Nag Kath

by Gelansor

This is a sequel to The Lord of the Rings following a released prisoner at the beginning of the Fourth Age. He has to adapt to changes in his world and in himself as Middle-earth copes with life after the dark lords. All chapters have been loaded as of 2/9/2020. Reviews welcome. Thanks for looking, sh

24. Chapter 24 Pulling the Strings

Chapter 24

Pulling the Strings

~o~

Emond tûl Yigresh, Khagan of Upper Khand, wiped his lips with a pristine cotton cloth and dropped it on the floor. It would be used again, but not by him. The lamb had been prepared properly. He nodded to the servers who removed the assorted plates, bowls and goblets in moments. Then he rose and walked down the hall to his private study.

His Vishtuun was standing by the desk. The Khagan nodded to him and the man sat. Yigresh was not as staid as his famous grandfather who made all in his presence stand. He didn't like looking up at them. The Vishtuun summarized the day's agenda which included meeting with the Purse, a pair of Khans who could not agree on a parcel of land left on the other side of a stream after it changed course in a storm and the disposition of a concubine of second son who had not conceived. It was a light schedule. As the Vishtuun began to rise and pay homage, he said, "A small thing, Excellency. The Bror of Rhûn has been in contact. He offers to send an emissary and retinue to pay their respects in hopes of discussing subjects of mutual benefit."

Yigresh himself wondered that they might have more to do with each other. The world had changed. This was the age of large countries. His was a large country. District satraps paid obeisance but they were notoriously independent. That was fine until someone like Dulgov pointed all his shaggy horses south now that he didn't need them defending against his new friend the Elessar. A Rhûnic army would have starved coming here without his revered fathers lifting a finger, but with the Dark Lord gone, more rain created enough forage to reach the desert unless he burned it. And now the new Bror, a man his own age with grown sons, recently disposed of a brother who thought too highly of himself. Yes, we know such things down here. The usurper had Visitors in his ranks too.

Mordor was the bigger problem. Those barbarians could not be reasoned with. They knew nothing of governance. More to the point, they had not respected his rule. Sending Nulvanash's agitators back wrapped in drying rawhide made his point but the man had not seen the error of his ways.

Yigresh looked at his Vishtuun and said, "What does his Excellency have in mind?"

His man reported, "The letter simply read that a small contingent would visit to ask your Lordship's views on closer relations. It was delivered by an advance rider with the correct seal for an emissary and his retainers now wait on the border for your Excellency's approval."

"Yes, let us hear what they have to say. Return the concubine to her family."

~o~

His capital of Ûbésêsh was nestled in the lee of the Ephel Duath's southern tail. The former capital was in the deep desert but when Sauron's power was complete, it became too hot and dry. This had been and still was the better Khaganate. The south was getting more rain too but only slightly. They also had smaller districts and poorer roads, little wonder Sauron never conscripted many. That was old news now. He walked into his receiving room to hear the complaint of land across some stream.

A month later, the modest retinue of the Broric Emissary arrived in Ûbésêsh. They rode the familiar wooly horses of the Easterlings except one with what must be a stolen Rohan mount. Their advance man purchased a modest compound near the river wall. This being only the Ambassador's representative, he would see to property commensurate with higher station if closer relations were to the Khagan's liking. Vishtuun Juegesh arranged for the man and two of his aides to visit the palace for lunch after the Observance of Wind and Sky three days hence. It would give them time to make themselves presentable.

The grandees arrived with no fanfare. The representative was a man of about forty and five, dressed in the fashion of their Northmen after stewing in needless furs. With him were his secretary and a tall young man with dark, braided hair in a ponytail and no beard, probably one of their northern lads who shaved his face rather than display unmanly wisps. He cut his chin before coming.

They were shown before the Khagan in his receiving room and adjourned to a modest table for them and four of his Excellency's men. After introductions and compliments, Juguesh asked the representative to explain the purpose of his visit. In passable Variag, Captain Lurgsh said, "Thank you for your warm welcome, oh Khagan of these noble lands. It is the hope of northern peoples that we can consult more often on matters that affect our new, wider world."

Yigresh nodded congenially and replied, "We thank you as well for your long, hard journey. I welcome you on behalf of my people. Vishtuun Juegesh will act for me in preliminary matters that you might take back to honored Brother King Dulgov. I look forward to your progress. All rose with the Khagan and sat down after he left the room.

Captain Lurgsh and the Vishtuun exchanged a single page of topics to be considered in four days time and adjourned after an excellent lunch of lamb, succulents and fruits. No alcohol was served, it still being light outside.

~o~

The Easterlings rode back to their quarters and handed their mounts to a groom waiting by the gate. Strangely, there were only eight people in the group, including a cook and the groom. No local people were retained. Everyone knew the Bror, like his father before him, was frugal, to put it charitably. Hopefully the Ambassador would have a more appropriate staff. Right-living was tested early when the Vishtuun offered to send women to make the men comfortable after their constraining journey. The intemperate Rhûns might appreciate the young lovelies of Khand. Such women had to be raised gently, not plucked from the dirt like turnips.

Captain Lurgsh, hung his hat on a peg by the door and said, "I am starting to think this might just work."

Shelturn looked out of the real glass window and replied, "Well, we got here. Pretty place. I had no idea."

Nag Kath looked out the same window and said, "It is nice. I wish I spoke more of your tongue. This Juguesh, he is a chamberlain in my parlance?"

"That but also a family retainer. Sulath thinks he will be impossible to bribe. He is probably a relative too distant to claim lordship but too close to survive a coup."

The three men were joined by another and sat around the low table. Captain Lurgsh was actually Teüchir (Lorist) Lurgsh from Yhammâs Fruhir. He had been a corporal for two border skirmishes before tutoring waking rest for those who had suffered injuries of spirit. The Bror's ring fit his third finger. They all hoped his Excellency would agree this was in a good cause, should it come to his attention. The fourth man was Doruk Hennipas of Kelepar. He was forty eight and had been a government agent to the horse region before right-living found him. He arranged the Rhûnic horses and tack along with suitable clothing but his main purpose was understanding something of the actual administration.

The other four men were runners who could shuttle into the wilds if needed. There were two men already working quietly in Ûbésêsh. They had been here for years. The Ghurate took a great risk in making them available for this effort. Both Sulath and Delemantêsh were ordinary merchants by day, selling embroidered cloth and rope respectively. They would never visit the embassy. And they knew who everyone was in town.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Nag Kath wondered that there really wasn't an original idea in the plan. Western nations had exchanged ambassadors since the Elven Kingdoms. In the Sauronic world, those roles were filled by dark servants like the Yvsuldor and Worm Tongue or creatures who had considerable power of their own like the Nazgûl. When Sauron fell, native populations thought of creative ways to repay the dark lord's minions, but they did not replace them with embassies of their own. The typical way to parlay without bloodshed was to meet at a border and leave if they could. There were still plenty of spies; independents like Ureano or dedicated men. Somehow, the Visitors had flourished. The Bror would have eyes down here as well. If discovered, they might have to be silenced, baffled or open to a comfortable retirement. Delemantêsh knew of one who fell firmly into the last category.

If Delemantêsh knew friends, Sulath knew Visitors. Sulath was the sort of man you would want behind you, larger than your average Khandian with a face no one remembered. He watched two Visitors closely; one was Lieutenant Nen in the Khagan's lancers. He had earned the commission by being a hard, ruthless soldier, indistinguishable from his real employment. Lately he had been in charge of Second Son's escort so he was not in the city for weeks at a stretch. The Prince seemed the royal most open to persuasion by the men of the Assured.

The second was more senior. Zrev dated back to Nulvanash's ascendance and was rumored to wield small sorcery of his own. The man had no visible means of support and lived well in a private home in the garden sector. Zrev had a pair of retainers who people avoided when they walked the streets. Despite his station, Sulath thought he might be getting soft on dark summoning after living in the capital long enough to appreciate luxury. If Sulath thought so, Lieutenant Nen would as well. He had his own career to consider.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Ûbésêsh was the most convenient base of operations. It was the largest city in the east and quite astonishing, even by western comparison. Unlike much of the country, it benefited by strong rivers flowing from the mountains separating them from Mordor. Fountains and flowers and things unheard-of just to the west benefited those who deserved it.

That worked well for the Righters too. This was much closer to Nulvanash's capital than Lhûg. Small commerce flowed both ways. That could include accurate or misleading information, depending on the need. Upper Khand was the only country besides Gondor that minted their own money. Numenorean-style coins worked just as well but the local merchants had been quietly exchanging some of Nag Kath's Florins into small local sizes that would not attract attention.

The capital also gave Nag Kath a backdoor to the Nargil river which kept them from having to take the northern route into Mordor past warlords fighting for control of the tariffs. More importantly, the gap at Khûr Khand led to the land of Hûrm Ryduvosh. He was Nulvanash's lower neighbor and not well disposed towards Visitors in his midst. The Nargil River formed the border between Nulvanash and Ryduvosh and also poured a great deal of clean water into the bitter Nûrnen Sea. Neither of them could bring large numbers of troops into the other's land without boats and trees were scarce.

Before talks got very far between the northerners and Khandians, Captain Lurgsh claimed a mystery ailment of the digestion and was indisposed. Juegesh was in no hurry and had to leave with his Excellency in a week for his annual trip to the Temple of Kondri Hochi. He would be gone a month. The Righters knew that.

~o~

Nag Kath and Shelturn slipped out the main gate the day after their leader's distress and made south west along the southern edge of the Ephel Duath pincer. The Elf was surprised at how green it was. They could see nothing but brown to their left but along the slopes was good grazing and thirty-year old trees fighting for light. If their path held, they would reach the town of Fich Shon in two days. To the right was the low pass into Mordor, the only real gap in the range. Their road was continuing along the south with plans to cross at the Nargil Pass.

Both riders wore soldiers clothes. There were no uniforms here. In their bags was an assortment of patches for local militias if needed. Shelturn was mixed blood of Rhûn and Khand's vast ill-defined border. He spoke the northerly Variag dialect so they usually bore the swatch of Khagan Yigresh's capital troops, knowing full well if they were challenged, they would not get away by talking.

After making-up for the dunking, the two got along well and discussed many things on their ride. Both knew little of each other's world. Nag Kath did more of the talking because he had traveled a great deal of the west and the Dark Lord crushed as much local history as he could. Men from here knew far less of their heritage than in the west. Much of the time was spent drilling the Elf in Variag since he might need a lot of it soon.

For his part, Shelturn shared his layman's knowledge of right-living, which seemed closer to Nenwûla's than Orlo's. The man had served the current Bror's father as a Lieutenant of Infantry and later of cavalry as the Puklak horses were bred in numbers. A bad fall led to a slow recovery and he was replaced. He might have applied for another command but had had enough of taking farmers' food waiting for the next war. When his brother's widow confided that she felt better for the more western gods, he listened.

It was a good thing they rode together well because this would be a long trip. Their road took another ten days along the forest edge until they reached a small river flowing west at Bogath, a hardened frontier town on the Swerting border. If Nag Kath ever wondered what had happened to all the bugs that weren't in inns to the west, he found them. The travelers nibbled their Lembas and had a mug of the local yellow beer but it was not a good match. From there it was another three days to cut the corner to a place called Ankaradan's Lair on a river leading from some of the tallest peaks in the chain. Neither Ankaradan nor anyone else was here. It was one of the few passes where Haradrim in their thousands could cross into Mordor proper

This was the last stretch before skirting the southern range and making for the Nargil Pass. The grade reminded Nag Kath of the High Pass over the Mistys. They kept east of the Nargil River to avoid Nulvanash's lands. A month to the day after leaving the Khagan's capital, they stepped into the lands of Hurm Ryduvosh starting with the village of Kûl Tarkorûl.

~o~

Villagers scuttled into their homes or behind anything they could find when the two riders walked their horses along the road. Since there were no soldiers, they decided to take the afternoon at ease. Nag Kath found the local fish knew nothing of disguised hooks and he landed three big ones in a matter of minutes. They made camp and let the animals graze.

A girl-child of about six had not been hustled into hiding and walked out to join the travelers on the river bank. Shelturn gave her a piece of Lembas bread. The lass reminded Nag Kath of Mirias, the miner's daughter in Orthanc with a mop of dark curly hair and pale skin. She said nothing but nibbled her treat and did not run away. Nag Kath asked her name. She did not understand. Shelturn tried in Plainstongue and she said it was Gulda.

Her parents had been frantically looking and saw her in the worst of all possible places; with soldiers. They had older children and should consider their fates before rescuing the baby. In the end, they came out to claim her. Her father called her from about fifty feet away but the child was much too interested in the cake. At thirty feet she heard him and turned still holding her Lembas with both hands. Finally the man came close, bowing and muttering obeisance. It took great bravery to overcome great fear. Shelturn pointed to the fish. The man took one in one hand and his daughter in the other back to his terrified wife.

So that is what it is to live in Mordor. Was the man's courage the future of this land or was the terror? Probably both.

~o~

With everyone fed, they worked their way north east hugging the peaks. Another day's ride would take them to Hurm Ryduvosh's capital of Nargil. That was not the goal. Nag Kath was looking for somewhere obviously in the man's domain where Nulvanash had never been. It took a day of sniffing but he found it. These mountains had bred many of Sauron's large draft-trolls, the older beasts that could not stand any daylight. Erosion of softer rock over the ages created natural tunnels and caves that went deep enough in to protect against deadly sun. He found a second cave to visit later.

Compared to the trolls above the Iron Hills Road, these lads were paupers. There was nothing they could have stolen in their day except gureeq and the occasional peasant for roasting. Shelturn lit a torch and they walked inside. It was just waste and bones. The Elf left several Florin worth of his oldest nippers and a silver goblet he bought in Ûbésêsh with a stone from his original cache. The coins would be easily found if someone was seriously looking.

The attraction of this cave was that it was ten miles inside Ryduvosh's territory, the perfect risk for the gold-obsessed Nulvanash thinking he had found Sauron's hoard. All he need do was claim it, quietly if possible, in force if not. Nag Kath had plans for that.

It seemed an awfully long trip just to salt the mine but pure fantasy would not create the necessary lust. The Elf spent the rest of the day sketching every rock for a quarter mile along the southwestern face of the crags. The next morning, Nag Kath placed the jewel Thorin Stonehelm gave him a few years before just inside the second cave and stood over it for half an hour. Shelturn saw him turn silver in color and glow with a fierce light for a few minutes before trudging back to camp. That was the first night Shelturn had ever seen him sleep.

~o~

The trip back was like the trip there except they knew places to avoid. At the pass town of Fruud, two soldiers sauntered over trying to act important. It would be a shame to draw attention to themselves so close to their headquarters but soldiers with bad attitudes came with the territory. The uglier of them said something in Variag.

Shelturn said in the same tongue, "We are returning to the capital after taking a message to Vhir of Ala-Khand."

He would tell the Elf afterwards that the man then said, "Then you will have no trouble producing your pass." Shelturn scratched his chin, the signal for trouble. The few people around had vanished. Just before the right-doing soldier pulled his sword, a shaft of pale yellow light shone from Nag Kath's left hand into the faces of the soldiers. He murmured, "You need to tell them things are fine and that we are leaving. Shelturn did so. As the soldiers looked blankly at each other, the Righters climbed on their horses and rode at a good clip for an hour before slowing to their usual pace.

It was only then the Shelturn said, "I wish I could have done that to my sister."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

It was now late fall. Folk of wetter climes do not understand that deserts are not always hot, especially in the lee of the mountains. Temperatures vary widely from sun to night. Well bundled, they rode to within a block of their compound in the Khagan's capital and tied the horses in front of a tavern. Nag Kath stayed with them as Shelturn quietly walked to the back gate and whistled. He got the right whistle back and retrieved the Elf and horses.

Things had gone well on this end. The restored Representative Lurgsh met twice with the Vishtuun to discuss issues of trade and troop-strength on their patchwork borders. Lurgsh had no opinions, and didn't even know about the various side-agreements among the border satraps. He neither demanded nor ceded lands, explaining that was the Ambassador's, and ultimately, the Bror's prerogative. He was only here to show good faith. There were also vague aspirations of creating permanent embassies in each capital.

The pace would have maddened even the patient Nag Kath but this was brisk among southern peoples. Forms had to be observed. There were constant observances honoring the fallen, the gods and, of course, the Khagan. The Khagan's second son was in the city, he of the barren concubine, and the mood in the market was that it wasn't her fault. He came to one of the meetings and left when he was bored.

~o~

Back at the embassy, Nag Kath felt it was time to spill the lentils. He explained his theory about the Dwarf ring. To his surprise, only Lurgsh knew anything about rings of power. The Elf had Gandalf's own knowledge of their fate but it wasn't that much different than what most free-peoples knew if they cared. Here; there was only oppressive power. How could its source matter? It took several hours of explaining and answering until the men realized they had a royal card still face down in their pile. The lure of gold would be irresistible to the Assured. Everything depended on the age-old saying, 'you can't cheat an honest man'. Fortunately, everyone on the other side was thoroughly corrupt.

Nag Kath's plan was to create the impression that men of the Bror's contingent were investigating knowledge of Sauron's hidden trove from years of scholarship and recently uncovered documents along the Rhûn. One of the Nazgûl, possibly Khamûl, had protected the treasure in caves along the southern Ephel near the Nargil River. Wards against their detection were fading. The first sorcerer to defeat them would reign supreme.

The Elf thought to leave a little honey here and a little bile there until Nulvanash sent a troop into the wilds to verify claims. They would find the cave that had already been plundered leaving proof of riches. They could not enter the larger one secured with fouler spells. He hoped his confusion ward on a genuine Dwarvish artifact would hold until spring. The bait might even include other rings waiting for a man of vision.

~o~

Finding all of this could not be too easy. A suspicious man would smell the trap. Hints of the prize would trickle to Nulvanash's capital Ûniarra Nûrn from previously reliable sources. The man would have no trouble sending a troop across the river to find the bait but the Assured would need to counter the wards of the larger cave himself, twice if things went according to plan.

Nag Kath counterfeited a crude treasure map on his cheapest, oldest paper. It took several tries to convert his accurate pictures of the hills to rough versions that were still identifiable. For the text; he spoke Black Speech but had no idea how to write it so he butchered enough Sindarin to make the points and drew the letters in the old style Frodo sketched of the heated ring in the Red Book. The map was a place mat on the dining table to spill tea and stew on for authenticity. With all of the twists and turns, the hope was that the Assured would have to return to Hurm Ryduvosh's lands, in force, in mid-summer after the Hurm heard the same rumors a little later. Sullath knew who Rydovosh's spy was too.

~o~

It was time for Captain Lurgsh to conclude preliminary diplomacy and return to the Rhûn for consultations. He, Shelturn and Nag Kath went to see Vishtuun one last time for a farewell lunch after Delemantesh's wife re-dyed Nag Kath's tan hair roots. The meal was served in a room Lûgsch hadn't seen before in the extraordinary palace. Rooms all around it were done in white marble with exquisite mosaics on the floors. The walls of their room were decorated with the elegant writings of ancient times. It seemed the actual writing of them was as important as the message. Nag Kath stood in front of one for a long time before they left. Vishtuun Juegesh walked over and Lurgsh joined them a moment later. The writing was on an old, large piece of paper and only had the single large first letter of a word done in their ornate style. That was it. The steward explained that it had been drawn so perfectly that the calligrapher dared not complete the work lest the rest of it be unworthy. The tall Northman thanked him in his harsh tongue and thought of the Elf artist Danethiur knowing when to stop.

Captain Lurgsh told the proud Vishtuun that they would maintain the home here in Ûbésêsh if his Excellency had questions or suggestions. The three representatives returned to the embassy and two days later four of them left to report to his Excellency Bror Dulgov.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Following their own footsteps, they made Lhûg just before December. It was still warm when the sun shined but the men of Northern Khand and the Rhûn wore their furs. The party made their way to the retreat to explain the state of play and Nag Kath rode back to town two days later for a word with Chûran.

After he was admitted, she walked down her stairs and offered her hands to be kissed. That was a first. Her maid served and became scarce. Did Chûran take lovers? He hoped so, for her sake. This was all business. A pretense had to be created for the spy to report the merest supposition that great lords had designs on Sauron's hidden treasure, warded by sorcery at the headwaters of the Nargil. The instigators were Easterlings who had just visited the Khagan, so, presumably, he was in on the plot. Their ears in the capital could not confirm it because the Khagan knew nothing of the sort, but that might not keep tongues from wagging.

~o~

Vibrant Flower, Ureano's mistress, showed the long years of her trade and a fondness for Rhûric wine. It would not take much silver to pass a story along. The spy also had an informer in his ranks called Chigurn who kept his ear to the ground. The flower explained they had a falling-out recently. Destroying the Visitors would start at the down-and-out Chigurn's favorite tavern the next time he came by a few coppers.

A drunken soldier wandered his way, first sitting and then laying on a merchant's porch. By the time Chigurn reached him, the man was snoring like a Dwarf. Practiced fingers retrieved three fivers from the fellow's pocket. However could they pay these simpletons so much? The brute probably leaned on honest people and it served him right to return the money to those he oppressed.

Corporal Lurgsh and Keldan were dealing a new hand of Intur, the two-player version of Dukks, when Chigurn arrived. The little thief was a known card cheat. Reputable houses tossed him in the street. Others took their cut. Neither of the right-living men was very good at this game. Even better for Chigurn; Keldan poured the last of the wine beaker into his cup and looked around grandly for the wench.

"Intur is a poor game compared to full Dukks, gentlemen, do you need another?"

Lurgsh slurred, "We have a man coming."

Keldan countered, "He should have been here an hour ago. Fellow can't keep away from women!"

Lurgsh appeared to consider that gravely and said, "Have a chair. You have to buy your own wine!"

Chigurn had no trouble skimming the men by barely winning most of the hands. The travelers kept their conversation to a minimum until Keldan outraged, "Where is he?! He had better not have kept that coin for himself!"

Lurgsh seemed unconcerned, "It is just a groat. Here, I have several!" The man clad as a merchant slipped his fingers in a buttoned vest pocket and tossed it on the table. "He has always been reliable, even if his brother is dougsh. If you ask me, fairy stories of Sauron's gold are alehouse talk. Who could ever claim it anyway? Those Kelepar traders are having a jest at our expense."

Chigurn lost a hand. "May I?" He picked up the coin and saw an old rune on one side. "Easterlings?" He handed the coin back.

"Aye, company of them" burp, "Company were in Ûbésêsh, treating with Lord what's his name. It is all a nonsense. Rulers have reasons enough to speak without rumors of sorcery."

Chigurn lost another hand, slapping his cards down in mock frustration before leaning over the table and saying, "I thought such spells were over."

Keldan helped himself to the new beaker and poured one for their guest to the aggravation of Lurgsh. "Some are just wearing down now, like in the west with the Mournshaws. Some men may still be able to counter them."

Lurgsh pronounced, "I have no such powers, and you'll not catch me anywhere near Narsil."

Keldan corrected him, "That is a sword. This is a river. I'll not go there either. There is money enough along the Desert Road!"

To his apparent surprise, Chigurn won a large hand. He spared them enough money for the next game saying, "Please excuse me, best of sirs, my lonely wife awaits. Perhaps we can do this again tomorrow?"

"Keldan said, "Can't. Leave with the light. We should probably find a bed ourselves. Good evening sir."

Fifteen groats from the drunk, nine from these men, it was one of Chigurn's best nights in a long while. More importantly, he had something for Ureano. The trader's wilted flower would know where he was.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

The knock on the door was not who she wanted. "Good morning, Mr. Chigurn. Ureano is still along the Kól."

"Good morning, Vibrant Flower. Do you know when he returns?"

After the last time, she would have told the loathsome creature not until the end of days. Today she said, "I expect three days, but you know that is not certain."

"Tell him I have something important."

The kept-woman replied, "This had better be. Your last effort was inaccurate."

"Yes, well, this will make things right. He can judge that for himself."

She smiled at him for the first time. "Very well, Mr. Chigurn, I will say you have important news. Your old lodgings yielded no answers after the last exchange." She raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, a disagreement with my landlord. He was not keeping the place to my standards."

The Flower said, "I see. And where can you be found now?"

"Leave word at the Desert Sword. I am there often."

Vibrant Flower felt a little more vibrant. She had done as the Rhûn told her and a silver to match the one she hid under her drawer was almost hers.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Ureano was back in four days. After bathing and spending time with his little Flower, he went to his usual tavern for wine and a smoke. A large, unsympathetic man at the door had instructions not to let a long list of fellows inside, including Chigurn. The swindler waited outside but never got his opportunity. Hopefully the flower would plead his case.

Starting the conversation they hadn't had several hours before she purred, "You are home early, dear man. Was the evening not to your taste?"

"Just tired. The road is losing its appeal."

"I worry terribly when my one love is away so long."

He doubted that but she knew what to do when he returned. "What news of Lhûg?"

"Nothing of note. There is a new tax on guests that has the innkeepers in confusion. Mr. Orthur's old horse finally died. Oh, and Mr. Chigurn wanted a word." She laid that on last with the least of concern.

Ureano said uncharitably, "Chigurn, eh? Did he bring my money back?"

"I am sorry to say no, my love. He did say it was important and would atone for his last, uhmm, inaccuracy."

"What does the dougsh want?"

"He would not share such things with me. I was more concerned with keeping him from entering."

The merchant was ready for more flowery attention, "Where is he staying?"

"He did not say but that he could be contacted at the Desert Sword. Now, you must tell me all about your trip."

~o~

When summoned, Chigurn was not served tea. "What is it?"

His informer looked around the room until Ureano said, "Darling Flower, could you go see if Mr. Youngus has returned?"

"Of course. Perhaps I should do my shopping as well?"

Chigurn waited until the door closed. "I received news that the Easterlings are speaking with Khagan Yigresh about Sauron's gold."

"You waste my time with this?! I should have had you caned for your last falsehood!"

"Take your time, old friend. I got this from a pair of travelers in the garb of the Rhûn returning home. One showed me a coin with a symbol stamped on one side." He had spent the one he won. "The fellow said there were more. It sounded very dark." Chigurn was not supposed to know of the Visitors but he did, so he said softly, "It involves friends to the west."

Ureano was only slightly impressed. Everyone had heard of the lost treasure of the Dark Lord. Some still dug until their hands bled under the great tower. All they found were orcs and rocks."

"Where?"

"He said the Nargil but did not know where that was."

"I need more than that, unless you pay the money you owe me for this foolishness."

Chigurn needed to discourage that idea, "Ask among your friends. I will inquire of the merchants again and see what else they know." The thief thought the men long gone but he could sound earnest and let Ureano work his extensive contacts in the meantime.

~o~

The merchant had tea with others who traded in secrets and indeed, there had been a deputation to the Lord of Upper Khand from the Bror of the Rhûn, the highest possible men in this vast expanse. No one knew the substance, if there was any. They were soldiers to a man and did not drink much or fraternize with the smooth women cultivated for moonlight. Northmen have no sense of fine things.

At a local scholar's home he heard, "The story was that a stash of tribute was stored on the south side of the sea. No one knows where, with the trolls, probably. None has been found under the tower in thirty years."

The merchant did not want to reveal knowledge of the coin so he asked, "Was there anything of the old desert script associated?"

"Who knows? If men hid it, they died there."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

As Nag Kath intended, the story had been misheard four times as it passed from Lurgsh to Chigurn to Ureano and then Visitor's Ghorandul tasked with taking it to Mordor. If the Assured had questions, Ureano, would be honored to further his inquiries. Chigurn got a cuff on his ear for his predictable yarn of missing the traders but Ureano did not demand his money back.

The Ghorandul did not make it to Ûniarra Nûrn until mid-February. The assistant of High Visitor Uvuo himself escorted him to Nulvanath's presence. The field-man abased himself before rising to his knees. The Assured sat on his throne and fingered the gold ring on his first finger, always dangerous.

The story boiled-down to the Easterlings and Khandians holding middling talks about something that no one in the southern capital seemed to know anything about. There was a rumor that it had to do with the Dark Lord's lost gold but that was unreliable. If it was an actual line of inquiry, it was somewhere on the Nargil. Which side was anyone's guess. The spy did not give it much credence but felt it important enough to mention. The Assured smiled and told the junior messenger that people like him would make history someday. The Ghorandul touched his head to the flagstones knowing greatness was inevitable and left to find a meal.

~o~

Any practical man would dismiss the story as nonsense. Men with a sorcerous lust for treasure can do no such thing. By the end of the week, four riders led by Richtren (Visitor Officer) Anandogh took the northern Nûrnen road armed to the teeth and under instructions not to let anyone slow them. They also had enough cash to trade horses at stations and not sleep until dark. It took them just over three weeks to pull into their haven in the Khagan's capital.

Retainers took their horses, bowed deeply and showed them into the room where Nen and Zrev were having dinner. Zrev was more senior than the arriving Visitors but they were more recently with the Assured so they treated each other as equals and more food was brought.

Richtren Anandogh said to both without preamble, "What know you of this?"

Zrev was unconcerned, "There was a delegation from Dulgov here until fall. Half left, half are still here. They bought a stout home in the garden district."

"How many men?"

Lieutenant Nen replied, "There are four left. The senior men are gone."

Anandogh said as his meat arrived, "Have you searched the property?"

Nen answered, "No. Someone is always there. I have it under eyes."

Richtren Anandogh said, "I hope you have not lost your zeal, Zrev."

Zrev had not and would not be called to account by a mere Richtren, "Then you had better explain what this is about. As far as we know, the Bror sent a delegation and they went home. The Khagan greeted them in and out but Juegesh handled the exchanges. They were not secret. If you have news that interests the Assured, you will tell me with your next breath." Anandogh felt sorcery with the threat. Bluff called, the Visitor explained that the Easterlings might have objects of use to their Lord.

Zrev looked at the Lieutenant and said matter-of-factly, "I think it is time for our northern guests to see more of this lovely city."

~o~

They did not need to contrive anything. Three days later, one of the four men in the home was seriously burned cooking whatever vile food they ate, probably bottom-fish. His fellows carried him to a healer four blocks away, being careful to lock the gate as they left.

The inside had been decorated by trolls. If there was anything of use here it would not hide long. And what makes people think they can hide things behind pictures and tapestries? A cheap weaving of Xangoe's triumph created a rustling sound when shaken. The printing or parchment was pinned to the back side. The men nodded to each other and were back over the fence well before the poor Easterling returned with bandages on both hands. It would teach the fool that cooking was woman's work.

~o~

At the end of April, Anandogh presented his find to the High Visitor who took him to Nulvanash. Anandogh had lost weight and two horses but he had done as ordered, and done it well. His liege unrolled the page and stared intently. Everyone in the hall watched him seem to swell and contract with each breath. The man was surely called to Lordship!

Compliments were due and he paid them, "Excellent work, Anandogh. Take your rest and we will talk soon about other ways to honor the one we serve. The man touched his head to the floor and returned to his rooms. His escorts were well fed.

When he was alone Nulvanash stared at the map. Was it genuine? Someone thought so. Would Khand or Rhûn march in here and take what they wanted? That would unite even the deepest divisions amount the Nûrn Hurms in short order. The map was old. Did it have secrets only seen in certain light or on certain days?

The script off to one side was no help to him yet. The Assured could not read or write in any language but this was certainly one of the old ones. Was it Sauron's? It had that feel. It was said an old prophet above the delta knew some of the Elvish tongues. The man would be found and brought here with dispatch! And most of all, what was this ring drawn in the mountain?

The hermit was the worse for wear after hard travel. He had never ridden a horse before. He never would again. The man was dragged before the Assured and forced to his knees. In a voice to command obedience, Nulvanash said, "Go to the table. Read the writing on the page." The order resonated off the walls.

When the poor man did not rise quickly, one of the door guards jerked him up by the armpits and marched him to the discussion table. The fellow gazed at the unfamiliar script and mouthed the words one at a time. "High Assured, the writing is ancient. It says that tribute paid in the time of the Dark Lord's ascendance was placed in the mountains near a river called the Nuschga and guarded with fell wards against any but a Lordly voice. I am not sure but I think the cartouche is of the lands before the Balchoth."

The Assured was kindly, "Does it say where?"

"Nay, most High. It only says that power will make itself known."

"Guard, get this man food after his long trip." It was a short meal.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Four days later, Anandogh took half a squad of cavalry three days up the Nargil until they reached the highest ford. The man scanned the map to identify the distinctive crags and peaks. There they were, on the wrong side of the river. His orders were specific. Find the place regardless of where it was and report. The Assured would be obeyed.

They swam the river. One man's horse was dragged under in the spring current. He would be remembered in the Dark Lord's Halls. Now five, they rode due east to the outcropping on Ryduvosh's side of the pass. No one was in the village and he let them hide. They pulled even with the massif and dismounted. It was too late to climb so they made camp.

With the light, all five of them rose and scoured the rugged slope. Shale slipped under one man's foot and he twisted his ankle. It would not kill him but he was useless. Late the next afternoon, one of the troopers called up to his fellows. There was a cave, a troll cave. They had not brought torches so Anandogh had them gather brush for a large fire in the center of the main opening. Before the outside light faded, one man found a nipper. Another man found a second. Light failed so they slept around the fire and built it high the next morning. Four more of the small gold coins were found along with a goblet holding a raw gem and a handful of doctored groats. As they prepared to leave, another nipper was found in the dirt.

That was but one cave. The four who could walk fanned further east until a trooper called he found another cave. Anandogh hurried to the entrance and felt he had been pushed away by a great wind. He tried again and doubled over in confusion and anguish. Vomit came up and out his nose until he backed twenty feet away from the opening. A trooper was ordered to try with the same result. This was beyond the ken of mortal men. After the Richtren gathered his wits, they carried the injured man back to the horses and waited for daylight for the three-day trip to deliver the news. The troopers were all kept in individual cells upon their return until their ordure was inspected for coins. There being none, they were returned to duty. In the meantime, the Assured considered the coins and the map. These were older than Gondor. The writing said they were from Sauron's first appearance here.

What mattered more was the ward on the larger cave. Perhaps a lesser cave had a lesser spell now degraded enough for mountain men to have looted it. But they had not gotten through the spell that made Anandogh ill and drove him mad. He would give the man a couple days to recover and then he, Nulvanash, Assured of Yvsuldor and rising power in Mordor, would go there personally and see how much of the protection was left.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

To his southeast, Hurm Rydovosh met with his counselors. "What is the dougsh doing now?!"

His wise man said as delicately as men of Mordor can speak, "My Lord Hurm, a bird in Ûbésêsh whispered that the man will bring a small party upriver and cross to our side. The reason goes deeper than his ears heard."

"Has no one told me that he visits?"

"Nay, best of Lords. They hope to travel in stealth."

"Send Captain Orvous and a full company of cavalry. Don't kill Nulvanash. He still has my sister and her children visiting. But let it be known that the Hurm of Nargil expects courtesy from his neighbors. Have Orvous leave with the light."

~o~

Anandogh was his ruthless self quickly and on the first morning in May, a troop of twenty four riders, including High Visitor Uvuo and Nulvanash's Chamberlain accompanied the Assured in formation up the river. Since the headwaters were so dangerous, they forded half-way up and would hug the bank to avoid alerting Nargil pickets of their movements.

They failed. Fifty miles upriver they found twice their number looking confident and ready. Archers were certainly to their flank ready to pin them against the bank. Their Captain rode over with his Sergeant and said, "All honor, Hurm Nulvanash. A pleasant day for a ride."

The High Visitor replied, "The Assured thinks so as well." The Assured did not treat with enemy soldiers who should know better than to call him a common Hurm.

"It being so late in the day, there is only just time to return to last night's campground. Perhaps the embers are still warm."

Nulvanash kept his fleshy face composed but his frustration spilled over and he doubled the arrogant officer in pain with a wave of his ringed hand. Had the man fallen from his horse, arrows would rain on him from men outside of his range. Like Nag Kath saw early in life, arrows cannot be reasoned with. The Assured paid no further attention to Orvous and turned his horse around. Someone would pay for this, starting with whoever alerted the unwashed Hurm of Nargil.

~o~

Ryduvosh enjoyed the report as much as Nulvanash didn't. If he wasn't such a tyrant, he would remind folk of a Rohirrim. They made something like ale from gureeq and roots. He liked the company of soldiers since he was a fine soldier at need. Orvous recovered within a few hours, rode home with his summary and was invited to share a mug before the Hurm attended other concerns.

Nulvanash seethed. Ryduvosh knew he was coming. Did he know why? The advance scout left in the hills said the enemy rode home the day after the confrontation without exploring. Nulvanash made token sorcerous inquiries of his staff but did not maim anyone. The petty despot to his southeast could not have gotten a full company of his best to that wretched end of their lands by the time the Assured made his decision to ride, even if there was a spy in his ranks. Was there something to the Bror and Khagan's meeting after all?

~o~

He had time. He had stopped aging. It did not matter how many lives of men it took, he would reach his ends. That was how Sauron did it, patience until the pounce. He was still uneasy. At times he wanted to understand the secrets the great ones had left behind. At others, he disdained the lettered; always discussing and stalling, failing as warriors. Such weakness was infuriating. This was a time of wishing he understood the ancient markings on what seemed a genuine document of power. He had the coins. A trusted Captain had been repulsed by wards that must be just as old, but he had not been torn to pieces. Was the Nazgûl's curse fading with his master's demise? The first one to overcome it would reign supreme.

And he had the ring.

Nulvanash cursed his own impatience in dispatching the old hermit. The creature might have discovered more or shared more with the right incentive. It followed a lifetime of not letting people know too much. No matter. There were those who could answer his questions.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

The one exception to knowing much was Uvuo, the High Visitor. He was as close as the Assured had to his own Nazgûl. The grim, driven man ran both the internal security in the capital and the missionary Ghoranduls in the field. He was summoned.

Uvuo walked down the hall and nodded to the guards outside the door. They worked for General Yshok but no one interfered with the black Visitor. This was the one man who did not have to touch his forehead to the floor when approaching the throne. A deep bow was enough.

Rising, the Visitor looked at his Lord. He was the one. He would return them to greatness. That was why Uvuo gave Nulvanash the ring. Their leader had shown cunning and resolution. He also had enough personal sorcery to excite the gold band that had been acquired at great cost. Uvuo could not bring power forth but it gleamed when the Assured placed it on his finger. Together they had conquered the weak and timorous despots of the western delta, built this capital and demanded tribute from the fallen. The Easterling campaign had almost worked. The one in upper Harad succeeded and now his Visitors were agitating on those borders to undermine those womanish chieftains. When Nulvanash ascended, he would need Uvuo's help then too.

The Assured called him closer saying, "Did you feel it?"

"I did my Lord."

"Pity Khamûl could not have left it on our side of the river."

Uvuo wasn't here to fawn, "Both sides of the river are your side, my Lord. We have but to convince others." Yes, the humiliation on the Nargil would be repaid with interest.

Nulvanash came as close to a smile as he could give these days. "Now; what of the man in Khand who brought this to our attention?"

"I think we should ask him what else he knows. One of those gold coins is certainly worth his time to come visit."

In the past, Nulvanash would have thought nothing of such an expense. But now, even with his wealth and power increasing, it pained him to part with even a single nipper. He must draw all such to him. The Visitor was right. Uvuo sometimes understood better than he did. "I agree. Have your man make a generous offer. No reason to mention where this has led if he does not already know, eh?"

Uvuo had considered that, "I expect whatever he is peddling must have great worth in your Lordship's lands."

The Assured fingered his ring and flexed his hand with the slightest red color, "Then we must purchase it."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

The Black Ghorandul knew nothing of that when he arrived in Lhûg for Ureano. The trader was in the east and the young man waited impatiently among the blasphemers for two weeks. When he finally delivered his message and payment, Ureano said he would need to ask some questions before returning to the Nûrn as soon as he could. Strangely, the nervous Visitor said the payment was for his current inventory without asking what it was. No one had told the rider to wait so he left the next morning, a two week trip without killing the horse.

Chigurn did not expect to hear from Ureano again. The Visitors had not mentioned the merchant's information leading to the map in faraway Ûbésêsh that started the avalanche. They had not complained either so it signified nothing. The invitation to speak was not threatening so the card-sharp visited Ureano's home the next morning and was shown a seat by the departing flower.

"Good morning, Chigurn. Have you had tea?"

Tea was for those with money and time. "Not yet."

The trader placed two mugs on the table himself, unusual; that. Both men took sips. Ureano asked, "I need to know a bit more about that groat from last spring. There is interest."

Chigurn was not one to admit he had said all he knew if there was another payment in the offing. It was time to be creative, "It seemed the same size as one of the westerling coins (which it was)."

"It is more the manner of your finding it. Tell me about the men."

"Rhûnish, seemed to be doing rather well. Not skilled at Dukks."

The merchant took a long pull at his perfect tea before asking, "Did they volunteer their absurd story?"

"No, they were waiting for another who did not join them. The conversation came from annoyance at being left waiting. They did not stay long."

"Did they invite you into their game?"

Chigurn had no reason to play the innocent. Ureano knew what he did. "One of my other patrons (implying he had many) paid me a commission so I went to celebrate and they were already playing, and drinking, perhaps too much drinking. Not seen them before."

"What were they selling?"

"It did not come up. They wore riding boots."

Ureano knew he had exhausted the subject and handed Chigurn two Gondoran fivers. "Keep this to yourself."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Two days later, the merchant saddled up for the trip with panniers of tin pigs on a protesting donkey. Mordor did not have tin which was needed for bronze. If they wanted tin at double his usual price, he would oblige.

Leading a donkey to Mordor was not in dark Nulvanash's design. The ruse to not revealing their true interest meant the merchant would arrive no faster than he could walk. Ureano had been there five times before. He knew the way and where to stay. He wondered who else would keep his flower fresh at night. Past her prime, yes, but she had been so expertly trained.

In early July, a right-living bird whispered that Ryduvosh had confronted the Assured east of the river. Events were in motion. The Assured would have learned just enough to send trusted men into enemy territory. They found the coins but had been denied by the spell on the Dwarvish charm. It was believable enough for Nulvanash to sneak in with a minimal guard. That he didn't take his whole army must mean he either didn't trust his ability to break the ward or knew this Rydovosh had good enough troops to keep him from getting there. It also meant that Rydovosh took his informer in the capital seriously and certainly would again.

~o~

Now the Elf had to start guessing. In addition to an alerted Hurm protecting his ground, the Assured probably thought Easterlings and Variags had discussed trampling their way over any resistance Mordor could muster if they thought it was worth their time. One or both of them would have someone of Nulvanash's power or greater in a saddle. He was not yet confident in exclusive sorcery.

Of one thing Nag Kath was certain, by design; the tyrant would want to know what the rest of the map said. He found enough hints to locate the trove but there was more writing on the map. The right-living war council did not know that a swamp prophet had given his life translating the Sindarin. Some of it could not be translated because it was gibberish. Few scholars would admit that. The Elf chuckled at drawing the ring over the mountain smeared with duck fat. That was inspired.

Nulvanash would be back looking for people who could make sense of those runes. Captain Lurgsh became Rhûnic scholar Tsitreq, an expert in ancient symbols. Shelturn was promoted to Levas Quastille, master of lore in the White City until irregularities came to light with receipts. Their tall, taciturn assistant was a bastard Dunedain from the northern wastes who spoke no local tongues but was familiar with Elvish. The three took modest quarters after an employer paid to bring them here and then reneged on the contract. They were reduced to accepting students to earn enough coppers for the return trip. By the strangest turn of fate; their few pupils were folk who quietly went back and forth to the Hanvas Tûr retreat.

While Ureano was berating his poor donkey, Nag Kath thought it was time for another trip. By reliable accounts, Hurm Rhorzah along the southeast Nûrnen got along tolerably well with Rydovash and both despised Nulvanash. That made the entire southern lake hostile to his intentions and certainly no lovers of the man's Visitors. His only possible support was the northeast corner where smaller warlords were still in bloody contention. The Assured backed one against the other which made neither a reliable ally.

There was good road almost all the way to Nargil that skirted trouble between the eastern rivers. With Charlo moving at speed they made their way to the Culduin in just over a month. He did not pay a courtesy call to Hurm Rhorzah on the way by but he might on the way home.

The road forded the Culduin along the northern foothills of the Ephel. If his directions were right, this was the fast way to get within a hundred miles of where he had been with Shelturn. The road became more of a path for the next hundred miles into Nargil itself. Rydovosh's capital was in a series of hills well away from the smelly lake. The rivers on either side of his domain offered both military protection and irrigation for grain.

The only path took him directly to the city of Nargil which might have fifteen hundred souls. Every one of them stared at the curious rider with the long black braided hair in Easterling style. There could only be one possible building for the Hurm so Nag Kath tied Charlo in front and went inside still carrying a sheathed sword.

~o~

No one was sitting. Sitting on duty showed weakness. A few men milling about stopped but no one spoke until he said in Plainstongue, "I would speak with the Hurm."

One of the men walked to an office just off the main room and returned moments later with a man in cleaner clothes. Nag Kath repeated himself. Plainstongue was a trading language of Sauronic allies but quite different inside Mordor itself. No one here spoke the black tongue. The man said tentatively, "Who you is?"

"I am Nag Solvanth. I have sent word to him before."

They spoke in an unrecognizable language and the new man walked down a hall. To Nag Kath's surprise, the Hurm himself came back with him and stood with his arms crossed. The Elf bowed low and said in Westron, "Thank you."

Without a word, the despot turned to his clerk as if for translation. The clerk shrugged but did not seem afraid. Both faced him again the Hurm pointed back where he came. They walked to a small room with a table that looked like it was used for playing cards. Rydovosh sat down and motioned for Nag Kath to do the same while the clerk left. The Hurm said nothing but looked his guest up and down carefully. After five minutes of that, the clerk returned with a trooper who was told to sit. Satisfied the right people were in place, the Lord told his trooper something and the man said in halting Westron, "His Excellency wants to know how you are."

"I am fine, thank you."

The trooper looked confused for a moment and corrected, "Who you are."

"I am Nag Solvanth come to pay my respects."

The trooper gave his boss the gist and was told to ask, "Why come you here?"

"I come to destroy the Visitors."

It took a couple tries but the Hurm unfolded his arms and showed true interest. Nag Kath put him at about thirty five. He was bigger than the typical Khandian. Lore said that the men of this region came here long ago and were enslaved in different iterations of Sauron's dominion. He had the coloring of a Northman with brown hair but the beard was not as full and his gray eyes were closer together. A slice across both lips had not been sewn in time to prevent the scar. His teeth were fair and his clothes were almost clean.

The man dictated something to the trooper who then said, "Did you send message of Nhûrguld?"

"Yes."

"Why"

"Nulvanash is enemy to more than Hurm. Others are not pleased with the Visitors."

That went more quickly. Rydovosh broke into an actual smile before shouting, "Vuuch!"

One of the men from the main room appeared with two large mugs. It smelled like ale that had been used to wash saddle blankets. The Hurm raised his mug and so did his guest followed by long pulls. The trooper was not given a mug, a mercy. The Uruk had tasted worse and finished his slurp with a satisfying smack of his lips.

So far, so good. He had made it here alive and seemed to have the ear of Nulvanash's most prominent adversary. Nag Kath was able to get across that he represented the Bror of the Rhûn. That was a long way away but everyone knew he was one of the two most powerful post-Sauronic forces in Middle-earth. There were Rhûnic horses' progeny under the men who made the rules here.

The Hurm had other things to attend after about an hour. The trooper found himself reassigned as guide to the stranger and showed him to a storeroom of some sort just off the main hall. Since it wasn't generally used for sleeping, it didn't have many bugs.

Dinner would not be recognizable as such in Dol Amroth. There was stew, of course, but it had so little meat that Nag Kath could keep it down with a smile. There was some sort of green that took forever to chew. All meals came with a serving of gureeq porridge and then there was a twig to pick your teeth with afterwards. He ate with the Hurm and a dozen officers who thought the Elf strange but not threatening. A man with no scars must have never been in a fight. They all had a large mug of the ale, but only one, and left immediately after eating. Nag Kath and his new shadow followed them and looked down the plain at the sea. It was time to find out what the Hurm would allow him to say, "What is your name?"

"Name Idgshtok"

These people would assume Nag Kath was a soldier so he sounded like one, "Rank?"

"Khasaak. You call horse."

"Did you face Nulvanash?" That was the test.

The man pointed downstream and said, "There."

"He has power, yes?"

Idgshtok said, "He is puukh."

That was black speech and a black insult too.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

The next day started for the soldiers at first light. Most of them lived in homes or in row-buildings that had partitions. Men with women got their own space with extra for kids. Single men had barracks that could take up to twenty. Those were about half full. The Hurm sent for Idgshtok and Nag Solvanth at mid-morning. This time they went to the Hurm's quarters. A woman about the age of the ruler wandered by and looked at the queer Easterling without expression. What could only be a daughter and son came by a few minutes later as the Elf and trooper stood waiting to be called. They stopped and pointed with a word among themselves before moving on. A booming voice from a back room must have been the invitation. Idgshtok walked Nag Kath back to the source of the sound.

Chûran had described Nulvanash the way western men imagined eastern despots; well dressed, luxuriously appointed and with servants scurrying hither and yon for every whim. Rydovosh was a soldier first, probably how he got and stayed here. There were no chamberlains or attendants fussing about with papers. The man was sitting with what must be two officers who seemed to be sharing a jest rather than quaking in the man's presence.

The Hurm said something to Idgshtok who interpreted that as; why do we help you?

Nag Kath thought that a fair question and said, "We help you."

"Why do we need help?"

This was going to take a while. Fortunately, Mordor Lords didn't waste time on flowery court etiquette. "Nulvanash will attack you in force next year." Nag Kath did not say they would attack the least important part of the land and then leave.

The older of the two officers had the trooper ask, "How do you know this?"

"He seeks to replace Sauron in these lands."

At that point they dispensed with roundabout probes. Everyone in the room knew the Assured's intentions. The title Hurm was now beneath him as he prepared to make them his slaves. If the pale Easterling knew it, the world knew it. Nag Kath kept up the offensive, "He gains power. Nhûrguld is next."

He could see them assessing forces. In a straight fight, Nulvanash had a three to two advantage but that would be exhausted the further they pushed from the river. If they crossed the army at the river mouth, informers would notice barges being built. The army could also drive up the river on their side and ford the mountain streams. That would be obvious too with not much to eat. The problem was that the upstart Assured was cultivating friends around the Nûrnen. If the dougsh could bring the eastern river clans under his banner, that changed things since Rhorzah to the hurm's east could not stop them from marching across Culduin.

To break the silence, Nag Kath added, "He will use sorcery." Sorcery was the same word in just about every language.

The officers spoke again among themselves. Rydovosh had Idgshtok translate, "He is Orvous, horse chief. Sees sorcery!"

The younger officer said in a softer voice, "Black Lord give pain here." The man pointed at his stomach and mimed bending in torment.

Nulvanash's fatal mistake! It would cost him all. He couldn't resist punishing the officer who embarrassed him in front of his crack escort. A thinking villain would have smiled at the navigational error and left. A powerful one would have melted the captain like wax and taken his prize. But no, the Assured made a petty example, the sort he made every day to keep people from knowing that a dozen of them working together could spit him like a Syndolan pig. He would have known there were arrows pointed at his double chin so he did back down, but not before showing his weakness.

Nag Kath asked the man the last question on the list, "Did you see or feel a color in your pain?"

The man straightened up and looked at his ruler and superior before saying, "Red."

The Elf wasn't sure but thought that was the color of Dwarves, like Elves were silver and men yellow. It would have flashed before his eyes as the power was released. A Dwarf ring would keep him greedy and fat, but little more.

The more senior officer asked, "And what will you do?"

"I will cut the ring from his hand while you keep him busy."

This went on for another hour. Nag Kath asked the Hurm for an introduction to Hurm Aômul, Nulvanash's hostile northeastern neighbor. Rydovosh asked if the great powers outside the Ephel crescent sought these lands for their own but did not expect an honest answer. If this man was here playing the local warlords against each other, he would not say.

Nag Kath gave them something they could use. "No. They will leave you alone. Our concerns are with those who do not respect rightful rule."

They knew exactly what he was talking about. Stories of Frûnzar to the north and Yigresh's relatives to the south even made it here. The Visitors were getting better, harder to spot. One in the largest town along the lake was known to them. He was young and stupid so it was better to watch his errors than try to identify his replacement.

Nag Kath stayed another three days, meeting with the Hurm and his most senior man along the river boundary. Another commander was stationed along the Culduin with a smaller force since Hurm Rhorzah respected the border better than Nulvanash.

When he wasn't in meetings, Nag Kath was allowed to wander. He caught a few fish in one of the creeks dripping down from the permanent snow caps to the south and showed two of the troopers how to bend hooks like his. Women were only out during the day and looked much like the men with closed-set gray eyes and non-descript hair. Women were not treated well around the Nûrnen but better here than in Nulvanash's lands or around the eastern deltas where Chûran was from. And this was Valinor compared to the deserts closer to Sauron's capital.

In the end, the Hurm agreed that he would accept help in ridding the lake of the Assured as long as it did not expose his troops by themselves. Nag Kath said that he would speak with Hurm Aômul across the lake but could not get to it before he went into Nulvanash's lair. Those two should make their own arrangements to work as a pincer when Nag Kath gave them the signal. That was when the man would be weakest.

Since no one in the Hurm's realm could write, he was sent as far as the east bank with Idgshtok to introduce him to Hurm Rhorzah of Culduin who was as reasonable as a rascal could be.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Idgshtok reminded Nag Kath a little of Dornlas. He was much shorter, but taller and ganglier than his countrymen. When he was amused, he broke into a broad, toothy grin. This was another prejudice the Elf needed to break. Thirty years of exposure to western descriptions of lands they had never seen had given him a selfish sense of superiority. In practical, economic and cultural terms; absolutely. But this place was changing. How could western men think they would not? More than that, free-peoples didn't care. It was a violent and often soul-wrenching process, but just as in Gondor, the Fourth Age was the age of men. Magical overlords, foul or fair, were gone.

It took until now for Nag Kath to understand the politics of the Nûrnen Sea. The water itself was unusable. The realms in Mordor all ringed it for access to the half-dozen large rivers feeding in from the Ephel mountains encircling this benighted land. Those were much stronger than they had been in Sauron's day. A number of crops could be grown on their banks so all of the little countries had the vast majority of their populations staring across a river from their neighbors, some enemies, some slightly less so. There was no tradition of ships or barges capable of transporting soldiers across the rivers for lack of wood. That was changing as the forests matured. They only now had enough horses for officers. That Nulvanash had been breeding them since the day he took power would change the balance of power in Mordor and everyone knew it.

To Rydovosh's east was Hurm Rhorzah with whom he got along tolerably well. To Rhorzah's other flank was the Scave River and just over it was a small nation controlled by a Hurm in league with the Assured, replete with Ghorandals. They were fighting a like-sized nation to their north just as Nulvanash had before consolidating the western delta. If that side won, it would give the combined area enough clout to control trade trickling in through merchants like Ureano.

Nag Kath and Idgshtok presented themselves to Rhorzah. Now that the young trooper had more experience interpreting, the Hurm was able to explain the situation to his north. He wasn't in the fight, but they had caught a few Visitors on their side of their river and sent them halfway back. Mr. Solvanth was welcome to use the road if he needed.

~o~

That was when Idgshtok dropped a surprise, he had been told to stay with the strange rider for as long as it took. The trooper had no wife. In this land, if the Lord said you were indentured, you were. Nag Kath took the night thinking about security and decided to keep the young man along. He seemed interested in the outside world. They would have to teach him everything, but on the way back here they would ride into hell. They needed someone who spoke hellish. With little in common, the two riders taught each other their tongues. Nag Kath stayed more to Westron rather than Mordor Plainstongue. Fortunately, the young student had some Westron from an uncle which got him the job in the first place.

Clearing the last tail of the mountains, they were back in Khand. The fields had already been harvested. Autumn celebrations were underway. Idgshtok discovered wine. Another week took them to the crossroads town of Nenbalrahm where they picked-up the little river that would take them the rest of the way. It was their annual harvest festival. People wore their best. Women danced in colorful dress, always covered completely but sensuous just the same. The Mordoran horseman's mouth dropped several times when females fluttered their eyelashes at him. After that it was just another week of riding, mostly through the rain, to their school in Lhûg after a Kath Bath in the river.

~o~

Idgshtok was nineteen. He wondered about goggle-eyed as they put their horses in the paddock and walked into the former go-down that housed this temple of high-learning. Lurgsh was there teaching an actual student. It was good cover and he liked kids. He liked Idgshtok too. They walked to a restaurant and ordered whisker-fish. The trooper ate everything on his plate. He would have to stay in town. Hanvas Tûr was not ready for soldiers of the Hurms. Tomorrow they would get him clothes and a sword that wouldn't break.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

At first Idgshtok reminded Nag Kath of Dornlas. Now he reminded him of Nag Kath. Plucked from the blackness of Sauron's recent world, he saw all manner of peoples and foods and smells. The Elf watched for signs that the lad was nasty or short-tempered but he seemed to take it all like he himself had, gaping at the halls and tapestries of the White City.

Idgshtok got his own room in the modest building unfashionably far from the river. They had to make ground rules for his debut into Lhûg society. The first was that they would only converse in Westron. Mordor Plainstongue would set bells a-ringing. It could wait if he should not say something in public. Another was that he would stay close to their members, no wandering the city by himself. And he would not abuse wine or ale.

Taught to nod up and down in agreement, Nag Kath took him to the local equivalent of Chandrie and Family for shirts, pants and socks. A good pair of second hand boots was found. The youngster was nervous having a barber cut his hair with the best steel he had ever seen but there was no bleeding. The Elf slipped him a groat to pay the man himself.

Now for more good steel. The surplus of quality swords had been absorbed into the growing population but they were still available. Idgstosh had to look like a Broric soldier. They knew the place to ask. A beaming proprietor brought forth two weapons that had been officer's kit long ago. The trooper swung both of them competently and preferred the lighter cavalry blade. His own sword found the bottom of the river. For the time being he was the first live-in student in the school and Lurgsh coached him in the tongue of Easterlings. Nag Kath stayed three more days to ease Idgshtok into Khandian life but the lad was at home the minute he got here.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

That very same morning, Ureano arrived in Ûniarra Nûrn with his tin ingots. He had to buy another donkey two weeks in or cripple the first in the hills but all three of them arrived not much the worse for wear. Since he had already been overpaid for his goods, he left them at the army depot and found a bed in the barracks.

The trader nearly left two days later without being announced but for once, the administration worked. Nulvanash's civil servants were Visitors after the first two levels of bearers and cleaners. The warehouse man sent his daily report to his supervisor who then informed the metalworkers that materials had arrived. Being unexpected, the metalworkers asked the Visitor if they were to make something of bronze. The question made it the level of those who reported to Uvuo.

Any foreigner in the city was watched at all times so they knew where Ureano was. An invitation for tea was sent from the High Visitor, one who famously abstained from alcohol. The trader would rather have slipped out quietly, leaving the donkeys as change, but there was no refusing the large Ghorandul waiting at the door.

The two men had met twice before when there was information to help the Assured in his governance. Both tips were accurate and this last information much more so. Ureano knew about the coin, the travelers and movements-in-force by the major powers. Explaining the first was easy because he had no qualms sharing what Chigurn told him. The second was easy because neither the Easterlings nor the Variags had done anything unusual in years. There was no mention of the map but Uvuo produced one of the altered groats. Ureano should confirm from his source if that was the one he saw.

Always happy to see their good friend of Khand, the High Visitor gave him another forty silvers for himself plus another twenty for expenses. The first could have been a single Florin but the Assured could not stand parting with gold. That was in exchange for the negligible service of sending his reply with the local Visitor when he got home. He should keep his ears to the dirt for any trouble with the Lords of north and south. Oh, and did he know of any who could assist with Elvish tongues? The Assured was much interested in restoring their lost cultural heritage.

Ureano beetled his brows in thought, "A party of scholars is stranded in Lhûg." He went on to describe their troubles, which had been gossiped all over town for no particular reason. Would they be of use? He had no idea he had just paid for the trip.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

One of those very scholars visited Chûran later that afternoon. Now almost October, her under-robe accents were soft colors of earth and sky. He was served tea in a new chair that was tall enough for him. The maid then took her basket out for extended shopping.

"You are much away, yes?"

"Indeed Chûran. I visited the dark lands again. We will need allies in the season of strife."

Her trained smile drooped slightly. A sip of tea brought, "I do not care for that, though it is necessary. Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive." She had said she had nothing private and Nag Kath had to delve. She discussed the movements in what Nulvanash styled as his palace. It had more style than the school warehouse but it was not as grand as the local Khan's private home.

In the Assured's lands there were three classes of people; Visitors, soldiers and slaves. She had been among the last. The local warlord in her eastern delta was aligned with the Assured's predecessor, just as the leaders were with him. For lack of cash or soldiers, four untouched girls were sent to the Hurm of Furnar Durosh. Chûran's desirable Khandian features might have been selected for the man's personal use but when she failed to understand a guard's command, he struck her face leaving a purple welt. She was presented for inspection before it healed. Only one of their four was placed in the Hurm's quarters. The other three were given to officers or sold.

Chûran landed with a promising Captain named Nulvanash. His needs in her direction were modest. The man preferred to spend his time with advancement. He became chief counselor to Hurm Joukbahn in the next few years. With much idle time, Chûran spoke often with the Hurm's women who received much more lusty attentions. They taught her ways to retain a man's favor. She had little occasion to use them but her prospects were poor if the man found others for his pleasure.

Six years into her concubinage, Nulvanash began spending all available time with Uvuo, a soldier/priest of the delta. The fanatic had a hard, uncompromising view of how life should be lived and the tests a man must overcome for supremacy. The year after that, a vein was said to burst in Joukbahn's heart. Nulvanash had operatives of Uvuo in place against such a possibility and they took the heads of anyone else considered eligible to succeed. Of course, all of Joukbahn's women and sons were slaughtered as well. When the blood was washed, Nulvanash was Hurm.

~o~

That was not enough. Ruling even the delta was beneath a man of vision. He began to show sorcery said to align with Sauron through an ancient ring of power. With that, and the fear it instilled, he conquered Ûniarra Nûrn so the realm stretched from the Nûrnath River to the Nargil and as far back into the black lands as anyone cared to claim.

Nulvanash gained weight and sought treasure, bleeding his people to convert anything saleable to shining metals. Mordor itself had only iron ore but traders from the east brought things that were precious to him. Uvuo's men helped those transfers and told those they visited about the ascendance of their Lord.

The other Nûrnen Hurms had been consolidating their holdings as well. For some unfathomable reason, his neighbor Hurms did not appreciate Nulvanash's obvious superiority. Raised in the same school of violence and soldiery, they spurned his gestures. In outside trading lands, men who sought their rightful places in the new order listened. Some even agreed.

As the man's obsession with his ring increased, his interest in personal pleasure vanished. Chûran and a more recent tribute girl were still treated well by their keepers. The guards knew better than to replace the Assured's attentions. For a while, dismissing his pleasure females would have brought unacceptable ridicule but both women knew it was only a matter of time.

Nag Kath daydreamed off with that revelation since it supported his own contention that immortal dark ones would not create their own successors. Some could not. Some chose that path. He hoped his powers would not cause the same. Having this sensuous woman describe her pleasure training was hurting his focus. He kept those thoughts to himself since Chûran was dredging up memories she could not mercifully forget.

She and Chlore, another girl of eastern blood, accumulated trinkets over a week when Nulvanash was in the west inspecting troops. Since the man loved gold in every room he went, there were some nice pieces. Two nights before his scheduled return, they dressed as laborers and crept out a window into the streets. A donkey was purchased and they started east along the northern route.

Nulvanash erupted. Riders were sent both north and south to find his gold. The women had taken the ferry across the mouths of the two rivers and were twenty miles into the realm of Nûrn when the horsemen closed. They had enough warning to take their bundles off the donkey and hide in a storehouse.

The Assured's riders did not create the same terror in Nûrn where Hurm Aômul had gutted two Visitors only the month before. The town outpost was outnumbered two to one but they stood in the troopers' way and told them to leave or expect more company shortly. Unfazed, riders threw torches onto the straw roof of the shed. Chûran took a bundle and hid in a compost pit. Villagers tried to quench the fire and shot arrows into the haughty posse of the Assured. A Visitor seized the other bag in the scuffle and they made back to the river leaving one man fallen.

That night when the villagers were enjoying the last of the Ghorandal's screams, Chûran pushed the lid off the pit and walked every day she could find the strength with Chlore's bag. The new girl had taken better mementos than Chûrran's and they bought this home ten years ago. If Visitors were still looking for Chlore, it might take a while.

Shelturn arrived at the scholarly residence that evening and was introduced to the Mordoran trooper. The lad was building his strength by eating anything that could be chewed. The Righter soldier gave Nag Kath a look that combined curiosity with having been played a dirty hand. Training their new recruit would be his job.

~o~

The Elf explained that sometime next year, a party of feeble scholars would need to claim their moving money by traveling to the western Nûrnen and deciphering ancient runes on a map. Of course, it would say exactly what they said it did, but they had to be there to flush Nulvanash out of his hidey-hole. Rydovosh was ready as long as he did not have to do it alone. Hopefully he had contacted his fellow Hurm Aômul as the top half of the pincer. They would approach the man on their way in either event.

Getting there would take someone who spoke the language, someone like a Broric soldier whose mother had come from these lands. Nag Kath happened to know just such an imposter was gobbling late season melons near the fire. They agreed he might owe his first allegiance to Nargil, but judging by the way he was enjoying Khand, he might stay here.

Before any of that, Nag Kath had to call in reinforcements

Best and Most Rightful of Brors,

I hope your Excellency is well.

I am pursuing our mutual interest and preparing for the last phase directly into Mordor. In my inquiries, I took the liberty of opening a diplomatic mission in your name in the capital of his Lordship, Yigresh, Khagan of Upper Khand. We discussed areas of common ground and the Variags look favorably on exchanging Ambassadors to serve in your respective courts.

One of the protocols we suggested was that your Excellency and the Khagan meet near the border of your realms to discuss matters to your mutual benefit. In keeping with your state, each monarch should bring an honor guard of 350 light cavalry next spring. They should be kept well away from each other but in plain view of anyone we need to see them.

This letter is brought by a man acting on my instructions using the signet you gave me. He can answer your questions more completely. I am returning the ring with him to ensure his safe passage. I hope you will look on his efforts for your Excellency's realm favorably.

In hopes we meet again, NK

Keldan was the messenger. He knew Rhûn better than anyone and agreed to ride into the lion's mouth. It was right-living at its best. The ring should get him there with changes of mounts at stations dotting the coast road. If the Bror did not flay him, he would probably be back here in the winter with official delegates to negotiate terms with the Khagan.

Nag Kath rode to Hanvas Tûr the next morning. No one followed. They would have to be even more careful. The Ghurate was hastily assembled to hear several months of fresh news. If the High Lords put their honor guards at the mouth of Mordor, the Assured could draw his own suspicious conclusions. Perhaps Rydovosh and Aômul would position troops at the ready and ride when called. It was in their interest to remove Nulvanash.

One thing was certain, three or four of them would visit Ûniarra Nûrn as the guest of the Assured. Otherwise, the tyrant would fester in strength and spread his malice over the land. Nenwûla of the Viersh had made slight headway into plant and spell combinations with local substances. Different things grew here. Nag Kath took what he could gratefully.

He also spent time counterfeiting more ancient texts to support the sham he had in mind for Mordor. One was a glyph of Khamûl the Nazgûl. It explained the sorcery needed to remove the cave wards. High Sorcerers who could summon the power could simply collapse the decaying spell. Lacking such a leader of men, a Balchoth of lesser power would need to anchor the spell and a shaman of the Variags would release the energy. Keldan would help the Bror choose an alchemist of the capital to join the cortege. Groats would reach similar charlatans in Ûbésêsh.

Syndolan Day arrived. Khandian customs were quite different than in the west but the turning of the year mattered to everyone who ate. For his part, Idgshtok settled in nicely and enjoyed the festival. His Westron got better. His ribs did not stick-out. He did ogle females and had to be taught that Righters did not impose. Perhaps Shelturn would find him companionship in a less right-living establishment.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

All of this depended on Nulvanash taking more bait. Ureano arrived the next day, first tending his flower and then getting a meal with wine. As much as he disliked the idea, he should speak with Chigurn. The informer was the only man who could match the rune on the coin.

He also had to find someone to approach the scholars. The merchant enjoyed a good reputation among his own but scratching too deeply would show he did a lot of business in the west, not the references Rhûnic scholars might favor. They had to go there since Nulvanash would not let the map or the ring out of his sight.

The right man for the job was the same scholar Ureano consulted before, a man of some renown. The Khagan has an extensive library in his capital but there were texts, mostly duplicates of the ones in Ûbésêsh, that needed study and tending in the Khan's palace. The scholar had quite a few himself and was was also a tutor of privileged youngsters. The new school did not interfere with his clientele, but he knew of it.

A lad brought his scented note requesting an audience with the destitute scholars two days later. All three and their servant were waiting in their sorry best. A modest assortment of texts and scripts were littered about as well as some books with no printing on the spines that held past inn registers.

Nag Kath was now conversant in Khandian but could not admit it. Teüchir Lurgsh spoke for the three. Scholar Îonzuld dabbed the corners of his mouth with a delicate kerchief and said, "A commission has come my way that I cannot accept, what with my obligations to his Excellency the Most High Khagan Yigresh. It needs a journey into the lands to the west where would be rendered a consulting fee of a Gondoran Florin for services in restoring the Hurm of Ûniarra Nûrn's historical documents. I have it on good authority it is a modest collection." The man sniffed like he just stepped in something and dabbed his lips again. Their Rhûnish library scattered around the room was beneath comment.

One of the hardest jobs in acting is pretending to be desperate when you aren't. Teüchir Lurgsh shifted his game leg with a wince and said in his northern accent, "That is a good deal of money, honored scholar. May we consider that in light of our other commitments?"

This was to be expected. Îonzuld could negotiate on both the finances and terms but he needed to get those men into Mordor. "I see no obstacle. Contact me at my home when you have spoken."

This next line was rehearsed too. Lurgsh said, "Do you have any information on the nature of the subjects so we can prepare appropriately, assuming, of course, that we are available?"

Again dabbing the lips, "I believe some of it is ancient Elvish, in which I am not proficient. You understand, of course."

The Easterling looked at the tall creature and said something northern. The man replied and then asked a question. "Your pardon, scholar, if this commission does not interfere with our teaching, could we look at your own esteemed collection for texts combining Elvish and eastern scripts?"

The scholar would have to keep his handman watching to make sure nothing left the room but he was being well paid as intermediary. He also wondered what else the tall creature would do for money. "I suppose so, providing we come to terms." A message would be sent in due course.

~o~

Nag Kath had enough Variag to know they had exactly what they wanted. Money was no object but they needed to stall for time. The plodding of three men, a servant and possibly a few others, including an unfortunate illness in the realm of Nûrn would take them a month and a half. They had to arrive about the time Nulvanash started sweating that the Bror and Khagan were coming for the gold and what could only be Khamûl's legacy.

Troubles on far borders would reportedly take Rydovosh's main army to the far side of his filthy lands giving the Assured a clear path to drive in force and claim his prize. And Nag Kath had to get his hands on that ring as he did.

Scholar Îonzuld was sent a note that the party would be pleased to accept the commission and would leave on the first day of April. Feeble protests would not avail since their senior man was much affected by adverse weather. Ureano would have had him put up a better fight but he knew that the scholars had him by his manhood, even if they did not know it. They were the only game in town. Îonzuld was told to accept the delay with good grace and give the scholars three silvers, enough to prepare but not enough to run.

It wasn't long before the Teüchir of ancient writing and the smooth Dunedain were at the scholar's door for a look at his personal archives. Of course, the scholar was busy, but his capable man stayed posted at the door watching for theft. Questions asked of him in different languages determined the fellow only spoke Khandian.

They were playing on the vanity of scholars. It was absurd on its face that there would be combined Elvish and eastern texts. Even in their glory, you couldn't get the two races in the same room. But nobody who didn't know that would admit it. There might be other useful things in here and this was the one chance they would get to examine what the Variags might have said at their zenith. Lurgsh could read a little of the flowery script and the handman was able to direct them to specific volumes.

Over the next three interminable days, the only thing they found useful was the nature of Khandian sorcery as practiced by adherents not directly controlled by Sauron. If one of the two men needed to defeat the spell was of this land, it couldn't hurt to know what they did. The scholar came by a few times to get close to Nag Kath but the grim face, accented by a little charcoal under his eyes, made Îonzuld reconsider private tutoring.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Keldan had to wait after delivering the packet. It was taken directly to Bror Dulgov. With the signet seal, only he could open it. Keldan knew he spoke Westron but did not read it well. The Bror would not have the messenger see the letter read to him.

Maturity kept the Bror of the Rhûn from shredding it and the messenger with his own hands. That sneaky Elf! Thinks he to interfere in my rule, does he! "Bring the man in." If the fellow had been ordered by someone with his signet, the man was doing his duty. When he was brought to the throne room the Bror demanded, "What know you of this?!"

"I was among those in the false embassy, My Lord."

Well, he wasn't trying to weasel out of it. "Do you know what I have done to people for less?"

"Yes, My Lord."

Dulgov wouldn't even get the satisfaction of hearing the man beg. He leaned forward and growled, "Why?"

Keldan smiled and said, "Because I want rid of the Visitors, Excellency."

The Bror crossed his arms on his chest. "Good answer. Now what is this about?" Afterwards, Dulgov sent for his General, Chamberlain and second son Voranush. First son Dorgov would be included as soon as he was recalled from the field.

The Elf had created two nearly separate lines: One was the obvious connection between Rhûn and Upper Khand. It probably made sense. Elessar and Éomer to the west wanted no more contested land than they had already seized. Bain had quickly taken the reins in the north. Keldan, who he now remembered from the farms when the Bror was still heir apparent, said the Khagan had dealt with a few relatives of his own and was not looking north for border squabbles.

What neither of them needed was a consolidated Mordor spewing out of the Ephel pincer. It was a near miss with his brother Frûnzar and they would not stop. This Yigresh might feel the same way. If all the Elf needed was for the two rulers to drink tea and talk about trade, he could manage that. As soon as the spies saw troops in strength leave their capitals not planning to use them on each other, that might force the dougsh on the Nûrnen to overplay his hand. Then the local tyrants could clean up the mess.

Dulgov instructed his staff to make the arrangements and had a genuine troop of men, led by Prince Voranush, carry a letter to the Khagan stating the terms favored by his Excellency were agreeable. He would look forward to meeting the man on the first of June. Keldan could join the advance riders wearing his own hide.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

It was the breath before the plunge. Between now and leaving there wasn't much to do. With hope, Rydovosh would stage-manage the same sort of tea party with Rhorzah on their shared river and give the impression that the bulk of Rydovosh's forces were on the wrong side of the country.

Aômul was the unknown. He hated Nulvanash more than anyone. Rydovosh was going to probe but his men might not be welcomed any more than the Visitors. The scholars had to travel the length of his realm to reach the Assured. Hopefully Aômul could make a stink as well. A lot of that depended on how he felt about the major powers massing outside the open end of Mordor. Nag Kath tried to create as many diversions as possible thinking most would fail.

Keldan arrived in Lhûg on March third. The Bror had agreed. It helped that Dulgov weeded another Visitor out of his own household staff just before Keldan arrived, the sort of fellow who would have sent word back to the High Visitor where to wait with a knife. This man was from Kelepar and had been seduced by the order having never even seen Mordor.

His Excellency still had to wait for the Khagan to agree, but Khand had a lot more notice than Rhûn. With terms, Dulgov would start publicly preparing men for the border on or near the beginning of May.

~o~

It was time to go. Nag Kath had seen Chûran several more times. There was a heat building between them and he had not acted on it. When he rose from his chair to say goodbye, she came to him and put her hands on his chest. If this woman wanted him to stay the night, he would.

She looked in his eyes and said, "Nag Kash … Nag Kash, if you see a young officer who looks like me, please spare him if you can."

He kissed her forehead and rode back to the school.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~