[Nuranar]

Calnan found himself incredibly aware of everything around him, his mind working at a breathtaking speed. He hadn’t felt so alert, so prepared, since he was young. Hunting through South Ithilien, he had learned wariness and vigilance in a land still infested with the refuse of the War.

Doran knew for sure who his enemies were. For all they knew, his network had infiltrated into the embassy itself. They were walking a very narrow edge in a very dangerous game. But now, Calnan knew that whatever happened, whenever it happened, he would be ready.

He had unobtrusively fallen behind when his companions and Telson had withdrawn to the schoolroom. At least the dark man had some vestiges of prudence, not hurling decanters about until he was around the corner from the ambassador’s office. As far as Calnan could tell, no one had noticed amid the day’s tumult. And more importantly, no one had seen them talking to him.

What did they know about him, after all? It seemed he was put out with Thrann, just as they were, and suspicious of Doran, just as they were. The dramatic episode they had witnessed could be calculated to gain their trust. What if Telson was to be Doran’s ear in their plans?

Of course, Doran would’ve had to move lightning-fast to have this man set up so soon. But underestimating one’s opponent could be a fatal mistake. They had to be on guard, at the very least.

When he mentioned his concerns to Devon the young man just brought up the obvious points in Telson’s favor. Yet he had started the train of thought. If they were to walk into a trap, at least it would be with eyes open instead of shut.

He listened carefully as they began discussing the situation. Of one thing he quickly became sure: Telson was not telling them everything. He had stayed at the Low Tide Inn, where Predd was murdered, but hesitated just a tad too long before denying he knew who was involved. Well, that was fine. A man in his position would be extremely foolish to tell all he knew, and whatever else Telson was, he was no fool.

After filling the man in on the rest of the situation Devon laid it on the line. “We could sit back and do nothing except flee for our own pitiful lives and let Umbar sink again right into Doran’s filthy hands, we could send word to Gondor and pray somebody gets here in time, or we could take action ourselves and dig out Doran’s plans, setting course against him in a last effort to revive Umbar. Personally, I’m ashamed at my father’s failure and I’ll do anything to repay Gondor for his ghastly misdeed.”

Calnan was inspired in spite of himself. Although unquestionably brave, Devon had always seemed a bit overeager and not given to much analysis. But this crisis was bringing him to maturity. Not only was he proving his mettle, he was emerging as a leader.

“Devon,” he said quietly, “I’m with you. Doran has to be stopped, and there’s no one else willing to even try.”

“I’m willing!” Adeline proclaimed. “Don’t even think you’re going to get me to sit at home. Besides,” she added as an afterthought, “home might not be a very safe place pretty soon, anyway.”

Across the circle he saw Callath sigh and shake his head. “Well, I’ve got to come along too, I guess. No politician’s going to outdo me,” he shot at Calnan, who rolled his eyes.

Telson was smiling, half in amusement, half in admiration. “I’m glad to see that the son is not always like the father.” He rose and bowed formally. “For what it’s worth, I would like to offer my services to you, the true King’s men – and woman – in Umbar.”

Flushing, but pleased, Devon got to his feet and returned the bow. “Telson of Gondor, it’s an honor for you to join us.”

Well, that’s that! Calnan thought. At least this way it’d be easier to keep an eye on him, even if he was keeping an eye on them. But first things first.

“Devon, you said we need to dig out Doran’s plans,” Calnan said. “Now, we’ve seen one part already: He’s successfully stirred up all the corsairs, and Umbar’s about to come down around our ears. But I think his goal is to rule a unified corsair nation. Anarchy is a good way to get rid of the established order, but he must have plans to consolidate it for himself.”

“There’s no way we’re going to stop that mob out there,” Devon jumped in. “That’s suicidal! We’ve got to stop the man at the top. Then Gondor can get here and settle things down again.”

“So how are we to go about finding these plans?” Adeline inquired.

Calnan got up and began pacing the schoolroom; he always thought better when he was doing something mechanical. Know your enemy, all the books said, and having worked in the embassy for two years, he knew Doran the best of any present. “He’s incredibly careful; he wouldn’t have gotten this far in ten years if he weren’t. So he wouldn’t carry anything that treasonous on him. Then the obvious place is at home, in his office.”

“When is he in it?” Callath asked.

“The question should be, When is he not in it,” Telson interrupted, eyes twinkling.

Calnan grinned. “When he’s here, of course. That’ll be the best bet: Someone needs to go to his office when he’s here with Ambassador Thrann, probably tomorrow. Since I have to be here anyway I can make sure he doesn’t slip away.”

“When do you want me there?” Devon asked.

“Whoa, boy!” Callath said. “Even if Master Pearlle doesn’t require your attention on your studies, you’re the best one to have on hand. Calnan has to be here; he can’t get away, at least not without Doran knowing it, and that’d be worse than anything else. He’s bound to be suspicious of all of us now. You need to be ready to beat Doran to his office if he leaves here early.”

Devon made a face. “All right, that leaves you, Telson, and – Adeline.” The girl arched an eyebrow at him.

“Got any problems with that? I’ll just bet I’m better than either one of them at getting in and out quietly,” she said pertly.

Telson began, “My training hasn’t exactly included breaking and entering, but I’m willing to try…”

“Actually, Telson,” Calnan said thoughtfully, “Adeline might be the best for the job. You made your views known in no uncertain way just now, and if I know Doran he’ll have men following you. By your own admission,” he continued, looking the man straight in the eye, “you’ve already been quite near some of the action. If you were seen, you’d be in a pretty bad spot.

“Callath, what about you? Would you prefer to go in?”

The young man thought about it. “As much as I hate to admit it,” he teased, “Adeline would probably be better. I could even stand by for Devon with a horse, to make sure Doran doesn’t beat us. Besides, with the way things are going crazy, Garth’ll have my hide if I’m not there to ready the nobles’ horses.”

“All right, then, we have a plan,” Devon said. “Telson, you’d better stay low. We’d hate to lose you to some random rampaging corsairs. Adeline, I’ll leave the details up to you, but ten in the morning would probably be a good time to get there. Doran should be deep in conference by then.”

Adeline raised her hand. “Um, just one thought. I’m pretty sure I can get in all right; I can pretend to be a servant making a delivery, or even mistaking the house or something. But what if the door to his office is locked?”

“I have some things you can use,” Calnan said. He ignored the interested looks he was getting from the others. “I’ll show you how to use them when we’re finished here. They’ll work on desk drawer locks, too. What we’re looking for won’t be right out in the open.”

Devon rose. “I think we’d better be getting back before someone notices we’re all missing. Callath, why don’t you show Telson the back way out? Calnan, I’ll see you later. And Adeline, thanks so much. Good luck!”

The three slipped quietly out of the schoolroom, leaving the diplomatic attaché to instruct the captain’s daughter on the fine art of picking a lock.