Chapter 26
Pulling the Strings
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Emond tûl Yigresh, Khagan of Upper Khand, wiped his lips with a pristine Ko-ton cloth and dropped it on the floor. It would be used again, but not by him. The lamb had been prepared properly. He nodded to the servers who removed the assorted plates, bowls and goblets in moments. Then he rose and walked down the hall to his private study.
His Vishtuun was standing by the desk. The Khagan nodded and the man sat. Yigresh was not as staid as his famous grandfather who made all in his presence stand. He didn't like looking up at them. The Vishtuun summarized the day's agenda which included meeting with the Purse, a pair of Khans who could not agree on a parcel of land left on the other side of a stream after it changed course in a storm and the disposition of a concubine of second son who had not conceived. It was a light schedule. The Vishtuun pulled an elegant letter from his folio, "Something new, Excellency. The Bror of Rhûn has been in contact. He offers to send an emissary and retinue to pay their respects in hopes of discussing subjects of mutual benefit."
Yigresh himself wondered that they might have more to do with each other. The world had changed. This was the age of large countries. His was a large country. District satraps paid obeisance but they were notoriously independent. That was fine until someone like Dulgov pointed all his shaggy horses south now that he didn't need them defending against his new friend the Elessar. A Rhûnic army would have starved coming here without his revered fathers lifting a finger, but with the Dark Lord gone, more rain created enough forage to reach the desert unless he burned it. And now the new Bror, a man his own age with grown sons, recently disposed of a brother who thought too highly of himself. Yes, we know such things down here. The usurper Frunzar had Visitors in his ranks too.
Yes, Visitors! Mordor was the bigger problem. Those barbarians could not be reasoned with. They knew nothing of governance. More to the point, they had not respected his rule! Sending Nulvanash's agitators back wrapped in drying rawhide should have made his point but the despot had not seen the error of his ways.
Yigresh looked at his Vishtuun and asked, "What does his Excellency have in mind?"
His man reported, "The letter simply read that a small contingent would visit to ask your Lordship's views on closer relations. It was delivered by an advance rider with the correct seal for an emissary and his retainers now wait on the border for your Excellency's approval."
"Yes, let us hear what they have to say. Return the concubine to her family."
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His exquisite capital of Ûbésêsh was nestled in the lee of the Ephel Duath's southern tail. It compared with fabled Elvish cities of yore, much more interesting than the utilitarian kingdoms of the west. The former capital was in the deep desert but when Sauron's power was complete, it became too hot and dry. This had been and still was the better Khaganate. The south was getting more rain too but only slightly. They also had smaller districts and poorer roads, little wonder Sauron never conscripted many. That was old news now. He walked into his receiving room to hear the complaint of land across some stream.
A month later, the modest retinue of the Broric Emissary arrived in Ûbésêsh. They rode the familiar woolly horses of the Easterlings except one with what must be a stolen Rohan mount. Their advance man purchased a modest compound near the river wall. This being only the Ambassador's representative, he would see to property commensurate with higher station if closer relations were to the Khagan's liking. Vishtuun Juegesh arranged for the man and two of his aides to visit the palace for lunch after the Observance of Wind and Sky three days hence. It would give them time to make themselves presentable.
The grandees arrived with no fanfare. The representative was a man of about five and forty, dressed in the fashion of Northmen after stewing in needless furs. With him were his secretary and a tall young northerling with typical dark, braided hair. This one had no beard, probably one of their mountain lads who shaved his face rather than display unmanly wisps. He cut his chin before coming.
They were shown before the Khagan in his receiving room and adjourned to a modest table for them and four of his Excellency's men. After introductions and compliments, Juguesh asked the representative to explain the purpose of his visit. In passable Variag, Captain Lurgsh said, "Thank you for your warm welcome, Oh Khagan of these noble lands. It is the hope of northern peoples that we can consult more often on matters that affect our new, wider world."
Yigresh nodded congenially and replied, "We thank you as well for your long, hard journey. I welcome you on behalf of my people. Vishtuun Juegesh will act for me in preliminary matters that you might take back to honored Brother King Dulgov. I look forward to your progress." All rose with the Khagan and sat down after he left the room.
Captain Lurgsh and the Vishtuun exchanged a single page of topics to be considered in four days time and adjourned after an excellent lunch of lamb, succulents and fruits. No alcohol was served, it still being light outside.
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The Easterlings rode back to their quarters and handed their mounts to a groom waiting by the gate. Strangely, there were only eight people in the retinue, including a cook and the groom. No local people were retained. Everyone knew the Bror, like his father before him, was frugal, to put it charitably. Hopefully an official ambassador would have a more appropriate staff. Right-living was tested early when the Vishtuun offered women to make the men comfortable after their constraining journey. The intemperate Rhûns might appreciate the young lovelies of Khand. Such females had to be raised gently, not plucked from the dirt like turnips.
Captain Lurgsh, hung his hat on a peg by the door and said, "I am starting to think this might just work."
Shelturn had been waiting for the three. Looking out of the real glass window he added, "Well, we got here. Pretty place. I had no idea."
Nag Kath looked out the same window and said, "It is nice. I wish I spoke more of their tongue. This Juguesh, he is a chamberlain in my parlance?"
"That but also a family retainer. Sulath thinks he will be impossible to bribe. He is probably a relative too distant to claim lordship but too close to survive a coup."
The three men were joined by another and sat around the low table. Captain Lurgsh was actually Teüchir (Lorist) Lurgsh from Yhammâs Fruhir. He had been a corporal for two border skirmishes before tutoring waking rest for those who suffered injuries of spirit. The Bror's ring fit his third finger. They all hoped Dulgov would agree this was a good cause, should it come to his attention.
The third member at the palace and secretary of the visitation was Doruk Hennipas of Kelepar. He was forty eight and had been a government agent to the horse region before right-living found him. Hennipas arranged the Rhûnic horses and tack along with suitable clothing but his main purpose for being here was understanding something of Dulgov's administration.
The other four men were runners who could shuttle into the wilds if needed. There were two agents already working quietly in Ûbésêsh. They had been here for years. The Ghurate took a great risk in making them available for this effort. Both Sulath and Delemantêsh were ordinary merchants by day, selling embroidered cloth and rope respectively. They would never visit the embassy. And they knew who everyone was in town.
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Nag Kath wondered that there really wasn't an original idea in the plan. Western nations had exchanged ambassadors since the Elven Kingdoms. In the Sauronic world, those roles were filled by dark servants like the Yvsuldor and Worm Tongue or creatures who had considerable power of their own like the Nazgûl. There were also witches who wind-spoke the dark lord's will but they disappeared with him. When Sauron fell, native populations thought of creative ways to repay the dark lord's minions, but they did not replace them with embassies. The typical way to parlay without bloodshed was to meet at a border and leave if they could. There were still plenty of spies; independents like Ureano or dedicated men. The Bror would have eyes down here as well. If the Righters were discovered, the Bror's lads might have to be silenced, baffled or open to a comfortable retirement. Delemantêsh knew of one who fell firmly into the last category.
If Delemantêsh knew friends, Sulath knew Visitors. Sulath was the sort of man you would want behind you, larger than your average Khandian with a face no one remembered. He watched two Visitors closely; one was Lieutenant Nen in the Khagan's Blood Lancers. He earned the commission by being a hard, ruthless soldier, indistinguishable from his real employment. Lately he had been in charge of Second Son's escort so he was not in the city for weeks at a stretch. Second Son, the presumptive heir, seemed the royal most open to persuasion by the men of the Assured.
The other Visitor was more senior. Zrev dated back before Nulvanash's ascendance and was rumored to wield small sorcery of his own. The man had no visible means of support and lived well in a private home of the garden sector. Zrev had a pair of retainers who people avoided when they walked the streets. Despite his station, Sulath thought he might be getting soft on dark summoning after living in the capital. If he thought that, Lieutenant Nen would too. Nen had his own career to consider.
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Ûbésêsh was a convenient base of operations. It was the largest city in the east at thirty thousand and quite astonishing, even by western comparison. Unlike much of the country, it benefited by strong rivers flowing from the mountains separating them from Mordor. Fountains and flowers and things unheard-of just to the west benefited those who deserved them. They saw no need to share with the cross-eyed Mordorans.
That worked well for the Righters too. This was closer to Nulvanash's capital than Lhûg. Small commerce flowed both ways. That could include accurate or misleading information, depending on the need. Upper Khand was the only country besides Gondor that minted their own money. Numenorean-style coins worked just as well but the local merchants had been quietly exchanging some of Nag Kath's Florins into small local sizes that would not attract attention.
The Variag capital also gave Nag Kath a backdoor to the Nargil river which kept them from having to take the northern route into Mordor past warlords fighting for control of the western deltas. More importantly, the gap at Khûr Khand led to the land of Hûrm Ryduvosh. He was Nulvanash's southern neighbor and most powerful adversary. The Nargil River formed the border between Nulvanash and Ryduvosh and also poured a great deal of clean water into the bitter Nûrnen Sea. Neither of them could bring large numbers of troops into the other's land without boats and trees were scarce.
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Before talks got very far between the northerners and Khandians, Captain Lurgsh claimed a mystery ailment of the digestion and was indisposed. Juegesh was in no hurry and had to leave with his Excellency in a week for his annual trip to the Temple of Kondri Hochi. He would be gone a month. The Righters knew that.
Nag Kath and Shelturn slipped out the main gate the day after their leader's distress and made southwest along the southern edge of the Ephel Duath pincer. The Elf was surprised at how green it was. They could see nothing but brown to their left but along the slopes was good grazing and thirty-year old trees fighting for light. If their path held, they would reach the town of Fich Shon in two days. To the right was the low pass into Mordor, the easternmost gap in the range. Their road was to continue along the south on the border of Harad with plans to cross at the Nargil Pass.
Both riders wore soldier's clothes. There were no uniforms here. In their bags were an assortment of patches for local militias if needed. Shelturn was mixed blood of Rhûn and Khand's vast ill-defined border. He spoke the northerly Variag dialect so they usually bore the swatch of Khagan Yigresh's capital troops, knowing full well if they were challenged, they would not get away by talking.
After making-up for the dunking, the two got along well and discussed many things on their ride. Both knew little of each other's world. Nag Kath did more of the talking because he had traveled a great deal of the west and the Dark Lord crushed as much local history as he could. Men from here knew far less of their heritage than westerlings. Much of the time was spent drilling the Elf in Variag since he might need a lot of it soon. The changeling's knack for languages paid.
For his part, Shelturn shared his layman's knowledge of right-living, which seemed closer to Nenwûla's than Orlo's. The man had served the current Bror's father as a Lieutenant of Infantry and later of cavalry as the Puklak horses were bred in numbers. A bad fall led to a slow recovery and he was replaced. He might have applied for another commission but had had enough of taking farmers' food while waiting for the next war. When his brother's widow confided that she felt better for gentler gods, he listened.
It was a good thing they rode well together because this would be a long trip. Their road took another ten days along the forest edge until they reached a small river that would become the Chelkar flowing west at Bogath, a hardened frontier town on the Swerting border. If Nag Kath ever wondered what had happened to all the bugs that weren't in inns to the west, he found them. The travelers nibbled their Lembas and had a mug of the local yellow beer, not a good match. From there it was another three days into Harad cutting the corner to a place called Ankaradan's Lair on a river leading from some of the tallest peaks in the chain. Neither Ankaradan nor anyone else was here. It was one of the few passes where Haradrim in their thousands crossed into Mordor proper. Not many returned.
This was the last stretch before skirting the southern range and making for the Nargil Pass. The grade reminded Nag Kath of the High Pass over the Mistys. They kept east of the Nargil River to avoid Nulvanash's lands. A month to the day after leaving the Khagan's capital, they stepped into the lands of Hurm Ryduvosh's at the village of Kûl Tarkorûl.
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Villagers scuttled into their homes or behind anything they could find when the two riders walked their horses along the trail. Since there were no soldiers, the Righters decided to take the afternoon at ease. Nag Kath found the local fish knew nothing of disguised hooks and he landed three big ones in a matter of minutes. They made camp and let the animals graze.
A girl-child of about six had not been hustled into hiding and walked out to join the travelers on the river bank. Shelturn gave her a piece of Lembas bread. The lass reminded Nag Kath of Mirias, the miner's daughter in Orthanc with a mop of dark curly hair and pale skin. She said nothing but nibbled her treat and did not run away. Nag Kath asked her name. She did not understand. Shelturn tried in Plainstongue and she said it was Gulda.
Her parents had been frantically looking and saw her in the worst of all possible places; with soldiers. They had older children and should consider their safety before risking rescuing the baby. In the end, they came out to claim her. Her father called her from about fifty feet away but the child was much too interested in the cake. At thirty feet she heard him and turned still holding her Lembas with both hands. Finally the man came close, bowing and muttering obeisance. It took great bravery to overcome great fear. Shelturn pointed to the fish. The man took one in one hand and his daughter in the other back to his terrified wife.
So that is what it is to live in Mordor. Was the man's courage the future of this land or was the terror? Probably both.
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With everyone fed, they worked their way northeast hugging the peaks. Another day's ride would take them to Hurm Ryduvosh's capital of Nargil. That was not the goal. Nag Kath was looking for somewhere obviously in the man's domain where Nulvanash had never been. It took a day of sniffing but he found it. In these mountains were bred many of Sauron's large draft-trolls, the older beasts that could not stand any daylight. Erosion of softer rock over the ages created natural tunnels and caves that ran deep enough to protect against deadly sun. He found a second cave to visit later.
Compared to the trolls above the Iron Hills Road, these lads were paupers. There was nothing they could have stolen in their day except gureeq and the occasional peasant for roasting. Shelturn lit a torch and they walked inside. It was just waste and bones. The Elf left several Florin worth of his oldest nippers and a silver goblet he bought in Ûbésêsh with a jewel from his original cache. The coins would be easily found if someone was seriously looking.
The cave was ten miles inside Ryduvosh's territory, the perfect risk for the gold-obsessed Nulvanash thinking he had found Sauron's hoard. All he need do was claim it, quietly if possible, by force if not. Nag Kath had plans for that.
It seemed an awfully long trip just to salt the mine but pure fantasy would not create the necessary lust. The Elf spent the rest of the day sketching every rock for a quarter mile along the southwestern face of the crags. The next morning, Nag Kath placed the jewel Thorin Stonehelm gave him a few years before just inside the second cave and stood over it for half an hour. Shelturn saw him turn silver in color and glow with a fierce light for a few minutes before the black-braided Elf trudged back to camp. That was the first night Shelturn saw him sleep.
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The trip back was like the trip there except they knew places to avoid. At the pass town of Fruud just inside Khand, two soldiers sauntered over trying to act important. It would be a shame to draw attention to themselves so close to their headquarters but soldiers with bad attitudes came with the territory. The uglier of them said something in Variag.
Shelturn said in the same tongue, "We are returning to the capital after taking a message to Vhir of Ala-Khand."
He would tell the Elf afterwards that the man challenged, "Then you will have no trouble producing your pass." Shelturn scratched his chin, the signal for trouble. The few people around had vanished. Just before the right-doing soldier pulled his sword, a shaft of pale yellow light shone from Nag Kath's left hand into the faces of the soldiers. He murmured, "You need to tell them things are fine and that we are leaving." Shelturn did so. As the soldiers looked blankly at each other, the Righters climbed on their horses and rode at a good clip for an hour before slowing to their usual pace.
It was only then the Shelturn said, "I wish I could have done that to my sister."
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It was now late fall. Folk of wetter climes do not all understand that deserts are not always hot at night, especially in the lee of the mountains. Temperatures vary widely from sun to dawn. Well bundled, they rode to within a block of their compound in the Khagan's capital and tied the horses in front of a tavern. Nag Kath stayed with them as Shelturn quietly walked to the back gate and whistled. He got the right whistle back and retrieved the Elf and horses.
Things had gone well on this end. The restored Representative Lurgsh met twice with the Vishtuun to discuss issues of trade and troop-strength on their patchwork borders. Lurgsh had no opinions, and didn't even know about the various side-agreements among the border satraps. He neither demanded nor ceded lands, explaining that was the Ambassador's and, ultimately, the Bror's prerogative. He was only here to show good faith. There were also vague aspirations of creating permanent embassies in each capital.
The pace would have maddened even the patient Nag Kath, but this was brisk among southern peoples. Forms had to be observed. There were constant rituals honoring the fallen, the gods and, of course, the Khagan. The Khagan's second son was in the city, he of the barren concubine, and the mood in the market was that it wasn't her fault. He came to one of the meetings and left bored.
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Back at the embassy, Nag Kath felt it was time to spill the lentils. He explained his theory about the Dwarf ring. To his surprise, only Lurgsh knew anything about rings of power. The Elf had Gandalf's own knowledge of their fate, but it wasn't that much different than what most free-peoples knew if they cared. Here; there was only oppressive power. How could its source matter? It took several hours of explaining and answering until the men realized they had dragon cards still face down in their pile. The lure of gold would be irresistible to the Assured. Everything depended on the age-old saying, 'You can't cheat an honest man'. Fortunately, everyone on the other side was thoroughly corrupt.
Nag Kath's plan was to create the impression that men of the Bror's contingent were investigating knowledge of Sauron's hidden trove from years of scholarship joined with recently uncovered documents along the Rhûn after defeating Frunzar. One of the Nazgûl, possibly the Easterling Khamûl, had protected the treasure in troll caves along the southern Ephel range near the Nargil River. Wards against their detection were fading. The first sorcerer to defeat them would reign supreme.
The Elf thought to leave a little honey here and a little bile there until Nulvanash sent a troop into the wilds to verify claims. They would find the cave that had already been plundered leaving proof of riches. They could not enter the larger one secured with fouler spells. He hoped his confusion ward on a genuine Dwarvish artifact would hold until spring. That was the bait waiting for a man of vision.
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Finding all of this could not be too easy. A suspicious man would smell the trap. Hints of the prize would trickle to Nulvanash's capital Ûniarra Nûrn from previously reliable sources. The man would have no trouble sending a troop across the river to find the coins but the Assured would need to counter the wards of the larger cave himself.
Nag Kath counterfeited a crude treasure map on his cheapest, oldest paper. It took several tries to convert his accurate pictures of the hills to rough versions that were still identifiable. For the text; he spoke Black Speech but had no idea how to write it so he butchered enough Sindarin to make the points and drew the letters in the old style Frodo sketched of the heated ring in the Red Book. The map was a place mat on the dining table to spill tea and stew on for authenticity. With all of the twists and turns, the hope was that the Assured would have to return to Hurm Ryduvosh's lands, in force, in mid-summer after the Hurm was alerted. Operative Sullath made sure Rydovosh's local spy heard Nulvanash might be coming, but not why.
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It was time for Captain Lurgsh to conclude preliminary diplomacy and return to the Rhûn for consultations. He, Hennipas and Nag Kath went to see the Vishtuun one last time for a farewell lunch after Delemantesh's wife re-blackened Nag Kath's tan hair roots. The meal was served in a hall Lurgsh hadn't seen before in the extraordinary palace. Rooms all around it were done in white marble surrounding exquisite mosaics on the floors. The walls of the reception room were decorated with the elegant writings of ancient times. It seemed the actual writing of them was as important as the message.
Nag Kath stood in front of one for a long time before they left. Vishtuun Juegesh and Lurgsh joined him examining a pristine piece of vellum with the large first letter of a word done in their ornate style. That was it. The steward explained that it had been drawn so perfectly that the calligrapher dared not complete the work lest the rest be unworthy. The tall Northman thanked him in his harsh tongue and thought of the Elf artist Danethiur knowing when to stop.
Captain Lurgsh told the proud Vishtuun that they would maintain the home here in Ûbésêsh if his Excellency had questions or suggestions. The three representatives returned to the embassy and two days later they and Shelturn left to report to the rightful Bror Dulgov.
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Following their own footsteps, they made Lhûg just before December. It was still warm when the sun shined but the men of Northern Khand and the Rhûn wore their furs. The party made their way to the retreat to explain the state of play and Nag Kath rode back to town two days later for a word with Chûran.
After he was admitted, she walked down her stairs and offered her hands to be kissed. That was a first. Her maid served and became scarce. Did Chûran take lovers? He hoped so, for her sake. This was all business. A pretense had to be created for the spy to report the merest supposition that great lords had designs on Sauron's hidden treasure, warded by sorcery, at the headwaters of the Nargil. The instigators were Easterlings who had just visited the Khagan, so, presumably, he was in on the plot. Their ears in the capital could not confirm it because the Khagan knew nothing of the sort, but that would not stop tongues from wagging.
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Vibrant Flower, Ureano's mistress, showed the long years of her trade and a fondness for Rhûnic wine. It did not take much silver to pass a story along. The spy also had an informer in his ranks called Chigurn who kept his ear to the ground. The flower explained the two men had a falling-out recently. Destroying the Visitors would start at the down-and-out Chigurn's favorite tavern the next time he came by a few coppers.
A drunken soldier wandered his way, first sitting and then laying on a merchant's porch. By the time Chigurn reached him, the man was snoring like a Dwarf. Practiced fingers retrieved three fivers from the fellow's pocket. However could they pay these simpletons so much? The brute probably leaned on honest people and it served him right to return 'squeeze' money to those he oppressed!
When Chigurn arrived, Corporal Lurgsh and Grend Keldan of the retreat were dealing a new hand of Intur, the two-player version of Dukks. The little thief was a known card cheat. Reputable houses tossed him in the street. Others took their cut. Neither of the northlanders was very good at this game. Even better for Chigurn; Keldan poured the last of the wine beaker into his cup and looked around grandly for the wench.
"Intur is a poor game compared to full Dukks, gentlemen. Do you need a third?"
Lurgsh slurred, "We have a man coming."
Keldan countered, "He should have been here an hour ago. Fellow can't keep away from women!"
Lurgsh appeared to consider that gravely and growled, "Have a chair. You have to buy your own wine!"
Chigurn had no trouble skimming the men by barely winning most of the hands. The travelers kept their conversation to a minimum until Keldan outraged, "Where is he?! He had better not have kept that coin for himself!"
Lurgsh seemed unconcerned, "It is just a groat. Here, I have several!" The man clad as a merchant picked through the coppers in front of him and slid one across the table. "He has always been reliable, even if his brother is dougsh. If you ask me, fairy stories of Sauron's gold are alehouse talk. Who could ever claim it? Those Kelepar traders are having a jest at our expense."
Chigurn lost a hand. "May I?" He picked up the coin and saw an old rune on one side. "Easterlings attending his Excellency?" He tossed the coin back in the pot.
"Aye, company of them," burp, "treating with Lord what's-his-name. It is all a nonsense. Rulers have reasons enough to speak without rumors of sorcery."
Chigurn lost another hand, slapping his cards down in mock frustration before leaning over the table and saying, "I thought such spells were over."
Keldan helped himself to the new beaker and poured one for their guest to the aggravation of Lurgsh. "They are just wearing down now, like in the west with the Mournshaws. Some men may still be able to counter them."
Lurgsh pronounced, "I have no such powers, and you'll not catch me anywhere near Narsil."
Keldan corrected him, "That is a sword. This is a river. I'll not go there either. There is money enough along the Desert Road!"
To his apparent surprise, Chigurn won a large hand. He spared them enough money for the next game saying, "Please excuse me, best of sirs, my lonely wife awaits. Perhaps we can do this again tomorrow?"
"Keldan yawned, "Can't. Leave with the light. We should probably find a bed ourselves. Good evening sir."
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Fifteen groats from the drunk, nine from these men after paying the house, it was Chigurn's best night in a long while. More importantly, he had something for Ureano. The trader's wilted flower would know where he was.
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The knock on the door was not who she wanted. "Good morning, Mr. Chigurn. Ureano is still away."
"Good morning, Vibrant Flower. Do you know when he returns?"
After the last time, she would have told the loathsome creature not until the end of days. Today she said, "I expect three days, but you know that is not certain."
"Tell him I have something important."
The kept-woman replied, "This had better be. Your last effort was inaccurate."
"Yes, well, this will make things right. He can judge that for himself."
She smiled at him for the first time. "Very well, Mr. Chigurn, I will say you have important news. Your old lodgings yielded no answers after the last exchange." She raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, a disagreement with my landlord. He was not keeping the service to my standards."
The Flower said thinly, "I see. And where can you be found now?"
"Leave word at the Desert Sword. I am there often."
Vibrant Flower felt a little more vibrant. She had done as the Rhûn told her and a silver to match the one she hid under her drawer was almost hers.
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Ureano was back in four days. After bathing and spending time with his little Flower, he went to his usual tavern for wine and smoke. A large, unsympathetic doorman had instructions not to let a long list of fellows inside, including Chigurn. The swindler waited outside but never got his opportunity. Hopefully the flower would plead his case.
Starting the conversation they hadn't had several hours before she purred, "You are home early, dear man. Was the evening not to your taste?"
"Just tired. The road is losing its appeal."
"I worry terribly when my one love is away so long."
He doubted that, but she knew what to do when he returned. "What news of Lhûg?"
"Nothing of note. There is a new tax on guests that has the innkeepers in confusion. Mr. Orthur's old horse finally died. Oh, and Mr. Chigurn wanted a word." She laid that on last with the least of concern.
Ureano said uncharitably, "Chigurn, eh? Did he bring my money back?"
"I am sorry to say no, my love. He did say it was important and would atone for his last, uhmm, inaccuracy."
"What does the dougsh want?"
"He would not share such things with me. I was more concerned with keeping him from entering."
The merchant was ready for more flowery attention, "Where is he staying?"
"He did not say but that he could be contacted at the Desert Sword. Now, you must tell me all about your trip."
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When summoned the next morning, Chigurn was not served tea. "What is it?"
His informer looked around the room until Ureano said, "Darling Flower, could you go see if Mr. Youngus has returned?"
"Of course. Perhaps Monthü and I should do our shopping as well?"
Chigurn waited until the door closed. "I received news that the Easterlings are speaking with Khagan Yigresh about Sauron's gold."
"You waste my time with this?! I should have had you caned for your last falsehood!"
"Take your time, old friend. I got this from a pair of travelers in the garb of the Rhûn returning home. One showed me a coin with a symbol stamped on one side." Chigurn won the coin but it was appropriated by the Desert Sword as part of their cut. "The fellow said there were more. It sounded very dark." The card-cheat was not supposed to know of the Visitors but he did, so he said softly, "Friends to the west."
Ureano was only slightly impressed. Everyone had heard of the lost treasure of the Dark Lord. Some still dug until their hands bled under the great tower. All they found were orcs and rocks. "Where?"
"He said the Nargil but did not know where that was."
"I need more than that, unless you pay the money you owe me for past foolishness."
Chigurn needed to discourage that idea, "Ask among your friends. I will inquire of the merchants again and see what else they know." The thief thought the men long gone, but he could sound earnest and let Ureano work his extensive contacts in the meantime.
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The merchant had tea with others who traded in secrets and indeed, there had been a deputation to the Lord of Upper Khand from the Bror of the Rhûn, the highest possible men in this vast expanse. No one knew the substance, if there was any. They were soldiers to a man and did not drink much or fraternize with the smooth women cultivated for moonlight. Northmen have no sense of fine things.
At a local scholar's home he heard, "The story was that a stash of tribute was stored on the south side of the sea. No one knows where, with the trolls, probably. None has been found under the tower in thirty years."
The merchant did not want to reveal knowledge of the coin so he asked, "Was there anything of the old desert script associated?"
"Who knows? If men hid it, they died there."
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_~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ~-_
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As Nag Kath intended, the story had been misheard four times as it passed from Lurgsh to Chigurn to Ureano and finally to a Visitor Ghorandul tasked with taking it to Mordor. If the Assured had questions, Ureano would be honored to further his inquiries. Chigurn got a cuff on his ear for his predictable yarn of missing the traders but Ureano did not demand his money back.
The Ghorandul did not make it to Ûniarra Nûrn until mid-February. The assistant of High Visitor Uvuo himself escorted him to Nulvanath's presence. The field-man abased himself before rising to his knees. The Assured sat on his throne and fingered the gold ring on his first finger, always dangerous.
The story boiled-down to the Easterlings and Khandians holding middling talks about something that no one in the southern capital seemed to know anything about. There was a rumor that it had to do with the Dark Lord's lost gold but that was unreliable - possibly somewhere on the Nargil. Which side was anyone's guess. The spy did not give it much credence but felt it important enough to mention. The Assured smiled and told the junior messenger that people like him would make history someday. The Ghorandul touched his head to the flagstones knowing greatness was inevitable and left to find a meal.
.
Any practical man would dismiss the story as nonsense. Men with a sorcerous lust for treasure can do no such thing. By the end of the week, four riders led by Hu-Richtren (Visitor Captain) Anandogh took the northern Nûrnen road armed to the teeth and under instructions not to let anyone slow them. They also had enough cash to bribe Aômul's toll-posts and trade horses along the path. It took them just over three weeks to pull into their haven in the Khagan's capital.
Retainers took their horses, bowed deeply and showed them into the room where Nen and Zrev were having dinner. Zrev was more senior than the arriving Visitors but they were more recently with the Assured so they treated each other as equals and more food was brought.
Richtren Anandogh said to both without preamble, "What know you of this?"
Zrev was unconcerned, "There was a delegation from Dulgov here until fall. Half left, half are still here. They bought a stout home on the canal."
"How many men?"
Lieutenant Nen replied, "There are four left. The senior men are gone."
Anandogh said as his meat arrived, "Have you searched the property?"
Nen answered, "No. Someone is always there. I have it under eyes."
Richtren Anandogh glowered, "I hope you have not lost your zeal, Zrev."
Zrev had not and would not be called to account by a mere Richtren, "Then you had better explain what this is about. As far as we know, the Bror sent a delegation and they went home. The Khagan greeted them in and out but Juegesh handled the exchanges. They were not secret. If you have news that interests the Assured, you will tell me with your next breath." Anandogh felt sorcery with the threat. Bluff called, the Visitor explained that the Easterlings might have objects of use to their Lord.
Zrev looked at the Lieutenant and said matter-of-factly, "Then it is time for our northern guests to see more of this lovely city."
.
They did not need to contrive anything. Three days later, one of the four men in the home was seriously burned cooking whatever vile food they ate, probably bottom-fish. His fellows carried him to a healer four blocks away, being careful to lock the gate as they left.
The inside had been decorated by trolls. If there was anything of use here it would not hide long. And what makes people think they can hide valuables behind pictures and tapestries? A cheap weaving of Xangoe's triumph created a rustling sound when shaken. The printing or parchment was sewn under the back. The men nodded to each other and were over the fence well before the poor Easterling returned with bandages on both hands. It would teach the fool that cooking was woman's work.
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At the end of April, Anandogh presented his find to the High Visitor who took him to Nulvanash. The Richtren lost weight and two horses but he had done as ordered, and done it well. His liege unrolled the page and stared intently. Everyone in the hall watched him seem to swell and contract with each breath. The man was surely called to Lordship!
Compliments were due and he paid them, "Excellent work, Anandogh. Take your rest and we will talk soon about other ways to honor the one we serve. The man touched his head to the floor and returned to his rooms. His escorts were well fed.
When he was alone Nulvanash stared at the map. Was it genuine? Someone thought so. Would Khand or Rhûn march in here and take what they wanted? That would unite even the deepest divisions among the Nûrnen Hurms in short order ... or would his enemies assist possible invaders? The map was old. Did it have secrets only seen in certain light or on certain days?
The script off to one side was no help to him yet. The Assured could not read or write in any language. This was certainly a tongue of the past. Was it Sauron's? It had that feel. It was said an old prophet above the delta knew some of the Elvish gibberish. The man would be found and brought here with dispatch! And most of all, what was this charm drawn in the mountain?
The hermit was the worse for wear after hard travel. He had never ridden a horse before. He never would again. The man was dragged before the Assured and forced to his knees. In a voice to command obedience, Nulvanash said, "Go to the table. Read the writing on the page." The order resonated off the walls.
When the poor man did not rise quickly, two of the door guards jerked him up by the armpits and marched him to the discussion table. The fellow gazed at the unfamiliar script and mouthed the words one at a time. "High Assured, the writing is ancient. It says that tribute paid in the time of the Dark Lord's ascendance was placed in the mountains near a river called the Nuschga and guarded with fell wards against any but a Lordly voice. I am not sure but I think the cartouche is of the lands before the Balchoth."
The Assured was kindly, "Does it say where?"
"Nay, most High. It only says that power will make itself known."
"Guard, get this man food after his long trip." It was a short meal.
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_~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ~-_
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Four days later, Anandogh took six cavalrymen on a hard, three day ride up the Nargil until they reached the foothills. No cliffs like the map were on their side so they backtracked to the highest ford and crossed at first light. One rider was swept downstream in the strong flow. His reward would come when Lord Sauron was avenged. Three leagues to the east they identified the distinctive crags and peaks. There they were, on the wrong side of the river. His orders were specific. Find the place regardless of where it was and report. The Assured would be obeyed.
Hiding the horses, the troop climbed the trail and scoured the rugged slope. Shale slipped under one man's foot and he twisted his ankle. It would not kill him but he was useless. Dinner was jerky. Late the next afternoon, one of the troopers called down to his fellows. There was a cave, a troll cave. They had not brought torches so Anandogh had them gather brush for a large fire in the center of the main opening. One man found a nipper. Another man found a second. Light failed so they slept around the fire and built it high the next morning. Four more of the small gold coins were found along with a goblet holding a raw gem and a handful of doctored groats. As they prepared to leave, another nipper was found in the dirt.
That was but one cave. The five who could walk fanned further east until a trooper found another cleft in the rock face. Anandogh hurried to the entrance and felt he had been pushed away by a great wind. He tried again and doubled over in confusion and anguish. Vomit came out his nose until he backed forty feet from the opening. A trooper was ordered to try with the same result. This was beyond the ken of mortal men. After the Richtren gathered his wits, they carried the injured Ghorandul back to the horses and waited until daylight for the four-day trip to deliver the news. The troopers were all kept in individual cells upon their return until their ordure was inspected for coins. There being none, they were returned to duty. In the meantime, the Assured considered the coins and the map. This gold was older than Gondor. The coppers were stamped from Sauron's first appearance here.
What mattered more was the ward on the larger cave. Perhaps a lesser cave had a lesser spell now degraded enough for mountain men to have looted it. But they had not gotten through the spell that made Anandogh ill and drove him mad. He would give the man a couple days to recover and then he, Nulvanash, Assured of the Yvsuldor and rising power in Mordor, would go there personally and see how much protection was left.
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_~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ~-_
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To his southeast, Hurm Rydovosh met with his counselors. "What is the dougsh doing now?!"
His wise man said as delicately as men of Mordor can speak, "My Lord Hurm, a bird in Ûbésêsh whispered that the Assured will bring a small party upriver and cross to our side. The reason goes deeper than his ears heard."
"Has no one told me that he visits?"
"Nay, best of Lords. They hope to travel in stealth."
"Send Captain Orvous and a full company of cavalry. Don't kill Nulvanash. He still has my sister and her children visiting her kin." He didn't say hostages. "But let it be known that the Hurm of Nargil expects courtesy from his neighbors. Have Orvous leave with the light."
.
Anandogh was his ruthless self quickly and on the first morning in May, a troop of twenty four riders, including High Visitor Uvuo and Nulvanash's Chamberlain, accompanied the Assured in formation up the river. Since the headwaters were so dangerous, they forded half-way up and hugged the bank to avoid alerting Nargil pickets of their movements.
They failed. Twenty miles upriver they found twice their number looking confident and ready. Archers to their flank stood in formation to pin them against the bank. The Nargil Captain rode over with his Sergeant and said, "All honor, Hurm Nulvanash. A pleasant day for a ride."
The High Visitor replied, "The Assured thinks so as well." The Assured did not treat with enemy soldiers who should know better than to call him a common Hurm.
"It being so late in the day, there is only just time to return to last night's campground. Perhaps the embers are still warm."
Nulvanash kept his fleshy face composed but his frustration spilled over and he doubled the arrogant officer in pain with a wave of his ringed hand. Had the man fallen from his horse, arrows would rain on him from bowmen outside of his range. Like Nag Kath saw early in life, arrows cannot be reasoned with. The Assured paid no further attention to Orvous and turned his horse around. Someone would pay for this, starting with whoever alerted the unwashed Hurm of Nargil.
.
Ryduvosh enjoyed the report. If he wasn't such a tyrant, he would remind folk of a Rohirrim. They made something like ale from gureeq and roots. He liked the company of soldiers since he was a fine soldier at need. Orvous recovered within a few hours, rode home with his summary and was invited to share a mug before the Hurm attended other concerns.
Eighty miles north, Nulvanash seethed. Ryduvosh knew he was coming. Did he know why? A Ghorandul trailed the group long enough to report the enemy rode home after the confrontation without exploring. Nulvanash made token sorcerous inquiries of his staff but did not maim anyone. The petty despot to his southeast could not have gotten a full company of his best to that wretched corner of their lands by the time the Assured made his decision to ride, even if there was a spy here in the capital. Was there something to the Bror and Khagan's meeting after all?
He had time. He had stopped aging. It did not matter how many lives of men it took, he would reach his ends. That was how Sauron did it, patience until the pounce. He was still uneasy. At times he wanted to understand the secrets the great ones left behind. At others, he disdained the lettered; always discussing and stalling, failing as warriors. Such weakness was infuriating. This was a time of wishing he understood the ancient markings on what seemed a genuine document of power. He had the coins. A trusted Captain had been repulsed by wards that must be just as old, but he had not been torn to pieces. Was the Nazgûl's curse fading with his master's demise? The first one to overcome it would reign supreme.
And he had the ring.
Nulvanash cursed his own impatience in dispatching the old hermit. The creature might have discovered more or shared more with the right incentive. It followed a lifetime of not letting people know too much. No matter. There were those who could answer his questions.
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_~ / ~ / ~ / ~ / ~-_
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The one exception to knowing much was Uvuo, the High Visitor. He was as close as the Assured had to his own Nazgûl. The grim, driven man ran both the internal security in the capital and the missionary Ghoranduls in the field. He was summoned.
Uvuo walked down the hall and nodded to the guards outside the door. They worked for General Yshok but no one interfered with the black Visitor. This was the one man who did not have to touch his forehead to the floor when approaching the throne. A deep bow was enough.
Rising, the Visitor looked at his Lord. He was the one. He would return them to greatness. That was why Uvuo gave Nulvanash the ring. Their leader had shown cunning and resolve. He also had enough personal sorcery to excite the gold band that had been acquired at great cost. Uvuo could not bring power forth but it gleamed when the Assured placed it on his finger. Together they had conquered the weak and timorous despots of the western delta, built this capital and demanded tribute from the fallen. The Easterling campaign almost worked but for the white ghost. The one in upper Harad succeeded and now his Visitors were undermining their womanish neighbors. When Nulvanash ascended, he would need Uvuo's help then too.
The Assured called him closer saying, "Did you feel it?"
"I did my Lord."
"Pity Khamûl could not have left it on our side of the river."
Uvuo wasn't here to fawn, "Both sides of the river are your side, my Lord. We have but to convince others." Yes, the humiliation on the Nargil would be repaid with interest.
Nulvanash came as close to a smile as he could these days. "Now; what of the man in Khand who brought this to our attention?"
"I think we should ask him what else he knows. One of those gold coins is certainly worth his time to come visit."
In the past, Nulvanash would have thought nothing of such an expense. But now, even with his wealth and power increasing, it pained him to part with even a single nipper. He must draw all such to him. The Visitor was right. Uvuo sometimes understood better than he did. "I agree. Have your man make a generous offer. No reason to mention where this has led if he does not already know, eh?"
Uvuo had considered that, "I expect whatever he is peddling must have great worth in your Lordship's city."
The Assured fingered his ring and flexed his hand with the slightest red color, "Then we must purchase it."