Part Three
Dog knew the strange tasting object was the cause of the boys' excitement, but not why. It certainly hadn't tasted good enough to eat. With a shake of his head, he forgot such questions and concentrated on the joy of racing along with his boy. The sunshine was warm and a slight breeze carried with it the smells of spring. Dog bounded back to urge his boy to catch up. Truly it was too bad he had only two legs.
"I'm coming, Dog," laughed Rolfe in response to the commanding bark of the dog.
Dog sneezed as the scent of spices wafted on the air. With a sharp yip he raced ahead of the pack of boys to investigate the intriguing odors coming from an open doorway.
Three years ago, the great engines of the enemy had hurled flaming missiles and reduced this circle of the city to little more than rubble. Many years were yet to pass before all traces of destruction were vanquished, but with the assistance of dwarvish stonemasons and elvish craftsmen, the people had begun the arduous task of rebuilding. In their wisdom, the Guildmasters and Council of Magistrates had determined that henceforth living quarters would be confined to the second circle and above. Thus the first circle was now reserved for businesses like that of the Rohirrim trader Esiwmas who had been among the first to recognize that the return of the king also meant the return of trade routes spanning the breadth of Gondor and Rohan.
'Luckily,' Estev thought as the boys ran past a warehouse in its final stages of construction, 'Father's stables and storehouses are in the opposite direction. Where is Ferlan leading us anyway?"
Leaving the main corridor, Ferlan wove a path toward the Othram. Abruptly, the buildings ended and the boys came to a sliding halt at the sight before them. A series of ramps and hoists had been erected along both sides of the City's outer wall and were now swarming with men engaged in the task of transferring mountains of cargo from one side of the wall to the other.
"Better hold onto Dog," Ferlan tossed over his shoulder before joining the parade of workers winding their way up the nearest ramp.
Rolfe nodded and pulled a piece of thin grey cord from his pocket to loop around Dog's neck. In response to Karston's disbelieving expression, he said, "It's stronger than it looks."
Dog, knowing that the elven rope was indeed strong enough to hold him, gave a resigned shake and settled for sniffing the air eagerly.
Slowly, they climbed, taking care not to interfere with the work of the laborers. Reaching the top of the wall the boys were able to see the ships crowded against the docks of Harlond; for here, the city's walls and the mighty Anduin were separated by less than a mile.
Catching up to Rolfe, Estev panted, "Where is that fool taking us?"
Rolfe shrugged, but Curthan turned to call back, "His brother's got grazing rights on some land just beyond the base of the ramps."
Rolfe and Estev exchanged knowing looks. This was the key to Harlan's plot. The boys would do the work, which earned the farmer his pasture, as well as take a percentage of any important finds they made.
Rolfe pulled Dog up short and grabbing Estev by the arm to move him from the path of a group of men rolling barrels toward the ramps leading back into the City. "This deal is sounding more and more lopsided as we go."
Estev chewed his bottom lip and watched as the other boys began the zigzagging slope downwards. "Can't we check it out? If you still don't feel right after we go look, we'll tell Ferlan, 'No'."
Reluctantly, Rolfe nodded. "But if there's no sign of anything today, I'm not coming back to scrounge around in the dirt for Harlan. You can if you want, but I won't."
Estev agreed eagerly and, weaving his way rapidly down the ramp, rejoined the other boys, leaving Rolfe to trail along behind.
Dog knew the strange tasting object was the cause of the boys' excitement, but not why. It certainly hadn't tasted good enough to eat. With a shake of his head, he forgot such questions and concentrated on the joy of racing along with his boy. The sunshine was warm and a slight breeze carried with it the smells of spring. Dog bounded back to urge his boy to catch up. Truly it was too bad he had only two legs.
"I'm coming, Dog," laughed Rolfe in response to the commanding bark of the dog.
Dog sneezed as the scent of spices wafted on the air. With a sharp yip he raced ahead of the pack of boys to investigate the intriguing odors coming from an open doorway.
Three years ago, the great engines of the enemy had hurled flaming missiles and reduced this circle of the city to little more than rubble. Many years were yet to pass before all traces of destruction were vanquished, but with the assistance of dwarvish stonemasons and elvish craftsmen, the people had begun the arduous task of rebuilding. In their wisdom, the Guildmasters and Council of Magistrates had determined that henceforth living quarters would be confined to the second circle and above. Thus the first circle was now reserved for businesses like that of the Rohirrim trader Esiwmas who had been among the first to recognize that the return of the king also meant the return of trade routes spanning the breadth of Gondor and Rohan.
'Luckily,' Estev thought as the boys ran past a warehouse in its final stages of construction, 'Father's stables and storehouses are in the opposite direction. Where is Ferlan leading us anyway?"
Leaving the main corridor, Ferlan wove a path toward the Othram. Abruptly, the buildings ended and the boys came to a sliding halt at the sight before them. A series of ramps and hoists had been erected along both sides of the City's outer wall and were now swarming with men engaged in the task of transferring mountains of cargo from one side of the wall to the other.
"Better hold onto Dog," Ferlan tossed over his shoulder before joining the parade of workers winding their way up the nearest ramp.
Rolfe nodded and pulled a piece of thin grey cord from his pocket to loop around Dog's neck. In response to Karston's disbelieving expression, he said, "It's stronger than it looks."
Dog, knowing that the elven rope was indeed strong enough to hold him, gave a resigned shake and settled for sniffing the air eagerly.
Slowly, they climbed, taking care not to interfere with the work of the laborers. Reaching the top of the wall the boys were able to see the ships crowded against the docks of Harlond; for here, the city's walls and the mighty Anduin were separated by less than a mile.
Catching up to Rolfe, Estev panted, "Where is that fool taking us?"
Rolfe shrugged, but Curthan turned to call back, "His brother's got grazing rights on some land just beyond the base of the ramps."
Rolfe and Estev exchanged knowing looks. This was the key to Harlan's plot. The boys would do the work, which earned the farmer his pasture, as well as take a percentage of any important finds they made.
Rolfe pulled Dog up short and grabbing Estev by the arm to move him from the path of a group of men rolling barrels toward the ramps leading back into the City. "This deal is sounding more and more lopsided as we go."
Estev chewed his bottom lip and watched as the other boys began the zigzagging slope downwards. "Can't we check it out? If you still don't feel right after we go look, we'll tell Ferlan, 'No'."
Reluctantly, Rolfe nodded. "But if there's no sign of anything today, I'm not coming back to scrounge around in the dirt for Harlan. You can if you want, but I won't."
Estev agreed eagerly and, weaving his way rapidly down the ramp, rejoined the other boys, leaving Rolfe to trail along behind.