IV

Morrick

Morrick was impatient. Sheglock's innocent parting comment had stung more than he expected. He knew his brother had not meant to taunt him, but the fact was still there. Morrick was contributing nothing to his society. And he began feeling restless within minutes of Sheglock's departure.

So, naturally, he was relieved when he spotted a figure walking briskly up toward his house. The approaching orc walked swiftly but proudly, not looking down, as most other people often do, but rather straight ahead. He was wearing full armour, with the long sword at his side clearly visible. As he drew closer Morrick noted the intricate engravings on the sheath. He also saw the captain's badge pinned on the helmet, just beneath the red Eye. He rushed over to the door to meet the guest outside – as he felt his house too cluttered to make a good first impression on the officer.

"Greetings, sir!" Morrick called as the captain made the final strides up the hill. "What brings you out here? Is it the incident at town?"

By the time he had finished speaking, the orc was in front of him.

"I am Captain Khentz. And, no, I come for a reason unrelated to the theft."

"My concern was not the theft, sir, but rather the justice done."

"Be assured that Sauron's court has deemed the action inappropriate and un­befitting of the crime. The merchant was arrested. I saw him as I passed through town, hanging in the stocks."

"Good, sir. I hope that lawfulness should always prevail in Mordor.

"It shall," he answered confidently. "But I haven't yet explained to you the reason of my visit. Are you Morrick?"

"Yes," Morrick answered somewhat hesitantly. He was unnerved that the captain, who he had never spoken to before, knew his name.

Captain Khentz must have sensed Morrick's discomfort, because he quickly added, "I met your friend Ulûrk at the forge just an hour ago."

Morrick was no less apprehensive. He had still not explained his motives for coming here.

"And Ulûrk led you here, sir?" Morrick asked with strained politeness. He had a hunch he was being asked for his services. And, as much as he always told everyone how important service was, he still wanted to choose how he would serve.

"We need a blacksmith," Captain Khentz said, his curt voice confirming Morrick's suspicion. It was not as bad as he had expected, as Morrick had feared he would be drafted as a soldier, but he would still rather practice his craft at his hometown of Garkhôn.

"I'm new to this trade," Morrick said. It was a lame excuse, Morrick knew, and reprimanded himself instantly for making it. No doubt the captain would as­sume he was trying to avoid doing his due to Mordor and the great Eye. The Captain must have indeed assumed something of that manner, as his friendly de­meanour instantly evaporated, and he glared icily at Morrick.

"Are you trying to evade Sauron's call to duty?" he accused.

"No, sir—" Morrick said, appalled. But Captain Khentz cut him off before he could defend himself.

"Are you not loyal to the great Eye?"

"Of course I am, and—"

"Then why are you trying, with idiotic complaints and illegitimate excuses, to avoid doing your job for our country?"

"I'm not avoiding it!" Morrick cried. First Sheglock had called him a hypo­crite, and now this captain had implicitly done so as well, and Morrick was getting angry. His anger was even more fervent because the allegation was not entirely untrue. Morrick resolved, after this, to try and be more loyal.

But he did not think he could really aid Sauron, nor anyone, as a smith, con­sidering that he had just begun the job. The captain was still glaring at him, so Morrick added, "I'm merely saying that I'm probably not the best orc for the job."

"Are you capable?" Captain Khentz asked.

Morrick considered it. Probably he was, as he had finished with his training. "Yes."

"Then you're the only one for the job. All our agents are off searching for 'Shire' and 'Baggins', wherever they are."

"Point taken," snapped Morrick. "Would you mind telling me what exactly the job entails, and how long it will take?"

"No, I wouldn't," he answered calmly, ignoring the rude and sarcastic tone of the question. "We have word that there are rebels in the city of Alzág, in Dore­zátz, a province in the north-eastern portion of the country. They have, for al­most a year now, neglected to pay their due in taxes to the great Eye of Barad-dûr. Yet we do not deem it appropriate to march with a host of many orcs through the province, and force them to pay by the sword. Primarily, as you know, it is because our relations with Gondor are strained. It is unlikely they will attack us, especially without the Ring, but it still becomes necessary to have a guard along the border at all times. The army is far too busy to meddle in Dor­ezátz.

"There are other reasons we don't want to send the army through Dorezátz. First, there are simply not enough soldiers to do so. Second, because we still hope to have the Dorezátzean cities' allegiance, and do not want to send the wrong message. We do not want to conquer our own cities! But until Sauron gets the Ring, their loyalty may waver.

"We need a small group of orcs – ordinary citizens who are not intimidating – to travel to the city and meet with its leader. Remind the governor of his alle­giance to Sauron, and demand payment. If he pays, return with the money. If not, report him and the other leaders of the city on your return, so that we can arrest them, then using the army, if necessary. Then, hopefully, bereft of their corrupt leaders, the people will return to Sauron. Under­stood?"

"Yessir."

"You will be with a tracker, Firri, and two grunts. The four of you should take the route marked by this map–" he took one out of a pocket and handed it to Morrick, "–and meet with the officials at the city of Creantkor, which I marked, to report your progress. Any questions?"

"Yes, just one. Why do you need a smith?"

"To mend swords and knives if they break. It's wild country out there. The further you travel from Barad-dûr, the weaker Sauron's influence is. You'll be fighting, for sure."

Morrick groaned. "Well, there's no choice."

"No, there isn't," Captain Khentz agreed. He had become more amicable since Morrick's implied acceptance of his offer. "Meet me at the town square at noon to-morrow. I will be there with the rest of your team. And now allow me to depart – as I have business to attend to. Good-bye."

Morrick saluted him, and he acknowledged it with a slight nod. Then he turned and quickly travelled down the hill, leaving Morrick to think over his new assignment.