[Child of the 7th Age]

*****Harad/Umbar*****
It was the morning of their fourth day of sailing. In two and a half days, they hoped to be in Minas Anor. But this would hold true only if all went well. The biggest obstacle in their path was the ship sailing just ahead of them on the Anduin. It lay on the starboard side.

Their own course had taken them about seventy miles north up the river. There was another 120 miles to go until they reached Pelargir. Now, they must decide where and when to challenge the vessel.

Herumir and Fuinur sat at the captain's table with Urken. It was the first time they'd come aboard without an elaborate retinue protecting them. Urken hoped it was an indication there was a little more trust between them.

But now their attention was rivetted on the issue at hand. They had a decision to make. They could incease the speed of the ship and run an encounter with the vessel just a short ways up the river. But was that the best idea? Urken had doubts.

For one thing, they'd be attacking during daylight hours. That meant no protective cover of darkness. They would lose any element of surprise which was an important advantage.

The other alternative was to let the pirate rig sail on undisturbed, and to slow down their own vessels so as to avoid raising any suspicions. Then, they'd wait till nightfall when it was easier to attack.

Urken studied the map intently. By nightfall the ship would be just south of Pelargir, the main port city of Gondor. The priest thought the pirates would probably attempt another raid tonight. They'd certainly not be fool enough to attack the central harbor. Too many armed men would be there. No, this was not a mission of glory or even military conquest, just a quick raid on a relatively defenseless spot along the river.

Urken finally concluded that the pirate's main target had to be one of the communities south of Pelargir. This certainly made military sense. The distance and the sailing speed were also right.

And then it hit Urken! What a fool he'd been. What a chance to win favor for the delegation from Harad. How good they'd look if they carefully came sailing up the river at the last instant to stop the raid of the pirates right on the doorstep of Pelagir. The city would welcome them. The news of their exploits might even reach the king. Good for trade, and more importantly for Urken, good for getting a private audience with the king.

Instead of being the enemy of Gondor, they would temporarily turn into its rescuer. The scene had definite possibilities.

Quickly he outlined the plan to the two kings. For once, they were in full agreement. They would wait till the nightime to attack. Meanwhile, Urken had something else hidden up his sleeve, and he'd work on that as well.

[ October 17, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]