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PSorry about the lack of author's notes and the two chappies on the first chapter... this is my first fic and I'm a bit clueless when it comes to uploading ^_^;;; but I think i get it now, hehe...BR
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Anyway, a few things: is orkish for man of gondor, and I figured since, in my fic, the Haradrim hated the orcs, any word in their language would be as good as a curse. Therefore, it'll be used often throughout the story as a derogatory word. BR
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Assume whenever the characters speak, right now, that they're speaking the language of Harad, not the Common Tongue. When people do start speaking Common, I'll write something like she said in Common or he said in Haradic but for now, it's all Haradic.BR
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Harad is not meant to be based on any one culture in our world - it might include a few things from some cultures, but mostly it's my creation.BR
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Reviews can be as simple as i like the story, or you can do constructive criticism, but mainly I want to know that people are reading my story. (Please? With cheese on top?) BR
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And finally, if anyone knows about a Harad fic, point me to it, so I can make mine as original and spiffy (I love that word. ^_^) as possible.BR
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*Phew* That was a very very lot. Thankee much, all!BR
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Disclaimer: Middle-Earth is Tolkien's. *cringes* I'm a thief!BR
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Chapter Two: The ArmyBR
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Saali's eyes, the only uncovered part of her body, fell on her two friends. They are still at it, she thought sadly, watching them go through the rhythms of washing. BR
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Tashkann gasped as she looked up to see what looked like a soldier standing in Saali's doorway. Niera simply looked intrigued, then marched straight up to the disguised woman. Who are you, and what business have you to be in my friend's house? she asked bluntly. BR
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Saali laughed in relief. If her costume fooled Niera and Tashkann, it would fool the army. It is Saali, she told Niera.BR
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Niera scowled. she said very loudly. Widows stared at the two all around. BR
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I am not lying! Saali hissed. And be quiet; you shall give me away! When Niera still looked skeptical, she thought of something only she, Niera, and Tashkann knew. she said urgently, when Tash bought that illegal book of tark stories off Moki, and she refused to be quiet about King Ear-whatever for days?BR
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Niera's eyebrows raised dramatically. she inquired, and quite rightfully, are you doing in soldier's clothes?BR
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Tashkann had come up behind Niera. I see... she said softly. Saali, I know what you wish to do. Do you intend to become a mindless killing machine, like the rest of them?BR
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Saali's cheeks burned. I am NOT mindless, she protested. The tarks killed my father and my husband. I am taking revenge. And to stay here and be a mindless chore machine would be worse, would it not?BR
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Tash raised a thin eyebrow. Of course, she said sarcastically, and Saali blushed even further as she realized both her friends were chore machines. But Tash just sighed, looking skeptical. If you want our help, I know where the army meets when it needs more human expendables.BR
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Saali was used to Tashkann's morbid talk. Take me, she commanded. BR
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A few minutes later, the three widows stood in the Burnt District, watching from behind a shell of a house as man dressed in army colors marched in to join the standing mass of red, gold and black. A fierce-looking man, probably the captain, stood at the head of the troop, and a man as gentle-looking as the captain looked fierce held the neck chains of three mumaks. The captain appeared to be counting each man as he appeared. BR
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Well, this is it, Tashkann informed Saali in a whisper. Saali did not reply, gazing out at the scene before them. You know, women do not join the army, her friend continued. I do not know what the penalty would be...BR
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Do not go, begged Niera. Strength in numbers, you know, we shall be better off with three than two...BR
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Saali sighed. I am going. And that is my final decision.BR
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Goodbye, Saali-girl! Niera near-sobbed, and threw her arms about Saali in a crushing embrace.BR
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Tash looked stiff. Come back alive, was her final advice.BR
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Saali took a deep breath. She was a man, she told herself. She was a soldier, she could fight, and she belonged here. With those ideas in mind, she stepped out into the blazing sunlight, squinting, and sauntered over to join the troop as if she belonged there, laying a hand on her sword-hilt for reassurance.BR
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The fierce captain met her eyes squarely, and for a moment she had a gut-rending feeling that he knew her for what she was. But what he said, in a rough voice accustomed to being projected for the troops' benefit, was That is ninety-nine. We need one more! Overwhelmed with relief, she slipped in to join the ranks as inconspicuously as possible. BR
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A tall man walked through the gate into the Burnt District, accompanied by a pretty but tired-looking woman and a toddler. The boy-child was clinging to the man's leg and shrieking, the woman attempting to comfort the child. She finally succeeded in prying him off his father's leg, swept him into her arms, and stood on her tiptoes to whisper something in the man's ear. Saali's sharp eyes caught a tear glinting in the sun as the woman turned her head; she could tell the entire of what looked to be a family was distraught.BR
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The man said something in soothing tones to his wife, squeezed her hand briefly, and walked over to the troops. A determinedly blank expression dominated his face. Saali knew that expression - it was the one proud men made when they were crying inside. They are a family no more, she thought, and her heart ached.BR
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That is one hundred! the captain announced, his rough voice making her own throat feel scratchy. Move out! And Saali was caught up in the rush of marching men, carrying her out into the desert, further and further from her friends, her home, and her life. BR
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No turning back now, she thought. BR
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