you change your mind about that." He admitted with difficulty. His voice had gone very quiet with those words. His father would be yelling at him to speak up, but hopefully, Ostoher would not be like him in that regard.

Ric took a slow breath and made himself look up again. "You ought not rely on what those files tell you, captain." He explained. Inwardly, he wanted to shrink into the chair and hide from the entire situation. "My brother has..um, altered so many things, I don't even know what's true, or.." Sighing, Ric found his gaze drawn to the cat, instead of the captain. It was easier, somehow. "I believe he may have stolen files which relate to him, and there are files in the record room that appear to be made by me, but which I know I didn't do. And he's messed with the schedule in the past, covering his tracks, I suppose... it's all a big mess," He sighed, shaking his head. "But, that isn't even the worst of it." He added softly before bringing his eyes back to meet the gaze of the man across from him.

"I.. resigned from the lieutenant position because I realized that I did not deserve it, sir." The emotion from that realization was still a little raw, as might be evident in his voice. "I.. was given that position without any training or experience that should have come before it, and without having earned it," He explained. He took another deep breath before continuing, to reveal the hardest part. "Just before I left town, I learned that my brother had.. given a large sum of money to someone with influence, to procure me the rank of lieutenant." He dropped his gaze in shame as he made this admission. "When I learned that, I.." He swallowed, unable to bring his gaze back up. "That's when I resigned my badge. I don't want it if I haven't earned it."

Not to mention that his brother had used him for all that time. That he'd manipulated the schedule, gained access to the files and all sorts of things that he never should have had access to, even if he had been a regular guard. While Ric appreciated Osteher's words before, he found it very doubtful that he would have said the same, if he had known what Ric had just told him. "Even so, I am not sure it's a good idea for me to have any such position while Mar is still unsecured." He concluded quietly.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Roquen Ostoher son of Aithion, Acting-Captain of the Tower Guard
Tower Guard Headquarters, Minas Tirith, Gondor
Early morning, December 29th, Fourth Age

But…there are some things which you ought to know, which may make you change your mind about that.

Ostoher spread his hands to the sides in a slow, welcoming gesture, signalling for Aderic to indeed explain his point of view in that. Hurin too raised his head and observed the other man cooly, as if the feline had a judgement in this affair as well. Ostoher’s hands returned folded on the desk, the cat’s head peeking out over the armoured vambraces, four eyes attentive as Aderic explained the dubious quality of the files present. That they might be forged or misrepresented, with possible gaps in the continuous records of operations and such. Good points, and true, all very true. And that wasn’t even the worst of it.

The worst…was that Aderic’s commission as Lieutenant was not even earned by him, but by his brother manipulating events from the shadows. And it wasn’t even earned. It had been obtained via bribery and payment. Aderic was an honorable man and did not wish to continue in such a role under false pretenses and Ostoher could appreciate that. And more. He could admire that. A true Guardsman, shunning bribery and other such cheats. It all the more made Ostoher want to utilize this man. Why wouldn’t he want a man of such virtue and scrupulous behavior in the Guard?

A silence fell after Aderic finished his explanations. Ostoher unfolded his hands and laid them flat on the table, peering down at them for a moment. Hurin turned to licking his own paws. After a moment, Ostoher drummed his gloved fingers and looked back up, nodding solemnly. ”You speak with great insight for a man so young. And I can appreciate your honesty in the fact that you know the commission is not earned. And confess as much. That even when offered cleanly to you, here and now, you will not accept it still. All the more reason though…that I want a man like you under my command.” Ostoher reiterated all the same. Ostoher didn’t even know that the rank had been obtained through such means. And Aderic confessing it revealed much about the young man’s heart. And where his mind was. The Guard needed that. The new Kingdom needed that.

”The question of the risk your brother still poses is still at the forefront of my mind. Whatever decision you make, that is still going to take a priority, whether you aide us as a Guardsman, a cooperative witness, or you depart forthwith from Minas Tirith altogether. Allow me to propose a different compromise then.” Ostoher said, picking the cat off his lap to put on the desk, while he rose to his feet and came around the desk, to lean against it’s edge, and stand nearer to Aderic, peering down at him in all his livery and gear as a Guard of the Fountain Court.

”If you still wish for a role amongst the Tower Guard, yet do not wish the mark of an unearned commission of a Lieutenant upon yourself, might I propose you return to the ranks…as a Sergeant?” Ostoher suggested instead. ”Much of the rank and file already see you as a superior, so to retain a position of some command and authority would keep confusion at a minimal. And know that it is not the actual record that persuades me to your talent, but the record of what others have said about you. Like I said, you have many proponents vouching for you. Their good words bodes favourably upon your innocence. A man who deals in deceit and falsehoods would not have such support I would think. Wouldn’t you agree?”

He leaned up and patted Aderic on the shoulder. ”Think on it, son. You can still do a lot of good here. But if you still wish to be done of this entire sordid affair, you can depart the City with dignity and find a new life elsewhere.” Ostoher moved back around his desk, standing behind his chair, fixing Aderic seriously with his one good eye. ”Otherwise, should you remain…I will be putting you right back in the thick of things.” He warned with a morbid smile. Or maybe he was offering the right type of distraction the man needed. The chance to set the record straight and correct. And that’s where he might start. With the physical record.

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

Aderic Androllius

The captain's new proposal was just about as surprising as the first had been. Ric leaned back in his seat, not quite sure how to feel about it. He couldn't quite decide how to answer the question of whether someone dealing with deceit would have such support. Because... well, he knew now that often, some people are not as they seem to be in the public eye. He took a long blink while struggling to sort through some of his thoughts.

His mind was tired. He hadn't slept very much throughout the journey to Minas Tirith, and now during the first night upon arriving, he had not slept at all. He recognized the fact that he was quite sleep-deprived, and therefore not clear-headed. He felt as if he should point out a few things that the captain ought to consider, but none of them came to mind at the moment. Still, he thought perhaps it would be best if he made sure the captain was aware of all the accusations hurled at him, because he wouldn't want the guy to regret anything.

"Thank you, sir." He managed to answer, at last. "I.. I would like to think on it," He agreed, relieved that Ostoher had suggested he do that. "I haven't slept much for a while now, I must admit. I think perhaps it would be best if I get some rest, and consider those options again with a clear head, if that's alright?" Though he still felt uncertain about it all, he felt as if a weight had lifted from his chest. "I am grateful to you, sir." He wanted that to be made clear. He had gotten a bad first impression of the new captain, but the second impression was much better, and he was trying very hard not to be skeptical about this captain. After all, he reminded himself that this man had been personally appointed by the king, so that had to count for something, right?

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Roquen Ostoher son of Aithion, Acting-Captain of the Tower Guard
Tower Guard Headquarters, Minas Tirith, Gondor
Early morning, December 29th, Fourth Age

The young man would like to think on it, probably the smartest and wisest decision he could make in the moment. No rushing into the proposal or arguing back with it. Ponderance, plain and simple. Ostoher could appreciate a cautious mind like that. That made the best sort of Guardsman in his mind, someone who didn’t jump to conclusions. Who weighed up the necessary evidence and information. How could he not want someone like that under his command? Ostoher nodded to the man’s request and gestured towards the door where his squire stood silent and ready.

”Of course. Your safehouse has been procured for you. My Ohtar will lead you there. It’s not very furnished but there was a proper bedding, mattress and all, last I checked…?” He glanced at Farion who nodded in the affirmation. ”It’ll provide you with a proper rest. Go and rest and we will speak again this evening. When, I hope, you will have made your decision regarding these matters.” He tapped the hefty file concerning the man and his twin’s case and all other proper documentation.

”Though, don’t be too grateful yet for my offer to take you back.” Ostoher said with a slow, coy smile. ”I intend to redo the way operations are conducted here at the Tower Guard, top to bottom. It’ll be hard. It’ll be grueling. But the results will be satisfying. Now, off with you.” He casually dismissed Aderic, with Farion opening and holding the door. Take your leftover food with you. Like he said, the safehouse wasn’t well furnished or stocked yet.

And Hurin the cat leaping up and intending to follow Aderic, at least as far as the front door to the Tower Guard Headquarters, to see him off, hopefully to see him return…

After Aderic had gone, Ostoher resumed his seat and Farion soon returned. ”Captain Pele Alarion and Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen are due to arrive any moment now. Go and wait for their arrival and bring them at once to my office. Dismissed.” He informed the Ohtar next, knowing full well that the slate of meetings and their intensity was only just beginning that morning. There was much to discuss, especially in regards to the case, pertinent information, cooperation between their departments, and further, the conduct of certain individuals within either of their departments.

And indeed, bare moments after Aderic had departed, he could hear the approach of Farion leading the two officers to his office. The Acting-Captain rose in preparation, wondering vaguely if he should have had a stiff drink in advance to prepare himself for this next meeting, destined to be far more difficult than the rehabilitation of a wronged Guardsman…

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

Aderic Androllius

He gave a small incline of his head, grateful for the extra time to think about it. Also grateful for the safehouse, and a place to properly sleep. He smiled faintly when the man warned him not to be too grateful, but he didn't comment on that. "Thank you, sir." He said as he stood up to follow Farion out.

The basket he left, for there was no food left. He had eaten all of the breakfast he had been given, with the exception of the small portion that he had given to the cat. And speaking of the cat, when he hurried to follow Ric out, he smiled and crouched down to pet his furry friend. "I missed you," He commented softly. He had certainly thought about the feline from time to time, during his captivity, and had wondered if anyone was feeding him or if he was cold during the winter. It was nice to see that he had apparently been treated well enough in Ric's absence.

He gathered his notebook and papers that he had brought in with him, and the sack of what few items he had brought with him from the castle, and then he was ready to leave. Wherever they took him for this safehouse, he would be glad for a place to lie down and sleep. When he returned, Ric hoped to have had plenty of rest, so he could give proper thought toward this whole matter, and thus give the captain a suitable answer. And hopefully, discuss anything else that needed discussing.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion @Lantaelen

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
In the company of Captain Pele Alarion
Tower Guard Headquarters, Minas Tirith, Gondor
Dawn, December 29th, Fourth Age

Aderic had left Tower Guard Headquarters before the Ranger Command arrived. Their presence had been requested, and Pele had summoned Arnyn from her bed on her way to the Second Circle, just before the crack of dawn - not that the Captain would know just how much pulling the Lieutenant had been required to do, to manage getting up and looking presentable.

For Arnyn walked into the meeting feeling absolutely miserable. If she had known what she would be walking into today, odds are she would have never continued her little experiment the evening before.

Continued here

[Rillewen]

(just a solo post to wrap up)
@Lantaelen

Aderic Androllius
Evening of Dec 29th

He had slept a little better he had in a while, even though it was during the daytime. It was dark by the time he was escorted back to the guard headquarters, thanks to the shortened daylight of wintertime. Ric kept a scard wrapped around most of his face while he walked through the streets, and he was thankful that it was cold enough to warrant such wrapping. Still, it bothered him slightly that he should need to. Every person he passed along the way, he couldn't help wondering if this was someone else whom his brother had wronged. Someone who would despise the face hidden behind the scarf. Someone who would take issue with the fact that he was here in the city.

Arriving in the guard headquarters again, Ric's doubts assailed him yet again, and he mentally went over the list of things he had come up with which he really needed to discuss before he could make any decisions. There was the matter of the accusations and complaints lodged against Ric, which should have been against Mar, except that no one realized that "Ric" was actually two people. And then there were also the various records and files that needed to be sorted through, corrected, and recreated if necessary. Then, there were people who were going to have an issue with Ric's presence, which he was already concerned about.

Then there was the matter of the former captain. Ric had told Ostoher about the bribe that got him the position of lieutenant, but he felt like, if this captain was going to give him the rank of sergeant, then he wanted to make sure that he knew everything he was getting into. Because Ric felt like there was a lot. Plus, after the surprise he'd gotten from his last captain, Ric also wanted to know a little about the man who would be his captain, if he was going to accept that position. Because if he was going to take it, then he wanted to be sure that the man really believed Ric that deserved it. He also wanted to try to establish a few ways between them that they might be able to distinguish between himself and his brother.

So, the discussion in the captain's office took a bit of time. But by the time Ric left the office, both he and the captain were satisfied with what had been discussed and decided. He felt a little amazed, as well as relieved that everything had been hashed out and resolved to the satisfaction of them both. There was a lot of paperwork still to be handled. But, Ric was about the only one who could check through which files Ric had filled out. And which were in his handwriting but not written by him. And if any of them had been altered. Or if there were any reports that Ric had made, which were not accounted for. Since Ric had to stay in that safehouse for a pretty long while with little else to do, the captain was going to send boxes of files for him to sift through, while another guard stood on hand to oversee it all. At Ric's suggestion, in fact. So that no one could have any cause to claim that he had altered or tampered with any files.

There were about to be some changes made to the guards, and Ric felt as if it were a positive thing. And he was honored to be a part of it. He was still surprised to be offered the position of sergeant. A small part of him was even surprised at himself for accepting it. Personally, he wasn't sure if he was really right for the job, but he'd certainly do his best to prove that he was worthy of it. Perhaps, he wanted to prove himself. Perhaps, it was because he hoped it might help him to put things right and stop his brother. Whatever the case, his mind was racing with thoughts as he wrapped his scarf around his face again, and returned to the safehouse to prepare for the tedious task of record-sifting that would begin tomorrow.