RP 35B: The Depths of Despair

[Snaga]

Here commences Book III of RP35.

Synopsis

In Book I Despair! (http://www.thetolkienforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3195) it was told how, Snaga, was called from the far south, from his post in Khand to take up the rule of the orcs of North. It spoke of his travels along the length of the Anduin, from Ithilien to Mount Gundabad.

In it, Lord Drygo his trusty ally rallied to him a loyal force from the stray bandit orcs from afar. And he came to meet the menacing dragon Magnus.

And it tells too of how he was given by Lord Dengen-Goroth, the Dark Lord, a new title: Lord Gonnilclaur, the general of the armies of Mornclaur. And how he came to meet with Lord Telchar of Zirak Khazad.

In Book IIHope? (http://www.thetolkienforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3221) Lark, a shepherd's wife of Arnor is afflicted by a song of some prophecy or doom. Travelling to consult the wisdom of Radagast, she meets Afterglow, Eve, Valar, Kit,. Truor and Mormegil. They decide to accompany her, as they percieve the shadow of a dreadful threat lying across the lands. They are assailed by strange beasts from Mirkwood that slay Truors father.

They meet Radagast who acts strangely it seems, but bids them search in the tower of Orthanc.

They travel far to the south, to find the shadow of war lying across the lands. Their way through Rohan is barred, and there they meet Elessar. Being turned away they choose to seek the secret way between the Misty Mountains and Fangorn. At the magical Pool of Lorellin, they are first assailed by orcs and trolls. Inspired, Lark sings a song of power that drives them away. The next day they find the secret path, and enter the forest.

But Ellessar chooses to follow them, and without knowing it rides into danger. He is kidnapped and taken to a fortress in the mountains. In the forest, dark riders again find the companions and tell them of Elessar's capture. They are warned not to look back, or he will be killed.

After long debate they decide to continue to Isengard, which is close at hand before hoping to search for Elessar in secret. In the forest they are attacked by Magnus the dragon, who sets the trees alight. They escape to Isengard, where they learn of Saruman's study of the evil art of Genomancy, and that someone is using it again. They also learn of the fell Black Stone, called the Heart of Darkness, and its link far back in time to the two black swords forged by Eol. But also some link to Mormegil's ancestor, the Numenorean captain Azranika, and the port of Lond Daer.

Then followed the second attack by Magnus, and Mormegil falls from the tower. He is saved by the Ents, and the waters of the Pool of Lorellin, that Lark has brought with her.

Elessar escapes torment, but is still trapped in the fortress, with only his wounded companion the dwarf Uzbadul. The companions ride to his rescue, meeting Tarien on the way, but as they draw near they are assailed by an army of orcs. Truor, Valar and Mormegil are pursued by the army to the fences of Lothlorien, whilst the others enter the fortress. They manage to find Elessar and they escape towards Lothlorien where a battle rages between the orcs and the elves.

In this, Book III, Snaga and his companions will uncover the secrets of Mt Gundabad, and the great strategy that is moving events across Middle Earth.

[Snaga]

ooc:
This is the continuation of RPG 35 and 35A, and I hope you will join it.

This is RPG for the bad guys primarily – if you have an evil character, or one who is happy in such company, please sign up! You do not have to have participated previously to join now, but if you were in 35 - Despair, you are more than welcome to participate. Please PM me to join, or post a request in the RP35 Discussion Thread!

A few points:
(1) Please post a profile in the Profile Thread, if you haven’t done so. Then we all know a little bit about you, and don’t get confused about gender/race etc. Your character doesn't have to be 'the usual you' if you get what I'm saying
(2) Please refrain from claiming every ridiculous power under the sun. No magicking dragons out of thin air and such like
(3) Please try and write posts that people will want to read! I mean this to be a fantastic story, and your contributions can really help!
(4) Keep this thread to contributions to the story that are in character. The odd out of character (ooc) bits and pieces are OK, but if you want more general discussion about the RPG, you can post it on the discussion thread.
(5) If you are good guy, and you’d like to be involved PM me and I’ll try and find away of getting you in, to '35A Hope?'

Please join. Its gonna to be great!

[Snaga]

Snaga and his companions approached the gates of Mt Gundabad.

The mountain loomed high above them, and the ground was course and rocky.

Many were his followers, and circling above him was the circling figure of Magnus the dragon, lazily spiralling in the air. He, from above, saw the dark figures all around, watching Snaga approach. He laughed to himself, orcs battling orcs? This might be fun. He decided not to warn Snaga.

Now moving slowly they clambered up the narrow path. A great strong bridge, spun wide across across a deep gorge, stood before the mighty rough stone gates. From this point the craggy faces rose high and steep, up towards the snowy shoulders of the mountain.

Irontooth, Snaga's great wolf-steed, stopped, growling menacingly. His hairs bristled, standing up on his neck.

Out from the rocks around them leapt dozens of orcs, small crouching northern orcs, with bows and short broad swords.

'Right, you lot!' they yelled. 'Who are you? No one moves. Ya think you maggots can just march up like this? Explain yourself, or we'll stick yer full of holes!'

Snaga, climbed down from Irontooth, and looked at them all. Then he declared, in a loud harsh voice: 'I am the Urukgush. I am now the Great Orc of the North. Put down your weapons. Who is leader amongst you?'

And one, slightly larger than the others stepped forward, looking him up and down. 'Oh yes? And you have proof?'

'Proof will be for the chieftains of the clans, not the leader of the guards on gate, worm.' snarled Snaga. 'Let me inside, you fool.'

The orc took a step back at his authoritative voice. 'And who comes with you?' he asked, with more respect.

'They will answer for themselves,' said Snaga.

[Kit Baggins]

(OOC I'm still in this RP as Khazak, aren't I?)

~Kit :)

[Tarien]

ooc: Am I still able to join in as Elarmor?

[Khamul]

Drygo dismounts from his steed, and follows Snaga into the camp. The stench of the place was very great, but Drygo had become accustomed to the association of orcs. But, other companions were still very much bothered as they followed Snaga and Drygo.

[Snaga]

They paused at the bridge, and Snaga waved away the guards. 'We must have a quiet talk.'

The gates loomed large across the gorge. Drygo, Azog the Uruk-Hai leader, Khazak the mercenary, and Rashdug, Snaga's trusted lieutenant gathered round.

'Listen up lads!' said Snaga, looking at each of them. 'I've been 'ere before so I know a bit about what to expect I think. But you lot, well I doubt any of you have been this far north before, right?

'Well, whatever. These lot, well they aint gonna be just like your average soldier from Mordor. Or like you Uruk-Hai wizard-bred lot. Nah! Its different here. Now, they know all about the dark lord and Mordor. But this lot, thats a long way off, see? So everything's different. Here you've got the clans, and that's what matters. So what usually happens is this: the Great Orc is one of the clan chiefs. When he dies, the other clan chiefs choose who's next in turn. If they don't like what 'e does, they'll try and kill 'im. And so the Great Orc ends up killing any clan chief he thinks might be thinking about it. That's how come there's any discipline. But it aint like Mordor, where what the dark lord says goes, see?

'Nah! I wish it was! Its taken too long to get get 'ere, so who knows what the place is going to be like, with no Great Orc for so long. So I've got to sort it out, understand? Well, what I mean is: you lot have to. So be careful: don't just kill any little runt that wanders by. Cos that's no way to make friends. But watch yer backs. There's plenty in here that'll take a fancy to yer nice swords and that! They won't worry about sticking a knife in yer guts to get it, if they think they can! And if we get wind of any trouble-makers we got to go up against 'em hard OK?

'But listen that's other thing. What don't make any sense it what we're doing 'ere at all. They know me, for sure! People seem to hear about me...' he laughed darkly for a moment. 'But they usually choose one of their own, right? Why call for me to come and take over? I mean this is THE top job for all the orcs of the mountains. One of them's got to want it. So something's wrong with all of this. There has been from the start. So we've got to know why they sent for me. So keep yer ears to the ground. Let me know what the tunnel-grubbers are saying.'

He look around again. 'Is that all clear?'

'Yeah!' smirked Rashdug. 'Kill the trouble-makers! Got it!' And he licked a cruel looking dagger.

Snaga clouted him round the head forcefully, but playfully. 'You idiot! Lucky I know you. If anyone else thinks that's the attitude, you're wrong!' Rashdug clutched his ear, still grinning.

'Now the other thing is this: there are four main clans here. There's the Durbhai... they live in the upper caves. They think they're the best, and most of the Great Orcs came from that clan. There's the Mithruks, who live over the east of the mountain. The Kharn-hai are the northern most tribe, usually small in numbers compared to the others, but some way the nastiest bleeders of the lot.
Finally the Lagh-hai are the southerners: there's loads of that lot. If you can tell 'em apart, just by looking you'll be doing well.'

'Any questions before we go in?'

[Tarien]

Elarmor watches from a distance, her keen eyes and ears not missing anything that happened. When she saw Snaga she allowed herself a feral hiss of delight.
Once again I meet the great captain she thought with amusement. Would he be foolish enough to refuse her aid this time as well? She shook her sable hair lightly, her pale skin briefly revealed as it moved. If he does...well, he is not the only one with cunning! She gave a slight hiss, this time in annoyance.

She was not given to foolish emotions, or expressions. They were weaknesses she had long ago overcome. She touched a place on her hand where, strangely enough, she had not healed as usual, but scarred. She dismissed this fact as a tribute to His skill, remembering with hate and savor that it is quite painful to have a poisoned, barbed shaft ripped from your hand, especially once it has gone all the way through.

The price of training she thought, under such a master! She had a lesson or two for Snaga, if he did not accept her next offer.

[Snaga]

Irontooth, the great warg of Snaga rose from the ground where he had been resting. He drew backs his lips in a bristling snarl, and the hair on the back of his neck stood up. And he sniffed the air.

Snaga immediately put his hand on the hilt of his scimitar, and looked around. 'What is it, mutt?' he said tensely.

Then his eyes met those of Elarmor from afar. 'The she-elf!' he hissed. 'Following me still, eh?'

He stood high on a boulder and called to her, with a leering grin on his face. 'So you do not take no for an answer, do you? Come and talk, since you seem to like me so well!'

[Ecthelion]

A very ugly tall orc came up to sanga and said,"This dwarf outside says he knows you and wants to talk to you." Snaga replied "I know of no such person, don't let him enter." The orc nodded and walked away. Moments later Snaga and his companions heard yelling and screaming. Once the noise died down a dwarf walked up to the group putting a bloody sword in it's sheath. "You did that on purpose didn't you?" Nain laughed. "I came to see what was about. I wasn't coming to see the inards of 10 dead orcs.Nain smirked again. "So what is going on Snaga I hear, but I don't understand fully."

[Snaga]

'Well, this is an unexpected ... pleasure!' Snaga thought.

From where he stood on the boulder, he frowned down at the dwarf. 'You don't understand?... that is very clear! You have killed ten to get this far, now you face a hundred. And there are thousands inside the gates.'

Nain looked around and realised that he was in the midst of a crowd of orcs of various sorts, all looking angrily and muttering. 'A dwarf, with blood on his sword. What's he doing here? Let's get him! Quick!' And their swords were drawn and arrows at the ready. They pressed in around him on all sides.

'No! Wait!' shouted Snaga above the clamour. 'Just take his weapons!' He was grabbed from behind.

'You are lucky, dwarf!' Snaga told him. 'This lot are my crew. They take orders, and (when I tell them to) they take prisoners.'

He jumped down into the crowd, and whispered into Nain's ear some words that no others could here. 'Do not resist this. We will talk later. But I cannot let you kill the guards and do nothing!'

'Chain him, and take him to the dungeon!' he said to Rashdug. 'And proclaim my coming. Let all be prepared for me.'

And the orcs tied Nains hands behind his back, with practiced efficiency. And then howling with delight they crossed the bridge and in through the yawning gate into the dark halls beyond. Nain's eyes adjusted quickly to the light, but he was given little time to look. Surrounded by a horde of orcs they rushed him through tunnel after tunnel, towards the dungeon. The size of the halls was impressive, but for the most part they were rough-hewn and unpleasing to Nain's eye. And whereas the dwarf-halls were filled with magnificent lights enchanting the many passages, here just an occasional fiery torch pierced the gloom, set far apart. And water dripped from the ceilings in many places, and the air was stale and rank. And there were orcs: orcs everywhere. They talked and laughed roughly in their crude tongue.

At last they came to a dark chamber, which was set with great thick iron bars across it from floor to ceiling. The orcs unlocked a large door in the jail, and threw him in, not bothering to untie his arms. He pitched over, unable to keep his balance. Coarse laughter filled the air around him. He rolled over, and sat, and then made for a side of the cavern, where he could sit with his back to the wall. He could tell he was not the only prisoner in here.

--------------------

Outside, Drygo, Khazak and a few other orcs remained. 'Lets see what that elf has to say!' said Snaga.

[Turgon]

'Osse Beard!' Serewing muttered. 'What's that awful smell...' He could hear something moving in the darkness of his cell - pulling himself up from the flee-infested straw pallet that served him as a bed he went over to investigate. Straining his eyes - he could just make out a figure - no more than five feet tall.

'Doesn't smell like an orc...' He said to himself - a habit he'd picked up during his long months of captivity. 'No - worse than that...' He moved closer to figure and watched it struggle on the floor in a vain effort to sit up-right. 'It couldn't be... No, they wouldn't be so cruel...' Reaching down, his hand closed around a thick mat of wiry hair falling down across the newcomer's chest. He tugged it hard with all the malice his weary soul could muster...
'A Dwarf... you have to be kidding me...!!!'

Serewing stumbled through the darkness and started banging on the door. 'Hey... Salyuk... What is this! - get this filthy dwarf out of here - I thought we had a deal...'
'Shut yer mouth - Corsair.' somebody yelled from outside. 'Or I'll come in there and give yer somefink to shout about...'
'You shut your mouth Uruk... Where's Salyuk - tell him I want a word with him.'
Serewing pushed his face against the bars of his cell door and began to yell.
'Salyuk... Salyuk... get your foul hide over here...'
With this the Uruk guard slammed the butt of his spear full in the Corsair's face, sending him crashing to floor with a howl of pain.
'Salyuk's gone Human - him and the boss had a little... disagreement. I'm in charge down 'ere now - and if I see yer pasty face peerin' through 'ere again - I'll cut yer nose off and feed it to the Dwarf.'

The corsair lay on the floor, his spirits sinking - then in the darkness the Dwarf started to laugh.
'Oh that's a good one... cut yer nose of and feed it to the... ahem! haha!'
Serewing crawled over the dwarf and proped himself up beside him. 'No hard feelings Dwarf - nothing personal you know. Say - I could untie those bonds of yours - for a price...'

[Ecthelion]

"I have something that would most surely suit your price." Nain says He replies "Which is?" "I could get you out of hea , but not forcefully, freely, but I don't think that any offer is up any longer." Serewing answered "Fine keep those ropes on Dwarf." "Oh but I wont." "Huh?" Serewing said confused. "Watch and learn worm."
There were 2 guards on a bench right outside the barred doors. 1 was sleeping on the others shoulder. Nain picks up a rock and tosses it down the passage. The awake guard goes to see what it is. HE takes a dagger and gives the spear to the asleep one. When the awake guard is gone Nain throws another rock at the forehead of the sleeping one. The orcs bends forward and the spear lands on the cell door. Nain turns around so his hands face the spear. The spear tip is up so he goes up and down on it until the spear cuts the bonds(they were rope I believe). Nain walks by Serewing and sits in the back dark corner and waits for Snaga.

[Ciryaher]

The black man's dark hue hid him well amid the rocks. A dwarf just waltzes up after killing 10 guards and lives!...Something must be up he thought.

He creeped back down behind the rock and adjusted his armor. His scimitar and javelins were at the ready, so he once again peered over the rocks. The dwarf was gone, and now the orcs were walking towards...an elf! This keeps getting better and better! he shook with a slight interior laugh, sending a single pebble rolling down the cliff...

He froze where he was.

[chrysophalax]

Magnus amused himself as he watched events unfolding below him.
"Mortals..." he thought to himself, "They're so...fragile, so defenseless." He began to feel his stomach rumble. "There appears to be far too much activity around here. What could that orc Snaga be up to? I shall have to put in appearance it would seem!"

Gliding silently downward, he landed with a crash onto some loose rock high up on a ledge over the main entrance ,then settled back to watch...

[Snaga]

As Snaga made his way to talk to the elf, out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. A solitary stone, came bouncing down the mountainside.

He stopped, and looked up. Nothing. Stones come lose, rocks may fall for no reason more than the slopes wearying of their weight. And yet.... Snaga whistled to Irontooth, sending him bounding high up the slopes. If there was anyone up there, he would chase them out.

He stood watching Irontooth's loping stride sending him up slightly higher and to one side of where he thought the pebble had come from. Then whistled again to bring him round.

And he looked side-long and called again to the elf: 'Come and talk if you want to. I haven't got all day!'

[Ciryaher]

The dark man ducked down at the first opportunity and stealthily crept over to a new position. He drew a narrow javelin and held his arm rigidly as he peered at an orc set away from the congregation while the boss-orc called to the elf. With a lightning motion, he flung the javelin through the air and impaled the orc sidelong through the ribcage.

He bounded down the hillside to the dying orc and decapitated him with his scimitar; in the same motion, he snatched up the head and flung it into the group of orcs. Standing fearlessly with his massive arms crossed, the towering man glowered at the orcs.

[Tarien]

ooc: This is not my best work, but it's early in the morning.

The Elf-Lady, who had dissapeared, showed no sign of returning. Snaga dispatched the nearby orcs to scout. As soon as they left, she dropped out of a tree beside Snaga, causing him to jump.
'Hear my proposal, orc. Immortal life, and skilled tutors, have left me with cunning and skill. You are a commander, surrounded by those dim of wit, the least of your ruined race. I offer my counsel to you, and the ability to fight to your army.' She paused in her circling, clenched one hand.
'I could train them to be fighters, and teach you another side to war and battle far less costly than the frontal assaults you prefer.' She paused. 'Do you accept my offer? Or must we become foes?'

[chrysophalax]

Magnus growled deeply as he watched the human closely. He had seen Snaga come riding up the slope and he bristled in anger as the javelin brought down the orc. He poised himself to defend Snaga if he must...

[Snaga]

Snaga watched with a weary expression. Another who felt the need to kill his people to prove himself. This was becoming a source of irritation to him.

'Perhaps you are right,' he replied to the elf. 'Maybe you do have something different about you. I could use someone with some brains.'

The orc-head rolled towards him, and he stifled a yawn. 'And it seems I have a vacany!' He kicked it away with disdain.

He looked up at the dark figure above him. 'I know you, do I not?' he called. Then a sharp whistle brought a huge impact in the man's back. The warg! Tripping he fell, and instantly Irontooth's jaws closed on the man's wrist, forcing him to drop the scimitar. The man rolled onto his feet in one movement, and his free hand reached for another weapon.

Then Snaga realised with a flash. He whistled again, and Irontooth let go, bounding away to return to his side. 'Jahrdur of Harad!' he exclaimed. 'You are a long way from your ships!'

Then he began to laugh. 'Well! It seems we both know how to introduce ourselves! Come! I have wanted to meet you for many years. Well met indeed!'

[Ciryaher]

Jahrdur, having been identified, grinned and snatched up his scimitar. "Greetings! You should have heard I always bring death with me? I wouldn't want to ruin my reputation; even among friends!" he cried, and strided over to Snaga. With a deep bow, he greeted the leader of the orcs.

"It is indeed far from Umbar that I journey, but a warrior must go were the blood flows; so it is said," Jahrdur looked at the elf with a raised eyebrow and looked back at Snaga. "You associate with the krenim? I wouldn't trust one of those bright-eyed, pale-skinned...things...with my meat knife!" He made a look of disgust at the thought.

[Lorien]

A tall man dressed entirely in black and seeming to blend with the night except for his brightly iridiscent violet-gray eyes came riding up to Mt.Gundabad and looked at its highest point and murmured a few soft words to himself. He continued riding until he was stopped by a few orc guards. One of them snarled, "Halt. Who goes there and business might you be having here eh?"
The man looked out from under his hood and said, "I have some business here and it remains private. I think that you should let me in now."
The orc snarled and launched himself forward at the rider. The man calmly looked at the orc and his eyes flashed. Suddenly the orc lay screaming on the ground and a whispery smoke arose from his mouth and nostrils. The screaming had brought forth the others who were meeting and as they watched the smoke rose and the man took a sharp breath taking in the smoke. Smiling slightly he looked towards the company before him and seeing Snaga he grinned and got off his horse to greet him. "Hail, Snaga. Your reputation swells every hour. Will you not introduce me to your other companions?"

[Snaga]

'Trust?' said Snaga to Jahdhur, slowly, as though tasting a flavour that he did not know. 'Trust!' he spat it out. 'Elf-witch! You don't think I trust you, do you? I think I will find you useful, that is all. We know well the treachery of elves, so do not expect trust. Indeed, I hope you are ready for a welcome. I wonder at my decision. It will be hard enough for me to gain acceptance as it is. In your company... well we shall see!'

For a long moment he stared darkly up at the elven lady. Her hair hung as a black veil of icicles, he saw the loathsome gleam of her smooth skin, the knife-like piercing glance of her eyes pained him. His stomach churned bitterly, and he ground his teeth. He found his clenched fist was beating compulsively against his sword-hilt. 'Elves!' he muttered under his breath. 'I should kill her now. She is so painful to behold! Why then do I not do it?'

Then he turned away and spat on the ground. 'Trust is for Irontooth. He I trust!'

Then as the newcomer jumped down from his horse, he strode to meet him, saying aloud: 'I know at least I cannot trust my guards! Incompetent fools!' He looked closely at the tall figure before him. 'It can only be the Necromancer of Angmar. Hail! I am honoured.'

One by one he named those with him. 'This is Lord Drygo, of Khand, and of Ostmor in the Mountains of Angmar. Here is Jahdhur, great Sea-Captain of the Corsairs, scourge of Gondor. Of my followers there are many I could name. Should you need their names you may ask Khazak here,' he gestured to an orc that sat nearby, watching all that went on. 'For he knows them all. But Khazak is one to watch: loyal only to himself and whoever is paying him I would say. Isn’t that right Khazak?' He laughed, as Khazak said nothing in reply. 'And this pretty one...' he paused realising he didn't know her name, '... is an Elf-Witch. She says she can teach us orcs something about war! I don’t like elvish tricks as a rule. She gives me the creeps too. But we'll see what she's good for soon enough. Oh and of course, perhaps you saw the great Magnus in skies above us? There you are: so many mighty names do not come to one place by mere chance, do they?'

He turned and led them towards the bridge, and the great gates ahead. 'Come! My people await me.'

The bridge was rough-made, and not properly paved. Gravel crunched beneath their feet as they crossed its unwalled span. Then the air darkened around them as they crossed the gaping threshold. For a moment their eyes struggled to adjust.

Snaga wondered at such an entrance, for this was not orc-fashion. But it had always been this way. Few ever came north to assail Mt Gundabad: none had done so in hundreds of years. And the bridge itself was a strong defence, and within were many traps of cunning, Snaga had heard. He did not yet know them, but he resolved to find out. The wide hallway was lined with flaming torches at intervals, and between them guards sauntered grinning evilly, surly but alert. Higher, above their heads, were innumerable arrow slits. The glint of a light on the tip of an arrow was visible now and then. Their passing was watched closely.

The guards stood aside though, but glared at the elf in particularly. They cast doubtful looks too at Jahdhur and Drygo. 'What is this? The new Great Orc brings a she-elf here. Why? Is she to be killed for sport? Why is she not in chains?' they snarled to each other in their own tongue.

The great hallway came to an end, and great iron-clad doors fully 50 feet high stood closed before them. Before them sat an orc, older than any that yet lived. Other orcs counted old in the place told tales about him that their grandsires had told them, and in those tales too he was counted as old beyond reckoning. He was shrunken and wizened, and held a rod of grey metal, and sat hunched in chair before the door. But he was clad in a dark robe, not the mail customary of orc kind, and he looked at them with pale blind eyes.

'Ahhh comes one who would be Great Orc, with strange friends. Furthest have any yet come for this honour. Death of many if passing through these doors. Older than me haunts here!' He cackled at his words, and his laugh descended into a dry coughing. Then he asked: 'Do you pass this door, to claim the throne?'

'Who is this wretched creature?' said Drygo with distain.

'This is the savant.' said Snaga. 'They say he's nearly a thousand years old, and sent the bats to the Battle of Five Armies. Be careful of him! Who knows what tricks he has?'

And he turned to the savant and said: 'I do wish to enter. I claim the title of Urukgush, the Great Orc of the North.'

'An ill choice! An ill choice!' the savant sneered back, his tongue curling on his black lips. But he stood, uncurling to a greater height than they imagined, and struck the door three times with his rod. And he looked at Elarmor with his pale blind eyes, and hissed.

The doors swung open to reveal a vast chamber, and it seemed to teem with orcs. Orcs of many shapes and sizes, with a clamour of voices harsh and loud. Some seemed to be engaged in trade of some sort. Others lay around drinking out of rough pots. In one corner, two were fighting each other with great clubs, while a crowd egged them on. Perhaps they were betting on the result. Other activities less certain took place all around. At the far end was a platform, high above the level of the floor, with perhaps a hundred broad steps sweeping up to it. In this part the floor was smooth and polished, gleaming black. And upon was a huge golden throne, and four silver ones of lesser stature, two on each side. All were empty.

Tunnels and passageways disappeared in many directions: some narrow and dark, others broad and torch-lit. Some plunged steeply down, or stayed on the same level; other climbed steeply by winding stairs.

Two orcs came towards them. One large and burly, with well-tended armour. Another small and stooping, with expensive robes, and suspicious furtive eyes, and hands that folded over each other endlessly. The large one spoke first: 'Greetings, my lords.' he said, looking at them all, one at a time. He then addressed Snaga: ‘Are you he they call Gonnilclaur, the new Urukgush?'

'I am. Who are you?'

'I am Mauruk, I am commander of the legions. Greetings to you...' He looked doubtfully at Snaga’s companions. '...and to your servants. This is Mâghalaur, he is key-keeper and gold-counter here.'

The smaller orc bowed low. 'I am your humble servant. Come with me, away from this din and rabble. This is a great day. I have looked after things well since the last Great Orc died, you will find. Come...'

He led them to a smaller chamber nearby, with a long table and chairs. Mauruk ordered another orc in for a moment. 'Bring us food and drink. Bring some man-food too!' Then he waved him away, as they sat down.

[Lorien]

As they sat down Lorien hung at the back of the company closely watching the Elf and Jahrdur. Jahrdur he had heard great things of, but an Elf travelling in such hostile company? Unheard of! Not that she would get any trouble from him, Lorien himself was half-elven but still walking in such company couldn't be good for her. Dispelling all these thoughts from his mind Lorien sat down and eyed the food and drink placed before them.

[Ciryaher]

Jahrdur felt quite at home. Many times he had stayed with the orcs of Mordor in their hovels, and he knew many dialects of their speech. Quickly picking up the Gundabad tongue, he began joking and boasting in the tongue. "Yes! I came all the way from the sunny lands in the south, which are much better to fight in than this frozen nipple of a mountain," he got a general laugh, "Now shut your mouths and don't bother me, lads!"

The southron stood and moved towards Snaga. There was an orc sitting in the nearest seat to the Great Orc, so Jahrdur grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him off and then sat down. "Gonniclaur, you are called, yes?" he asked and eyed both Lorien and the elven sorceress spitefully, "I came here to see if there would be fighting, and I will get it, I am expecting...but what of them? I can't believe you would even let one of those damnable creatures live. Now the other, he is only half, and he doesn't have tree-lit eyes, and he doesn't seem a bad chap. But that female...I don't like her. If you wouldn't object, I'd hack her right here and now; I'm sure any other lad here would do the same."

[Snaga]

Snaga looked at the elf again, and shuddered.

'Of course you say such things. And who would not? It makes me sick to have a golug in our midst.' He threw down his food. 'I cannot eat!'

He looked at Jahrdur. 'Tell me not what you might do, Jahrdur. Do it if you will, or hold your peace. You do not do raise your sword: and neither can I. Have you put a spell on us all, witch?' he demanded of her. 'Well?' He stood up, angrily.

'Some strange summons led her here, and you too I believe. So it seems I am not to slay her. And maybe that dwarf too! I will get to the bottom of this!'

He settled back down for a moment. 'So you want to see some fighting, eh?' he asked the Southron, musing. 'Mauruk! Go with him to the dungeons. Bring that dwarf back, and any others in there that may give us some sport!'

Then he turned to the cringing Maghalaur. 'Why are the clan-chiefs not here? Go! Find them!'

[chrysophalax]

Suddenly, shouting is heard coming from the great hall-way. Orcs enter, grappling with a tall, dark-haired man. "Unhand me! I come late to this gathering. I am in service to My Lord Lorien!" He is cuffed soundly for his trouble and he glares balefully back at the sneering orc holding him. They push him down to kneel before those gathered with Snaga.

From his coveted spot at Snaga's feet Irontooth snarls and lunges at the man, pinning him to the floor. To everyone's surprise he starts laughing aloud, hugging the great wolf to him tightly. "Irontooth, my old friend! Glad am I to see you, you great monster!" The orcs surrounding him step back a pace in confusion and a slow smile appears on Snaga's face.

[Turgon]

'Something's stirring in this Orc's Nest,' Serewing muttered. 'Don't you feel it Longbeard?' The Dwarf had been silent for sometime now, and the orcish guards had disappeared. Things were quiet - too quiet for the Corsair's liking. He'd been in this hole for a long time now - time enough to know when trouble was brewing. He slipped his hand beneath his straw bedding and pulled out a thin sliver of metal - an old piece of refuse he'd found when he'd first been thrown into this pit - sharpened painstaking over long weeks on the rough stone wall. Then slipping it into the sleeve of his ragged shirt he lay back and waited.

[Ecthelion]

Nain just sat and didn't answer. He kept thinking how badly he wanted this Serewing character to shut up.

[Tarien]

Elarmor remained distant, silent. Seated, she looked down at her 'food' with aloof disdain.
Orcs....my ruined kin. And my great Master's only failing. She thought. Finally, as if her mere prescence was not insult enough, she took out a wafer of her own food and ate it, refusing to touch anything set before her. At great length she spoke.
'I am Elarmor. And if you distrust me, then you are wiser than I thought.' She said, scorn in her tone.
'And your fear is justified: next to his own daughter, I was the most trusted and skilled of my Master's pupils. And the skill of Melkor was great, and many lessons did I learn.' She gave a high laugh. 'But who knows where the wheels of fate will turn?'
After this, she resumed her calculating silence, lost in thought, not even glancing about herself at the hall in which she sat.

[Snaga]

'Artos!' smirked Snaga. 'What brings you here? No! Why do I even ask? Artos raised and trained Irontooth from a cub. And what a great job he did! How many years ago was that? It seems a lifetime ago.'

'Get him a chair!' he commanded an orc peremptorily. The orc shuffled away, returning quickly with a seat for Artos.

'You are in luck!' He jabbed a finger a Elarmor: 'This... this golug sha!... she has saved you some food it seems. I would check it for poison before you touch it! Black Star she names herself. I prefer Burzpush... Ghashu Golug-hai ishi dugronk skai! Hûnul globuk!'

[Ciryaher]

Jahrdur snatched up the plate of food that Snaga had pushed away and shoveled it into his hungry mouth. He considered the Great Orc's words about the elf and stood slowly.

In a few long strides, the southron came behind the elf and glared down at her. "Stand on your feet, kreni demon! If you deserve to be here, you'll not be dead shortly. If you are as worthless as I think you are, you'll be a quivering heap of torn flesh."

Then Jahrdur stepped back and a circle of orcs hemmed around an open space. He drew his scimitar and beckoned her with gestures and taunts.

[Lorien]

Lorien smiled and said, "Hail friend Artos. So you find me here as well. That is good." As Jahrdur taunted Elarmor, Lorien sighed wearily and said to Snaga, "Stop this nonsense Snaga. We can use all the help we can get and this elf can provide us help. Stop it now or I'll have to do something."

[Ciryaher]

Jahrdur heard Lorien's comment and shouted, "You stay out of my business, galkreni, or I'll break you in two after I finish with that dirty kreni there."

[Lorien]

ooc:- I think you mean Lorien not Artos, Cir. **oops**

Lorien yells back, "I'd like to see you try breaking me Master Jahrdur. You will have your chance if anything is left of you after the she-elf is done with you."

[Kit Baggins]

Khazak is watching them silently from the corner. He hopes that someone gets killed- he hasn't had any entertainment in weeks.

[Tarien]

Elarmor laughed, causing all to turn.
'I have no reason to poison it; you are still of use to me, and to me it is poison anyway.' She turned her cold, dark green-black eyes on the one who had last spoken. 'If you are going to translate my name into your own coarse speach, at least do so correctly! It was given to me by my adopted father, and I hold it in high regard.'

[Snaga]

Snaga sat back and smiled. 'You worry too much Lorien. Let them play! It is as good a way for them to get to know each other as any I think.'

He stood up. 'But this I will not tolerate!' he said, his eyes falling on the orcs that had crowded round to watch. 'Who asked you maggots in here to watch? This is the eating place of the great ones, not a fish-bowl for you scum to gawp at. You! Come here!' he demanded of the nearest one.

He came forwards crouching nervously. 'Yes my lord. What do you wish?'

Snaga produced a knife and slashed him across the face, a horrible gouging wound. 'Now get out! All of you!' They disappeared, dragging the injured orc with them.

'I have other matters to attend to. I expect you two to have resolved your differences when I return. Elarmor! Do not kill him! Khazak don't let any more rabble in here. If the clan chiefs arrive, find a hall we may use to talk in. Mauruk, you're with me!' Together they stalked out of the room.

'You see Mauruk,' he said throwing a friendly arm round the captains shoulders. 'You let 'em fight now, and they'll end up a much better crew in the long run. Now when I took over the Khand Legion...'

[chrysophalax]

"Snaga, I thank you and your men for my over-whelming reception, it warmed my heart, truly!" Turning to Lorien he touched his thumb to his forehead in obeisance and walked over to crouch at his side.

[Tarien]

Elarmor bobbed what might have been a courteous bow to Snaga - he wasn't sure - and drew her long knives.
'I've been insulted enough by you. It is time you remembered to fear the Eldar Kin, and Melkor.' She taunted in a imperious monotone. 'But I'll obey Snaga's orders and not kill you.'

[Lorien]

"Hope one of them does die. Atleast I'll have some peace." muttered Lorien. He tunred around so that he could see Elarmor and Jahrdur fight and said to Artos, "Who do you think shall win my friend?"

[Snaga]

In a dark cave deep in the roots of the mountain, a messenger orc came running. 'O chief I have news for you. The one from the south they call Gonnilclaur, he has come this day! And he brings many orcs with him, and stranger companions still.'

Another orc who sat in the shadows stood. 'Indeed!' he said in a sneering evil voice. 'The day I have waited for! Here! This is for your trouble. You do well.' He tossed a small coin to the floor, and then he rose from his chair, and disappeared past a drape made of the hide of some beast, into a smaller cave beyond.

The messenger scrabbled for the coin and went to leave. Then he stopped. Intrigued, the messenger carefully moved the drape a fraction and peered into the candle-lit cave beyond. His eyes bulged.

There was the chief, but he was grovelling like a worm on the floor! Who or what was he speaking to? He did not dare move the drape further to look. He let it fall back, trembling. But transfixed, he could not help himself listening. He could hear the chieftain's voice, full of fear.

'Yesss master. Yes! Yes he has come. Yes there are others! How did you know.... Arrgh!!! I see. Yes I understand. Yes, yes! I don't know their names. Dragon? I was told there were orcs, and others that's all I was told. I heard nothing about a dragon. Yes! You are right I am a fool. I am sorry. I will do better. I will find out.'

The messenger fled. It was not a conversation to be caught spying on, he thought.

[Tarien]

Tarien catches Jarhdur's blade on her knives and kicks one knee, breaking it.

'First blood, young one?' She calls out.
And if not, I'll kill him and seek pardon later........if ever. She thought to herself. Snaga surely dosen't need some incapable fool.

[Snaga]

Mauruk led Snaga across the great meeting chamber, and then down a steep winding passage, dank and dark.

But Snaga stopped him. 'So Mauruk, tell me... where do your loyalties lie?'

'You what?'

'Who do you serve? Which clan chief are you loyal to?'

'Only to you, great one!'

Snaga looked at him through the gloom. 'A likely story. I've only been here an hour or so. You're either lying, or very fickle! I'm not stupid. Which clan are you from?'

'I am from the Lagh-hai, but I am loyal to the Urukgush, whoever he is. You can trust me master!' he said in his gruff voice. 'I am a fighter, and if you bring us war, plunder and great times, then I will happy.'

'Hmmm, maybe! Well, stuck with me and you'll get that and more, Mauruk. Just stick with me. But now tell me. What do you think of the clan-chiefs?'

'They are all worthy leaders, great one.'

'What are you, some meally-mouthed elf or something? Don't give me that! You can't tell me you like all four of them just the same? Nah! Speak up. I want to hear what you really think, soldier to soldier, eh?' said Snaga conspiratorially.

'OK. You've got Bolg who rules my lot, the Lagh-hai. He's alright. Brave, good fighter but stupid you know. I mean, that's bad right? He likes going raiding, but always loses half the lads he takes with 'im 'cos he don't know what he's doing 'alf the time.
'Then you got Radzog, he leads the Mithruks on the east side. He's too clever for 'is own good if you ask me. Always been a schemer.
'And Kharguz is the chief of the Durbhai up top. Thinks he's so much better than everyone else. But he's alright really. That's how come noones done for him before. Mostly treats everyone right.
'And then there's Azgun, who keeps himself to himself nowadays over in the northern caves. That's probably 'cos everyone says it was 'im as stuck a knife in the last Urukgush, although I've never heard anyone as says they saw 'im do it. Anyway he didn't get his own way when it came to who was going to be in charge. Nah! They couldn't agree on it, so that's how they sent for you.'

Snaga paused for a moment thinking.

---------------------------------------------

Jahrdur and Elarmor faced up to each other, circling carefully.

Then the door burst open, falling off its hinges. It crashed to the floor, Artos had to dive out of the way to avoid being hit by it. An enormous troll crashed through the door. For a moment it paused, and roared, looking around the room. Half a dozen orcs followed, big and armoured, with helmets completedly hiding their faces. They carried spears and shields, except one that had a whip.

The troll raised an enormous war hammer, fixed its eyes on Lorien and swung with terrible power. Lorien sprang out of the way as table, and chairs were reduced to matchwood, splinters flying everywhere.

The one with the whip yelled: 'Nah, not him. Get that one... that's who we want.' He pointed at Khazak. The other orcs bore down on the others with their spears, trying to clear some room. The troll turned to face Khazak...

-----------------------------------------

In the dungeons far below, Nain had drifted to an uneasy sleep, half-weary, half bored. Where was Snaga? Why did he not come?

He was awoken the clash of sword against sword. There was a low, gurgling sigh, and the soft thud of a body falling to floor. He scrambled to his feet. There was a quiet, vicious chuckle from outside the bars of the prison.

'Well, master dwarf!' said a soft, menacing voice. 'Would you like your freedom?'

Nain peered beyond the bars, and saw a stooping figure reach down and take the keys from the body of one of the slain guards.

'A dwarf in Mt Gundabad! It has been many a long year since that last happened. You must be feeling short of friends. Well, here's your chance to make one. Perhaps you would like to sell your services, your axe I mean, to the highest bidder?' The evil-voiced orc laughed quietly again.

'Or perhaps I should say, the only bidder! What do you say, master Ironfoot?'

[chrysophalax]

Artos rolled to his feet, interposing himself between the troll and Lorien, his knives flashing. "Back, my Lord!' he snarled. He whistled for Irontooth and the wolf appeared, hackles raised. "Go! Get my young ones outside! Quickly!" Irontooth looked at him then turned and ran for the entrance.
In an instant, four huge wolves came running to Artos' side. He jerked his head in Lorien's direction. "Protect him." he said grimly,
then turned again, readying himself for an attack.

[Ecthelion]

"My axe is not even worthy of any who come down here and must kill to speak with me. Show yourself and your price and if you are worth it I may give it to you."

[Lorien]

Lorien thought 'Just what I needed a Troll barging around in this place. ' He drew Anglachel and Anguirel from their sheaths and held himself at the ready. Elarmor and Jahrdur had come closer to him, their fight forgotten for the moment. The orcs came forward with a dizzying speed and charged. Lorien swung his swords as one of the orcs came flying thorugh the air at him but before his sword could strike the wolves that were protecting him brought the orc down tearing huge gashes in its body. Lorien looked at the orc with the whip and figured him to be the leader of the company. He closed his eyes and chanted softly in a tongue known only to the Necromancers and the orc slowly fell to the ground screaming in pain. Once again a smoke-like substance came out of his nostrils and rushed towards Lorien who inhaled it possessing the orc's soul. The orc then rigidly stood up and cracked his whip in the direction of the troll saying," Stop attacking you fool." But the troll didn't seem to hear this and steadily went ahead for Khazak. Lorien realising the futility turned the orc on his own companions giving the others time to attack the troll.

[Tarien]

Elarmor sheathed one daggar, leaving one in her left hand, and and drawing a long, razor-sharp katana in the right. She ducked and weaved through panicked, screaming orcs to the troll. She raised the katana for a strike, but was knocked over by an orc before it fell.
Furious, she slew the orc herself and hurled the daggar at the troll's head, just behind the ear. Long ages of practice thudded the dart into it's target, burying it past the hilt in the troll's head.
However, the troll was not her only adversary, and so she returned to the fray, slaying enemy orcs with devastating, blurring speed. Finally, and by complete accident, she reached Jarhdur.
'Well' she said, pausing her blade a moment, noticing him. 'I'll forgive your words if you fight well.' She twirled the katana, carelessly beheading an orc trying to sneak up behind her.
'Join forces?'

[Ciryaher]

Jahrdur glared at Tarien as he leaned on a javelin. "I do not fight well at all, kreni," he said and then drew another javelin.

The southron began twirling a javelin in each hand, and a whirring noise filled the air--all the while, his dark and glaring eyes remained fixed on Elarmor. After about a minute, the javelins were spinning loudly and he looked at a group of orcs. He suddenly ran forward and the javelins began to connect with the foremost soldiers.

In a spray of black blood, the javelins were slowed from their previous speed. Jahrdur whipped around and the elongated blades of the javelins severed several limbs and heads. He then released the spears--skewering two more attackers--and drew his scimitar.

Stooping over, Jahrdur dipped his finger in orc blood and made a mark on his forehead that simply meant 'death.'

[Snaga]

The troll paused for a moment, howling. He felt the blade that penetrated behind his ear. Through thick layers of hide it had sunk, and bone, too. He screamed with rage as he pulled out the blade. He flung it away with a roar, seemingly aimlessly, but straight towards Drygo's head.

Then he swung his huge hammer at Khazak....

----------------------------

'Bravo!' hissed the evil voice. 'Bravely spoken, as the dwarfs are known for. I see long hours in the dark of the dungeons trouble you not. You may find they are longer yet, should you refuse my offer.

'All I ask is that you slay a single orc of my choosing. And not one of the outsiders who have arrived. No! Just another orc among many. Many guards I should add, but I know how many you killed to get here. You will be well suited for the task! Yes!

'In return, you will get your freedom, a weapon, and a bounty of gold. Perhaps you doubt me?'

He threw back his hood. Just another orc, as ugly as any other, crouching with long arms and nasty protuding fangs. He showed Nain a small money bag. From it he took a handful of coins, which glinted golden in the dim light as he showered them back into the bag.

'Well? Do you accept, or must I find another to do this for me? I see others here who might gladly help.' he said with a sidelong glance at Serewing.

[Ecthelion]

"Serewing would do it, but would die trying and so would any other person in these cells besides me." Nain thought for a minute and said "The job is taken. Who is this orc to kill? And what of a weapon in my reward?"

[Kit Baggins]

The hammer smashes Khazak against the far wall. His shriek of pain is cut short, and he slides unconscious to the floor, leaving a trail of dark blood down the wall.

[Khamul]

As the blade rushed toward Drygo, his life seemed to pass before his eyes. One millisecond became and hour, he thought back to the long days of childhood, and all that had come to this moment. With a cat-like quickness he ducked as the knife passed him, and found its way into an innocent orc-child who had stayed to watch the fight.

Drygo, enfuriated with the gruesome death of a young soon-to-be warrior threw himself against the troll. The hideous stench of the troll knocked him to his knees, and he was hardly able to avoid the long downward stroke of the troll's hammer as it fell attempting to crush him.

Drygo, then rolled behind a cart that the orcs used, and quickly fired 4 arrows into the head of the troll. It began to back up slowly, with a sudden loss of concentration, but was soon fighting again, but with less fervor.

Drygo suddenly screamed in a harsh tone, "The kill was near, but must be done with the skill and the work of all here. Let not another innocent die of the evil work of this troll."

[Tarien]

Elarmor throws soapy water on Jarhdur, removing the mark on his forehead, then turns to the troll. She notices a table near the troll, and immediately formes a plan.

With a running jump, she lands atop the table, and vaults to the troll's shoulders. Striving to keep her balance, she thrusts the long katana blade down it's spine, finally killing it. As it falls, she leaps to the ground, running twards her thrown blade. Another young orc had it, playing with it. Outraged, she beheaded him with the daggar's twin and retreived it.

'Pretty knives.' said Jarhdur insultingly. She rounded on him.
'They were given to me by the hand of Melkor, as prize to his student; they were judged the best booty aquired in the sack of Gondolin. The blades' markings, unlearned one, declare it to have been made in Valinor by a Noldorian craftsman, perhaps Feanor himself, for he used these runes. They are unmarrable by any force, save perhaps the fires of Orodruin.' She replied haughtily.
'And now I must go and see if there is any water fit for bathing, and have it heated and carried to my quarters. For the filth and guts of orcs soils my armour and cloak, and I fear I am getting a tangle.' With that, she turned on her heel, and strode out of the hall, her cloak thrown back, swishing behind her, revealing her black armour, which glinted cruelly in the starlight.

ooc: happy, Snaga?

[chrysophalax]

Artos glanced at Lorien, checking him for injuries. Seeing him whole, he called his wolves to him. He whispered to them ruffling their coarse fur. A rare smile lit his face briefly. He went to Lorien's side and said "I see you haven't lost your touch my Lord. You are well I trust?" Lorien squeezed his shoulder in thanks and turned to the others in the room .....

[Snaga]

'Stand back then!' said the orc. Then jangling the keys, he approached the doors and unlocked them. 'Follow me. I will take you to this orc. His name would mean nothing to you anyway.'

He turned.

'Oi! Oi! Let us out too! C'mon! Don't leave us 'ere!' shouted voices from other cells nearby.

'Shut up you maggots!' he snarled back at them. He discarded the keys on the floor.

Then over the shoulder he shouted at Nain. 'What are you waiting for? You will like this weapon... I promise you.'

[Ecthelion]

Nain nods and follows the orc.

[Turgon]

The Corsair listened to the foosteps echoing away, the rasping shuffle of orc steps and the heavy thud of dwarven boots. He couldn't believe his luck - let the dwarf go kill himself - Serewing would have paid ten bags of gold for this chance of freedom. He edged toward the door - a little wary now his chance had come. He peered cautiously outside - an orc was slumped on the floor by the door, face down in a pool of its own dark blood, but there was nobody else to be seen. Stepping out he laughed and took his first breath of the foul stench of liberty.

Serewing quickly fell to rifling the Uruk corpse. He could hear the other prisoners crying to be released. 'Shut up you filthy maggots...' he called to them, strapping an orcish sword around his waist and pocketing a small bag of coins. 'Some people are lucky, some people are not...' he pulled a small flask of orc-brew from inside the jerkin of the dead guard and took a deep swig from it - the fire shooting straight through his veins, he laughed again as he felt the life returning to his limbs. 'Guess I'm one of the lucky ones - See you around!'

With this Serewing turned, and followed the passage upwards, but in his heart he knew that he was a long way from freedom.

[Ciryaher]

ooc: Tarien, stop speaking for Jahrdur.

Jahrdur narrowed his eyes and spoke to himself, "Your time will come soon, kreni."

He leaned up against the wall and watched the dying and wounded intently.

[Snaga]

The orc led Nain through the darkness, through rough dank passageways. At first they seemed to stay on the same level. Then they came to a long winding stair: rough and uneven. At times it was shallow and broad, then steep. So steep Nain found himself having to grasp at the stair ahead to pull himself up. Up and up they went, till even his stout dwarven legs began to ache.

They met no other orcs passing: this route must have been little used.

'We draw near, dwarf. Soon you shall win your reward. What would you say if I told you that I have the axe of the one you call Balin? He set himself up as Lord of Moria for a while. And my folk saw to him! Yes! And so I have his axe, as a little momento as it were. Perhaps you would like such a weapon? It is still sharp. For now a sword will do for this task.'

At last they finished climbing. The air was thinner it seemed to Nain, cold and fresh. But it was still dark. Then they rounded a corner, and the blackness became a deep grey. Going softly and warily, the orc led the way. The sound of orc voices and the smell of smoke became plain. He stopped and indicated to Nain to come forward. Through a narrow crack in the wall, Nain could see a large chamber, with a huge fire in a rough hearth, and many orcs, scores of them. Some sat drinking and laughing, others brawled on the floor. Wolves lay nearby, dozing. It was impossible to count them through the slender opening.

He put his finger on his lips, grinning. Then he flitted past the gap, and onwards. After a little while the tunnel seemed to end. The orc whispered hoarsely: 'Here is a secret way. They do not think it is known to any. But I know it!' Nain watched as he pushed very gently, and saw that what had seemed to be a wall was actually the back of a drape or covering. He took a very quick look. Then standing back he thrust a heavy sword into Nain's hand.

'He's in there! I'll be waiting at the bottom of the stairs.'

He turned and went rapidly back down the passage.

Nain now took his turn to look. He saw a smaller chamber, with about a dozen large orcs sat eating and laughing. One was chief amongst them, wearing a heavy golden chain.

------------------------------

Snaga said to Mauruk: 'Ok, come on. Let’s find this beardling then.' They made their way down the passage.

They heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and a large figure loomed in front of them. A human!

'Oi!!! What are you doing out of your cell, scum?' shouted Mauruk at Serewing. He stepped forward, drawing his sword.

-------------------------------

A press of orcs now huddled at the shattered door and looked in at the wreckage amongst which lay the carcass of the troll, and the six orcs. Against the far wall lay Khazak, who did not move, blood staining the wall.

‘Look!’ shouted one. ‘It’s the new Urukgush! He’s been got already. Hahaha! He didn’t last long, did he!’ This brought cackles and whoops from many of them.

Then the cringing Mâghalaur returned, and before him went a large brutal looking orc, clad in heavy armour. ‘So! Is it done? Is he dead?’ he demanded, pushing his way through.

‘That is not the Urukgush!’ said Mâghalaur. ‘Just one of his mob. Is he dead?’

[Ecthelion]

Nain could not believe that this orc had the axe of Balin. He also wanted to kill the orc, but thought better of it. When he saw the orcs he new he must kill them all. He noticed how the orc looked at that gold necklace around the biggest. He waited for awhile until 6 of the 12 went to the bathroom (the biggest being one of them). The other 6 seemed to be in a quarrel. They started fighting. It was so frantic that when Nain slipped in and stabbed them all they didn't even know what hit them. He moved the bodies into a bush outside and went to find the bathrooms. He found them eventually and waited in a bush outside them. First 3 of them came out (a big one and 2 warriors), then those 3 went back to the room. Now Nain slipped into the bathrooms and easliy killed those 3. Now only 3 left. Unfortunately, the 3 left heard the racket and were outside ready to fight. First the 2 warriors came to fight Nain. Nain ducked under ones sword and grabbed the other, he spun around a pushedthe one in his hands toward the other. The other had its sword out and stabbed the pushed one. Now Nain beheaded this one in a minute or 2. Now it was him and the big one. Nain squared up with him. The big orc ran at him, sword drawn at full speed ahead. Nain easily side-stepped him, then as the orc was falling Nain slashed down on the orc with his sword killing it. He bent down and grabbed the chain from his neck and pulled at it ripping it off. He then put it in his pocket and walked back to the place where the orc left him.

[Turgon]

Serewing saw the two orcs heading towards him, too late to run now - they were almost upon him. One of the orcs drew his sword and took a step forward to confront him. The Corsair was in no state for battle, the long weeks of captivity had taken away his edge, but there was no way he was going back into that prison cell. He had a score to settle with that uppity dwarf for one thing. It was time for the old Belfalas Bluff...

Serewing walked up to Mauruk, with an air of easy confidence. The orc looked unsettled - this was not the way people usually reacted to the promise of sharp steel. The Corsair reached a hand out and grabbed the orc's blade, bringing the point to rest at the base of his own throat. 'You think you can kill me Uruk? Many have tried and failed. I'll wager that ugly head of yours that I could run you through before you even get time to blink - what do you say?'

Serewing prayed to Osse that his bluff would work. His Grandfather had told him of this trick many years ago - the idea behind it being that anyone brave enough to do such a foolish thing would certainly have the skill to back up his words. His Grandfather claimed he had pulled off this trick on many occasions - Serewing had never believed him. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained...

[Kit Baggins]

‘That is not the Urukgush!’ said Mâghalaur. ‘Just one of his mob. Is he dead?’
OOC No, but I'll let you handle this, Snaga ;) .

[Snaga]

'Not him, eh?' says the large orc, looking round warily. 'Well, someone better look after 'im. He's in a bad way. At least this lot don't seem to care for him.' He looked round at everyone suspiciously. 'And get this mess cleared up!' he yelled to the crowd of orcs behind him, indicating the dead on the floor.

A small orc scrambled over to Khazak, with a flask of some drink or potion, and a box of brown paste, and began to check his wounds.

At that moment Rashdug, Snaga's lieutenant pushed through the crowd, with a dozen uruks with him. 'What's happened! Where is Gonnilclaur? Who has done this?' he snarled angrily.

'Yes... where is he?' Mâghalaur asked, grinning nervously. 'And who let this troll in?'

------------------------

Snaga at that moment was in the tunnel as the southron faced up to the captain of the guard.
'Who are you, human?' Snaga asked him, amused by this show of bravado. 'You stink like a southlander... but look at you! You look a mess!'
'He's filthy prisoner, isn't he?' Mauruk replied, starting to lean forward a little, so the blade pressed against Serewing' throat. 'What the hell are you doing out of your cell, you scum? Tell me that... or I will take you up on your offer. It would be a pleasure to kill you.'

----------------------

As Nain pushed back past the hide drape, a door pushed open. 'Aiiiiii! Someone's killed the chief! And his boys! Quick! After him. Get the rest of the clan! It'll be those filthy southern Lagh-hai. This is war!!!'

Nain couldn't count how many orcs had poured across the room, certainly too many, and he didn't wait to see. But they'd seen the drape moving and an arrow shot through it as he disappeared into the passage. In a moment they would be right on top of him...

[Ecthelion]

Nain started running up and up the mountain. He finnaly found another stairway. It seemed darker then the others so he ran and laid down. The orcs kept running up and up. Soon Nain ran down the stairs he was on. Next he came to a camp. Outside were a few orcs they saw Nain and yelled "INTRUDER! KILL HIM!" Nain turned around and ran back up the stairs he came. HE heard arrows hit all around him and one struck his left arm. He ignored it and kept running.He came to the staircase where the other orcs had chased him. He heard another voice from behind him "THERE HE IS GET HIM!" It was the other orc group Nain was frozen in horror. He got back his composure and ran down the stairs. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked behind him. To his luck the 2 groups had run into eachother and were fighting, to his dismay 5 orcs had come after him. He took out a dagger 2 daggers he took from the guards and threw it at the orcs how many he killed he didn't know, but what he did know was they threw a dagger at him which cut his face. He still kept running. He saw another flight of steps. While running he tripped. He rolled 1/2 the way down. When he hit the bottom he rolled unconcience into the hole made by the troll attack, he stopped almost 1/4 the way of the room. He lay still.

[Turgon]

Serewing silently cursed his Grandfather, he'd half-believed that his trick would work. He looked the Orc full in the eye and sneered.
'I am Agarloth Serewing. Corsair and Sell-sword, Scourge of the Southern Coasts...' the latter was not strictly true - in fact it wasn't true at all, but Serewing believed in making an impression. And make an impression he did, Mauruk turned to Snaga and gave a wicked laugh...
'Looks like we found ourselves a madman, Chief, shall I put him to the sword...?'
This was all the Corsair needed, he pushed the orc-blade aside and with a swift kick to the groin dropped the guard-captain to floor with a howl of pain. Then drawing his own sword stood over Mauruk and grinned. 'I may well stink Maggot, but it's nothing a hot bath and a change of clothes wouldn't fix... How do you think your rotten corpse will smell in a few days time when your filthy friends come looking for you...' With this Serewing turned to Snaga. 'How about you? Got anything more to say?'

[Tarien]

Quite suddenly, Elarmor's twin knives were at Serewing's throat, just tight enough to draw blood.

'I just took a bath, mortal, and cleaned my armour and cloak. If you step backwards, I will kill you, because I don't want your filth on me.' She hissed at him.

'Snaga, what do you wish with this wretch? Shall I kill him, or do you think he may be of use to us?' Elarmor called out.

For the first time since her adopted father's exile, she was in command of an army, and had her place as General, second-in-command to one who would be great.

And what an army she would make it!

For the first time since her adopted father's exile, she had a use for her cruelty, intellegence, and cunning.

[Ecthelion]

OOC: What's going on in this thread? It is going rrrrrrrreeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllyyyyyyyy sssllllllllooooooowwwww.

[Ciryaher]

Jahrdur did a double-take when Serewing entered. "Serewing? Is that you?" he asked and walked over, setting his hands on Elarmor's shoulders so softly that she didn't feel.

In a sudden movement, he grabbed hard--almost so that her shoulders were broken--and flung her backwards. Serewing was freed of her daggers, but they nicked him slightly as they were hurled backwards, along with their bearer.

"If any dare move to touch my comrade here, they shall be rendered limb from limb," he said with authority, "He is a fellow Southron, and as such he is my kin and brother in battle."

[Lorien]

Lorien leant against a wall and watched all the proceedings with an amused eye. As Jahrdur threw Elarmor backwards, Lorien laughed loudly and walked over to Elarmor holding his hand out for her to get up. She slapped his hand away and leapt to her feet and began to start towards Jahrdur. Lorien put a restraining hand on her shoulder and shook his head firmly telling her to stay put. Lorien walked over to Jahrdur and said, "Won't you introduce your comrade to me Jahrdur?"

[Ciryaher]

Jahrdur thought a moment. "If this is the same Serewing I know," he grinned at this, "We both sailed as Corsairs of Umbar and looted the tark fleets and sailed the high seas. I hope you haven't gone soft or anything, old mate."

[Snaga]

Snaga surveyed the situation, full of disbelieving anger. The door smashed down, a troll carcass on the floor... and the dwarf prisoner running loose.

'What has gone on here? Trolls smashing their way, my companions assailed, and prisoners roaming around! I'm not standing for this!'

And small gang of orcs came running in, brandishing their weapons. 'Where did he go... he killed the chief... which one was it?'

They looked about the great halls angrily, looking for anyone to blame, but slightly daunted at the sight of the strange group in front of them. Then they spot the large looking orc who had come with Maghalaur. 'Ahhhhh. Look its Bolg, scum-chief of the Lagh-Hai! And the ape Mauruk!'

Bolg turned towards them. 'What of it, you Durbhai filth?' But Mauruk turned, and disappeared off down a broad passage that headed southwards.

'You killed the chief, you slimy leprous oaf! Now all the Durbhai are coming down to get you southern weaklings. Run while you can!'

'So Kharguz is dead. Well I didn't do it. But its time to teach you lot a lesson anyway!' He drew out a scimitar, and hacked two down. From the crowd of orcs around several more drew weapons and went to back him up. Other drew back to the side tunnels to watch, or disappeared.

Shouts and cries rang out, as more orcs poured down the stairs, thirty or more. 'Death to the southerners, death to Lagh-Hai scum!' they yelled as they came. The southerners formed into a tight group and backed away towards where Mauruk had gone.

Snaga's anger grew, thoughts racing through his mind. 'So they are fighting each other, and can scarcely guard the gates or keep prisoners locked up. I have no time to get to the bottom of this. Either I put a stop to all this in-fighting with all speed, or I will never get any order amongst this lot. I had planned to see who I could trust, build alliances and gain power that way. But I see this will not work. A reign of terror it shall be!'

And he made some quick decision. 'OK Serewing, I need your sword. You're hired. We'll discuss terms later.'

Turning to Jahdhur and Elarmor he shouted: 'I told you to resolve your differences. Now pack it in. We must put down these rebels, fighting each other. I'm not having it. Its time to impose my will on this lot. Drygo! Get your boys! Rashdug! How's Khazak?'

'Bad!'

'Well get him and this... ,' and he poked Nain's unconscious body with his toe, '... this dwarf. Get them out of the way!'

'Now you lot!' he bellowed above the din, to the orcs who were fighting. 'Put down your weapons. I am the Urukgush. I'm not having this from any of you.'

'But they killed the chief! Get lost, outsider!' jeered the Durbhai as they closed in on the southerners.

'So be it!' said Snaga. He called to the others: 'Kill them. Kill them all!' He drew out his scimitar, and grinned.

[chrysophalax]

Artos whistled to his wolves and uttering a harsh command he gestured vehemently in the direction of Snaga's foes. Savagely they snarled and with flashing teeth and slavering jaws, they fell upon the startled orcs. Artos himself strode forward, knives drawn, careful not to remove himself too far from his lord's side.

[Turgon]

Serewing drew his sword and turned to face the onrushing enemy.
'Jahdhur of the Havens - this is indeed a merry meeting!' He laughed long and loud, as a good a war cry as any - but inside he breathed a deep sigh of relief. His six months in the Northlands had been a living hell, to set eyes on an old friend, in the midst of all the chaos unravelling around him was like a sea-breeze blowing in his face, his spirit soared. 'Let us give this rabble a lesson in swordsmanship!' And with a mad yell Serewing flew into Battle.

[Lorien]

Lorien grinned and said, "Very nice. Gratitous violence is fun." Pulling out the twin swords of Eol he pushed forward hacking and slashing at the Durbhai orcs. Suddenly one came flying in the air at him and Lorien fell down and held his swords up impaling the orc who fell up on them. He angrily tore the body free from the swords and started uttering words in a dark tongue. Slowly a whining noise came into being and a black hole appeared in the air with green light spewing out of it. It moved rapidly over a group of orcs and as it grew in size it sucked them into its vortex. Lorien satisfied rushed into the melee with his swords swinging.

[Ecthelion]

A medic came over and shook up Nain. Nain got up with anger in his eyes. The medic tryed to get him to stay still ,but Nain did not listen. He got up and walked outside. He listened carefully. He heard joking and laughter coming from a corner. He peeked around the bend and saw the orc who sent him on this mission to kill the cheif orc. He said "Oh you should of seen this dumb dwarf. I told him to go slay the cheif and I would give him gold and set him free. When he went to go kill him I called the rest of the clan and told them I saw an Intruder over by where the cheif is, he's probably dead by now." The 4 orcs around laughed. Nain in hate walked around the corner. The 5 orcs stood and laughed to see the dwarf. They stopped when Nain shot a dark mist at one orc and devoured him. 3 ran at Nain, but Nain just waved his hand and a wall of black formed in front of him, the 3 orc ran through it, but they did not know it would destroy them which it did. He waved his hand again and the wall was gone. He walked to the orc who had promised him the rewards. He pulled out his axe and put it to the orcs throat. "So, trying to get me killed orc? How about I return the favor?"

[chrysophalax]

Artos became as one maddened by battle-lust as he watched Lorien and the orc grapple, then as Lorien worked his magic,he smiled grimly and turned again to the nearest on-rushing orc and crouching swiftly, he stabbed upward, burying his blade in the orc's gut.He yanked the blade free as warm blood gushed from the wound.He panted,his senses heightened by the smells around him. Lorien was fighting,as always with a smile of grim pleasure on his face. Satisfied, Artos quickly looked around to see if any of the others needed assitance,then whistled again to his wolves and re-entered the fray...

[Ciryaher]

Jahrdur did a strange little dance with a silly grin on his face and then let out a yell. His face darkened and his grin became one of sadistic glee. He leapt into the fray with his scimitar singing a song of carnage.

[Snaga]

The leaderless Durbhai fell back, cowering at the terrible spells of the Necromancers. The Lagh-hai advanced grinning, howling and jeering at them. Snaga stood back from the fray with his bow, and shot arrow after arrow. One through the throat, one in the eye, the next in the back of the neck. His hands moved with speed and deadly accuracy. Now the Lagh-hai were falling, as Jahdhur charged them. Wailing the two groups of orcs parted and fled.

Snaga whistled for Irontooth, as the Lagh-hai made for the southerly tunnel. Irontooth bounded up, an evil wolf-smirk lit his intelligent eyes. Snaga whispered in his ear a single command, and the warg leapt away again, power rippling through his muscles. Straight after the fleeing Lagh-Hai he went, and he leapt upon the shoulders of Bolg, dragging him to the floor. Bolg rolled out from under him, and lifted his sword arm, but Irontooth's fangs ripped through his forearm, just below the elbow. The lifeless elbow dropped the sword. Irontooth grabbed the orc chief leg and dragged him back across the floor towards Snaga. The other orcs turned back considering rescuing him, but seeing Jahdhur and Serewing continued.

'So your boys desert you, Bolg.' said Snaga looking down at him, where Irontooth still held his leg.

'Get him off... get him off my leg!' screamed the orc.

'But Irontooth never lets go.' sneered Snaga. 'It is just not in his nature. But perhaps I can free you still.'

He drew his blade, and with one brutal stroke hewed off Bolg leg below the knee. Bolg howled, twisting in pain. 'I am merciful,' said Snaga and he pulled a flaming torch from the wall and thrust it against the bleeding stump. A foul stench filled the hall as the orcs flesh burnt. Bolg screamed again passed out, as the bleeding stopped.

Snaga looked around at the now quiet hall, wondering how far Jahrdur and Serewing would pursue their prey. He checked the bodies of the fallen... all dead. Of the orcs, only Maghalaur watched, wringing his hand fearfully. 'You are a worthy leader, Urukgush.' he said, grovelling. Snaga, grabbed a flask of orc-draught and returned to the prone figure. He grabbed Bolg by the hair, and pulled him up, pinning him against the wall. He forced the flask between Bolgs jaws and poured the liquid into him. Bolg coughed and spluttered. He tried to stand on his one foot but toppled over. Snaga kicked him. 'Now scum. Go back to your clan, and tell them I lead now. You must crawl, like the worm that you are. Go!'

Bolg tried to pick himself up to hop on his good leg. Snaga watched amused, but kicked it out from under him. He fell on his face. 'Now crawl home, you maggot.' he laughed gleefully.

[chrysophalax]

Laughing to himself at Bolg's discomfiture, Artos called his wolves to him and they leapt upon him whining and licking his face. "Ah my fierce ones! How well you fought! Great will you become in the service of my Lord Lorien!" Crouching down among them, he waited to see what order Snaga could bring in the after-math of such chaos.

[Ecthelion]

An with saying that Nain sliced through the throat of the orc. He took the gold that hung aroung his waist and walked over to where the orcs where sitting. There it was, The Axe Of Balin. He picked it up and admired it he threw his old worn out axe at the dead orc hitting him in the stomach. Nain walked back to the cermony/dinner was supposed to be happening. He wlaked in and saw all the dead orcs. He saw Snaga and said to him "So Snaga what happened to that "conversation" we were supposed to have in the cells?"

[Turgon]

Serewing entered the hall with a sweet smile of satisfaction playing across his face. The cuffs of his grimy shirt were stained with dark splashes of orcish blood, but now a beautiful fur pelisse hung from one shoulder, and a rough hessian sack was slung across the other

'That was some good sport!' he yelled to the company. 'Sorry I took so long...' With this he emptied the contents of the sack onto the floor - trinkets, coins, goblets and gems - a cascade of riches.

'Picked up some prizes for the heroes - and this...' Serewing pulled a curved sabre from a his back, still sheathed, in a scabbard damasked with golden thread on a rich red fabric. He slowly pulled the blade out, always the showman, revealing an inch, two inches of wicked blue-silver steel, then with a quick flourish he snapped it from its sheath. '... this is Bloodflower. Took it from the body of an orc-chief when I was still green - isn't she beautiful?'

[Snaga]

Snaga turned to Nain and said 'Forget about that little chat. It seems there is little point in denying our association now. But you killed ten of my guards, so you have a debt to me. I will hold you to it. For now, that means I need some service from you. I will rely on you to act with sense, and kill no more of my orcs that is necessary. I don't cry over them, but what good is it if you kill off my armies one by one? Now we must all talk. Things have gone awry.'

At that moment Rashdug returned. Snaga said: 'How is Khazak?'

'Sleeping like a baby! He'll live.'

'Good. Now post guards on all the entrances. I want to know who's coming to visit this time. Now we must find a quiet room somewhere.'

Maghalaur came forward. 'Perhaps I can help with that, Great One. It would be a pleasure, yes!'

Maghalaur led them this time to a series of smaller chambers. Rugs and pelts covered the smooth stone-tiled floors, and the stuffed heads of wild beast were mounted on the wall. Fires roared in hearths, smoke rising through chimneys cut through the living rock. Some even had beds. Such luxuries were almost unknown to orcs. 'These are the private chambers of the Great Orc... yours now. I trust they are to your liking... and of your most fearsome guests!'

So the guests settled in to these new quarters for a while.

Snaga called them together again, and made an announcement that surprised them all.

'Lorien and I must go on a journey. For we have a secret undertaking, more of which I cannot say. I calculate this will take us perhaps two weeks, and we will be riding with all speed. Rest well tonight, and tomorrow I will make my choices for the ordering of things while I am away. You that I leave here I need to bring order to this place on my return. Tomorrow I must be acknowledged as Great Orc, by at least 3 of the Clan Chiefs. Then I will go, and you must maintain order, and start to train the armies here.'

And Maghalaur told them that the new leader of the Durbhai would acknowledge him as Great Orc, as would the Radzog of the Mithruks, and even Azgun of the Kharn-hai, from the Northern Caves was on his way for the ceremony. And Snaga produced a scroll, bearing the mark of Telchar, the Dark Lord of Zirak Khazak proclaiming his right to rule.

There is much that could be told but the account shall be kept brief. The night spent with uneasy dreams - was it just that the halls of Mount Gundabad were new to them, or perhaps that there was little trust yet amongst them? Or was it that dark dreams visited them all, seeming to whisper of power within reach of their grasp?

So came the next day, and the crowning of Snaga. The Great Hall was packed with orcs, pressing on all sides, and the stench of their sweat hung in the air, and was little to the liking of those who were not used to it. And the blind sage brought the crown to Snaga, proclaiming him Urukgush, the Great Orc. And three clans bowed before him. Only the Lagh-Hai came not. But also Azgun of the Northern Caves did not show himself, although he sent a messenger forth to proclaim his fealty to the new Urukgush.

But the sage placed the great crown on Snaga's head. And it was an Iron Crown, as though in flattery of Morgoth. But no jewels were upon it, just three evil leering faces for each of the tribes, for the wearers own face made the fourth.

And Snaga rose, and lifted up his voice and spoke to the massed ranks of the orcs of war and of plunder and great times to come. And he told them to make ready, for the lords of darkness needed their strength. 'And the servants of the darkness are amongst you, and they will make all ready!'

And later he called them all together once more, and he said: 'Lord Drygo I have known the longest and so I know his judgement is good. He'll decide if there is dispute. But I'll be gone for two weeks. While I'm away, hunt down the renegade Mauruk. He has betrayed us, and is with the Lagh-hai. You must find him, and execute him and cow that tribe. That is your first task while I am gone. But then you've got to find Azgun and make him account for himself. Find yourself a guide through these tunnels, that's my advice, or they'll run rings round you.

'Now Lorien and I must go! Good luck!'

And with that Snaga and Lorien departed. And the tale of that journey shall be told elsewhere, for though it has great bearing on this tale, it is not a part of it. But none knew at that time that Snaga would return on his own.

But as they disappeared across the great bridge into the wide world outside, the other felt uneasy, knowing that without his presence disorder might quickly return, and the two seemingly simple tasks might prove anything but.

'Great ones, come!' grinned Maghalaur, seeming to cower and cringe before them. 'How can I help you. Is there anything you desire of me? Are you going to rest now perhaps?'

[Ecthelion]

Nain just sat and fingered his axe waiting for the orcs to leave. "Man this is going to be odd." He said to himself.

[Snaga]

Rashug turned to Nain and the others and said, 'Well shall we go and get that Mauruk?'

His reached with a long hairy arm and pulled from behind him a little orc-child, small and bony with sharp darting eyes. Rashdug held onto his ear. 'This little runt is going to show us the way. Who is going to come with me?'

[Turgon]

'I'll come with you Uruk.' Serewing answered. He was lounging in a chair by the fire, feeling bored now all the excitement of Snaga's coronation had passed. A little excitement is what he needed - and who knows - maybe there was more loot hidden away in this orc-nest? Surely Snaga wouldn't mind if he took a little something for his trouble. He slung his sabre across his back and crossed the room, giving Jadhur and Artos a wink as passed them.

Serewing stood over the orc-boy and glared down at him wickedly. 'Going to show us the way to the chief are you runt? Let me tell you this... you even think about pulling any of your orcish-tricks on us and I'll feed your innards to wolves... understand me?'

The orc-child looked up to Corsair, with a terrified look in his eyes. Serewing guessed that Rashug had already put the strong law upon him. He laughed then turned to the others.

'So what's it to be - am I going to take on these alone?'

[chrysophalax]

Still smarting from his abrupt dismissal by Lorien, Artos glared back Serewing, then shrugged. Lorien had been the only person he had ever trusted and now his years of service were being carelessly tossed aside? Well to Udun with him then!

Artos sent three of his wolves outside and kept his favourite at his side. Glancing sullenly again at Serewing he said "Could use a fight right now.." He pulled out his knives and whetted them carefully...

[Kit Baggins]

Khazak woke up, and he was furious. He tried to stand, and almost collapsed with the blinding pain. He reached up to his head. His hair was matted with blood- and for once, it was his own.

Khazak got to his feet, and, lurching slightly, made his way back into the room. He went up to Rashdug, and spun the other orc round to face him.
"Which filthy son of a Tark," Khazak spat, "let that troll in?!"

[Snaga]

Rashdug pushed him away, making him reel.

'Get out of my face, you ape! You'd be wolf-meat if I hadn't patched you up again. So don't go blaming me if yer heads sore. Yer lucky its still on yer shoulders! It was those southern maggots the Lagh-hai that sent him in if you want to know. We paid them back pretty good anyway. But that Mauruk's in with them. We're gonna slice him up when we find him. Urukgush's Orders! They wanted to take over I'll be bound. Snivelling gutless cowards!'

A soft coarse laugh behind them made them turn sharply, a feeling of revulsion running through them. It was the blind old savant.

'Don't need eyes for blindness. ' He laughed again. You fool! Local disputes come and go and don't need you to come for it! Think what you came for! Its a test!'

'What?' demanded Rashdug roughly. 'You stinking old turd. If you got something to say, spit it out.'

'You know a test when you see one?' the sage replied, a pale sneer across his haggard features. 'Reputations sound fine, but are you worthy of them? Already one falls by the wayside. Perhaps you are fit to be chattel, but are you búbhosh-hai?'

'Who are you to play games with us, you pond-scum? You sent in the troll. I'll fix you!' An angry rage took Rashdug and he aim a huge blow at the withered old orcs face with the back of his hand. He blinked though, finding he had struck nothing and the orcs had apparently dodged the blow.

'Spare yourself!' laughed the savant hollowly. 'I'm not the one! Watch for him in the dark places!'

[Khamul]

*Lord Drygo, after giving those gathered time to rest, calls them all together to prepare to hunt down the traitor Mauruk.*

With a harsh and coarse voice, weathered by hard years on the deserts of Khand, Drygo spoke, "While the Urukgush is away, you have a first chance to prove your loyalty. We must hunt down Mauruk! He has betrayed us, and is residing with the Lagh-Hai. We must take him and let him be executed in the proper and horrible fashioned designed by the Urukgush himself. Who will go and journey with me?"

*Drygo waits for the response of those gathered, but wishes in his heart for those who truly serve 'The Lord of Mordor.'*

As Drygo is waiting, he spots a young orcling dragging a heavy iron boot towards him. With a suprised yet anxious look on his face, Drygo bends down and converses with this young orc in the Black Speech of old. *Drygo wonders how this young orc could know this ancient and awe-inspiring speech of the legendary Lord Sauron.*

After a short conversation, Drygo holds back a smirk as he motions to the crowd. "It is no wonder that the youngest would be the first to volunteer for this journey. He will be our guide, for he knows the mountains well. Listen to his advice and you shall come through the great caves. If not, well you shall wander that rock for as long as you can survive without food." *Drygo quietly laughs to himself* "For some of you, that will take less time than others."

"Now who shall come and destroy this vile traitor Mauruk?!"

[Ecthelion]

"I will come and follow the child also." Nain got up and gave an evil glare at the child while fingering his axe then proceeded behind the young orc.

[Snaga]

Rashdug pushed the orc-boy ahead of him. 'Well lets get going!'

He wondered what had happened to Jahrdur and the she-elf. Probably still baiting each other like a pair of trolls on heat, he thought, grinning to himself.

The little orc-child led the way southwards down a broad sweeping passage, that was smooth and occasionally lit by torches. Here and there in the gloom they passed a hacked down corpse, left to rot.

Rashdug grinned at Serewing, knowing this was his doing from the previous day.

On they went, but after a while they left the bodies behind, and went down a long wide flight of steps. As they neared the bottom they sensed the child was going slowly and more fearfully.

'There down 'ere! Can I go? I don't want to be chopped up!' squeaked the kid.

Rashdug grabbed him by the hair, and gave him a thick ear. 'Stay where you are you little filth. We might still need you.'

He turned to the others.

'We'll 'ave to try not to get into a big fight this time. We're don't want the whole of the Lagh-hai after us. We might get a few of their lads, but there's gonna be thousands of the little bleeders in there. We can't have them all after us. What do you think we should do? Sneak in, and try and blend in? Or perhaps we can grab someone down there, and see if they've seen Mauruk?'

[Ecthelion]

"I say we sneak in and see what we can do, we can use those dead corpse clothes," Nain walked over and got a few shirts and cloaks "They smell a bit, but that will just make us blend more." Nain took the biggest orc cloak and threw it around him covering his body save the eyes which could only be seen from a very close distance. "Lead the way once you get ready little maggot."

[Turgon]

Serewing eyed the offered garments with some suspicion. Taking a stained cloak from the dwarf, he smelt it gingerly. Osse's Beard! he thought, smells like the inside of an orcish brothel. Not that Serewing had ever been inside an orcish brothel. He threw the cloak to the floor and folded his arms.

'Guess you boys are going to have to take care of this one alone. Besides, no amount of orcish-rags are going to conceal the fact I'm a man. I'll wait nearby, if things go wrong then call and I'll cut you a path out of there.'

Truth be told Serewing was too proud to clad himself in Orcish rags. He was a pure-blooded Corsair and though his lineage was not of great pedigree, he could trace his ancestry back to the Kinstrife in ages past. His ancestors had fought, tooth and nail, alongside Castamir the Great in his bitter struggle to save Gondor from itself and had gained much honour thereby. Serewing gave his father a quick thought - the man who had brought shame to the Serewing name. Curse him for a Northman!

[chrysophalax]

Artos sneered in disgust. Snaga might be considered a friend, but these orcs meant less than nothing to him, even this Corsair was proving to have less than the requisite amount of guts needed to be of any interest. Moving toward the entrance to the mountain he growled to himself, "Enough! This is the last time I shall ever trust another person, so long as I have breath!" Whistling to his wolves, he stalked away in silence.

[Snaga]

Rashdug spat in disgust as the two humans sulked.

'Well, dwarf. It seems we are the ones with the stomach for this. I never thought I would be going on a job with one of your kind! Tuck your beard in, and crouch more, or you'll fool noone! And I know Drygo will be with us... he is almost one of us!'

The three of them headed down the steps, and into maze of tunnels. Rashdug held the childs arm tightly, no doubt the little wriggler would try to get away. In the warren of adjoining caves they were passing through it might be difficult to find their way back.

The passed cave after cave: guard-rooms, storeroom, workshops, sleeping quarters, eating areas, rough kitchens, smithies, caves where hordes of orc-children screamed and fought each other. Some of those fights were play fights as any child of man might recognise, but some were vicious and violent, with knives drawn and used. And all about them were orcs; more and more of them. Nain had never seen so many. And the place stank to his nose. But their luck held, and none of the orcs around them challenged them.

'Where is the rat hiding?' snarled Rashdug. They seemed to have been wandering for ages, and they had seen no sign of Mauruk.

They rounded a corner, and came across a larger chamber. It was quite light, and had many pelts and rugs upon the floor. All along the walls at head height there was a shelf, on which the skulls of former foes were kept. There they saw Bolg, slumped on his great chair, nursing his severed leg. Two serving orcs fussed over him, and he yelled at them to leave him alone.

-----------------------------

When they had dissappeared onwards, Serewing had been left waiting. Artos was climbing the stairs to return to the main entrance.

Artos was nearly at the head of the stair when a feeling of dread crept over him. His feet seemed unwilling to climb, and as he forced himself to continue, he seemed to be shaking. His wolves whimpered, and slunk back. On a step a little above him he saw the black outline of a pair booted feet. He tried to look up and saw merely the flickering form of long dark robes, before he dropped his head again, almost crying out involuntarily with terror. He found himself taking a step back without looking, and he stumbled blindly.

A voice seemed to resound in his head, smooth but dreadful. 'Leaving so soon, Artos? But why? Do you fear the darkness, rather than serve it? Do you really seek to roll in the kennel with your wolves forever? Better things await you, if you so choose! Throw away your wish for trust in others, and you may find you can trust yourself!'

At the foot of the stair Serewing, withdrew hearing soft feet running quickly. Then he realised... Artos' wolves! Why were they running? He could sense their fear.

[Ecthelion]

Nain leaned over to the orcs hear and said "Should we kill them or let them be?" Nain loosened his axe just in case.

[chrysophalax]

Artos knelt on the stairs, awestruck at the sight before him. A spirit floated, close at hand, a chill spread out-ward from it, setting him shivering...

"I fear not Darkness Great One, though now it appears neither do I serve it. My Lord has freed me from his service and me and mine are now cut adrift. There is nothing now for me here." He gestured back the way he had come. "Orcs and Men in their service, what are they to me? Tell me Great One, what do you mean by trusting in myself?"

[Turgon]

Serewing could hear the wolf-man's voice echoing down the stairs. Flattening himself against the wall, he drew closer and listened. He grew uneasy, the faint glimmer of half-light was paining his eyes, and something unnatural was waiting above - it appeared as if Artos was trying to make a deal with it. Steeling his courage, Serewing loosened his sabre in it's scabbard and advanced slowly to Artos' side. He had a grudging respect for the wolf-trainer and those accusations of cowardice still rankled inside him, urging him on.

Artos shot the Corsair a bitter look as Serewing came to stand beside him, he shrugged it off and gazed outward to the freedom he had so long desired.

[chrysophalax]

"Stand your ground Corsair, unless you wish for death. This spirit is evil and I see no reason for you to needlessly throw away your life. Listen to what it has to say. Be patient!"

[Turgon]

'So be it wolf-man.' Serewing murmured. He could feel the spirit now and it chilled him to his very bones. 'By Osse and Uinen this is fearful and strange! Never have I seen such things in the waking world!'

Against his better judgement Serewing reached for his sword, feeling a little more confident with his white knuckles wrapped around the hilt.

'What is this thing?' Serewing asked Artos in a muted voice. 'Some demon from from your homeland? It is said amongst my people that Black Spirits dwelt there - in Angmar long ago.'

[chrysophalax]

"I know nothing of spirits Corsair, nor do I care to. If I were you, I wouldn't do anything that would seem threatening. That sword of yours is powerless against such as this I'll wager." Artos moved to stand beside Serewing, watching the spirit closely. If he could only ease past it...

[Turgon]

'Curse this foul mountain!' Serewing muttered. 'I should have stayed below with those filthy Uruks.'

Artos face was pale and drawn as he looked passed the shadowy spirit to the freedom just beyond his reach. The Corsair grinned at the wolf-man. He turned and descended the stone steps, his trembling legs unsteady on the uneven surface. Reaching the passage below, Serewing looked about him, there was nobody to be seen, nothing to be heard. Pulling a torch from a sconce upon the wall; he made his way back up the stairs to where Artos was waiting. The wolf-man eyed the him with some suspicion.

'Thinking of making a break for it?' Serewing asked. 'Why not? I have heard these spirits are feared of fire. Watch wolf-man!'

Serewing approached the Spirit cautiously, the torch out held before him. It was a brave deed. The Corsair's hand was trembling visibly, yet still he advanced. Then with a mighty yell he swung at the spirit with all his strength.

Artos saw Serewing swing the brand, much amazed by this thoughtless act of bravado. Then he heard the a scream. There was a moments pause before the Corsair shot passed, propelled viciously by an unseen force and a heavy thud as Serewing landed in a crumpled heap at the foot of the staircase.

There was silence for a while and Artos began to wonder if the Corsair had met his end.

'Filthy son of a Northman!'

It seemed as if Serewing was still kicking.

[chrysophalax]

Artos descended the stairs, then doubled over in silent laughter as he found Serewing buried under all 4 wolves who were busily licking his face.
He was flat on his back, struggling and swearing. Seeing Artos, he shot him a irritable glance and gestured helplessly. "Get these damned things OFF me!" he shouted.

Struggling to breathe, Artos whistled them over and Serewing stood, limping slightly, as he dusted himself off and wrapped his tattered pride around him like a cloak. "By the Nine! If I can't trust you after that display of affection by my lovelies, I never will!" Serewing favoured him with a withering stare and advanced back up the stairs.

[Snaga]

Rashdug whispered back Nain, 'Lets jump him, kill his servants, and see if he knows where Mauruk is. He's the boss here... surely he will know!'

-----------------

'So you are Serewing? You at least seem to have some strength... perhaps just enough. If perhaps you want to be stronger yet, I may be able to help. I can give great power to those who serve me. My current servant here is too weak. He crawls and scrapes and is fit only for mean tasks, but perhaps you can do more. Can you lead an army? And you Artos... I will grant you your wish too. For I see what is in your heart, and I forsee a fitting task. Your wolves... perhaps you would like to breed the greatest wolves seen in this age of the world? I will send you help in this task if you agree. Speak quickly... and with wisdom. For now you are alone in this mountain, and friends may become enemies quickly should I choose it!'

[Ecthelion]

"Right," Nain replied to Rashdug. In a second one servant had an axe in his head and the other eaten up in a dark mist. At that moment also Rashdug lept forward, the child in one hand and the leader orcs throat in his other. Nain got his axe and walked over. Rashdug asked "Where is Maruk?" At first he would not answer. "SPEAK!" Rashdug yelled. Still no word. With a swift move Nain chopped off his right ring finger. "Ok, ok. I'll speak."

[Turgon]

'Strength and Power?' Serewing answered. 'Mighty gifts indeed spirit, but at what price? My soul is my own to keep; but if service is what you ask of me then I say yes!' Serewing had travelled long roads since leaving his homeland and all had proved to be crooked. Perhaps this was his chance to walk the path his father had denied him?

Artos put a hand on Serewing's shoulder, and the Corsair turned to face him. A thought passed between them then. Think man! Artos seemed to say. You think the demon will tender these things so cheaply? But Serewing's mind was set.

'I accept your offer Spirit.'

[chrysophalax]

A feeling of dread, a moment of fore-sight overcame Artos and he turned away from Serewing, knowing in his heart that only evil could come from any bargain with this spirit. Breed great wolves? he had done that already...they were the finest, most intelligent of their kind, of that he had no doubt. Power? He had little use for it. It grieved him to see Serewing thus seduced...

Hopelessness filled his mind, despair born of sorrow and ostracism. What did it matter after all, he was nothing...in sudden anger, he turned.

"Done! Do as you will with me! Make me your slave, your puppet! I care not, only do what you must and begone!"

[Ecthelion]

"He's in that hut." The orc pointed to a hut where many laughing voicers were heard. "Thank you." Nain replied. As they were about to walk out Nain spun around and slit the orcs throat. After he raosed the body back up and sent it into the hut. The orc came out with Maurk. Nain flicked his hand and the dead orc leader grabbed Maurk, Rashdug had the child and they proceeded back to where they left Serewing and Artos.

[Snaga]

The other orcs came running out of the cave, twenty at least. 'It is, its the chief. ARrrggh! Whats the matter with him?' they were screaming, fearful at the state of the dead chief who was grappling Mauruk. Mauruk himself twisted violent and got an arm free. He pulled out a knife, and stabbed it straight in the face of the dead chief, right through an eye socket. The chief carried on hauling him along, relentlessly.

'Get him off me!' jabbered Mauruk. 'He's turned into a demon-loik.' The others set up the chief with their swords, hacking him to pieces, until, dismembered, he was destroyed. The cries echoed around the caves and tunnels, and suddenly more orcs came running, hundreds it seemed.

'Run!' yelled Rashdug. 'They're gonna get us!' He led the way, his great loping stride taking him at a great pace through the tunnels. Mauruk led the chasing pack.

Already they were just at the foot of the steps where the dark spirit loomed over Artos and Serewing.

The fell spirit smiled darkly at them, his satisfaction descending like a pall of smoke. 'So shall it be! I hear you both! I will bring you aid shortly, one who has knowledge of the beasts of the world beyond yours, Artos. Now your companions return, and they have done well I perceive. I will greet them later, and then I reveal your full destiny to you.'

And then he was gone, leaving only an echo of malice in the tunnels.

Nain, Drygo and Rashdug came hurtling up the stairs.

Mauruk followed, with orcs in great numbers behind them. But suddenly they halted, hesitating.

'Ulkûrz ash!' were the words Serewing could pick out. 'Ta Ulkûrz Shakh!' Suddenly they were all grovelling and fearful, not daring to raise their eyes. Then he noticed the others were looking at him with wide eyes also. For suddenly he seemed to them to have grown greatly, and stood as a great dark presence before them.

'They... they call you the Evil Lord.' said Rashdug to Serewing. 'How can we serve you?'

[chrysophalax]

Artos glanced uneasily at Serewing, having perceived no obvious change in him that should the orcs to grovel so. A slow smile crept it's way across Serewing's face and the light of satisfaction shone in his eyes. Artos turned his back to the orcs on the stairs and murmured to Serewing, "It would seem you've been granted your wish, though little good it will do you I deem. You and I have been snared right royally my friend!"

[Ecthelion]

Nain leaned