[Envinyatar]

The current of the Great River pushed the ships gently against the dock at Harlond. Here the river was wider to accommodate the ships coming into the white City’s southern port. Eleven merchant ships, bringing wares from the exotic southern regions lay at anchor, peacefully tied to the pilings. A few men moved about on board each, bringing crates from the hold to be piled on the dock. The sun was just setting as the last crate from the Windrunner was placed carefully on the quay.

‘Is that it, Hafez?’ asked the brown skinned merchant leaning on the bow railing. His dark, conservative cut clothing betrayed nothing of his Southron heritage. His dark eyes glittered in the fading light as he waited for his first mate to answer, his left hand going up to caress the feathered earring in his ear, forgetting he had removed it to play this part.

Hafez grinned broadly at Khazdifir, and nodded his head ‘yes’. ‘It will be like Dol Amroth, Captain. Only easier. This city is in disarray with the King missing. The guards are fragmented in their searches, and do not spare any men to patrol the lower levels of the city. It will be easy pickings and quick, if I have the right of it.’ His hand went down to touch the pommel of his sword, hidden beneath the folds of his cloak.

‘I and the other captains will remain aboard the ships with a crew of ten each. You will supervise the dispersal of the men on the lower tiers. Tell them they need go no further up than the third tier. They must secure the passage ways that lead to each level and post sentries to alert them of any interference from the city guard. I would avoid losing any men, if at all possible. This is to be a grab and run venture – concentrating especially on the warehouses on this level and the jewelers’ and metal smiths’ shops on the third tier. When the moon stands high against night’s dome, all are to return. We will make swift passage back to the bay and return to Yr Saldan with our bounty.’

‘As you wish it, so will it be.’ Hafez bowed slightly to his captain, and strode down to the dock.

The crate handlers were gathered round him, and he gave them brief instructions on what would be happening and when. Each went to his assigned post near a section of Southron crates, and settled in to wait for the signal. Hafez nodded up to Khaz, and perched casually on a piling, drawing his pipe and pouch out as if to enjoy an evening smoke on this fair summer’s evening . . .