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

47. Chapter 47 Perilous Consultations

Chapter 47

Perilous Consultations

~o~

An idea was forming in his mind. Nag Kath rode around the west side of the lake again but this time much further from the shore. There were three strong streams at the northwest corner of the leading from the peaks. Flows were spaced about a league apart running in deep channels until splaying into wetlands a quarter mile from the lake edge.

Between the first and second streams could only be the Khan's lodge. Settled about a mile back from the lake, it had another mile of useable land behind it until steep hills became mountains, about nine square miles to his surveyor's eye. It would not be approached from the west. Like Conath's lodge, it was not built for defense. The northernmost creek would dissuade a donkey but not fording riders.

The place was neglected. Tenant farmers along the lake had plots but the fields and pasture three hundred paces inland were fallow. The road was good so after riding Nemren across the stream he turned towards the rock and timber buildings and approached a low stone wall with an open gate. Two guards came out of the lodge. The senior man said, "You are trespassing on the Khan Feddigh-Hoh's land without leave. Go now."

"My error, best of sirs. I was looking for the great hunt."

The hunting here is for our Lord. On your way."

"Thank you, sir."

~o~

If the Righters, Stámöe in these parts, liked the northern model, this would make an ideal retreat. The other two communities had no reason to hide anymore. They were schools with no political interests and paid enough taxes not to muster levies. They were also large enough to defend themselves and always had a few repentant soldiers who knew their weapons.

Making a purchase depended much more on the Khan than the price of farmland. He might be squeezed or have all the gold in Khand. He might have daughters to dower or sons to commission. Nag Kath did not know how much went to the Lord Khagan.

One thing was for sure; Khans like diamonds. He would keep this under his hat until he got a better idea of how his suggestion to introduce the groups fared. Dourdhan and Zhurrag-Ledj thought an embassy was an excellent idea but she had never been on a horse in her life. He was sixty and not ready for three weeks in the wild each way. They told the Elf they needed to discuss it with their friends.

~o~

It quickly emerged there were two senior men capable of the ride and speaking for them when they arrived. One of them also felt it was a fine plan but was not willing to leave his family. Hemid Torlurn was a family man too, but owned a business with his brother who could see to things while he was away. If this was the last thing needed to honor Stámo's call to defy the darkness, he would see it through. He did not yet know that the most dangerous place in Nennûrad was eight blocks from his house. The top two Stámöe would keep that to themselves until they couldn't.

The four of them met at Mrs. Zhurrag-Ledj's. One of her rooms could only be reached from a single corridor making if very private from listening servants. Torlurn said hello to his friends and that he would go to Lhûg when needed. He was thirty-eight and had been involved as his father had. Like most of these people, their children were not told until they were adults. They probably figured it out, but duties had been light for generations.

With his proven ability to disrupt well-laid plans, Nag Kath unrolled a large map of the northwestern corner of the lake showing the rivers feeding in, roads and landmarks. This was novel here. In the west, generals often had huge maps and would move colored blocks on it to represent infantry, cavalry, enemy and artillery. The Elf asked, "Tell me about this section here" and pointed to the area he scouted.

Mr. Doughoun said, "That land belongs to the Khan's family. He has a home up there but his family stays here in the …" he caught himself before saying the warded beast-palace in front of Torlurn. He substituted, "… in the town."

The Elf held his chin and asked softly, "What can you tell me of the man?"

Mrs. Zhurrag-Ledj was the keeper of facts. She explained, "For the last two years Feddigh-Hoh has sent men to the south rather than gold. They send gold when they can. Soldiers are cheaper but conscripting them is unpopular. He is also considering the marriage of his eldest daughter to the second son of the Khan of Alagoth on our southern border. The lass is not favored in the way men like." She suppressed a smile thinking of her bodyguard's blathered tastes as he recovered from the confusion spell. "The second son will be, shall we say, honoring the family's needs over his own. They will expect a commensurate dowry."

"Do you have friends in Pashir?"

"We do."

Knowing he could speak for the group, Dourdhan said, "Let Hemid Torlurn return with you to this place above us to meet with our own kind there. He will tell us if it holds true to our ways. If so, we will consider the practical needs with time and clarity."

Nag Kath looked at Stámöe saying, "We can leave anytime. We will take the road to Pashir for a feel of the mood and then north. It is not much longer on good roads. Perhaps leisure in the capital of Khan Feddigh-Hoh III will make decisions easier on our return."

~o~

Torlurn asked for a week to hug and hold. A quiet nipper in the family till was appreciated. On the third of November, they nudged their horses towards the northern peaks of the Harmal.

If he could bring Chûr to Hanvas Tûr, he could bring Hemid. The man was happily married with three children. The older boy already had responsibilities in the business and the girl would marry according to her parent's wishes. Hemid Torlurn was small and spare, very Khandian in that sense with thick, short hair and a sparse beard. He only spoke that tongue, which was fine. Nag Kath had one look at his horse and overpaid for another with proper tack and kit.

~o~

For the first few days, the man said little. They were under some of the most astonishing peaks on earth and had to ford a few streams that reached their knees. By day three, Torlurn started to talk, mostly about his family. He had never been away from his wife for more than a week and now he was going far, perhaps for months. She did not understand why he had to go, only that he must. Halah would say prayers for his safe return at dawn and dusk.

Nag Kath shared bits and pieces of his life and what he knew of the world, staying away from magic, wizards and being immortal. The only magical creatures known east of the Anduin were monsters to freeze the blood. Describing Mordor alone took a full day and well into the campfire time. Settling Nulvanash used hardly any of the Elf's sorcery. Nag Kath could have had an hour of information to every minute of his companion's but he listened carefully and encouraged the soft-spoken lake-man to share his story.

This was the road connecting Nennûrad with the rest of the country. There were other riders, donkeys, people pulling two-wheeled wagons and many on foot. It was winter; temperate on level ground but very cold in the mountains. Here in northern shadow they wore coats most of the day.

Four days after leaving they reached Illast Dûn. The scenic town had a number of second or third homes of wealthy Variags since it was the first cool, green foothills for thirty leagues from the central plains. The town was situated at the confluence of three small creeks that formed a river flowing west.

~o~

The capital of Khan Feddigh-Hoh III was only three hours west on another small river feeding from the foothills. Pashir was a city of about six thousand people. To the east, the creeks forming the river had fertile farms. Any town in this country had to be on water, hopefully, reliable water. This was. Nag Kath had explained he needed to know more about the capital and its ruler but he wasn't ready to talk about a third retreat. So far, the southeastern Righters seemed fine folks and had separately opposed a common enemy. It remained to be seen if their peacetime ambitions aligned.

Hemid was not scholarly. He was a smart man with a strong sense of purpose and moral commitment. Nag Kath noticed that loitering in Nennûrad's taverns and markets too. Men did not have discussions starting with; 'what if'. Conditions were what they were unless changed so there was no reason to speculate if they were otherwise. Hemid liked to talk about his business of making and selling dyes. Reeds, flowers and other vegetables ringing the lake could be reduced and blended to a wide variety of shades. His family gathered and prepared them for weavers, spinners and knitters to make the colorful clothing of their land. This trip might be the first time his hands were their natural hue since he was eight. Nag Kath knew a lot about that too so they fell back to the subject when other topics were exhausted.

Hemid had never been here before but had been told their contact in the city. He was to draw a circle in chalk in an alley with no windows. Nag Kath stayed behind him to make sure no one was following close enough to wonder the reason. The next day Hemid was to wear a red cap and have tea at the shop across from the Stele of the Conqueror at mid-day.

Nag Kath got them separate rooms several doors apart at a good inn with a stable. They had their evening meal separately too so the Elf would watch for watchers. He did the same while Hemid was having tea the next day. The man had not trained like a field-Righter of the west but he did a good job of looking like he was there for tea. From his perch on the other side of the monument the Elf didn't see any obvious watchers either. Someone would have to track the men in the red cap since they didn't know where he was staying. If no one contacted him, he was to try again in two days.

They weren't used to this. Listracht would have written a code for the inn and room number rather than just a chalk mark after making sure the inn wasn't 'broken'. Then again, the Yvsuldors died sixty years ago. No one was watching anymore. Righters weren't even watching each other.

The woman alone in an inn was not ideal either. They were generally there for professional reasons and she was not dressed for the part. Around forty, plainer clothes and carrying chamber pots would have worked too. Somehow, she knocked on the right door and spoke with Hemid for moment. They were to walk west from the inn at dusk and then follow a man with a limp. There seemed to be quite a few of those so he would hopefully be easy to select. He was. After a block, the limp went away but they kept their distance until he entered a tavern. The visitors from Nennûrad gave him a few minutes to settle and went in. Secrecy was over. He waved them to a table in the corner and stood to introduce himself.

Pedregs was from the Listracht school of Rightness. About thirty with the same size and baldness, he already had a pitcher on order. In introductions, Nag Kath used his real name for the first time. If Hemid was surprised, he didn't show it. Quiet until the ale arrived, Pedrigs took a good swallow and said, "Kath of the Trolls?"

"One and the same, best of sirs."

"So you are immortal?"

"Thus far."

"Good. What do you need here gentlemen?"

Hemid offered, "We make our way north where Mr. Kath knows others with similar views."

Pedrigs had another sip and wiped his lips with his sleeve, "That makes sense. In all my years there has been a dividing line between the Khanates."

Mr. Kath said, "I wonder that those of your calling may have been one before losses and distance divided. Hemid and I go there to see my friends."

Pedrigs leaned over the little table more quietly, "All to the good. I am still not sure how I can help."

The Elf replied, "It would help to better understand Khan Feddigh-Hoh's relationship with his neighbors and his motivations."

"Ah, Nag Kath, it seems you have done quiet work too. This is not the place and there are others who know more than a humble traveling trader. Give me day to speak with them and leave your dinner hour open tomorrow." He added in a voice suggesting now was the time, "Is there anything else I should share first?"

The Elf gave that a few moments thought and then took a small sheet of paper out of his pocket and sketched the three wards in pencil. Pedrigs looked closely and put it in his pocket with a nod. "Look for me again having tea at your inn before the high-meal." He rose and left. Nag Kath wondered if he paid for the ale.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

After drawing the beast wards, as arranged with the Stámöe, it was time to tell Hemid. Nag Kath took a pull of his own ale and said, "Sir, this has had to wait, and I apologize for that."

Hemid Torlurn was better than the Elf for keeping his Dukks face. He had a sip too and waited. Nag Kath confessed, "The symbol I gave our new friend is a ward against fell beasts of the Servant. It was laid over their hiding place by the sorcerer you know as Stámo. I have found two in the north. I came to Nennûrad to find another and did. One of the Gondor pits was disturbed by men and trolls emerged to great mayhem. The other is newly found and remains a secret. So must yours."

Hemid took another sip and said, "Do not apologize. We of my land faced terrible dangers for all of time. They are fewer. My father, and now me, tried to protect the land we love and do so now. Can you tell me of the ward in my home?

Nag Kath did, supposing it rather more protected under the Khan's new floor than an abandoned hut. The immortal, which did not seem to bother Hemid either, said it had been there for at least a thousand years. That was a good run.

~o~

Hemid stayed to the inn most of the day but Nag Kath did some strolling in the markets and around the palace grounds. Khan Feddigh-Hoh III lived well. This was a larger complex than in Lhûg with more people beetling about in his service. The walls were no stouter. Guards were sharp-eyed and rotated on an uneven schedule. Whether that was on purpose or not, one could not time the changes.

It seemed to Nag Kath that he was having a lot of clandestine meetings in dark places. The days of massing troops against ferocious hosts were hopefully over. Now they had to worry about officious guardi thinking them subversive. Pedrigs led them to the front door of a nice home near the palace district. After thinking of the modest outpost in Nennûrad, this might be their Ghurate. It might also be a good way to see how far their influence stretched. There were Righters in Ûbésêsh before the Mordor war. Listracht had not said if any of their group was there now. Strange they should know so little about each other.

Hemid and Nag Kath bowed to three people arranged comfortably on cushions. The guests took their places facing them with Pedrigs by the door. The new faces were an elderly gentleman in the middle, a man of about thirty to his left and a woman of about fifty on his right. There were no introductions and no one spoke for quite a while.

Finally, the older man cleared his throat and spoke formally, "We are told you are come from northern lands in common purpose." He was quiet long enough to make the visitors think they should respond. They didn't and he continued, "We have known of such efforts but have kept our own council to not attract unwanted interest. Our friends in Nennûrad …" he gestured to Hemid; "… feel we should hear your tidings and we agreed. Please proceed."

Nag Kath said, "I seek and destroy remnants of Sauron. I occasionally meet those who have long resisted his servants. Their view is that men must not take what is not theirs. I believe, and am closer to confirming, that their sorcerer is also yours in a different guise. The northern branch of the family has long offered lore and healing as dark threats lessen. Mr. Torlurn is going to see for himself."

The woman asked, "Are you of the council in that place?"

"No ma'am. They are looking to the future. I am of the past, which I will share in a moment."

The older man inquired, "Mr. Torlurn, you are known to us here. Is it your choice to go there?"

"I volunteered, revered sir. Mr. Kath said we would take our rest there for a month or more and then I will return to my family."

The woman looked at the other two faces closely before saying, "We will consider that presently. Mr. Kath, let us speak of the past."

The Elf looked at the eyes as well and started deliberately, "Sauron and his most powerful servant left pits seeded with foul creatures awaiting their summons. I found three that had been warded with counter-spells by the sorcerer I know as Orlo at least a thousand years ago. One was disturbed by men to great calamity in Gondor. The next I found this spring in Rhûn. That ward included a clue to come here and last week I found a third in Nennûrad."

Pedrigs offered, "The first was the troll-slaying, ma'am."

She confirmed, "On the Great River?" He nodded. Turning to Nag Kath she asked, "Are they all warded?"

"I do not know. Many more have already been opened. I imagine others malinger."

The senior man looked at him very closely and asked, "And how do you know this, young man?"

"I have some of the same powers, sir."

The younger man finally spoke, "Terrible things, yes, but why so few and scattered?"

Nag Kath thought a moment before replying, "I am supposing here, but the ones found so far have all been in cities that changed hands many times during the long war, and all near the ruler's quarters. I believe these were for assassination. If the resident lord was opposed to Sauron, or even less enthusiastic than a chosen man, the Angmarach had but to close his hand and bring them forth.

"Orlo, Stámo if you will, would not have found or been able to get them all, and probably did not want to. For all I know, the Khagan's throne is over monsters that wait even now. I remember his floors covered with mosaics."

The old man seemed very concerned about what he had taken to be a beardless northerner. The woman was more practical, "Mr. Kath, is that why you come now?"

"In part, ma'am. I seek to find and prevent their release, but my primary reason is to discover the source of power that keeps them alive long after the One Ring. Great graveyards of soldiers, many from your lands, remain undead, waiting like the pit beasts for their summons. Someone will eventually have the power to claim them."

The old man looked Nag Kath sternly in the eyes and demanded, "And you do not seek to be among them?!"

"I already have been, sir."

That froze them for a moment. The younger man recovered first, "What can we do to assist, Mr. Kath?"

"I would like to know more of your Khan. The pit in Nennûrad is under his great hall. I would not see him killed but I would not see him uncover it to the peril of our friends there. Mr. Torlurn and I will stay a few days and then make for Lhûg."

The three Ghurs, looked at each other first and then the old man spoke, "What in particular do you want to know about Khan Feddigh-Hoh III?"

"His finances, sir."

They must have been expecting him to say; troops or devils. The woman closed the discussion, "I think we can manage that. Mr. Pedrigs remains your contact. We may want to speak again, sirs."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

On the way back to the inn, Pedrigs chuckled, "You fooled me, Mr. Kath. I thought you a young buck fighting for ideals."

"Me too. They seemed terribly serious. Does this local Khan actually care what you do?"

"No."

"I only ask because you aren't causing trouble. If there those agitating for the old days, that is another matter. I dealt with a sorcerer in Mordor trying to make himself the next Witch-King. He had a ring of power, bad combination."

"That was you too? Good work. Yes, we know all about the Yvsuldor here."

Hemid was listening to every word. Nag Kath smiled and mused, "I should not imagine the Visitors were warmly embraced after the purge."

Pedrigs grinned grimly, "Warmer than they liked."

"Are there any who now claim that mantle?"

"Not here. A bird told me that some in the capital wish for that. The Khagan discourages them but does not silence them. Probably it is better to know the source than to guess."

Nag Kath set a new tone, "See here, Mr. Pedrigs. The world is changed. Outside of a few old trolls, the fight is within us now. Unless Hemid here is picky, perhaps one of your flock should come with us …" he grinned, "… give us something to eat when goblins are scarce."

"I thought that myself. In the meantime, watch for a note about money."

~o~

At dinner that night, Hemid was quiet but not nervous. He suspected Mr. Solvanth was more than put forth. That would make for a safer trip and return to those he loved. He hoped no one would destroy the Khan's nice floor.

The note arrived the next morning. Mr. Kath was to go to an address not far from yesterday's meeting at the hour after the mid-day meal. It was a tavern. The Elf had tea and left his money on the table against a quick exit. During the meal, a young woman approached him and said, "Please come with me, best of sirs."

She led him silently to another very nice home in the other direction and opened the door herself. As he was gawking, the woman said, "This way, please." They went through a large room to a smaller office where his female questioner was sitting on one of the tall cushions at a low desk.

She looked up and said, "Good of you to come. Dear, please see if cook has tea." Then she waved her hand at the pillows across from her. The young woman was gone and back almost before he sat. She poured from a pot into two small cups.

The older woman said, "Thank you, my dear." After the lass left she said to him, "I am Felishde, Mr. Kath. I am sorry for the harshness of our questions yesterday."

"I have suffered worse, kind lady."

"So, the Khan's money? Can you be more specific?"

The Elf said, "Let me start with my intention. I am interested in purchasing some of his land near Nennûrad for our shared purpose. With other than a prince, that is a matter of price. But princes need other things. I hope to learn what he wants."

Felishda looked had a sip and summarized, "The Khanate is strong with a permanent army of two thousand and militias of twice that. Five hundred of the army and five more of the militia were sent last season for four years to the south in service to our honored Khagan. For many years before, Khan Feddigh-Hoh sent the tax instead to pay for levies nearer the Swertings.

"His crop taxes have been only fair this year and last owing to a blight on gureeq and wheat. His family considers a union between second daughter and the second son of the Khan to our south. A dowry will be expected." That confirmed what Mrs. Zhurrag-Ledj implied at the lake but didn't suggest the man was strapped beyond what most rulers face. Fair crops are better than no crops. No one seemed in rebellion.

She then offered the barest hint of a smile, "There is some difficulty with our Excellency's older daughter. She is married to the Khagan's wife's brother. It is said that his habits are ... irregular. In his wisdom, the Khagan limits payments when he is displeased and it falls to our esteemed Khan to maintain his daughter's standard of living since she is kin to the Khagan. The noble Khan is not pleased either, but cannot cast them adrift to reflect poorly on the great ruler.

"Is that the sort of knowledge you seek, sir knight?"

"Yes. As I said, I am considering a purchase and want to know what the man needs." He took a sip and asked, "How does the elder daughter view things?"

"She is no better pleased than the Khagan or the Khan without an heir to show for the union. Mr. Kath, are you considering removing their problem?"

"No, I want them to remain miserable with the Queen in favor. Why such difficult matches?"

She considered the wisdom there and said without judgment, "His Excellency's line throws manly men. Daughters fare less well. The girl's husband was not the first man to darken her door. Her husband took her and payment with proclamations of maidenhood. Those payments never stopped. You see our poor Khan's dilemma, sir."

Nag Kath nodded but didn't see. In his experience; your stand-up Variag would have incinerated the man as a lesson to the lot. She said nothing about furtherance of any sort of right-living. Their group didn't seem interested in contemplation. They hadn't actually said what they were interested in, here or in Nennûrad. He was interested in buying the land so he commiserated, "A difficult position, ma'am. Without betraying any secrets, does the noble family still use their palace or hunting lodge on the lake?"

"His Excellency has not traveled there for some time. His second son hunts every other year or stays in the family apartments."

The Elf thought they were a deal nicer than apartments except for trolls in the basement. All smiles, he asked, "And the heir?"

"He stays here, except for trips with his wife and children to homes in Illast Dûn, a dutiful and loyal son."

"Mrs. Felishda, I will need a discreet word with Khan Feddigh-Hoh III when I return. Do you have friends of friends who can arrange that?"

Felishda said regally, "We have any number of friends, Mr. Kath."

She knew things that could get her killed if the Elf was interrogated. The local man might grit his teeth to spare his shared in-law. He would not be as tolerant with the Stämoe. He rose and thanked her for her courtesy and courage.

One thing was certain, diamonds were in the offing. Small and private, the little rocks would not be reported by the seller on the Khagan's clacker. The Khan wouldn't miss the place by the lake. Nag Kath would take the earnest Stámöe to the Hanvas and see how that went.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

The next morning Pedrigs was waiting in front of the inn. They followed him to one of a dozen tea houses in the market district. After being served, the man asked, "Productive trip?"

Torlurn offered, "Informative."

Nag Kath confirmed, "I believe so. I do not need to know the reach of the Stámöe, but please look for those symbols, or places where them they might have been.

Pedrigs considered that and said, "We will, but not too loudly. It is hard to seem interested without others getting interested. I have asked among friends who might travel with you. One may be available but I will not know until tomorrow. When must you leave?"

Torlurn answered, "When we know. This is a journey that cannot be rushed."

"Wisely put, best of sirs."

Nag Kath leaned back and stroked his chin before saying, "There is one more thing I would ask of you, my friend. Please tell me the Stámöe's vision for our new world."

"I cannot, sir. We have so long fought and resisted and toiled that we never thought it would be through. That is why I hope one of us will see what the northerners are making of their peace. You will know at first light."

Torlurn was content. He missed his wife and children. He blessed them in his heart. But he was ready for new things. Like many of these lands, he had what little Nûradi blood escaped the Pelennor. If those lands below the desert were ever reclaimed, it must be done in new ways. He slept well.

As promised, Pedrigs was sitting by the fountain four buildings down from the inn. Nag Kath and Hemid saw him looking north and collected their horses thinking to wish him well on their way. As they rode up, Hemid said, "It is a hard thing to ask someone to leave. I wrestle with that each day."

Pedrigs stood and stretched, "I could not have said it better myself. I spoke to my wife and we agreed that it was time for me to do as you have done. My horse is at the end of the block. I hope one of you can cook."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

One hundred years without Sauron had produced no new roads. Getting to Lhûg from here was about the same distance as from Nennûrad. The first leg was forty leagues and would take them to the two towns of any size leading from Mordor where Idgshtok discovered wine and dancing women. The road was fair, it was not hot and as with every year since Nag Kath first came here, there was more water, new streams, larger streams, sometimes small ponds. Merchant traffic was thin. Traders of Khand mostly stayed to the corridors along the east or west mountain ranges. This was the Gap of Khand; not famously hospitable.

The three men traveled well together. Nag Kath wished he could have gotten a fresher mount for Pedrigs. They would not have been easy to come by, but his old mare determined the pace. Nemren was no youngster but born to run. There were no inns. The rain season would not start until spring but no one explained that to a thunderstorm pelting small hail on them sideways. They rode through it and arrived in Laghiri Ôrath at the end of day six. There was an inn there since anyone going to modern Nûrnen from the north or east was at this junction. They had ale and the men bought mutton stew. Their guide ate his little yellow crackers.

~o~

The next day should put them at Nebûriha which was larger and finally getting in to an area with streams large enough for fish. Three men waiting for them had other ideas about fishing. They were riding towards the Righters in no hurry. The approaching horsemen had no packs other than their traveling kits. Both groups looked like hard men. People got out of the Righters' way for that. On this long, straight stretch of road they had reached the point where forests after Sauron flourished with enough water to reach their roots. And in the forest to the left Elf eyes saw movement. At the two parties' rates of speed, they would pass each other at the nearest copse of trees, shades of leaving Tharbad.

Nag Kath said, "Pedrigs, get your bow to hand." Torlurn trained in the Nennûrad militia but never swung his sword in anger. Pedrigs had been in one of the Pashir call-ups to serve the Khagan along the Harad border, their army's hard school. That experience made him "Eyes" for this branch of the Stámöe.

They did exactly as he said with Pedrigs sliding his bow off his shoulder with little motion. Nag Kath said without turning his head, "Horsemen or archers to the left. If we hold, the riders will have to pass them before they reach us." He pulled his bow and put three arrows in the same hand. If the three riders were honest men, they would be in danger from the lads hiding in the woods. If they weren't honest, they worked together. The Elf whispered, "They are slowing. It might mean the men in the copse are mounting to join them. Do you see the two large rocks to our right about fifty paces?"

They both said, "Aye."

Nat Kath said calmly, "We walk there until they move, then we run. Pedrigs, you get behind the far one. I'll take the near. Hemid, you get behind one of us. Let us go."

~o~

The horses lazily clopped off the road into the wispy grass. They got half way there before the three riders dug in their spurs and five more emerged from the trees. Reaching the rocks, Nag Kath and Pedrigs nocked arrows while Torlurn held the reins. When Nag Kath figured they were fifty paces away he broke cover and put three arrows at the group as they combined from different directions. The first caught a horse in the chest to the feathers. He dropped and threw his rider over the top. The second missed. The third took a man in the gut.

Pedrigs broke his cover as well. Good archers had the advantage. The bandits were not used to experienced military bowmen on their road and probably expected them to run rather than stand. Pedrigs missed his target but grazed the horse behind it enough to break its stride and start shying in pain. By then, Nag Kath was out again and put his next arrow through that rider's thigh and well into the horse's flesh. The shot did not drop either of them but the horse was terrified and his rider was staked to him until the arrow broke.

Pedrigs next shot caught a horse in the foreleg. She did go down and at a full run, rolled over her rider. They were close enough now that Nag Kath put arrows into one man's forehead and another's shoulder.

With all the screaming horses and shouting men, Pedrig's horse shied and skittered enough from the shadow of the rock that when Torlurn stepped out to pull him back, one of the unhorsed men put an arrow through the side of his neck and out the back. Moments later, their attackers had enough and whistled the retreat. Nag Kath's last shot took the unhorsed archer through both buttock cheeks from the side. He screamed and tried to run eight inches at a step. The man with the arrow holding him to his mad horse could not have stopped if he wanted to and the wounded man could not halt any of the terrified mounts even if he could remount.

~o~

Pedrigs hissed, "Nag Kath, get over here."

Torlurn was bleeding profusely but the arrow had somehow missed his spine. He was alert. It would not be a fatal injury unless infection set in. The Elf remembered the poisoned arrows of the Greyflood. Pedrigs nocked another arrow and watched for movement ahead while Nag Kath sat Hemid against the back of the rock telling the man, "This is going to hurt."

"Go ... oo ... od. Worry when it doesn't."

"I am going to leave that arrow in until we make sure these lads are dead because it needs my full attention. Do not try to take it out yourself, understand?"

The man used as little nod as he could. With that, the Elf and Righter broke cover and crouched into the field. All the nearby men were dead or dying except the one pretending with an arrow through his arse. Pedrigs gave him a quick kick causing a blood-curdling scream and chuckled, "Nag, got one for you."

The Elf ran over and said, "We'll ask him a few questions." With that, he dragged the man on his stomach by his hair back to the larger rock and left him with the arrowhead coming out one side and the feathers on the other. Then he went to Nemren for his little medicine bag and knelt by Torlurn who had done as told. Hemid's hands were trembling and he had wet himself but his eyes were open.

"Hemid, old friend, I am going to cut one end of that arrow off and pull it through the other side. As soon as I do, I am going to put a cloth up hard against each side to see what else comes out." Torlurn blinked his eyes in understanding.

Using his nippers, the Elf gently cut the feathered end close to the neck. No one saw him pull the other side or slap his hands against the wound with a hole in the side and another in the back. The man clenched his teeth, hands and eyes but did not lose consciousness. Nag Kath slowly took the cloth away and saw only normal bleeding. Had the arrowhead gone in with the edges side-to-side, it would have cut the artery. His physician gently touched the wounds with an ointment in his bag and replaced the pads with a length of gauze around his neck.

Hemid offered the barest grin and said, "Let us see what our new friend has to say."

Their prisoner left his face in the dirt and groaned but had not said a word after being deposited behind the rock. Nag Kath asked him, "What's your name?"

When he forgot, Pedrigs stepped on one cheek to another scream and said smoothly, "The man asked you politely."

"Ngauhhh! Ardushk!"

Nag Kath knelt next to his head and said, "That's a fine, lovely Mordor name, Studray, I should think." Silence. He looked at Pedrigs to adjust his footrest.

"Raughhhh! Cardugh."

"Just as nice. How many more back in those trees?"

Pedrigs shifting in the gravel was enough this time, "Eight."

Pedrigs wondered, "Are they still close?"

"No. Camp is five miles in. Nghhh! You will not find them."

~o~

The Elf walked next to Pedrigs and said, "You might see if any of those horses stayed. I would just as soon they did not get new riders." The man nodded and cautiously walked into the field. He was back a minute later leading a shaggy mare that was nuzzling the face of the man shot in the head.

Sure Hemid wasn't still bleeding, Nag Kath walked to the bandit and pulled the arrow out by the head without removing the feathers. That brought a scream louder than the others combined. The Elf growled, "If you can walk, you can leave." The bandit groaned but pushed himself up trying not to bend at the hip. It cannot be done. On the second try he bent with a grimace until he stood and took mincing little steps on the longest walk of his life, five miles if he wasn't lying.

Many men would have exacted their revenge. Pedrigs understood that if his mates didn't kill him or let him fester, they would be that much slower coming back. He would walk past the groaning man who was gut-shot. Watching the bandit waddle up the slope, Pedrigs muttered, "I would give a month's pay to hear his new nickname." With that he nodded at the Elf as if to say it was time to get their man on a horse and make for Nebûriha.

At a walking pace, that was another three hours. Hemid could hold his own reins with one or the others alongside. The bandage was red on both wounds but not getting redder. Even at this speed they passed several people leading donkeys who stared at the wounded Stámöe and the reassuring tall man.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

In sixty years the place had done well. There were three inns. They chose the freshest paint and took Turlurn upstairs right away. Nag Kath undressed him and got him into a very lumpy straw bed while Pedrigs unsaddled the horses. He would ask the local guardi about one of them when their man was attended. Back upstairs, he was astounded.

Nag Kath removed the bandage and examined the wounds. The side barb slices were clean but the shaft holes would need time to heal. Pedrigs had seen such wounds. He watched the tall, blonde soldier's hands turn silver and glow like sun on swords! Hemid's neck was yellow! That went on about thirty seconds until Nag Kath removed his hands and the colors faded.

Then, as if he had done no more than put a kettle on the stove, he looked at Pedrigs and said, "There was no poison. I will keep watching for infection. Do they have food here?"

A spell put Hemid fast asleep for hours. Pedrigs watched Nag Kath wave his hand over their bags and they went downstairs with the feathered end of the orcish arrow that took Torlurn. Khand doesn't have guardi like in the west. They have varying qualities of soldiers, around here, not their best. Two of them were lolling by the county building when the Righters walked over. Nag Kath said, "We were attacked by a band of eight riders three hours east. A man of our company was wounded. One bandit was from Cardugh and shot this arrow." He handed it to the closest trooper. "Do you recognize it, best of sirs?"

"That is not our district. What do you expect us to do?"

Pedrigs watched his companion seem to grow eight feet tall and say, "I expect you to be fat and stupid." A beam of light left his hand into the faces of the soldiers as he added, "What you will do is tell me who these men are."

The other man said in a daze, "Nûrnen raiders. They come up the Vhilias Road and hide in the trees."

"And what are you doing about that?"

"Nothing."

Nag Kath said more gently, "There are five groats in your pocket. Go to the tavern on the east side and drink until it is spent."

The two walked off in the other direction without looking back.

The Elf walked back toward the inn and growled, "Let us see if we can get Hemid to eat something."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

They stayed three days. On each of them, Pedrigs watched the blonde Righter hold his hands to both wounds and glow. By the time they left, Turlurn did not need bandages. He would carry the scars but they were no longer wounds. From here they followed a fair sized creek forty leagues to Lhûg. There were no inns and it rained two days without stop, but after a week without pushing and Pedrigs on a stronger horse, they arrived at the school not long before the dinner hour.

As usual, Nag Kath slammed his palm into the door. Mrs. Puluogh peeked out and said, "Oh, sir." She opened it wide and the three weary travelers stamped in with their bags after having left the horses tied to the stable rails. The Elf said to the cook, "Mrs. Puluogh, these fellows will be staying for dinner and to sleep tonight at least. Can you attend that?"

"Right away, best of sirs." Not wanting to say the wrong name, she added, "The other gentleman should be along shortly, sir." With that she took her basket back to the market to see if the fish was still good.

There was ale in the demi-cask and it went down smoothly. Before the first mug was drained, Nag Kath heard boots outside trying to be quiet. He yelled out the window, "It is me. Come meet my new friends."

Listracht opened the door and looked at the three travelers sprawled on the couch and chair. He walked in slowly and not too lame. All three rose and Nag Kath gave him a hug that always unnerves Khandians, especially ones from the south. They had been warned their host was a barbarian and who knew what Nag Kath was? "Listracht, these are Pedrigs from Pashir and Hemid from Nennûrad and oh, do we have a tale for you!"

~o~

Dinner lasted four hours. Pedrigs and Listracht had the same position in their respective bands and were best friends before the cask was gone. Turlurn was more reserved, as always, but enjoyed himself more than he probably ever had. He got the honor of explaining how the tall one pulled the arrow out of the bandit and made him walk home.

There were a lot of things he would talk about later and both knew that. It was not really a slip but Listracht did say, "The Elf has more stories than any I know." Nag Kath thought nothing of it but both of the other men turned to stare at him as if noticing for the first time that he looked thirty yet talked about things twice that long ago. Elves were as mythical as dragons around here.

Nag Kath let Turlurn have his bed. Pedrigs got the couch. Nag Kath sat in his usual chair and Listracht snored all night in his room. They were up early when Mrs. Puluogh arrived to make tea and porridge. The Elf and Righter walked outside with their mugs. In the way he usually did, Nag Kath looked straight forward and said, "I brought them to see Hanvas Tûr. They have been fighting for Orlo by a different name for two thousand years and now they don't know what to do next. I won't take them without the Ghurs permission, but I intend to get it. The time for small, secret bands is past."

Listracht looked the same direction, "Just go. You have taken their measure. The Ghurs and Ghuldieg need to know about that troll-pit." He took a sip and smiled, "There is something else, Elf. I know you."

"I need a few more pieces, but you are going to love it."

They turned to go inside and Listracht muttered, "As much as I loved saddle sores, no doubt."

~o~

It took another day to get organized. Pedrigs kept the bandit horse. Nag Kath explained how he got Vandery many years before. The Elf gave Torlurn more care and checked Listracht's leg. His knee-graft was holding. The school was actually clean.

Morning found all four riding to the retreat. Listracht rode well. He punched an extra hole in the top and bottom straps so he could loosen them while mounted. When they arrived, Nag Kath and the two guests sat in the grass along the road while Listracht went in the office to explain. That took long enough that the Pashir men might have been nervous about their reception. After a month on the road and getting shot through the neck, Hemid had earned it, Pedrigs too. In the meantime, they watched people, some waving but attending their business.

After half a bell, Listracht walked out with Ghuldieg who introduced himself with a bow rather than the overly-familiar handshake of the barbarian Rhûns and sat in the grass with them. "You are welcome to Hanvas Tûr with full courtesies extended. The council has to be notified but is mostly here and, I am sure, will look forward to this. In the meantime, let us take nourishment and tell me of your journey."

The three 'Eyes' dominated the conversation. Hemid listened with the Elf who silently prayed he would not become Kath of the Arse Arrow. Their meal lasted until Ghuldieg heard a gong that the Ghurs were gathered. Listracht would have given the person on duty the gist of the situation. Five of the seven were there and two of the important staff.

They went two bells covering mostly comparative right-living knowing the pits would be covered separately with the security folk. Towards the end, Torlurn opened-up. He was an equivalent Ghur in Nennûrad with a care for family upbringing so the man would find plenty of activities and like-minded folk. Mr. Tielu was asked to show the new people around, knowing the Elf and Listracht would be busy much of the next few days with internal business. He took the Stámöe to one of the afternoon Sayings when the Righters went back to talk about beasts.

There wasn't that much more to say. Nag Kath found another ward where Orlo said it would be. There was nothing they could do about it. If clues were revealed at each new site, it was under the Khan's floor and they couldn't do anything about that either. Their opposite numbers were of the same opinion. The Elf would not be a bit surprised if the Khagan had beasts waiting in low places too. Those lands had always been strong allies to Saruron but that would not have kept the Yvsuldor from putting in a pit against a coup. It would be unwarded.

The larger picture was political. Their Khan was a known commodity. The southern man was not. It would have to be made plain to the Khagan that increased contact between the formerly independent groups was not a conspiracy against his divine rule.

Nag Kath had that in mind when he introduced his radical concept, "Sirs and ladies, would like to speak to the central Ghurate in Pashir and their branch in Nennûrad about buying the Khan's lodge property at the lake and making it a third retreat. It is perfect in size and location with a population ready for such learning and healing. I also think it can be had in a way that rewards both the Khan and Khagan for their gracious support."

~o~

The Elf would tell you he never had an original idea in his life. Things he tried willingly always had one tested component. This was the same, but since his experience was so different than men, they were always stunned with the audacity. Who wouldn't spend a fortune in diamonds to help people he never met? His view was that he couldn't do anything else with them so why not?

The guests could spend as much time as they wanted but since they were family men, that wasn't expected to be more than a month. Nag Kath and Listracht were not of the retreats and planned to return to Lhûg after a few days so as not to distract them. They would be back up in a month or sooner for what came of this.

The Ghurs were all astonished about Stámo. Was that his name in Chey? It was a bit like finding Thân zîrân past the end of the world. Both organizations were so secret and held to their own turf so diligently that they were almost on top of each other. Pedrigs suggested Orlo wanted it that way so the fall of one would not lead to the other. Others like them had been lost when the Yvsuldors got wind. In Righter minds, it also emphasized they had won the war. If they were to remain relevant, it had to be in fair-living rather than sabotage.

As they were closing the second meeting, Nag Kath said, "Some of this depends on the physical healers. They are on the southern bank of the lake. Orlo sent Ventuub here himself." That caused a gentle uproar before he told the story. Then he continued, "I only met him once, sixty years ago, but he was in Nennûrad just eight years past. Those women don't know that. He had purpose for them and to help us here. I would not be a bit surprised if he sent Nenwula too. A haven would grant them a permanent place for those skills in both lands if politics get sticky."

They agreed it was worth pursuing. The Stámöe could do whatever they wanted. The question here was; how much could the northern Ghurates help? They should send folk down and vise versa for training without demands. Documents should be copied since the southern folk had almost none of the written lore the northerners had so carefully accumulated since the fall of Sauron. Field Righters would have to widen their loop. That was all to the good since this lot still had 'Eyes' in the capital not that far away.

This made the Elf seem even queerer. Like Orlo, he appeared every so often, the first time to drive reconstituted Visitors from Rhûn and shortly after, destroy them in Mordor. He found the troll-pits and now long-lost cousins in their own country. Orlo seemed to think he needed someone like Nag Kath but he also feared someone misusing the foul gleanings of darkness. Nag Kath had never claimed leadership or demanded fealty. It was hard to imagine he spent the generations in-between building sluices and burping grand-babies.

Before the evening meal, Nag Kath walked down to the healing area. Nenwûla was sitting on her large chair outside taking the last of the sun. He said hello and Ventuub came outside with a patient just leaving. He would not tell them of discussions of the Ghurs but he did say he had visited the Nûradi school and gave the ladies Ventuub's best wishes. She was delighted and asked of her friends, including Miss Veintshu who replaced her in Nennûrad. Nag Kath did say the woman somehow knocked grit off two of the bones and they took that under advisement. He said he would visit them again before he left and walked back to the office thinking he was so much the better for knowing of these marvelous women. They should be protected.

~o~

Over the next few days, Torlurn and Pedrigs went to every meeting, discussion and meal they could. People came and went here so there was no awkward adjustment period. Their accents were closer to local than not. Torlurn especially enjoyed the Sayers and Poets. Pedrigs liked lore. They were not always together, by design, and Pedrigs also spent more time with Nag Kath, Listracht and sometimes Ghuldieg on the craft of lurking, things like using a code for the room number instead of the plain mark and sending a lad or old person rather than a woman of an age where men would pay attention. Pedrigs had some good secrets in that realm too so these were worthwhile sessions.

By the time Listracht and Nag Kath made for town, everyone was sure there would be a permanent bond between the two groups. The neighboring Khans had a working relationship on their un-contentious border since it was established specifically where nothing was worth fighting over. There would be a lot more to come but much depended on Nag Kath's conversation with Khan Feddigh-Hoh III. It was probably time to deliver on a hint dropped with his father's revered partner.

On the trail, Listracht did not say much but never stopped grinning. He had to remember to tighten his brace straps before dismounting. Then they were inside where Mrs. Puluogh was scrubbing some new corner of grime. The frugal Listracht was browbeaten into spending a little of his gold for a better cook-stove, carpets and paint. Since he would be here a while, Nag Kath ordered glass windows to replace the oiled paper ones that were leaking anyway. The stable needed work. Pedrigs took his old mare to the retreat for grass rather than leaving her here to eat fodder.

The Righter made noises about having his knee tended but knew it helped and didn't hurt as much as he whined. They had Nenambuul over for dinner. There were secrets they could not share but the trip and the cities provided plenty of conversations. Listracht still felt the man was a natural adherent when he chose.

Spring is the rainy season here so much of the time was spent indoors. The month passed slowly, although he did have dinner with the other half of Chûr's granddaughters. There was no word that they should return to Hanvas early so Listracht concentrated on keeping his ear to comings and goings. As soon as it was reasonable for northern merchants to arrive, the Elf asked for an interview with Mr. Chanbhough which was set for the next day.

After greetings and tea, Nag Kath told the head of Chanbhough Kultan that he had only been able to get a few of the stones. His dear friend had the first right of refusal. On the first transaction, two of three potential owners had gotten a diamond. One was Mr. Chanbhough. Khan Sulen-Doth would have had the second in his hand but probably sent it to Ûbésêsh in lieu of cash taxes. The next to arrive was his. There were two more small gems and one about half an inch around, cut so it reflected from both sides of an open mounting. Khandian jewelers could do justice to the fitting just as one had done such a superb job with the false Dwarf ring.

Chanbhough looked at it with his treasured fire-stone, which the northern trader also had in stock. Listracht kept a hundred of the trade glasses from the southern voyage making sure one would reach his Excellency.

~o~

Two small and one big was by design. Khan Sumen-Doth of Lhûg would certainly get the big one if he wanted it but it would probably go a long way in satisfying his troop levy for next year with the Khagan. Nag Kath said it would bring twenty Florin in Gondor, which it would. At two Florin each for the smaller stones, that was twenty four to the merchant. He had the cash but wanted to be sure the Khan was interested.

Putting himself in the merchant's mind, Nag Kath thought that a modest mark-up on the big stone paid for the two smaller ones with demand having been created among other wealthy citizens over a winter of lust. He could probably get four each for the two smaller stones putting him eight Florin to the good with little risk. He would do that every day of the week.

That afternoon, Chanbhough asked for a brief word with his Excellency and it was granted for the very next morning after staff meetings. Two hours later, the same senior assistant came to the school to say the terms were acceptable. Nag Kath returned with him and did the deal.

He didn't need the money. The object was that it would be impossible for the southern Khan not to learn about the large rock his neighbor had acquired since one of the five would be ceremoniously sent to his Excellency the Khagan. Listracht would make sure everyone heard about that. Nag Kath sometimes made things more complicated than they had to be but he looked at this as creating options. Like in Mordor, he had a plan for however a handful of variables played. In this case; if a direct approach to Khan Feddigh-Hoh III was inadvisable, the northern Khan could buy the property for a trusted scholar at a price that was sure to be irresistible and look good in the doing. That was the fallback position.

Seeds sown, the Righters returned to Hanvas. Both of the Stámöe were ready for home and family but had a good experience in the retreat. The Ghurate had decided to assist and sent their decision to Rhûn. They would make copies of records over the next few years so the third retreat had them for study and as spares against losing one retreat. It all depended on Nag Kath's negotiating skills.

It was time to test them.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~