Chapter 25

A Glimpse of Black

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The three days went smoothly. Nobody looked at him more suspiciously than they had so the dunking must have stayed quiet. Most people kept to their quarters but there were public lectures and small meetings during the off-hours. He saw Shelturn once but neither spoke. He saw Nenwûla of the Viersh twice. That felt staged. She was sweet on him. Others nodded and bowed, often smiling but usually trying to remember their verses. Elf ears heard backsliding on the joining of man and wife. It colored his wakeful rest.

The morning after the observance, the young man of the council found Nag Kath sitting by the small pond. He was sketching the hills to the north. New trees had waited an age to embrace the sky. They were still short but held so much promise. Had Radagast or the Ents come here out of pity?

The Elf rose before he was addressed and followed the Ghur back to the office. The same people were there and two new ones. On the left was a short, wiry fellow with close-cropped gray hair and light-brown skin. He wore robes of Harad, maybe the south part as Nag Kath remembered the Mumikil crews. To the right was a woman nearing forty whose face showed both beauty and sadness. She had fine features in the eastern tradition, wrapped head to foot in a tan robe with hints of color beneath. The changeling sat without taking tea.

Mr. Brown said, "Nag Kath, I am sorry we forced your hand. It was probably for the best. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that such as you still exist. We are agreed that if you wish to deal with the Yvsuldor, we will aid."

The Elf asked tentatively, "Yvsuldor?"

"Soldiers of the Witch-King. It is hard to pronounce for your race. Visitors are what we call the emissaries. Their base is at the west end of the Nûrnen Sea, where three rivers empty. That is the best farmland in Mordor and so it is where they command."

For two hours they talked about how to get there, the approaches, the size of the garrison, their financial support and dozens of other logistical items. In many cases, the Ghurate admitted they did not know or offered their best guess. Nag Kath asked, "Who is in charge?"

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The new woman spoke for the first time in a soft, clear voice, "His name is Nulvanash. He has been their leader for twelve years, a soldier who came up through the ranks. He is a ruthless man and does what he wants." She took a sip of tea. This was difficult for her to say. "Nulvanash may show mercy or compassion. If he changes his mind, it is terrible. There are a dozen men near him every hour and two companies of thirty as permanent guards. They cannot be bribed."

Nag Kath knew she had learned this the hard way. They would speak privately. It was time for the essential question, "What manner of sorcery does this Nulvanash command?"

The woman, as yet unnamed, explained, "He holds a ring. It is plain and gold. He wears it at all times. It is said to have powers of old, of the days when fell lords demanded all."

The Haradrim asked, "Now that you know of their defenses, what hope have you of taking it?"

Nag Kath said with the faintest touch of whimsy, "I intended to be invited."

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_~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ~-_

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Now that he had answers, everyone was surprised at how patient their guest became. He studied, practiced archery, attended some of the smaller lectures and even a few of the larger hall congregations. His Plainstongue improved but the more common tongue here was Variag (Khandian) so he mostly listened to that. And he sought an audience with the mysterious woman of the meeting.

It could not be granted because she did not live there. She had come from Lhûg during Gelansor when answers were needed. He would go to her if someone would arrange the introduction. Four days later, he was told he would be received the next day. Charlo had had enough right-living. After better than a week in a small paddock; he wanted to run. And run they did.

Her name was Chûran and she lived in a private home on the western edge of the city. A small, dark maid cracked the scrolled peep door and then opened the main door without a word. He was expected. She showed him into the main room and gestured for him to sit in an upholstered chair that sank so low his knees pointed at the ceiling. Hot tea arrived. A few minutes later she came down the stairs. He had to catch himself thinking she was Eniece. The woman was petite but proportioned the same, her hair almost black but showing red highlights. She was still covered from neck to feet but with fewer layers. Chûran bowed before sitting in a matching chair to his side.

In the same, lyric accent of the meeting she said, "You seem distracted, Mr. Kash."

"Forgive me, you reminded me of my wife."

"She waits for you at home?"

"I am afraid not."

The woman blew across the rim of her mug and set it down without sipping. "How can I assist my friends?"

"You have experience of Nulvanash." It was a question.

There was the smallest trace of a smile. It changed her face completely. "I do. I was among the tribute girls taken when I was fifteen. I came from a village on the Sirlish, this side of the Nûrnen. The warlord of Furnar Durosh chose others for his needs and the rest of us were given to junior officers. Mine was Nulvanash. He kept me and used me when he wanted.

"As his power grew, he chose to work quietly. Rather than command armies that fought and often lost, he would advise and bring other tyrants to his thinking. The ruler of the Furnar Durosh had an unfortunate accident and Nulvanash was elevated to his position. His men invested two neighboring districts including the capital city at the three river delta. I oversaw new girls coming as tax from those with nothing else."

Her tea was cool enough to sip. She delicately touched her lips with an embroidered cloth and seemed lost in her thoughts. Nag Kath spoke gently, "And now it is you who are distracted, my Lady."

Her eyes cleared and she offered the same tiny smile, "I am sorry. I fear your memories are more pleasant than mine. After a few years, he grew tired of me. I expected to be passed among his captains for their own pleasure so I went away one night with a few mementos to help soften my new life. I hope you are not shamed to be in my company, Mr. Kash."

"Not at all. The lady of whom I spoke had much the same befall her. Lords on both sides of the river have their way."

"Thank you, Mr. Kash. That was kind. Now, what plans for my old keeper?"

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They spoke for an hour. She told him of a merchant who spied for the Visitors only a few blocks away. The man certainly knew her by sight but nothing of her past. Before they parted, Nag Kath took his sketch pad and had her describe both Nulvanash and his ring. The tyrant's face took quite a while but the ring was a simple gold band like the description of the One Ring in the Red Book. He asked her, "Do you know of a jeweler who can fashion a ring like his?"

"I do."

Nag Kath placed a gold Florin in her hand and said, "It is better that you place the commission. I will take lodgings in the town and return as my plans develop. Will you help me set a trap for the spy?"

That netted a better smile, "Oh yes."

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_~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ~-_

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Chûran visited the jeweler the next morning. He was not the most prestigious but he was discreet. That mattered in a land where a woman's jewelry was her future. A plain ring like this should pose no trouble. She even brought a ring her master wore on the same finger of his other hand for sizing. It would not take that much gold so the craftsman's payment would be what was left of the coin. It should be ready to inspect in two days.

Nag Kath took a room in a different inn nearer to the spy. He was not a Visitor. His sympathies were for hire. Ureano was a trader who generally dealt in mining supplies. Part of his inventory was secrets. He plied the road from Eastern Khand to Eastern Mordor. In that luckless land, the power, army and orcs had always been concentrated on the Gondor side. Out here they grew the food and made the weapons. Sauron allowed rain to fall and sun to shine for grain to feed his troops. By some astonishing piece of luck, the Nûrnen had edible fish even though the water was foul tasting.

Here in Khand, rulers had their own plans. Having avoided sending every soldier to the fiasco on the Pelennor, Khanate borders were largely as drawn centuries before. Men like Ureano knew what people wanted.

Nag Kath was slightly surprised that the High Khagan of Upper Khand had no political connections in Mordor. Traders like Ureano were a good way to send discreet messages. It was understood that the man would share any hostile intentions towards Khagan Yigresh, that or large soldiers would see how long his innards stretched. Both sides played to win.

The Elf kept an eye on the merchant's home but he was not there. A servant left to market with a shadow as he visited the different stalls. The man got very little food suggesting he did not have to prepare anything for a returning master that day. When he stopped for tea and a pipe, Nag Kath had a look around Ureano's house. It never hurts to know what kind of spices someone likes. A woman came in with her own key so it was a short visit.

Nag Kath took the long way to see Chûran the next day. He was not followed. The maid received him and he was shown a taller chair with hot tea coming. The woman herself was in the food preparation area. Like all better homes, the cook stove was outside and everything else for meals was done just inside.

She seemed more relaxed, though her movements were still deliberate and exact. Were those the motions of a slave who must never disappoint? "I have ordered the ring. It should be ready to view tomorrow, Mr. Kash."

"Just Nag Kath."

"Just Nag Kash." Her common tongue was fair but there are some sounds not all Khandian speakers master. Chûran's accent was a mix of western Khand and the Plainstongue of the unfortunate men who lived in Eastern Mordor.

He was gentle, "I need to ask some very specific questions. If you feel they are too personal, let me know."

She touched her lips with the delicate cloth, "Nag Kash, I have nothing personal. I find solace, that is the word, solace?, in right-living. I am not always worthy. You ask what you must know and I will tell, yes?"

The Elf was touched. He started slowly, "Tell me what powers the ring gives him, oh, and what is his title?"

"He is called many things but Assured is shortest. He uses the ring for cruelty and to make examples. I left only two years after it came to him so there may be other uses now. I think not. He is a simple man."

Again she touched the napkin to her inviting lips, "He can give pain. He can make himself seem larger, except where, well, that is not important to you. His voice can be made low and loud and shake men's ears. I have heard from someone in a position to know that he also ages slowly, looks like he did when I left, like your, uhmm …" She pantomimed sketching. "That is not the way of Herduiq men. The person also said he has grown heavier. That is also not their way."

Nag Kath asked, "May I call you Chûran? I do not know how to address women in your land."

She said demurely, "That is fine." Brightening, "It is a pretty name. My sister was not so fortunate."

"Yes, pretty. How does the ring affect the people around him?"

"They fear it. No, they fear him. The ring is now the man. There is also something strange. Chûran knitted her delicate brows slightly, "Nulvanash was never wanting of possessions, power always, but not things. Since he wears the ring, he wants only gold."

Nag Kath's face slowly broke into his notorious grin. That became a belly-laugh. Chûran was shocked at first but then realized it was not something she had done wrong. She folded her hands in her lap and waited until her guest was composed. "This is good, yes?"

"I think so."

_~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ~-_

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He rode back to the retreat that afternoon. Several times along the way, he broke into gales of laughter that even had Charlo concerned. Gandalf told him the nine rings of men were all in Sauron's possession after the Nazgûl were enslaved. Either they were destroyed with him or lay under ten thousand tons of rubble at Barad Dûr. The three Elf rings were safe. Gandalf let him wear Narya in Orthanc once. The old wizard said it was slowly losing its power. He planned to return it to Lord Cirdan when he left.

But there were seven Dwarf rings - maybe others of lesser power. The legend goes that four were incinerated by fire-drakes in their wars on the mining kingdoms. Another probably fell into Sauron's hands through Thorin Oakenshield's father during his imprisonment. Two were unaccounted for, maybe more if the dragon yarn was spun drinking ale.

Love of gold and getting fat? The Assured had a Dwarf ring! Nag Kath never asked what those did. The rings of men gave them great powers, an addiction that brought them to the dark lord like lambs to the slaughter. Dwarves were said to be unaffected by Sauron's call because they are so contrary and hard to instruct. They did get greedier which led their bearers to ruin none the less. All of the rings were made for specific peoples. A man with a Dwarf ring would have limited sorcery and might still become a wraith like the Smeagol creature. Perhaps he would just live a long time as Sauron's remaining rings slowly cooled.

Nag Kath was in a good mood when he took Charlo to the stable. The next morning he asked to speak to Mr. Sûhl of the braided hair and beard privately and to Misters Tan and Brown together. Then he wanted a word with Nenwûla of the Viersh.

Sûhl, no Mister needed, was feeding birds near the larger pond. Nag Kath sat next to him. One of his flock was a duu crow, called crebains among the Elves. Those were the birds Saruman used. It might be several lives of men before he did not think of them as messengers. He asked, "When you saw the picture of Orlo you remembered something."

"I thought so, but it was not there."

"All people see something familiar at first but then it fades. I think it is because everyone sees him in their own way, as he wants to appear or as we imagine him."

The man looked at the Elf and then back to the birds waiting for stale loaves. He crushed a handful and tossed it. "That is possible. You are the first sorcerer I have known as such."

Nag Kath continued, "In your learning and travels, has there ever been a friend to your order, or people like you going back to olden times, someone who appeared at need or at just the right time?"

"Many times, I should think. Most were known then or stayed to become known. Right thinking has come and gone for hundreds of years at a time. Something brings it back. You are thinking more of a person who came and went?"

"Yes, like a rainstorm in fire. He may have led men against a foe when hope was lost."

"Let me think about that, young man. I will ask the others. May I see your picture again?" Nag Kath took it from a front pouch. "Hmmm, it is a wise face that seems to be hiding a jest. I will also consider those I have met only once but deserve remembrance."

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Sûhl had another stale loaf to crumble so the Elf left him to it and visited the Misters.

"How were your conversations with the Lady, Nag Kath?"

"Productive, Choran, and humbling. I see in her and in all of you just how spoiled I am. Men should be humble. Did you have a chance to make inquiries?"

Khilestrû answered, "We did. Answers will take longer. There is word that Hurm Rydovosh to the Visitors' south has been making trouble for them. Nulvanash will have spies stirring foment among his men and among Aômul's men above the Nûrnen. It may keep him busy."

Nag Kath said, "I will often have questions that no sane person would ask but I have my reasons. Has there ever been a legend of a gold hoard inside Mordor? If not, somewhere nearby?"

The men looked at each other and decided the Elf was not a treasure hunter. Zielthir answered, "Now that you mention it, Sauron was said to have a trove well away from his tower, absurd when you think about it because Barad Dûr was where he kept everything else. Most of that burned to ash in the reckoning. No gold was found."

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Nenwûla had just finished pummeling a poor man to jelly when Nag Kath rounded the corner. Hanvas Tûr was ostensibly a place of healing. There were physical healers like Nenwûla and those who dealt in herbs and diet. Others were counselors for men and women who could not forget the horrors of this sorry land. Those were fading now that Khand was stabilizing, but people still woke gasping in the night. Since most folk would not travel for such remedies, the retreat was known but ignored. Not all who came sought right-living.

She put a towel over her shoulder and walked to him as he said, "Good day Nenwûla of the Viersh."

"And you, best of sirs."

"Please, tell me of your training in herbs."

The pummeled man was her last patient so they wandered to where they had sat before. The woman told him of the local weeds and roots and what they did.

He was looking for something worse. "Have you any skill with spells and herbs combined?"

Repeating her catechism, "Those are not used for healing."

"I know."

Oh! This was distressing! The woman had shown inductive healing skills in her youth. Mother kept those buried. With her brawn and sensitivity, she might be accepted at the Sisters of Viersh. Those skills paid with copper, not with swords! Mother was gone and she had completed her training. Occasionally she would heal by induction now.

What this creature suggested was witchcraft! What possible right-living comes of that? But he was a witch, if the story of him soaking Shelturn was half true. Would she be drawn into fell sorcery and lose all? Oh dear! He was here at the invitation of the Ghurate so she would listen first.

The Elf saw her consternation. No good had ever come from what he contemplated. How was this different? "I see your trouble. I want to know if you have ever used a binding spell on common foods or spices?"

That was a relatively simple answer; she hadn't and didn't know how. Nag Kath gave a quick-list list of foods found in Dale. None came to mind but it may be because of the name rather than the plant. She would look. Nenwûla was still upset. Nag Kath had some right-living of his own to do, "I am sorry for disturbing you. And I know that such things are very hard for dreams of a family."

The woman was even more distraught. "I do not have such troubles, Nag Kash. I was sent to the Sisters because I am large. Men of these lands like their women small and slender. What man would look at me with tender eyes?"

The Elf sincerely said, "I should think any man would be proud to be your husband, that you would comfort him and ease the pain of his honest labors with love."

No one had ever spoken such words to Nenwûla of the Viersh.

When her face stopped looking like she would cry he added, "Do not think so meanly of yourself. Not all men are shallow and vain. Probably some here today can see the truth of that. Do not be troubled by my questions, but if you discover any of the things I seek are the same by the names you call them, you can help."

Nenwûla fought through to smile and said she would try. He wondered if the smiling Northman Richas Tolvern had a sore neck. He was getting as bad as Tal!

There was one last question, "When you saw the picture of Orlo, did you remember him?"

"I thought so, but no. For a moment he reminded me of Talag Usuh, a respected councilman of my village. It was he who suggested I come here after my training. But honored Usuh is a much younger man … and still has all his hair."

"Thank you again, Nenwûla of the Viersh."

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_~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ~-_

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After another day of plotting, Nag Kath rode back to Lhûg. Chûran's maid found him rooms by the month from a man who owned several apartments. Inns were public with obvious doors and people noticing at all hours. His place had two rooms, neither big, and the lock could be picked with a piece of wire. It did have a vacant apartment across the hall. Nag Kath slipped in and unlocked the window in case he needed another way in or out.

Chûran opened the door herself as the maid was marketing at this time of day. She had new colors draped around her and for the first time, he saw her feet in slippers with a clever cord separating her big toe from the others.

She opened a clean white cloth to reveal a gold ring. Chûran had the jeweler add more mass to the piece. That cut into his profit but it needed to be a specific size. The new casting had not been ready until this morning. She did not know if the Visitor's ring had visible runes inside the band.

It was hard to tell if the mysterious woman was enjoying this. She seemed more alive than in the dour meeting. She smiled. Her face was no longer the mask of perfection it must have been but she was still beautiful. The Elf did wonder if she was helping in righteousness or if she wanted to see her former master suffer. The first was admirable. The second could only lead to bitterness. She did not say. He did not ask.

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Ureano was back. He spent the afternoon unloading two donkeys at a tinsmith and counting his groats. Ureano worked for cash or barter. He returned home for dinner and then left in good light to a tavern and smoking hall in the better district. It was hard for a tall, pale blonde to lurk unobserved but he did see the man greet an assortment of acquaintances before sitting with another businessman. The Elf burned both men's faces into his mind to draw later.

The idea quickening in his mind would take a while to develop so he needed to find an excuse for being here.

Until yesterday, he thought of the Visitors as a nomadic sect. If so, the beating they took on both sides of the Celduin would lose the ears of practical villains seeking an advantage. The council explained this Nulvanash fellow was a powerful warlord with a standing army to protect some of the best grain-land in Mordor. He was already the leader of his district when he came by the ring and used it to consolidate the lands between the lower two rivers of the delta. Friends of friends put it at fifteen hundred foot and two hundred fifty cavalry terrorizing about seven thousand inhabitants.

He had more than his share of enemies. Aômul was Hurm (Law Sayer) of the Nûrn lands between the middle and upper rivers - most of the north coast of the huge lake. That meant he also controlled the east/west road. Scant trade was allowed after the Hurm sent back the heads of three Visitors in a crate of whisker-fish.

Then there was Nargil. Hurm Ryduvosh's realm was between the next two drinkable rivers on the southern bank with the southern road into Khand. There was also a low pass to Harad for trade or escape – the same pass the armies of Harad used to reach Barad Dûr. Nulvanash the Assured had hostile neighbors north and south with the rank lake to the east and nothing but desert as far west as the mountains.

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Nag Kath asked about hereditary and blood relations between the tyrants. Mr. Tan smiled before saying, "No, and that is the problem. Men of that land were slaves, some higher than others but all borne of cruelty and fear. One day, all the orc masters dropped dead leaving the food for those willing to take it. Having never known better, the most vicious rose to the top. Here in Khand, we were allies and paid our tribute to Sauron but were too far away with too few places for orcs to hide. The families who ran things still do, for the most part. In Mordor, rulers come and go in blood and fire, as they always have.

"And that, Nag Kath, is the difference. Those here and in the Rhûn would make our lands a home because we have always wanted that, in spite of the foulest sorceries. In Mordor, they know no better. And now Nulvanash has gained an ancient power and seeks to wield it. You see our concern."

The Elf understood all too well. He asked, "Tell me, wise council, does the Assured have any friends?"

"The man of Harad said, "Certainly not, but Brulthed of the east sea seeks primacy over his neighbors just as Nulvanash succeeded in the west." He spoke to the young man to test his wording, which seemed fairly good to the Nag Kath's ears. "His district has Visitors openly in their midst. If Nulvanash takes all of the Nûrnen, he can only look our way as Sauron did to hauvshu … mmmm … calamity." The man took a long pull of cool tea and continued, "In my lands, several of the Chelkar satrapies have his poison in their ears. The Hûk is old and his son is not clever, so men look to themselves. Visitors get there by sneaking over the pass at Kupshe."

Now he had to ask the opposite question, "Who are our friends and what kind of army can be raised?"

Khilestu said grimly, "There is where we fail you, Nag Kath. No ruler here, there or below lives right. We have men among soldiers and merchants and farmers - not a fighting a force. Tribal rulers war against their like but no one cares about the Yvsuldor spies unless it threatens them. Even when men fear that ring, they are not scared enough to join together and risk their own skins."

The Elf held his chin in his hand until the silence was almost crushing. Then he slowly said, "I apologize to you all. I have thought only of myself. I placed myself above all others. My coming was to deal with those trying to harness dark powers again and I did not consider you. Through arrogance I have your ear but I have not bent mine to hear what you seek for yourselves. That has cost me dear before. Would each of you tell me the world you want?"

Nenwûla went first, "I want children not to cringe when they hear hooves."

Sûhl said, "I would not have women taken. Wives are friends.

The young man, whose name was Prentivand, said, "I would see a man keep what he earns. Yes, there must be tax, but if he grows or makes or takes fish from the sea, it is his."

Mr. Tan was next around the table. All could see he was thinking and the right-living people let him speak in his own time. The man licked his lips and said, "Want is a two-edged sword. I agree with young Prentivand that a man should keep what he earns. But that must not apply to taking what others have. That is not earned. It feeds into how Mordor seethes and grows and festers!" The man's blood was high.

Chûran was not here. She was a witness and not of the council. The Haradrim who came to the second meeting said, "I say as the others, lo I fear that right-living will not contain this plague."

It was finally Khilestu's turn, "I would see all of this but never will if we do not strangle the Yvsuldor in its crib. Nulvanash does not grow old. He will wear down his neighbors and then come for all the world. I am not here for what I want. I am here for what we need, and I would rather die fighting than begging for mercy. Nag Kath, what do you need?"

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The next day they would meet again to discuss bringing men and means to bear. Nag Kath decided to keep what he thought he knew about the ring to himself for now. He would hold 'The Fast' in reserve too. No one here should rely on that.

After the meeting, he sought Shelturn. The man was at the stable replacing a bridle strap that had frayed. He looked up as the Elf sat next to him on a straw bale but then looked back at his work, saying nothing. Nag Kath started, "I am sorry about the pond."

The man concentrated on forcing the leather through the ring. A minute later it was far enough in that it would not slip. Then he said without looking up again, "I suppose I should thank you for not drowning me."

"That was not a risk. I needed to get their attention and you were the toughest man I could find, except maybe for a big Northman here for Gelansor."

That was a joke. Shelturn tried not to smile but eventually failed. "I have seen him. Good man in a scrap, I'll wager."

Nag Kath said, "I am going to need good men in a scrap. I also need a soldier who understands such things. Can we shake hands and work in fellowship?"

The bridle was ready to be stitched. Shelturn finally looked at the Elf and reached his hand. "Aye, I can do that." He shook his head and got the same small smile again. "Most here are Teüchir, learned ones. Three in ten are women. Some men have borne arms but that pays better than many things so men seldom leave soldiery by walking."

Nag Kath considered carefully before saying, "I was born a soldier. We never really walk away."

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The next day in council was for organizing. He asked what skills those of right-living had here and in their sister retreat in the north. Shelturn would be his chief of staff. The maps they found were in a sorry state so a man was deputized to combine the little ones into one large one that could lie on a table. He told them he had about fifty Florin squirreled in his gear. That was a boggling sum in the shadow of Mordor. Khans probably had that much in pocket money but they did not share.

Nag Kath could not stay here. He was unique and people would notice him riding the magnificent horse from the city to nowhere and back. He decided he would hide in plain site. It was time to use the Bror's little ring.