The incident at the Prancing Pony

[Sayvara]

Nah, Sayv is just as sweet and innocent as me, uh huh. *nods sagely*

Mm hm! Exactly as innocent as Adjanah... only slightly more saint-like. And a wee bit sweeter. Not too much... only enough to be noticable. *nodnodnods*

/S

[Felaion]

Of cource... innocence... uh huuuh....

Well, I'm pure evil.
Honest!

[Haelewulf]

You guys seem to be up to all sorts of jackanapes...
I need to get on and catch up IC, but any chance I could get some snippets on here to keep me current?
Curse you and your cryptic ways, Fel!
- H

[Felaion]

Haha! I know what this is about! So, you want us to keep posted on whats been going on? Heh Heh Heh...

Should we?

[Sayvara]

The report, part III

Needless to say perhaps, my second year at the academy started off as a near disaster. I thought that I was doing allright but it didn't take long until my grades showed that this was not the case. The incident had wounded me much deeper than I realized. Some even said it seemed I had a case of Veteran's Rage. I was a wreck.

I didn't bring charges against the captain. How could I. Noone saw what happened. There was no evidence. Just the word of a flirty first year cadet against the word of one of the most renowned officers of the academy. I knew from the moment he pressed me down against the ground that noone would believe me. So at first I told noone and kept it all to myself.

This didn't mean that Terlion walked away unscathed though. When freeing myself from him, I did manage to hurt him. His eye eventually clouded and he went blind on it. This in turn hampered his ability as a teacher since - with only one eye - he became a poor swordfighter and he could no longer control his blade properly. When the third grievous accident happened and they almost lost a student, they "took away his sword" so to speak in that he was given an administrative duty. This made him very bitter.

As for myself I eventually gained a few new "friends". I am quoting that word because they weren't. Ashika and her cohorts were nothing but bad news. She was a fourth year cadet at the time. While she did manage to pull me up and get me back on my feet, she did this only to exploit my weakened state and make me one of her pawns.

It was Ashika that made me start building myself. She was the one who made me swear to myself "Never Again". I started training for strength. It gave me focus in the chaos; a point of anchorage in the storm. But it also became a near obsession and Ashika only fueled it. She did help me, but at the same time she molded me with great manipulative skill.

She started making me do things for her. Small favours a first. Then worse things. I was rapidly becoming a petty criminal under her control. It ended when she pressured me into doing a burglary for her. I was caught by one of her superiors. Fortunately for me, he already knew of Ashika's vileness and had tried to do something about it. So far he had not had anything substantial to back up his accusations. But as I broke down before him and spilled everything, he went to confront her. This was a fatal mistake on his part. I wasn't there when it happened, but the next morning he was found with his sword through his chest and Ashika was nowhere to be found.

With Ashika out of the way I finally realised where I was headed and went to see captain Maerinda. She was the only one I told everything, including what Terlion had done to me. She was enraged. But just like me she quickly saw that there was nothing we could do to bring him to justice. She did provide me with the help I needed though and by the end of the second year I was scoring "Average" on my grades again. I never stopped training though and I have maintained my strength and my vow of "Never Again" to this day.

(( More to come ))

[Sayvara]

The report, part IV

As was customary at the academy, at the third year I was made a mentor for a first-year cadet. And since I was a female, a female cadet was assigned to me. Neriah - her name was not that but she wished to be called that - was a pretty and clever girl. She learned quick, was really funny and cheerful and we quickly became close friends.

Knowing of captain Terlions bad habits, I naturally warned her about him. I didn't go into full details about the violation, but close enough to make her understand. Not that he was enjoying much success with the girls anyway. After having lost his eye and being forced to be a desk teacher and paper shuffler his already poor temper worsened. I warned her and she in turn relayed this to the few other girls of that year's class. This worked, but there was a terrible backlash.

I was on the watch that evening. I was on the ambling patrol with another cadet, walking through the garrison grounds. At first I thought it was just one of the horses making that shrill sound. But then I realized it was her voice. We moved over to one of the stables where I had heard her. And as I looked through the door, I saw that which is forever etched in my memory: Terlion... with his hands around Neriah's neck, pushing down all his weight on it.

I shouted to the other guard to run get help before I ran into the stables. Throwing all of myself at him I managed to tackle Terlion off of her. She was still alive then, but I was still too late. He had crushed her throat and in the time it took to wake up the field surgeon and get assistance over to the stables, the throat swelled and closed. She died right there in my arms, clinging to me for help. I couldn't do anything for her. It was the worst moment of my life.

Terlion was still there. He saw it all; how she desperatly gasped for air; how her eyes rolled back and she shuddered in panic before she went limp. And he blamed me for it. He shouted that if I hadn't been "such a frigid b...", none of it would have happened. My mind was reeling. Not only had he forced himself upon me when he wouldn't accept being denied. But he justified the agonizing death of my close and innocent friend by saying it was my fault.

I snapped and exploded in rage, literary seeing red. He had pushed me over the edge and I was overwhelmed by the urge to rid the world of that demon. I don't even remember saying anything, but the witnesses did. Apparently I was screaming, letting out my fury at all he had done. They eventually managed to separate us before either of us could maim the other.

A day later came the final insult. I was called to captain Maerinda's office. She asked me to shut the door before she told me in one breath: captain Terlion would retire from the academy with full honors. And I was to be expelled.

((More to come))

[Sayvara]

---

- Here... take it.

The captain crouched next to the cadet and handed over a handkerchief as the younger woman stood on her hands and knees, spitting to rid her mouth of the vomit.

- I know it comes as a shock to you...

- Y-you have got to be j... joking. That cannot be true...

- Straight from the top Sayvara... I got the order not even an hour ago.

- B-but... why?!

The captain lifted Sayvara up from the floor and helped her to a chair. Crossing her arms Maerinda walked out in front of her subordinate.

- What is our creed?

- Huh?!

- What is the code we live by here?

- It is "The Highest"... but what does this have to do w...

- "The Highest" what?

Sayvara looked at her commander in utter confusion before reciting the full length of the academy's motto.

- "The Highest Morals, The Highest Valor, The Highest Honor, The Highest Skill, The Highest Price, for the people of Gondor".

- Exactly. "This academy represents the pinnacle of that which is meant to be high and pure in Gondor". "We take only the best, and we make them better". You have heard the slogans since before you even stepped foot in here. But did you ever concider why we have them?

- What?! Well because... uhm... it's high values and... one is meant to have high values. But what relev...

The captain cuts her off again.

- What's the purpose of having high values? And why - in particular - does this academy aspire to have "The Highest" of values?

- Because it... I... I don't know!! What's nonsense is this!? How can we have high values if we don't make him pay!

- Security...

Sayvara just blinked...

- High values makes the people of Gondor feel strong. Having the warriors and officers of Gondor feel they have the highest of values, morals and skill makes them even stronger. You know by now that a demoralized military unit is next to useless in battle, while one that has high spirits and does not falter, even when faced with the worst of odds, can prevail. So...

Sayvara looked at her... then replied in a hushed voice as she realized what the captain is trying to say:

- Security... it lets us defend the land better.

- Precisely. This garrison and this academy within it is a shining beacon of hope and security when our enemies wage war on us. People look at us and know that we are "The Highest" and they know we will not stop until we have either won or been obliterated down to the last soldier. "The Highest" is not merely a matter of being proud for the sake of it. This creed is, in fact, a weapon.

- But what does this...

- What do you think will happen if we blast out all over the land that we have not kept a hero, but instead nurtured a rapist and a murderer... someone that violates and kills the people of Gondor rather than protecting them?

Sayvara pondered for a second. As she realized the full meaning of this she whispered the answer.

- Then we are no longer "The Highest"...

- Then we have broken the tip of this weapon and dulled its edge.

The captain paused a short while to let this sink in before continuing.

- When the people of Gondor finds out that "The Highest" was home to the lowest as well, we are talking a massive breach of faith. Not only will we break the back of the troops... we risk the return of the decadence... we might have another kin-strife.

- You are talking about the downfall of Gondor... civil war!

Maerinda nodded slowly.

- But... but, this cannot be! Can it?! I mean... he is just one officer... one single criminal! How can that bring down the land?

- When was the last time you heard of an officer from this academy being convicted of a crime, hm?

- Well I... there was at least one... wasn't there?! Just a few years ago.

- A hired mercenary... not from this academy.

- But that lieutentant... from the...

- A spy and a traitor that nestled his way in here though deception and lies. Not a Gondorian.

Sayvara fall silent again.

- You have never heard of one. Neither has anyone else in Gondor. And the top tier of this academy has decided that for the sake of security and the safety of the land, they will not this time either. He is therefore innocent. And you are therefore...

Sayvara dropped her jaw.

- No, don't say it! No!!

Maerindas voice was dripping with disgust as she spoke the lies concocted by the governing body of the academy, emphasising every one of them with sarcasm.

- ...guilty of slandering and sullying the reputation of one of the finest officers this academy ever had... plus that you tried to kill him. Normally the punishment for such a charge would mean imprisonment. But the high tier has decided that since you were probably overcome by emotion by the unfortunate accident that killed your close friend, decided to let you off easy and are only discharging you with dishonor.

- And you let them do this? Don't you have anything to say about your own unit?!

- I didn't let them do anything Sayvara! I pleaded for you! I don't want to do this any more than you want to live it but I have no choice! They ordered me directly!!

Composing herself Maerinda lowered her voice again.

- The papers have already been drawn up. They are on my desk. I am sorry.

- But how can they get away with this?! People saw!

- No.. you saw. The witnesses never saw him with his hand on her. But they did see you screaming your head off at him, accusing him of rape and murder while you tried to rip his throat out.

Sayvara sunk in the chair, defeated and worn, shaking her head slowly.

- This isn't fair... this isn't right!

- No... it isn't. Not you, nor Neriah, will get any justice for this. It stinks. I am the first to say so and I want you to know that I absolutely hate doing this to you Sayvara.

The darkskinned woman looked up at her with teary eyes... nodding.

- I... I know. Thank you captain.

- Rinda... that's what my friends call me. And since you, as of now, are no longer in the Gondorian army you don't have to adress me by title.

Maerinda smiled slightly at the corner of her mouth... a faint attempt to cheer Sayvara up a bit.

- I have a little something for you. I couldn't make them change their mind about the expulsion. But I did get under-the-table authorization to give you your pay. You get everything you were supposed to get for the rest of this year plus your fourth and final year. It's a starter.

- Not that I really need it... but thanks.

- Also, I saw to it that Neriah's family will get her pay for all four years. I want you to give it to them.

- What do I tell them?

- Anything you want. The academy will deny everything vehemently and dismiss anything negative you say as the bitter revenge from a disgruntled expelled cadet. So you can make up any story you like, or tell them the truth, because noone apart from them or I will believe you anyway.

Sayvara closed her eyes again as yet another wave of slight nausea washed over her.

- And the captain? W-what happens to him?

- Mister Terlion has decided that he will settle some place remote for a well earned retirement.

- Huh? What do you mean?

- Officially he retires from service with full honors. But the truth is that the top is completely infuriated with him. Believe me, if they thought they had the option, they would execute him. So they have told him to get the hell out of Gondor and never come back. Not only are they worried about the destabilizing implications... but they are also embarrased they didn't kick him out sooner, plus the fact that he did kill one of our own and raped another. If he returns, they will put a price on his head... not alive but rather "exterminate on sight".

Sayvara blinked in surprise.

- Mm hm. They thought you should know. It may come as a surprise to you after having been put through all this... but they do care for the men and women in the ranks.

- Bah... only until stomping on them will serve "a higher purpose".

Maerinda smirked slightly at the bitter truth.

- "The Highest" of purposes.

The captain walked over to Sayvara... handing her a rolled up scroll announcing Savara's disgrace along with two notes to be handed to the treasurer on her way out. Sayvara stood up and the commander took her hand.

- You are a damned fine soldier Sayvara. A hothead... but a skilled one. I hope I never have to go up against you when you are holding a twohander.

Sayvara smiled slightly and pulled Maerinda close for an embrace, as a farewell and a sign of forgivness.

- Until we meet again... Rinda.

(( Epilogue to come ))

[Sayvara]

The report, conclusion

...she told me in one breath: captain Terlion would retire from the academy with full honors. And I was to be expelled.

Just like that, with the flick of a pen I was out on my arse. Mum & dad were outraged. The scandal effectively ruined their chances of even coming near the high-bournes. I had, in their eyes, brought shame upon the family. They didn't believe a word I said. I had expected the majority to not do so, but my own parents... that was a bit of a surprise.

To make my outburst at them short I told them they could take a long walk off a short cliff and promptly left. So from the time I was twenty I have lived on my own. I soon found I could make a fairly good living by taking jobs that involved a bit of swordfighting. I did - after all - have a pretty solid education when it came to throwing my weight around in a clash of blades. Bounty hunting for instance is a pretty good way to earn the personal upkeep. I didn't remain long in any particular place since they all soon run out of wanted people.

So that's how I eventually ended up in Bree, caught your attention (don't know how), became the lieutenant of the Company of the Black Thorn, and joined them for a bit of celebration at the Prancing Pony two days ago.

What happened was that I was sitting in the main room of the Pony minding my own business and drinking my ale when this scumbag, who had overheard someone mentioning my name, came forward and started amusing himself at my expense. I don't know exactly who he is but it was clear enough that he is a buddy of our dear ex-captain Terlion.

For half an hour - more than thirty minutes - I tried to make him go away in a hushed manner. I told him politely to leave me alone; I turned my back on him; I tried engaging in conversations with others; I snarled at him, and he just wouldn't stop. Even when I went to the outhouse to relieve myself did he follow and continued his insults and taunts.

He poked and prodded at every nerve he could find, throwing insults, leers, lewd and crude jokes about what had happened right in my face. Had this been any other place, one of less repute, I would have gutted the son of a b... in just five of those thirty minutes. But I kept quiet and tried to make him go away.

It wasn't until he stuck a knife in the sorest point of all that I could no longer contain myself. When he - like his "hero" - said that it was my actions that killed Neriah, I was no longer in charge of my actions. I was right back there, in the stables of the academy, and I was again seeing red. That's when I reached for the ale stein...

signed
/Sayvara Aellan

A Note: it seems to me a reasonable thing to assume that captain Terlion is in the lands. If that is so, we - or at least I - may be in a spot of trouble. He is a madman, and he may be looking for revenge. We should be prepeared for such an eventuality now that he has been alerted to my presence.

[Archibold]

Terlion might as well be leading a band of brigands. And he is clearly corrupted.
So he is Saurons pawn.

He is crazed by lust and wish for revenge over Sayvara.

I suggest a following storyline -> Terlion and his band of brigands lure Sayvara in trap and capture her. She faces long torture and death. But Thorns are hard on Terlion track... will they come in time?
And if they save Sayvara , will it be before the torture has started ? What clues did Sayvara leave of to help Thorns in their search ?

Oh ... the suspense !

[Sayvara]

Terlion might as well be leading a band of brigands. And he is clearly corrupted.
So he is Saurons pawn.

He is crazed by lust and wish for revenge over Sayvara.

I suggest a following storyline -> Terlion and his band of brigands lure Sayvara in trap and capture her. She faces long torture and death. But Thorns are hard on Terlion track... will they come in time?
And if they save Sayvara , will it be before the torture has started ? What clues did Sayvara leave of to help Thorns in their search ?

Oh ... the suspense !

Ah, Archibold, you have captured the spirit of the "Hero Forge" project: use that which have been written to come up with spin-offs and building the lore with your own ideas.

/S