Time flies. One moment I was searching the Cape of Umbar for special pieces of elven made armour, the next it seemed I was riding as fast as I could from the shore of Forlindon to the Baranduin, from the Shakilgimil to the trading vessel Rothgimil moored there. Yet much transpired between those moments so that my head is still spinning. “Fetch the armour to me,” Captain Naraal instructed, but half of an hour ago. “You shall be well rewarded, not just with coin, but with your own ship, if it is your wish. Now that I am Commander of our true King’s Fleet, such is within my power.”
I cursed myself for not insisting we brought the armour with us when we sailed from the great City of Umbar Baharbêl, but time had been short, and the King brooked no delay. He wanted to sail North. Despite what Commander Naraal wanted, the King was our priority. And I was far from certain I wanted my own ship. My life was complicated enough as it was. A favour owed by Naraal, ah, now that was a finer treasure to me.
Naraal had returned to the ship after an absence of three days. He had the King’s permission to be absent, and the crew and I had been loading more provisions for our trip to the Ice Bay, and letting our horses stretch their legs on the shore and grassy hills beyond. We had apparently also been watching while the King’s guest stretched her legs. Neither the Gondorian Arnoldir nor his sister, Inzibel (the latter also born in Gondor, but given a Black Númenórian name to please the King), was used to travelling by ship. Azrazor had indulged Arnoldir by not bringing him along, but Inzibel had dearly wanted to travel, and when she did, she dearly wanted to have her feet on the earth again.
Upon his return Naraal sought me out straight away. “You said you know where two pieces of the elf’s armour are kept. I want you to collect them straight away, and any other pieces you can find.”
“Of course, Captain.” I bowed but did not ask questions. He had reasons for the necessity, most likely something to do with the red-haired she-elf. “But the pieces I know of are in the possession of a wealthy trader in the Cape of Umbar. It will take me some time.”
Naraal became irritated. He wanted the armour immediately, though understood why that could not be. He beckoned me over to the small cabin that had served as mine, as well the First Mate’s, until our King and his Gondoran bride-to-be arrived. Once the curtain had been pulled across and we had a small measure of privacy, he headed for Balkumagan’s desk and drew out pen and paper.
“I write to the Captain of the Rothgimil, likely still Minluzir, who owes me a favour or two from a few years past. He is to carry you from where he is moored on the Baranduin to the Cape.” Naraal wrote swiftly, and signed his name with a flourish. “Here,” he said after folding the letter. “Go to the Rothgimil. He will wait at the ship at the Cape, while you find out all you can and then you will return here.”
I took the letter with a bow of acknowledgment. “The river he is on is hardly navigable, Captain. There are low bridges and he cannot be far upstream. I shall ride south straightaway.”
Naraal returned his quill and sheaf of paper to the desk drawer. “He is likely quite a way upstream. I give you fair warning. His vessel is small and far from comfortable. The crew number only twenty, plus any spies he carries. The ship is easily disassembled and carried overland in sections. Due to its design there’s no cabins, only a storage space for provisions and loot, and room for two horses, so have a care for the one you ride from here.”
I sighed. I had been in worse berths. “What of the ship’s crew, Sir? And the owners of the armour? Do they deserve any special attention? ”
He held my gaze a moment, as if considering. He knew what I meant. “Maybe later, if Balkumagan does not complete the mission he volunteered for.”
“Sir?”
He waved a hand, though his voice was tense. “He volunteered to kill my sister for me. In hindsight I believe I would have sent you on that mission, and he on yours. But he knows not where to find the armour. Bah…” Naraal paced the small room with a sudden sour expression on his face. It was clear as day to me he did not want his sister slain at all, but if she had to be, better it was swift. “Kill if you need to, but leave no trail and make no show. When we return to port you may take the time you want to avenge your father. If it was me, I would start by kicking that yapping cur into the waters. It knows.”
The small dog who had followed me round the marketplace that night in Umbar Baharbêl from the Baths of Kadex was her dog, as I recalled. That night I had been searching for the armour seller in the market while he yapped and whined. A guard, who was following me as discreetly as he could, must have figured things out. He would have reported back to his seniors, and had my likeness sketched. Many would have some idea what I looked like. I did not shake the guard off my tracks until I reached the Golden Gate, and it was only nigh the Grand Market that a short man in a blue cloak picked up the cur, gave it a good talking to, and disappeared with it.
“I shall remember your advice,” I told Naraal, plans racing through my mind. I would not need much beyond rations. All that needed sorting was in the Great City. I doubted I would be able to move around freely.
Before I departed, I caught a glimpse of the mighty Azrazôr, our hope and future, speaking with the Gondorian. The girl was pretty, I admit, albeit pale and sad, and had the manner of a humble country girl who sought to please her betters. It held a special charm. Her brother, I recalled, was different. He was tall, strong, well-made, with black hair and beard, and the face of a schemer. I believe he did not lack courage. I had heard rumors that he was a gamester.
“I hope a good eye is kept on that Arnoldir, Captain,” I said, wrapping my cloak about me before I left the cabin.
He passed me a heavy pouch that clinked with coin. “I know, Tazakr. A few of us know. The King himself, he knows, which is one reason why he left him behind in Umbar. We are more than a match should he cause any trouble, even there. Away with you.”
