The Kinstrife
Part
40
In
which Pimm pronounces his opinion on the validity of Maeglin’s will; we have delicate discussions with Mordulin on the subjects of Estel’s
treatment, Aradan’s mental state, the likelihood of the
involvement of the cat-cult and a political refuge for Estel;
Brand and Ilviren speculate on the influence of the
Moon.
A copy of Maeglin’s will arrives and Pimm
offers his professional opinion as to its validity: strictly speaking it
changes nothing, Castamir still chooses Maeglin’s
successor, but the wording is such that it invokes several ancient traditions
and customs and if Castamir ignored its provisions many of the nobility would
probably feel their own inheritances threatened. While
he may wish to appropriate Morthond as an appanage
for one of his sons or a political crony, he will have to tread carefully and
take the time to build support among the nobility to ensure he does not provoke
dissent.
A ship
arrives mid-morning. Ilviren learns that it bears
Lady Mordulin, Aradan’s
sister and the betrothed of the Eldaran’s late heir.
With her is Lorin, her cousin and keeper of the Minas
Anor palantir. Mordulin, by virtue of her profession (healer), the death
of her betrothed, her massive popular support, and her own intelligence, has
attained a unique position. Technically she is under permanent house arrest but
politically she is all but untouchable.
Aerin
says Mordulin is the head of her order, that of Estë, so she will surely examine Estel.
She is probably the best guardian for Estel available
if she can be persuaded to assume the responsibility. Since her betrothed died
at Neithan’s hands, she probably won’t be too keen to
see him or speak to his representative but nonetheless I offer my credentials
and request an audience.
Letters
arrive for Brand and Aerin. Brand’s asks him to visit
Mordulin later today but is completely formal. Aerin’s is also an invitation but couched in warmer terms.
It congratulates her on the vaguely hinted smuggling of refugees to safety. Aerin takes Ilviren as bodyguard
while Misternil and I accompany Brand.
I take the
opportunity to introduce myself. I state outright that I am representing
Neithan until he arrives. I am aware that her dislike of Neithan is public
knowledge but I cannot see how my role can be kept secret and better she knows
where I stand from the start.
We discuss Estel: Brand is sure her recollections may prove the key to
understanding Maeglin’s death. Mordulin
has already examined Estel and has already tried what
she terms as ‘risk-free’ treatments with no more success than Aerin has already achieved. She is pondering whether more
intrusive procedures are worth the risk.
Brand
raises the question of the Benish-Armon cult. Mordulin asks whether we know of any interest of Benish-Armon in the Morthond succession?
I demur, saying we cannot get inside their minds; Brand’s question stemming
from Aradan’s recollection of an image of a glowing
cat when Maeglin was struck down. I mention my concerns regarding the veracity
of Aradan’s memory on this point, that perhaps Aradan’s mind may have been tampered with, but Mordulin is sure that he did see a cat. We are left none
the wiser as I do not feel it wise to mention the matter of Maeglin’s
alleged descent from Tarannon and Beruthiel, which
might indeed be a link with the Benish-Armon cult.
I raise the
matter of Estel’s political vulnerability, quoting
Neithan, ‘I do not want her to become a pawn’. We have ships to get her to
safety but as yet no destination for them. I ask if she would be willing to
receive Estel in Minas Anor? Mordulin
considers her response carefully before replying that she would but only if
Neithan would be willing to make her Estel’s official
guardian. She has no questions for me or messages for Neithan (no surprise
there) so we take our leave.
Back in the
Loremaster’s residence, Brand affirms that he feels
all these things emanate from Adunaphel and/or the
Storm King. I think it quite likely he is right but I do not see how that helps
us at this point.
Another
ship arrives, flying the flag of Belfalas. Aradan meets the boat and greets the two men who disembark
in the rather formal and stilted way. These are his brothers, Tirazôr and Giladan. Ilviren, still possessed by her cat-cult obsession, learns
that Iriel is not in Tirazôr’s
entourage (which I feel is a pity, in more ways than one).
Brand has
several times mentioned that the kind of magic capable of afflicting Maeglin as
this evidently did is very hard to do. I wonder if there was some materiel
object used to ‘vector’ the dark forces and it occurs to me that the fact that
this happened on Estel’s birthday may be more than a
coincidence. I wonder what presents she got?
I also
wonder, if Brand is right that such a spell is so hard to cast from a distance
(and his arguments are very cogent indeed), if perhaps Estel
might have been a more active participant than we give her credit for. She
seems remarkably unruffled despite the gruesome deaths of her parents in front
of her very eyes. Is her inability to talk about it simply a stratagem to avoid
questioning?
Brand
observes that Estel’s birthday happened to fall on a
full moon and that this may possibly have been a significant factor in evoking
the magic that afflicted Maeglin. Surely the Sun, Moon and stars were created
by Illuvatar and nothing bad can emanate from them; I
hope I’m right.
Ilviren
mentions that the next full moon occurs in a couple of days
time…
To do list:
Find out
what Estel got for her birthday – especially from Tirazôr
Get Estel to safety
Survey my
estates and produce a plan to improve them
Ensure
Brand looks for the 5fth part of the Key of Fuinur’s Well
Who was Tevildo from the Benish Armon tomb in the Ethir Anduin?
Inquire
after Perhaladin – might be a cult for Ragnor