[Child of the 7th Age]

HARAD/UMBAR

Urken sat in his magnificent villa which overlooked the shores of the Bay of Belfalas within the city of Umbar. He was one of the powerful warrior-priests of Harad who traced their ancestry back to the Black Numenoreans. His caste were known as "kingmakers" since they were the only ones in Harad viewed as having both the right and duty to lead a revolt against an unworthy king. It was this power to make and unmake kings which the priest prized abve all others. Urken wore the long robes and jewelled breastplate which distinguished his caste from all others in the realm.

He stared out at the waters, deep in thought. Before him sat the detailed reports of the recent Council of Harad. These outlined how the Kings of the united lands had elected to send representatives to Minas Anor in hopes of reopening trade negotiations with a host of different countries and peoples. The names of King Herumir and King Fuinur were specifically singled out.

Urken shook his head and snorted in disgust. "Trade"---as if exchanging coffee beans for wheat shipments could solve their particular problems. What fools some men were! But he would keep his mouth closed and make certain that his opinions were hidden deep. For, sometime in the future, he had a job to do. It was an ancient and honorable task. And one that he thought might solve a good number of their difficulties.

He was looking for allies to aid in this task. But if allies were not to be found, he would gladly carry it out on his own. There wre others wending their way towards Nurn, even now, to help with the task.

But his first job was to win his way into the delegation going to Minas Anor. Herumir and Fuinur thought they would mount a two-pronged attack on Umbar to secure access to the ships still being held by the Corsairs. But Urken knew something that the kings had failed to discover. Umbar had a clever system of fortifications and city walls. Any frontal assault on the place was bound to fail. Only by knowing the secret tunnels and hidden entrances could enemy soldiers find their way into the citadel, and from thence down to the port to seize the ships. And Urken knew those tunnels and hidden entrances as if they were part of his own house.

Urken looked again at the letter which he had composed to the Kings chosen to go as delegates:

Kings Herumir and Fuinur. Greetings.

It has recently come to my attention that you will be bringing a group of foot soldiers to Umbar to attempt to assault the city and secure access to the harbor and those ships which are being illegally detained by the Corsairs. You then propose to seize one of these vessels and sail up the Anduin towards Minas Anor.

I certainly applaud your good intentions. But let me assure you that your attempt will fail unless you have knowledge of the hidden tunnels and entrances which bypass the most heavily fortified places. I do have this knowledge and would be most pleased to share it with you.

I ask for only one small favor: that I be allowed to accompany you on this journey and meet with the King and his council in Minas Anor. This would be a small matter to you, but would permit me to advance the interests of Umbar. While Umbar's interests are certainly close to those of Harad, the two are not always identical.

I am sending this message to you by my great winged hawk. If you will have a scribe respond, and send a note back with the hawk, we will meet on the outskirts of Umbar some one day hence, and I will be glad to assist you.

Please respond immediately to my request.


Urken the Bear, Warrior Priest of the Guild of the Black Numenoreans.

Urken attached the message to the leg of the bird, and released him towards the east.

[ October 20, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]