Malthurs camp north of Gobel Ancalimon, the spring of 2986
Gobel Ancalimon is the capitol of Harad, as close as you can get. It is a common misconception that Umbar holds that title, the corsair nest further south. Umbar is the largest and richest of Haradrim cities but it is too far from the central plains and steppes, both in miles marched and in the Haradrim heart, to claim such preeminence. Umbar is to Gobel Ancalimon something of what Pelargir and Dol Amroth are to Minas Tirith, a competitor and rival but also the great harbor of the realms fleets and therefore valued allies. Here most of the different tribes and different nations of Harad are represented, owing to the fact that all major trade routes of central Harad converge in or around the city. The coastal road winds up from Umbar passing here a bridge west of the city, meeting the road of sands from the central plains and deserts further east and the northern road on which we have marched here from Imlad Carnen to the northeast.
Also, a not insignificant trade route go by ship from the port towns west, often jokingly called "New Umbar" and "Little Umbar" while the proper names are Gobel Mirlond and Ramlond. The river and wind has carved a broad valley that goes east to west into the sea and straight north following the river next to which has even smaller woods near it, protecting the surprisingly lush lands in between the plateaus to the north and mountains to the south that lead to the southern deserts. The current season is dry but the late spring is said to blossom with shade and fragrance welcoming every traveler. And they are many, traders and artisans congregating from all of Harad, dusty haulers bringing good from the river ports and local caravans even, that traffic the road to the closer Ramlond.
The position of the Orcish army and the circumstances surrounding me may baffle those unacquainted, for far from engaging in a campaign of extermination Malthur has opened negotiations with the council of Gobel Ancalimon attempting to obtain the bloodless surrender of the city, having promised safe passage and continuation of trade, save with Umbar, should they yield. The army of Malthur has set up a fortified camp near the closest ford in several miles, a sound defensible position in many ways. The lords of the land and the lord of Harad as a whole, the Grand Serpent Khuzaymah, are nowhere to be seen. However, the orc scouts report that massive Gondorian armies are gathered on the western plateaus.
As I mentioned, the land is not yet the desert that I had expected to encounter, but land that is green and growing, with fresh rivers even if they dig very deep into the sandstone. The trees and plants are adapted to the heat with massive roots that keep the water from the sun, and tough leaves that are narrower than northern trees but does not dry as easily. It is not impossible to picture the place as blossoming and well organized and tended to in ancient times before the rebellions.
It is not without difficulty that I have come to accept the fact that there may be more to Harad than the corsairs and common raiders. It is indeed a different land but can barbaric customs simply be different?
They are slavers. The presence of slavery is ingrained in every aspect of the society. But there is more to it than one is led to think. A slave can be the lowest of the low, like my poor countrymen chained to the corsair galleys. But slaves can also rise in respect from his master, and for lack of better word, rank, and be entrusted more important and healthier tasks, serving then as more of a trusted handmaiden or banner man of the master. Given the uneven distribution of wealth and unforgiving living conditions of this land, slaves of the wealthy fare much better than free men of the poor in most cases. Indeed, a slave runs the risk of being beaten, even maimed or killed, without reason. But what laws protect the free from the same kind of fate? In Gondor, a large enterprise like a farm, a ship, an inn or a trading house may change owner. Where will the workers go? What are their prospects if not to stay and do the same tasks for the new owner? Where else can they start a new life? Gondorians may not be beaten by any would-be master but that alone is not the same as being free either.
Adding to the complexity of Harads slave system is the institution of slave contracts. Slavery can be conditioned, which depending on the contract turns it to more of indentured servitude, serfdom or even employment. A free man may sell himself as a slave for a set time, with the profits from the sale and his labor being shared between him and a slaver. Typically, such contracts forbid the mistreatment commonly associated with slavery. The temporary slave may allow himself to be sold to new masters, under the same contracted conditions, with the chance of further shared profit from the selling. Likewise, the local authorities tend to sell criminals and other real or imagined troublemakers as slaves temporary or permanent, which adds to their coffers as well as removes the individual from the rest of society. The opposite can also happen, although it is not as common. A wealthy slave owner may choose a particularly trusted slave and free him to oversee a farm or a trading post. Without contacts or ties to rivals, and perhaps with the gratitude to his former owner, such a fellow is unlikely to betray him or embezzle too much, at least initially.
Most respect is given to the slave soldiers. Bought from far off lands as boys, they are trained, indoctrinated and drilled by well established slavers in schools and barracks, becoming obedient and disciplined soldiers, guards, bodyguards or pit fighters that have known no other life and know no other goal than to carry out their orders. The elite of Haradrim warriors, the so called serpent guard, include a portion of these kinds of slaves, bought and then freed by the chieftain they protect, whom they will serve without question. If the chieftain maintains an inner circle of trusted guards, it will surely be made up at least partly of this kind of soldiers. Assassinations are a constant in Haradrim politics, and both those that carry them out as well as those that watch against them are required to be of absolute loyalty. There are fewer women that rise as slaves, not for lack of female slaves nor for lack of desire to do so, but because they have more to gain by obtaining their freedom and will thus strive to do so as quickly as possible if they can rise to prominence. Succesful Haradrim women may be respected as traders, artisans and innkeepers, as well as the shadowy businesses of courtesans, spies and hired murderers. Poisoning in particular - well known among this cruel folk - is a feared trade of the latter, of course only known by rumor and legend as no assassin worthy of fame would be caught in the actual act.
Again, back to matters at hand. The Gondorian armies. They are, as I understand it, marching parallel to Malthurs army but are not attempting to engage him. It is prudent, given our shameful record against him, no doubt about that. But there is also the chance that they are not at all after the orcs, or has not even counted upon their appearance in Harad, which one can hardly be surprised about. If so, their target is a Haradrim city or other strong point, which would likely be the port cities in the bay. If they can be eliminated or captured, the corsair fleets will have much more difficulty operating close to Gondorian coasts. I do not know whether to call this wise or foolish. On the one hand, it is a sensible thought to focus on the one threat you can do something about presently, in this case the enemy fleets. On the other, it may put them precariously close to Malthur and his artillery. But if one has to throw even more good men into the fire then I guess Harad, where the orc is at his weakest, should be as good a place as any. If that would come to pass, would Gondor be spending her men saving the corsairs that prepare to plague her coasts? The thought is twisted.
|