[Child of the 7th Age]

Harad/Umbar

Alk's post

It was beautiful, truly a city of a great nation, thought Herumir, as he gazed for the first time on the city Minas Anor. Herumir was lost in thought and remembered all that he knew of the ancient city. The seven-tiered citadel of the Kings of Gondor was known by several names, the original being Minas Anor. After the fall of Osgiliath, the 'Fortress of the Stars', the name had changed to Minas Tirith and become the seat of power in the South-kingdom.

Herumir vowed that one day soon his county would be just as great if not greater. With these thoughts in his mind, Herumir left his companions camped outside and proceeded to make his way down into the city.

****

The city was huge and Herumir was having a marvellous time playing at being trader. He went from shop to shop selling all the items that he had purchased. Already Herumir had doubled his original outlay. Feeling pleased with his activities and getting tired, Herumir decided to have a rest. Besides, he was thirsty.

Looking around Herumir noticed a sign 'The Mischievous Merman', “Ah, this looks like a promising bar,” he said to himself. “Time for a drink” Walking into the bar, Herumir was startled,for making his way across the room was Fuinur, carrying two large flagons to a private room.

Herumir made his way to the bar and procured two flagons. Raising one to his lips he drained it in one gulp. Setting the empty flagon down, he picked up the second flagon and carried it out to the private room.

Inside the room was Fuinur, Urken and four other men whom Herumir did not know.
The group did not notice the new arrival, with their heads together deep in conversation.

Walking up to the table, Herumir called out.
“What, no welcome for a long lost companion?”

Fuinur looked up from the discussion and noticed Herumir for the first time. “About time you showed your face come and join us.”

Herumir looked at Urken and the strangers with a question in his eyes. Noticing his reaction, Fuinur replied “ Its alright, Urken has proven himself more than trustworthy since we parted and every one in this room is a frend to our country's cause. Come and join us and I will explain.”

Fuinur turned to the group and proceeded to introduce Herumir the newest members of the party. "I have the honour of introducing Bram associate of Jarl; Jarl of Dale; and Al-Gareth, the soon to be sovereign lord of Nurn. As each man's name was mentioned Herumir nodded. Fuinur continued to outline the group’s history. Herumir bowed low to Al-Gareth.

“I welcome you Al-Gareth and also pledge my support to your cause in return for future friendship and trade between out countries. I pledge my soldiers and whatever money my coffers can spare. Also to help you I will even lend you my Oliphaunts and several ships. All I ask in return is for you to agree to trade with my country and when needed to support us in times of conflict. Let us all join together in making our lands truly great”

Fuinur was amazed at Herumir's words and felt great pride in his fellow monarch.

Looking around the room and thinking of the future benefits for trade, Fuinur said, "I suggest that we form a formal council and have open trade and friendship between our respective countries and to that end I also pledged my support to Al-Gareth in his claim. Let us return stability to the region, let us reap the benefits of peace let us cast off the stigma of the past and make our countries truly great. What say you my friends?"

Sharon's post

Urken responded in the affirmative. He was pleased to hear such an open avowal of support for the kingship of Al-Gareth. Moreover, an informal council to discuss common concerns between Harad, Umber, and Nurn could prove useful in furthering trade and promoting other areas of cooperation.

But all this might come to naught unless they could secure a private audience with the king. The dinner party, which was planned for the next evening, would be an enjoyable social affair, but of limited use in attempting to implement more serious measures. He had heard the suggestion by Bram and Jarl that they might have some avenues to securing the group such a private audience. He had nodded his approval and indicated that such a feat, if they could bring it about, would surely earn Dale an advantageous position in both Umba and Harad in regard to the coffee trade. Urken was also quite aware that Fuinur and Herkumir were two of the largest plantation owners in the region. He would have little trouble delivering on that promise.

The conversation was continuing on how Harad and Nurn might identify areas of common interest and agreement. Urken, however, had his eyes and ears on something else. He had seen Jarl leaned over and whisper a few words into the ear of Bram. It appeared that something was indeed afoot. The two men got up and began slowly walking towards the door. Urken kept his eyes on them, until they disappeared out the door.

Pio's post

Jarl excused himself from the group, taking Bram with him. It was early afternoon and if they hurried, they could catch Isilmir at his offices on the seventh level. As the Minister of Trade, and well known to
both of them, he could certainly get them access to Elessar, if only they pleaded their case well.

They made their way quickly up the wide terraced areas of the city. Still it took time, as even the most direct path involved the constant traversing of the gates from one side of the great bastion of stone
which jutted out from the mountain like a ship’s keel to the other side, and then through another gate.

Both were hot and sweaty by the time they had made it to the sixth level, guarded by the Riders. A tall man, in the livery of the King, challenged them as they approached, asking them to state their names and their
business. He conferred with his captain, and after afew questions from him, the Dalesmen were allowed to pass through the tunnel to the Citadel itself.

The Minister of Trade’s offices had always been located in one of the taller buildings located to the southeast of the fountain, and the office, itself, was on the top floor, with a clear view of the Anduin. The
view was better now that Elessar had taken the throne. No longer did the smokes and fires of Mordor provide the backdrop for the picture.

A few words to the Minister’s assistant and the two men passed in to the inner suite of rooms. The outer rooms were always immaculate, light and airy, and filled with the most beautiful of wares from all the
areas of Middle-earth who traded with Gondor. Rugs from Eriador graced the floors, metalwork set with jewels and crafted by the Dwarves were artfully arranged on low wooden tables throughout the room. Silver wine and goblet sets from the Elves were set among the groupings of beechwood chairs and filled, as was the custom, with good wine. It was a setting that brought calm and ease to the minds of those waiting to see the Minister.

His own offices, in contrast, were quite different. Papers and books were piled in discrete heaps and maps of all the areas and the goods produced by each were tacked to the wall in apparent random order. A person
entering this room would think how cluttered and inefficient this man must be, and how ineffective. He played upon this discrepancy between the outer surroundings and the keen calculating mind of the man within, and often found himself gaining more information than the person speaking with him intended.

He looked up as Jarl and Bram entered. A smile played about his lips. ‘I do not recall either of your names on the list for the audience with Elessar tomorrow. My
assistant spoke of you requiring access to the King. Is that what you wished me to do?’ He steepled his fingers and looked at them speculatively. ‘Not exactly.’ said Bram, pulling up a chair next to the desk. The Minister motioned for Jarl to sit also.
‘We need a large favor from you, one that must happen quickly. And we are willing to make some fair-sized concessions to you if you can do this for us.’

‘Is this true from you also, Jarl,’ asked the minister further. ‘Yes.’ came the immediate reply. The Minister leaned back in his chair and regarded the two
men before him. ‘Tell me what it is you need.’ he said, that I might decide what is fair trade for my services.’ Bram rose from his chair and closed the door firmly as Jarl leaned forward to speak with Isilmir.

‘It all began with King Bard’s decision to send me south to open up and secure trading alliances in the Far South,’ he began . . .

They talked for over an hour. Isilmir questioned Jarl closely on each point and each person involved. When Jarl was done at last, and the last bit of information
gleaned from him, Isilmir called for chilled wine to refresh his guests. He poured cups of wine for each of them, and downed his with a single drink.

The two men watched as he slicked back his hair and shook out the wrinkles of his official robe, cast unceremoniously over a chest the last time he had worn it. Then bidding them wait until his return, he strode
from his office, down the wide stairs and out the door to the Fountain courtyard.

A few more steps brought him to the White Tower. He entered quickly, and spoke quietly with one of the guardsmen. He sighed, wishing he were in better shape when the man told him of the King’s location.

As quickly as his legs and lungs would allow, he climbed the spiral staircase to the Hidden Chamber.

[ November 07, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]