Mumakil Races.

A great gathering has formed on the flat scrubland surrounding the present ranch, split into two group on either side of a wide lane marked by ribbons posted on stakes and stuck into the soil. It has a jovial, festive atmosphere, and it is clear that bets are being made.

At one end of the demarkated pathway are four mumakil, all young beasts at some stage in their training. They pensively stand together, their riders comforting them, standing at the ready for a race to begin.

\"No, I\'ve already placed my bet,\" Alimah says, annoyed at a short man in a turban who is pestering her at her elbow to bet some money on one of the beasts. She fixes her gaze firmly on the four mumakil, trying to step out of the way of the man.

\"Which is your pick?\" asks a voice nearby, that of Uzay. \"It seems to me that the largest, also being the oldest and most trained, will win.\"

\"Uzay,\" Alimah says with some relief at the familiar face. \"I picked the youngest one--more energy. How are you? I\'ve heard some strange rumors of late...\" She frowns.

The Corsair shrugs. \"Something to do with the Farside\'s scribe, Barzhil. Getting hired by Seaward? And somehow you\'re mixed up with it? You know how rumors go...\" She looks toward the racing beasts.

\"Yes, I have hired Barzhil - he is an accountant, assisting me with the affairs of Black Tower while I am in the process of restoring it to order. Why should this be a problem?\"

\"Nothing...just that I don\'t think the Lady Azradi takes kindly to those sworn to Farside having split loyalties. Or,\" Alimah smiles, \"just the appearance of such things. She is ..very particular about it.\"

\"Split loyalties?\" Uzay scoffs. \"Such distinctions are needless and artificial. We are one people, guided by one Common Master. If Lady Azradi truly feels some suspicious of her brethren, I should question her loyalty to the Eye, for it is to He that we all owe our allegiance.\"

Although ALimah has been steadily watching the mumakils, her gaze now darts briefly to Uzay, and then to the people near them. Her voice drops. \"Do you think so? I have not seen any evidence of such but...it\'s an interesting thought.\"

\"I make no accusation,\" Uzay replies, \"but this tacit hostility, which seems to exist mutually between the various Towers, troubles me. It would not be well to spend our lives warring with one another, when our Master has worthy enemies who have so recently bested us in battle. Our Highest Lord Sovereign will not suffer faithlessness and incompetence forever.\"

\"What tacit hostility?\" asks a pleasant voice, female. A tall woman clad in red-dyed armor approaches the Corsair and Black Steward - Azradi anAzulada of Farside. She smiles on the pair, but her eyes glitter with some unknown thought or emotion.

\"Captain,\" Alimah says smoothly, turning at the sound of the woman\'s voice. \"Uzay and I were discussing the relations between the Towers and how they could be improved. Harmless discussion to while away the time until the races begin. Have you placed a bet?\"

\"More particularly,\" Uzay adds, \"we were discussing the fact that I have hired a certain scribe of yours, Barzhil, as an accountant to assist me in my efforts to restore Black Tower to its former stability. Apparently, many are concerned that this might evidence some deficiency in the man\'s loyalty, and rumors are flying about to the effect of growing hostility. Personally, it seems an absurdity to me to regard cooperation as a malificent practice.\" At last he points to the largest of the four mumakil in line for the race, \"I have favored the largest one, suspecting it is better trained than the others, though Alimah has picked the smallest, for speed and energy.\"

\"Ah yes, that bit of business,\" Azradi replies, waving her hand dismissively. \"People will talk, you know.\"

She cants her head then and offers Uzay a quizzical look. \"And who are you sending in his place? I\'ve forgotten the name...\"

\"And I have just come, so I have not yet placed a bet.\" She adds as an afterthought for Alimah.

\"And so there is no question of the man\'s loyalty?\" Alimah raises an eyebrow in query to Azradi. \"\"I suppose if it\'s a straightforward, open arrangement after all...\"

\"Barzhil will retain his duties on your behalf,\" Uzay says to Azradi reassuringly, \"as I will require his services in only a number of limited respects, at certain times of the month - consider it a second job and source of extra income for him, rather than an attempt on my part to deprive you of him!\" The Black Steward chuckles and returns to the topic of the four mumakil who stand by nervously with their riders in various stages of preparation. \"I recommend the smaller ones - since I have wagered on the largest, and your betting against me will improve the odds if I win.\" He chortles again with an intimating grin.

\"Ah yes, I understand the arrangement,\" Azradi says, her smile fading slightly. \"But you did not answer my question: Who of Black are you sending in his stead? Who will work for us for the duration of Barzahil\'s service to you?\"

The Corsair woman gazes steadily at the Steward.

\"Perhaps Uzay himself could work for us, though I couldn\'t say in what capacity?\" Alimah offers. \"Perhaps working with the Gondorian woman? He did express an interest in her.\"

Oh look, it\'s Jugartha. Yay.

\"What I mean to say, my Lady Azradi, is that Barzhil will be most capable of fulfilling his duties for both of us, though if you are concerned that his absense at times will be a detriment to the order of your Tower, I shall send a replacement while he with me.\" To Alimah, Uzay adds, \"Ah yes, Nelladel. I should like to see her from time to time - in fact, Lord Alprhos has extended his permission for me to teach her our language, and along with that, basic principles of our true faith. It is my hope that she may be put to some important use in the fullness of time, perhaps even as a missionary to her people.\" Jugartha is regarded with a smile and a casual bow, \"Master Paladin, welcome! You have arrived just in time to place a bet on one of these beasts.\"

\"What I mean to say, Steward Black,\" Azradi continues, \"Is that it is fine he works part-time for you but we need someone from Black in exchange. I fail to see why you refuse to name someone after all you yourself have commented on how ridiculous these tacit hostilities between the Towers are so what better way to show a spirit of good faith and cooperation than by lending us someone. Part-time of course. Here, I will make it easier for you by naming him myself.\"

The Corsair smiles and raises her arm to point at the newly arrived Paladin, Jugartha. \"I want him.\"

\"Now that would be an excellent choice, Captain,\" Alimah says in approval. \"Though if I may ask, what duties would you put the Paladin to? Part-time, of course.\" She glances to Uzay as she says this.

\"Hmm,\" Uzay muses, \"I take your meaning - a friendly exchange as a gesture of unity. Very well, if the good Paladin will give his consent, I have no objection.\"

Jugartha tightens the steel link and silk veil across his lower face, ribbons of chainmail cascading across his broad chest, nearly obscuring the massive emblem of Sauron that rests across his heart, the onyx prolate spheroid glinting watery black in the light of the desert sun. Jugartha looks about a moment at the gathered mob, eyes wrinkling at the corners as he studies the gathered multitude. Stepping forward to approach the communicators and silently stirring his gaze from one to the other, he silently attempts to understand what in tarnation\'s name they\'re talking about. A few dries peas lifted from a pouch to feed to the baby mumakil that wanders freely amongst the assorted pirates, cutthroats and villains of the Harondor.

By way of suggestion, in response to Alimah\'s question, he adds, \"Our good Jugartha is most skilled at keeping unwanted children away.\" He laughs and returns his attention to the race, which seems about to begin.

\"I need help training the Farside Regulars,\" Azradi answers, glancing to Alimah. \"We are short on officers now and have no Tower Captain.\"

\"After all,\" she continues, smiling now at Jugartha, \"we wouldn\'t want Farside to slip from having the second best land army in Umbar.\"

\"Will you come to Farside in exchange for Barzahil, Jugartha? Part-time of course.\"

\"Yes, and with Yussef gone,\" Alimah frowns, not finishing her sentence. \"But a Paladin to train us. That would be of some benefit. And,\" she adds with a grin to Jugartha, \"the Gondor woman is in training, too.\"

Eyebrows shoot up at the words as Jugartha tosses another pea at the baby mumakil and watching the cute animal suck it from the earth with the trunk to lift to his mouth and then opening the mouth wide to beg for another which is promptly tossed. \"You would spread me so think thin?\" a shake of his head, the veil tinkling as it sways back and forth, but then loosening the ties that bind and letting it dangle below his chin. \"What need I do in Farside Princess? Since if we\'re speaking of obligations, my first, beyond the Temple and the Order would be to Eruphel of Seaward, she did ask first after all.\" he manages a smile and then looking about \"What is all of this about? Why am I being shuttled from tower to tower?\"

\"Not to mention, our good Paladin has taken the lady as his love interest. Provided they do not kill each other in the process, their courtship may lead to marriage sooner than we might expect. Surely you will not tear apart two lovers -\" he says to Azradi before adding, \"but in any case, if Jugartha is otherwise occupied, I shall return your loan of Barzhil with services of my own!\"

Just then a trumpet blares three times in quick succession, and the mumakil lumber forward to start the race. So far, they are more or less neck and neck.

Aboard one of the Mumak is a lady in Black colors. She is holding onto one of the poles of the saddle and she watches the crowd behind her as the Mumaks race.

\"If you did not agree to go to Seaward, you have no obligation to her,\" Azradi answers, her lips pressing in a thin line. But she says naught more for a moment as she listens to the Black Steward speak. And when he has finished, she does not turn her attention to the race: \"He\'s taken her as his love interest and will marry her?\"

\"How very interesting,\" she says, turning her attention to Jugartha, her voice a touch cold. \"Do invite me to the wedding. As for our arrangement: Your Steward has asked a Farside scribe to serve him. And since he feels that no one should object to this arrangement, I have decided to agree as long as there is an exchange. A Black for a Farsider. I\'ve asked for you. I would like you to do nothing more than to help me with the Regular\'s training. This will only last until Barzahil\'s own service to Black has ended.\"

\"That may be some time indeed,\" Uzay points out, \"I cannot guess, for the present time, how long I will require his services - he has also agreed to administer Haradaic lessons to Nelladel on my behalf.\"

\"Jugartha and Eruphel?\" Alimah asks in obvious surprise. \"I had heard that they were at each other\'s throats the other day and now you say they are near to marrying?\" The cold tone of the Farside Captain, though, brings a thoughtful look to Alimah\'s face and she does not press this particular point.

\"Haradaic lessons to Nelladel...who was going to administer them? I\'m confused,\" she asks Uzay in seeming innocence. \"I thought also you wanted to use her innocence to serve the purposes of the Eye? Train her to it and send her back to Gondor?\"

\"Then you are in fact not serving us in any capacity?\" Azradi says to that, arching her brow. \"Then you are hardly a fit exchange for his services. If Jugartha does not want to do this, then another will have to take his place - not you.\"

Jugartha regards the duo who are speaking and shaking his head slightly, trying not to be distracted by the race as it progresses, having not laid down a bet, he has no cheering interest in this particular event, though the lumbering speed of the great beasts of the southern forests and jungles is truly a sight to behold. \"Who is in love and getting married?\" he asks quietly as he hunts in his robes for a pouch rarely used of late but finally his fingers find the leather and pulling out a long ivory pipe and some weed to fill it with, he sparks it up and puffing on it until the bowl is glowing a bright cherry red in the daytime sunlight. \"If it would serve Farside\'s needs to have me assist their armies, I\'ll do it, why not? I\'m only involved in two armies right now, what could possibly go right?\" a wink as he offers his pipe over to Azradi first. \"Marrying Eruphel? I didn\'t realize we were even in love. It\'s good to know though, I\'ll have to stop slicing open her body with my scimitar.\" a wink then as he leans up against the fence, the baby mumakil blarting as it begs for some more of the dried peas.

\"You must make a distinction,\" Uzay replies to both of the women, \"for I intend to undertake a gradual exposition of our religion, for Nelladel\'s benefit myself. As to her language studies, separately, I have asked Barzhil to handle this on my behalf. In any case, there are many services I have to offer. Rest assured, Lady Azradi, I shall accomodate your each and every whim without the slightest hesitation! Perhaps I am fit to wash your lavatories?\" A piercing glance befalls the Fleet Master, before he returns his attention to the ensuing race. At the present time, the mumak upon which the lady in black sits astride is in the lead.

The lady in black says something to the Mumak that would not carry to the crowd, and she seems very comfortable on the Mumak\'s back as it moves, often moving herself, not merely clinging to the animal\'s back.

For some strange reason, Azradi appears somewhat more relaxed than she was just mere moments ago. Her smile returns. \"If our own man is teaching our guest something on your behalf, you are not providing the service. However, thank you for your offer. I will be content with Jugarthat. But rest assured, the next time you take one of our people from us, I will keep you in mind for the lavatories.\"

\"And you say my brother asked you to indoctrinate the Gondorian into the religion of the Eye? Interesting.\"

Tenatively, she reaches for the pipe. \"And what do I do with this?\"

\"A man of many talents,\" Alimah notes to Azradi, one eyebrow arched. \"But, Uzay, did you ask Lord Alphros about Nelladel and the religion of the Eye? Or was that just speculation to me when you saw her in the Farside Tower?\"

Emptying his pocket of the peas and offering them, almost in supplication to the baby mumakil as he rubs at the animals forehead, the coarse hairs only now starting to harden over the thick grey flesh. Jugartha takes the pipe back, puffs it to life a few times before drawing the acrid smoke into his lungs, holding it a moment before exhaling. \"Just breath princess. If you don\'t like, share with our friends here.\" a momentary smile as he returns his attention to the race. Calling out in his tribal tongue, urging the animals onto greater speed \"I wonder if you could play polo with mumakil as well as camels. Hrm.\" Glancing back to Uzay, \"Just mind yourself priest, the armies of Black aren\'t helpless, but we can scarce afford another internal war, so don\'t antagonize Farside, at least not until I\'ve gotten achance to see how good their armies truly are.\" a wink accompanies his jest.

Though looking skeptical, Azradi gamely takes the pipe to her mouth and inhales. It is a tentative, exploratory inhalation but even so, she is sent into a paroxysm of violent coughing.

\"I made this particular request of our Lord Alprhos,\" Uzay clarifies. \"When this said duty is required of me, I shall reserve the toilets for you, since your hands are much more slender and delicate than mine, and you can scrub the deeper contours far more easily than I. It is unfortunate, however, that you so bitterly resent the sharing of your men.\" To Jugartha, he in turn says, \"I intend no such thing, rest assured, whatever the state of their armies may be. Umbar has shed too much blood as it is in the name of one or another man\'s private wet-dream. It is time we united against the enemies of our Common Master. To the extent that I am able to descry the truth of the matter, things are poised to proceed along exactly those lines. Perhaps our good Lady Azradi can offer some insight, on that point.\"

\"I do not mind sharing as long as it is reciprocated and that I had to request several times before it was granted,\" Azradi answers Uzay, her face darkening with anger. \"You have merely made this request of my brother without hearing his answer and yet you presume these services are assured - so much so that you will use them in bargaining? Do not count on an agreement

A dust cloud not related to the mumakil race approaches the ranch. The distinctive clipclop is that of horses, not Mumakil.

Laughing softly as he retrieves the pipe from Azradi \"Next time.\" he mutters as Jugartha puffs and inhales sharply, offering it over to Uzay if he wants and turning his back on the race to look at hte pair of them. \"I really do need a leash, someway to maintain control.\" a shake of his head as he brushes the sand from his hair and rubbing his fingernails against his chest to clean the nails of dirt against his shirt.

\"I am afraid you have misunderstood something,\" Uzay replies to the Fleet Master flatly. \"Namely, concerning the nature of Barzhil\'s involvement with myself. I posted a bulletin with the local guilds looking for an accountant - it is merely chance that your scribe responded. It was of his own volition, and by no special request of my own, that he is involved. If you are troubled, you had best take it up with him personally. Even now, when I have made every effort to assuage your spiteful feelings, you accuse me of some malice. This is most unjust of you, and unbecoming of nobility. As to Nelladel, Alphrose has both heard my request and given his consent to allow me to instruct her. If you wish to poison him against me, then there is little I can do to prevent it, but the loss is to Umbar, and the Eye, not to me.\" Finally, the Steward of Black waves a hand dismissively and accepts the pipe proffered to him by Jugartha. Sucking it long and hard, he fills his lungs with smoke, holds it a moment, and then let it trail slowly from his nose in a long whisp. Returning it, he says, \"Where was this grown, Master Paladin? I have some of a different variety, if you would like to try it.\" He produces a parcel from somewhere in the midst of his robes and offers this to Jugartha also.

Taking his pipe back and wiping the mouthpiece, Jugartha just listens closely, as if trying to discern what has happened and what will happen next. A shake of his head then as he puffs on his pipe and looking at Azradi with one bleached eyebrow raised. \"It\'s a desert scrub plant, you find it on the southern peripheries of he Yellow Mountains.\" A shrug of his shoulders then as he scratches at his chin, beads of sweat dripping down his face from the heat of hte sun and the insulation of his black silken robes. \"Need I make peace between you two? It\'s my lot in life, and I would not see conflict when there is money to be lost by all parties here.\" he smiles and gestures back to the nearly forgotten races.\"

\"You arrogant, insulting little...\" Azradi bites off her words, glaring at the Black Steward. \"Invest in a leash, Jugartha.\"

Then turning sharply, she storms off and into the crowd, unconsciously gripping the pommel of her scimitar.

Uzay simply sighs and turns away from Azradi as she leaves. \"Let us hope that Alphros is more level headed than she.\" He smiles, \"Or at least, better able to determine when she is being tested.\"

Just then, one of the mumakil running the race, which by now is nearly finished, loses its footing and stumbles into the dry dust of the raceway, causing a second to trip over its rolling body. Cries of exasperation and jubilation rise up from the crowd and mingle with the anguished trumpeting of wounded beasts. The baby mumak is most distressed by this, and nuzzles closer to Jugartha like a freightened child.

Softly trying to comfort the baby mumak, rubbing behind his ears as he watches the tragedy taking place, two fully grown mumakil that shall soon be dead. The fall surely seeming to cause the rupture of organs. No adult mumak can ever lay down lest it crush the internal organs, but here lay two, clearly injured and if they cannot rise soon, they will choke to death on their own fluids. Jugartha looks at Uzay. \"You do need topractice your diplomacy. She\'s easiy to get along with my friend, but... \" a shake of hsi head \"We will make this right for her. What are you intending for the soul less woman? So I might assure her continued friendship to the Eye. She is of noble blood, and we need her support. Her brother is Lord of Farside, he is legal and has the friendship as far as I can tell with the High Priestess Mara. So let us walk carefully here. Okay?\"

Jugartha buys you a ship of the desert

\"As far as I am concerend,\" replies Uzay, \"any hostility originated with her. I will show no weakness. Black Tower is equal to Farside in every way - in principal certainly, and I shall take every measure to ensure that this is true in practical terms also. This Fleet Master of his, sister or no, is most temperamental. I do not know Alphros well, but I suspect he will understand this better than I, and little ill will come of my relation to her. If I am wrong, it is of no consequence, for it our Highest Lord Sovereign that governs all affairs in the world, and in the final analysis, I need not concern myself with any of these men. You know that, Master Paladin. Besides, it is useful for me to know the limitations in her character, and also to see where she will take it - in the course of events, certain intentions of Farside may be revealed.\" Uzay smiles, intently watching the goings-on on the raceway.

A shake of his head as he gives the baby Mumakil another scratch behind the ears as he listens to Uzay speak onwards andthen nodding his head \"It would be ideal, yes. But remember, we are not like the animals that our Lord surrounds himself with in his native lands. When victory is achieved, it will be our pleasure to hunt down the beasts. But Umbar is not Nurn. The citizens here are worth a dozen beasts a piece, and we must seek homongenity true, but first we must assure the loyalty to the aims of the Dark Lord. They must be prepared to fight when he puts forth his call. We must maintain the peace, we must shepherd our flock and give them peace at home so they might better serve him. Once upon a time, the Paladins hunted and killed Heretics, and were were exiled from the city for those actions. For such a short term goal, we suffered decades of failure. So now? now we must better plan our attacks. What good does it do when those in power despise us? No, the Haradrim are an obstinate bunch and cannot be brow beaten. Make them want to help, that\'s the trick, not to force, but to cajole and lead without leading.\"

\"A wise point of view, Master Paladin, but I have it in mind to expose the personal goals of Alprhos, one way or another.\" Uzay has turned to face Jugartha and speaks such that only he can hear. \"If his intentions accord with those of the Eye, then thre is naught to worry over - in time this minor issue between Azradi and myself will be forgotten. If not, it will escalate, and Alphros will make it plain to the others that it has been his intention either to claim the title of Emperor in Umbar for himself, or, what seems more likely to me, to use his influence here as a stepping stone to Kingship in Gondor. This is to say, a personal gain of his at the expense of everyone else. I do not claim to know all the ins and out, but he is planning something. I consider it my duty to ensure, in whatever way I am able, that things proceed in a manner that supports our Highest Lord Sovereign - always and in everything.\"

The caravan with the banner of the Eye stops and one of the riders breaks off to approach the crowd. He is garbed in the uniform of the High Priestess\'s personal guard and his horse is a deep dark brown. He clears his throat loudly.

Inhaling deeply from his pipe, blue smoke curling around his head as the mahmuds attempt to rescue the two beasts, though the thrashing of the animals makes it harder as they bellow out in pain. It is all that Jugartha can do to restrain the baby mumak from rushing out to the track. \"Give me some time within the walls of Farside, then come to me and I will tell you more of it. Perhaps with honey I might lure the animals better then with the whip. Just do nothing please to illicit conflict with the denizens of the other towers. Our position still is so precarious that it is unwise to provoke war when our forces are so spread out.\" he sighs. \"Just patience Uzay, patience and calm. We will win in the end, that much I can assure you. But we are human, let us use our minds to make that victory the best that it can be.

Jugartha turns sharply as the Caravan approaches and his eyes light up, a smile crossing his face. \"My lord?\" the Paladin states, bowing hsi head just slightly but not kneeling, not to this guard.

\"It is my hope, if there is any truth to my suspicions, that the others will form a coalition. In any case, do not place too much importance on this chance encounter of ours.\" Uzay too becomes aware of the presence of the Priestess\' guard and turns to face him, along with many others, who lend their ears to what he has to say.

\"The High Priestess of Nurn and the Dark Citadel requires a proper escort back into Umbar,\" the guard says, glancing back towards the small caravan of horses. \"And she wishes information of what happened in her absence.\"

A sigh as he looks to Uzay. \"I cannot tell much, do you have a better grasp of current events? I\'ve been really focusing more upon the training of her army.\" another bow the guard captain and carefully afixing the silk and steel veil back across his face he leaves the baby mumakil and the cries of the dying beasts to appraoch the litter, untying the knots that bind his scimitar but not loosening it from the scabbard as he stops before the caravan, looking about for the diminutive lady who is the voice of Sauron in these southlands.

\"I can provide both,\" resounds the voice of Uzay in answer. \"I am Steward of Black Tower, in the employ of Lady Regent Mirag. The High Priestess, (blessings and good health upon her,) knows me. If she has time presently, I can give her a briefing and answer any questions of hers immediately.\" As Jugartha does not introduce himself, he adds while indicating him with a gesture, \"This man is Captain of the Black Paladins. He will arrange for additional escort.\" In a lower tone, for the said Paladin only, he says, \"I will tell you on some future occassion, unless Mara will entertain me now and the sacerdotal guard will permit your attendance. What I have to say to her, I will also say to you.\"

The curtains of the High Priestess\'s litter are opened and the diminutive woman in black can be seen, dusty from the journey, but otherwise appearing to be in somewhat better health than when she left Umbar. Her hair cascades loosely down her back and her robes are in good shape. The guard nearest her nods to the two men. \"You may approach the High Priestess. She has wished to hear how you are getting on.\"

Crossing the short distance to the carriage, Uzay throws himself onto his chest and lays his forehead on his overlapped hands, a gesture which is copied in one manner or another by nearly all the Haradhrim in attendance, regardless of their class in society. \"Greetings my Saintly High Priestess!\" His tone is merry and delighted, \"A great deal has happened since we chanced to meet in the desert. There is much that I would like to tell you in detail, when you are ready to hear it.\"

Stopping short, Jugartha puffs his pipe one last time before slapping the bowl against the heel of his boot to let the ashes spill into the desert sands the smoke a moment before going out as he waves to a distant shape, a series of gestures, almost like semaphore as he seems to summon some additional Paladins from the catacombs of the Citadel before glancing at Uzay and then dropping to his knee, his forehead resting just below the rim of her palanquin with his hands folded across his chest, fingers clasping the medallion in silence as he awaits her chastisement or benediction.

There is a small smile on the face of the diminutive high priestess and she straightens, looking at the two men. \"The Captain of my Paladins and the man who had a vision from our Dark Lord. It is good to see both of you.\" She pauses, her rich voice a bit hoarse from the travel. \"Tell me, Captain, must I remain in this contraption until we reach the Dark Citadel? Or is there, perhaps, a better means of transportation?\" Another pause and she looks at Uzay. \"I would hear your full report once I have had a chance to recover a bit from the journey. Unless there is something I must hear of now?\"

\"As soon as you have recuperated, My Lady.\" replies Uzay, \"It is not pressing in the highest degree, though I trust latent matters will be of some interest to you, and the sooner we are able to discuss them, the better it will be for all servants of the Eye.\"

A shake of his head as he moves to stand and glancing around \"I walk, we almost all do, but if you would prefer, let us carry you a few steps longer, at least until we get through the streets. The battle is done, but Umbar is dangerous even in peace and it wouldn\'t do to have you hurt when you have only just returned. Stay seated a moment longer your grace. The Temple is clean, the armies are training, all is ready for you once more. I hope.\" a short glance to Uzay.

The slight woman nods, an acquiesce. \"Very well, as long as you will walk beside, escorting me.\" There is a pause and the high priestess\'s guard makes room for the Black Paladins. Mara\'s eyes turn towards Uzay. \"IF you would come talk to me tomorrow afternoon, that should be enough time for me to wash the dust of the journey from my body.\"

\"As you wish, my High Priestess,\" says Uzay, at last standing and presenting a low bow. \"For the time being, I will take part in your escort, with a few men of my own.\"

As a contingent of the black robed and armored men approaches. Jugartha bows a moment to the priestess and wmoves away to talk to them, and with a precision inheret in their training, the warriors of the Dark Lord form up around ahead and behind the Lady Mara as Jugartha moves back to walk beside the woman and offering her his arm to hold on to. \"Peace has mostly prevailed since your departure, some few fights, but this is Umbar, to be expected. Otherwise all things are as you left them, save your position has been strengthened and you will soon have a thousand soldiers to order around.\"

\"A thousand, gracious,\" As the diminutive woman reaches for the Captain\'s arm, she turns her full smile on Uzay. \"It is much appreciated. IT would not do for me to have done the Dark Lord\'s work in His Lands and then return only to have trouble on the way into the Citade.\"

Soon a number of lesser guards, allied with Black Tower present themselves on Uzay\'s orders and they take positions intermingled with Jugartha\'s contingent. In this formation, they await to depart with the High Priestess. \"I have a horse for you, my Lady, if you prefer it to your sedan chair - though it came with me from Khand, and is not the most genteel of creatures, it will make for a pleasant ride if you will allow me to sit in the saddle behind you.\"

Not starting towards the great gates yet, Jugartha just waits there, supporting partially the High Priestess of Sauron as he pulls the hood of his cloak up and over his hair and glancing at hte guards that Uzay has summoned, having been spending his time training those troops as well, though his focus has been and likely will continue to be the welfare of the order to which he belongs. He is silent, to await the pleasure of the woman. Not owning a horse himself, and not having brought his camel with him to the city, indeed, the creatures rarely survive outside of the borders of the Dune Sea.

The slight woman breathes in and out for a moment and then sighs. \"No, Uzay, tempting though it is to ride again, and we will at some point, the Captain\'s wisdom should prevail here. I will ride in this until we reach the Dark Citadel.\"

\"As you wish, my Saintly Priestess.\" After a bow, Uzay mounts the beast himself and trots to a position to the side of her sedan chair, ready, like the others, to begin making their way back northwards.

Helping the woman back into her palanquin and then stepping back, but not moving to far away as he nods to the Captain of her personal guard to lead the way, walking with easy steps beside her space. \"We\'ll have runners sent ahead to prepare, food drink and a bath for you. Then you can tell us all the will of our Lord.\" a nod towards Uzay and a look that seems to indicate his need to have the man pay attention just in case.