”Do you have a blade?”
”No blades”, replied Pharazbalak, Lady Meldis’ Corsair steward. ”Servant only. Pardoned Corsair pirate. No weapons allowed.”
Delioron paused. ”Then you had better get one.”
”What for?”
”There is going to be trouble.”
”What kind is trouble?”
”Just who do you think were those two visitors who came to this house three months ago? The ’city guards’?”
”I know not. I care not for Gondor business if Gondor lets me in peace. This is the way to survive here as captive Corsair.”
”They were spies. One was from Umbar, the other one from Harad. Do not try to pretend like you did not realize where they came from, or that you don’t know that the Pelargir City Guard does not hire guards who hail from Umbar or Harad.”
”You spy too.”
”That is none of your business. Your business is that those men will be back eventually. Or maybe some other men. But the next time they will not ask nicely.”
”I have sword, hidden away.”
”I know.”
”If knows you, then why asks me?”
”It is part of the game.”
”I was with Corsair ship. A pirate. They were going to hanging me. But Lady Meldis came, talked to all Corsair prisoners. I know not why she chose me, but she saved me from hanging. Now I serve her.”
”I figured that.”
”Really?”
”Stray dogs. Stray street urchins. Stray pirates. All the good deeds of Lady Meldis.”
”Yes. She did a good deed for me. Now I owe her my life. I want not to see her getting hurt.”
”Neither do I. But now we have to either get Meldis out of this house or you must act as her bodyguard. When I am gone, your troubles will go away too.”
”They after you?”
Delioron did not reply.
”What for?”
”To kill me.”
”What will you do?
”Die.”
”You give them what they want?”
”I do not think they will ask nicely. It does not matter. But before I die, I need to arrange some matters.”
”What tells I to Lady Meldis when asks she where you are?”
”Tell her I am dead.”
”You speak hardly.”
”Hard enough. You tell her! What do you want as reward? Money? I can get you money.”
”Money always good. But not good for pardoned servant from Umbar to have lot of money. They were going to hang me, changed conviction to life as servant. Servants poor.”
”I am sure you can figure something out. Meldis would not have chosen you if you were stupid.”
”Maybe so. What are we to do?”
”We need to find out what some of my friends are up to.”
”You mean the Harad women? Muldal and the other?”
”Yes.”
”What happens to them?”
”I do not know.”
