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Child of the 7th Age · 10-06-2002, 07:54 PM

***********Harad/Umbar**********

Urken shook his head and scowled. The two kings would never believe it, but the little mouse on the gangplank had been no trick of his! He cursed himself for bellowing out with a laugh. When he'd seen the melee, he knew it would make a perfect cover for seizing the other ships, and his response had sprung from nowhere. His reserve troops had moved forward to seize the booty. They had done their job well.

But this was not his primary goal. He had wanted to gain some cooperation or even good will from the other kings, and it looked as if that chance had been lost, at least for now.

The ships had slipped out of the harbor and rounded the hook where they would change direction towards the north. He flashed the sign to the ship ahead, requesting that they stop in the shallows just before the vessels headed north. He would need to make a gesture of conciliation. His men undid the winch and slipped the small boat into the waters. They rowed him over, and he requested entry, coming aboard in the basket which was thrown over the rail and then cranked upward.

He nodded in respect to the kings. "We need to talk sailing tactics and strategy against the Corsair ship which goes ahead of us. I fear the villages along the banks of the Anduin may be reluctant to give us passage with this ship stopping to raid along the way."

The men eyed each other warily. Herumir and Fuinur were not comfortable with the situation, but had no choice except to deal with the priest. They talked at some length about the distance and time involved: some 327 leagues to Minas Anor. The ship could manage about 2.4 leagues per hour. In a single day that meant about 57 leagues. So a distance of 327 leagues could be covered in a little over five and a half days.

That is, the distance could be covered if they did not run into any diversions or roadblocks. But they would surely have to deal with that Corsair ship. Urken suggested that the two kings consult and devise a plan to that purpose. He would support them in anything reasonable that could be suggested. "Let me know of your plans by tomorrow. See if there is some way we may deal with this without having to meet them in open battle." he urged them.

Moreoever, Urken also let them know that, before leaving port, he had instructed his soldiers to turn over one-quarter of the captured ships to each of the kings. This would mean each king would be given two of the vessels. Messengers had been dispatched to their households with the papers properly drawn up, and instructions for them to send their own men to occupy the ships. Another two had been ceded to the Harad council, and the final two to his own household.

Urken sat back to see what response this gesture would bring.

[ October 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

10-06-2002, 07:54 PM	#167
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	*********Harad/Umbar******** Urken shook his head and scowled. The two kings would never believe it, but the little mouse on the gangplank had been no trick of his! He cursed himself for bellowing out with a laugh. When he'd seen the melee, he knew it would make a perfect cover for seizing the other ships, and his response had sprung from nowhere. His reserve troops had moved forward to seize the booty. They had done their job well. But this was not his primary goal. He had wanted to gain some cooperation or even good will from the other kings, and it looked as if that chance had been lost, at least for now. The ships had slipped out of the harbor and rounded the hook where they would change direction towards the north. He flashed the sign to the ship ahead, requesting that they stop in the shallows just before the vessels headed north. He would need to make a gesture of conciliation. His men undid the winch and slipped the small boat into the waters. They rowed him over, and he requested entry, coming aboard in the basket which was thrown over the rail and then cranked upward. He nodded in respect to the kings. "We need to talk sailing tactics and strategy against the Corsair ship which goes ahead of us. I fear the villages along the banks of the Anduin may be reluctant to give us passage with this ship stopping to raid along the way." The men eyed each other warily. Herumir and Fuinur were not comfortable with the situation, but had no choice except to deal with the priest. They talked at some length about the distance and time involved: some 327 leagues to Minas Anor. The ship could manage about 2.4 leagues per hour. In a single day that meant about 57 leagues. So a distance of 327 leagues could be covered in a little over five and a half days. That is, the distance could be covered if they did not run into any diversions or roadblocks. But they would surely have to deal with that Corsair ship. Urken suggested that the two kings consult and devise a plan to that purpose. He would support them in anything reasonable that could be suggested. "Let me know of your plans by tomorrow. See if there is some way we may deal with this without having to meet them in open battle." he urged them. Moreoever, Urken also let them know that, before leaving port, he had instructed his soldiers to turn over one-quarter of the captured ships to each of the kings. This would mean each king would be given two of the vessels. Messengers had been dispatched to their households with the papers properly drawn up, and instructions for them to send their own men to occupy the ships. Another two had been ceded to the Harad council, and the final two to his own household. Urken sat back to see what response this gesture would bring. [ October 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.