A herald of the Firebeard King comes before the doors of Stouthammer Hall, the residence of Nyr son of Norr, Amrazu Uzal and Keeper of the Great Drum of Akladubeshek, the Great Adventurer of the Firebeards.
Herald: Hail Nyr, son of Norr. Your presence at court is requested by the King. He bids you not to tarry.
Nyr is surprised by the urgency behind the herald's words, but he knows better than to inquire after it.
Nyr: If the King summons me, I will answer.
Nyr takes his walking axe and joins the herald on his way to the court of the Firebeards. After a long walk they come before the Halls of the Firebeards and there the herald leads Nyr to the Hall of the King. Before he enters he turns to Nyr and says:
Herald: Please wait here while I inform the King of your arrival.
At this moment Nyr is very curious for what reason his King has summoned him. Not often has this happened. He stands outside the great doors and fidgets while he waits for what seems to be a longer time than he had liked. Finally the doors open and the same Herald comes outside.
Herald: The King will see you now.
The herald takes notice of Nyr's axe.
I will take that.
Nyr hands over his axe and tries to look calmly about it.
Nyr: Do take care of that one. It once belonged to a relative of mine.
The herald grins as he gestures Nyr to move inside. The Hall of the King is beautifully furnished with the crafts of his people. Statues of kings long gone gaze down upon him as he walks on. The floor is polished to perfection, reflecting the lights of the crystals on the walls. The pillars on each side gilded and inlaid with rubies. Crimson banners hang from the ceiling proudly displaying the ancient emblem of their house, and great fires roar aside the path to the throne, bathing the room in a pleasurable warmth that would be considered too hot for non-dwarves. Before him at the end of a rising stair sat the King in his crimson cloak on his golden throne. The splendor of this Hall reminiscent of that of the ancient halls of Tumunzahar in the days of old. The King notices Nyr arrive and he stands upright almost immediately. He seems impatient, though that was a trait not uncommon with the kings of their house.
Firebeard King: Nyr son of Norr! My trusted vassal! Come hither my friend!
Nyr comes closer to the throne but stops at the bottom of the staircase.
Firebeard King: Do you expect me to come down there? Come closer Nyr!
Nyr moves up the stairs in a slow pace.
I had figured you would be rested by now from your long journey, but would you have me believe otherwise by the way you just moved up those stairs?
Nyr: Nay my king, apologies, I just tried not to stain your stairs with my dirty boots.
He lies.
Firebeard King: Nonsense! I have servants to attend to those stairs. Don't you worry about the state of my staircase Nyr, I have another task for you in mind, one more befitting of a dwarf of your expertise. Aye!
Nyr seems curious.
But first, tell me Nyr, you have travelled a great deal haven't you? Did your feet ever take you as far as the Black Gate of Mordor?
Nyr: I have ventured into the Dead Marshes and crossed the vast planes of Dagorlad, but I always tried to go around the entrance to Mordor for miles for fear of being spotted. In fact there was this one time when...
The King interrupts him.
Firebeard King: Now is not the time to indulge in detailed reminiscence Nyr, a yes or no will do.
Nyr tries to hide his disappointment.
Nyr: Nay, I haven't set my eyes upon the Black Gate of Mordor.
Firebeard King: Because it was too dangerous to come near, but now the gates lie in ruin and its twin towers along with the vile one of Barad Dûr with it. The entrance into Mordor has been secured, and without a Dark Lord to contest any who dare enter that place, the planes of Mordor are open to brave adventurers like yourself.
Nyr wonders where this is going. Does the king need something of him?
I want you to go thither as my representative and reclaim any treasure you may find, for it is said that the Dark Lord's realm holds many secrets, some that may prove useful to the betterment of our kind.
Nyr seems alarmed. He had hoped to stay in Ered Luin for a while to recover from everything that had happened in the past month.
What say you Nyr son of Norr? Can I count on you to do this for me?
Nyr musters his strength of will.
Nyr: You are my King my Lord, if you bid me to travel to the Black Land and retrieve you great treasure I will do so.
The King seems to notice a seed of doubt in Nyr's words and for a moment he is about to show compassion for Nyr's troubles.
Firebeard King: I know what I ask of you is much Nyr, for you have travelled many miles after fighting in the greatest battle of our time since the Battle of the Five armies. I know also that you grief the passing of your kin who fought alongside you and died bravely. But I would not ask this of you unless it was very important, and it is. For there is one thing I wish you to look out for, more so than for jewels or gold.
Nyr: And what is that my Lord?
The King goes to sit on his throne. Nyr follows him.
Firebeard King: The Longbeards' new king, Thorin III, is said to be gathering stout adventurers of his own to search for lost treasure in Mordor. But I know what lingers in his heart. He has not the strength of his father in him and he will wish to prove himself a great leader. I have reason to believe he sends adventurers to find the secret behind the forging of rings of power, like those bestowed upon dwarves long ago. Sauron may have been evil, but he knew a thing or two about jewel forging, that much cannot be denied. If his insights are still locked away somewhere, we must claim it before others do. For both men and dwarves will not hesitate to take it if they find it. Bring me back this mighty gift and you may ask of me anything that you desire if it is within my power to give. Also, you may keep one fifth of any treasure you might bring home. What say you?
Nyr is doubtful that such knowledge may be found.
Nyr: I cannot promise that the Black Land will offer such knowledge, but should I find it I will bring it to you lest it should prove dangerous.
Firebeard King: I count on you to be the judge of that, but try and see the value of things even when they seem tainted to your eye. I trust that you will be victorious Nyr and that you will not come home empty handed. I will provide you with provisions and anything else you need for the road, including a raven trained to travel great distances. You will send me reports through the use of that animal.
Checks his pockets.
I had that whistle here somewhere. Ah, here it is.
Hands Nyr a small whistle.
Blow on that when you need him. He is rather skittish and I have no doubt there will be many things he'll be scared off in Mordor. Now, go talk to my herald, he'll provide you with what you need.
Nyr bows and he turns back towards the great doors of the Hall of the King. It seems his adventurous days are far from over.
