Minas Tirith, Nórui 3009 T.A. Steward's Reckoning
Theogorn scratched on his beardless face. He looked around to the white glimmering stones and walls of the city. The streets were bustling with activity: wagons were towed to and fro, builders were renovating an old inn on great wooden platforms and cranes, moving stones up and down. There was a market with many merchants calling and offering their wares and gondorian men and women in clothes of blue and yellow running or strolling all around the place.
Theogorn however just arrived at the white city, called Mundburg in the rohirric speech. He was rather overcome by the fuss in the complex. It rightly deserved its title as greatest city of Gondor. But not only the people, but also the size of the fortress-like city was too much to conceive. Theogorn just entered the city through its main gate, and from that perspective everything looked to fall down on him, almost as if to collapse: The next tiers of the city, the tower of Ecthelion and mount Mindoluin himself. The banners of Gondor, showing the white tree on a black field, stood atop the tower walls and gave away a majestic air. This was rather different then where Theogorn came from. He came from the area of Halifirien. While the area where he was raised was beautiful, it ressembled rest and tranquility, but also danger, and cover. It was, if not dark, at least shadowy. The cottages of Beaconwatch needed to be lit by torches on many days. But do not think Firienholt a foggy dark place: It was as beautiful, but different than the pride of Gondor.
At first, Theogorn searched for a stable to stall his horse. Stormwind was his name, a red bay. He gave out a faint neigh. It was the horse of his father, but father stayed at home and had no need of his horse. He didn't have to travel so often as he used to. Back in the days, he had to travel all the way from the Eastfold to the Hornburg. He was a master engineer and designed various models of balistae, catapults, crossbows and trebuchets. But now, he was content with the solitude of his cottage, deep in the woods. That's where he was raised.
While Theogorn was thinking about that all, he climbed the stairs of the first tier and came out at a gate, the entrance to the second tier, on the main street. A gatekeeper stood there, looking dull and bored by time. Then, he noticed the blond stranger: "Halt! Welcome to the Sword-gate! Speak the pass-word, and you are free to enter!"
Theogorn was totally confused: "Pass-word?! Can't I just move through this city?" The guard shook his head, and talk loudly with an authoritative voice: "If you don't know the pass-word, back off!" He didn't wish to give any more explanation. So far for the love of your job... With that, Theogorn returned. Things are going differently than expected. He returned to the worker's tier, and searched for a place to pass the night.
