The Kinstrife

Part 41

In which Brand and Ragnor theorise on the tactics of magical assassination; Brand prepares the funeral oration; Ragnor and Misternil discover Giladan is pure bureaucrat and that Tirazôr has a crush on Iriel; Aerin warns Mordulin of the possible threat of the imminent Full Moon and Aerin, Lorin and Estel spend the night at the Loremaster’s Residence; Aerin cooks up a Raj feast; Lorin reveals what he saw in the Minas Anor Palantir – Maeglin was struck down by a glowing cat but who is the 4^th Man?

May 3^rd 1442

Over breakfast, Brand enlightens us regarding magic: all magic has to be powered to have effect and magic that kills takes so much power that it must hurt the magician to cast it – unless he takes that power from someone else, of course.

I suggest that the power could possibly have come from an item, perhaps bearing a curse, introduced in to the household in the guise of a birthday present for Estel. Brand agrees it’s possible but we have no evidence for this ploy.

I also suggest Estel may have been a more than active participant than we give her credit, though I am mindful of Brand’s earlier testimony that magic is hard to learn and therefore most sorcerors are old. Estel is hardly in this category.

Brand is to seek a short biography of Maeglin for his funeral oration. He asks me to survey it for potential political gaffs (which shouldn’t be difficult – just don’t mention the war).

Apparently Brand must time his service closely as the catacombs where Maeglin and Miriel will be buried are inundated at high tide as part of the ‘back to the waters of Uinen’ symbolism of the service.

Misternil and I have an audience with Giladan and Tirazôr. Giladan is Chamberlain of Dor-en-Ernil, which makes him head of the Prince’s civil service. I have heard that his sight is poor and he certainly squints at our meeting – all those hours spent reading papers by lamplight, no doubt.

Tirazôr is tall and gaunt with a thick wave of black hair. Though young, I am struck by how his grey eyes are so stern and pitiless. He is training as a loremaster under the gorgeous Iriel. He seems rather nervous and jittery so I try to set him at ease, opening our conversations with polite nothings, but when I refer to Iriel as a mutual acquaintance he becomes quite alarmed; I see a hint of jealousy before he wrests control of himself. Interesting! It seems the young man has a crush on his tutor – well I admire his taste.

Turning the conversation to Estel and thinking of how to learn what she may have received from Tirazôr for her birthday, I remark that I am thinking of gifting her with a present in an attempt to lighten her spirits and ask Tirazôr what he thinks suitable. He suggests a plate bearing the family symbol of a buttercup! I was expecting something along the lines of a doll, perhaps, even a pretty dress or even a small piece of jewellery. A little taken aback, I ask what he gave Estel for her birthday and he replies ‘matching candlesticks – with buttercups’.

Brand now also asks after Iriel, saying he is disappointed not to find her here. Tirazôr, now firmly under self-control, replies that she had to attend to ‘other business’, involving books, apparently. Both Brand and I ask Tirazôr to commend us to Iriel and he agrees – though I detect a hint of gritted teeth and can’t help smirking inwardly as we depart.

Although perhaps the full moon is a low threat, Aerin pens a warning to Mordulin who replies that the best defence against dark magic is to be elsewhere than expected. Ilviren suggests her ship but I am none too happy with that and offer Mordulin and Estel rooms in the Loremaster’s residence for that night and Mordulin accepts graciously.

So Estel and Mordulin arrive at dusk and Aerin herself cooks an exotic Raj banquet, which I thoroughly enjoy. (I am definitely developing a taste for Raj cuisine.)

In conversation, Estel lists her presents, which included clothes, jewellery and a pony but she doesn’t mention Tirazôr’s candlesticks at all (what a surprise).

Estel knows Tirazôr is ‘sweet’ on Iriel and believes Iriel requites. Brand asks Estel directly if she has observed Iriel involved in cat-worship. Estel shakes her head but I notice Mordulin and Lorin exchange glances and when Estel retires to her bed shortly after we take the opportunity to pursue the matter.

Lorin, who it seems is also gifted with portents, had had warning of an imminent threat to Morthond and had been using the Minas Anor Palantir to observe Maeglin. The night of his death, he saw Maeglin meet with Aradan and one other man whom Lorin did not recognise. He saw all three rush toward the bedrooms, presumably on hearing the screams (the Palantir does not convey sound).

He saw Maeglin struck down by a spectral cat. With him were Aradan the other man from the meeting. They watched in horror as the cat merged with its victim and Maeglin fell to the floor, writhing. But Maeglin also glimpsed a shadowy 4^th figure in the doorway.

No wonder Mordulin believed Aradan’s mention of a cat. Mordulin also believes that Miriel’s bloody death provided the power for the magic that slew Maeglin. But who was this mysterious 4^th man…or woman?

To do list:

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