[Envinyatar]

‘Jemennan son of Tarmennan, is it not?’ Yr Saldan wiped his blade on his breeches before he slipped back through his belt. ‘I saw you today. You should take better care in battle. I would not have one of my seasoned men lost for inattentiveness.’

He took the young man’s arm and unwrapped the makeshift bandage. ‘A nasty cut. I fear you will not be of much use now in the sweeps of the city.’ He wrapped the arm back up and pointed to the ship which held the healer. ‘Go see old Jalal. He will clean and wrap that for you. Then come see me this evening at the Prince’s palace. I have something I wish you to do for me.’ He clapped the young man on the back and waved him off.

Saldan and his men made their way back to the palace grounds. It had been a long tiring day, and he wished only to enjoy the fragrant breezes in the Prince’s garden and a bottle of his wine. He made it into the front hall, and had just removed his blade, when he heard the quick steps of someone coming up through the veranda. ‘Jemennan,’ he said, not turning, ‘I said to come this evening.’

‘Not Jemmenan, Saldan. It is Khaz.’

Yr Saldan turned. ‘What news do you bring, Kestrel?’ He poured them both a glass of wine and motioned the man into the garden, to a pair of chairs set facing the bay. Khazdifir told him of their encounter with the woman warrior and her escape from their nets. Saldan was not pleased at the news, yet, he like Khazdifir did not feel one lone warrior would do them harm. ‘Other than that, Saldan, we had a successful day. Many men were rounded up and are now housed in the warehouse on the dock. And many of them would rather work in our service than face the rope or blade. The others are of course no use to us.’

‘I understand there a number of children housed also in the warehouse, Kestrel. What of them? We could kill them, of course, but has anyone seen if there are those we can use as bargaining chips when the time comes.’

Khazdifir looked westward, his face a mask of indifference. 'We haven’t had time to sort through them. No extra men to do so either. If it were up to me, I would say we eliminate them. They would be a bother to care for, and the older ones who will remember their parents will always hate us. Best not to keep a viper close. Kill it before it strikes has always been my motto.’

Yr Saldan laughed. ‘A man of swift action. Yet I think we have to look more long term now, not at just what will serve the day.’ He leaned in close to Khaz, an intense look on his face. ‘Those who hired me intended only that I strike a blow and draw some power if I might away from Minas Anor. Hit and burn and pillage and run.’ His dark eyes caught the westering sun and burned with an intense desire. ‘But I intend to make this city my own. To carve out a piece of these northern lands and rule it as I see fit.’ He leaned back in his chair, looking closely at Khazdifir. ‘What say you to that, Kestrel. Are you with me?’

Khaz looked also westward, toward the waters of the small bay. ‘Make me your southern fist upon the water, Saldan, as you intend to do with Narwen to the north. Let me serve you on the waves, and I will serve you long and well.’

They said no more to one another, the silence between them the assurance of their agreement. Khaz drank his wine and left Saldan to his plans and plots in the garden. He had lined up his captains and his ships. Tomorrow they would provision themselves and then set sail southward and near to the opening of the inlet to Linhir. From there they would command the River Anduin. And once Saldan had secured his power they could think of increasing the size of their armada. Perhaps then they would sail up it and grab the prize – Minas Anor.