The Sands of Rhun: A Middle Earth Story(Book 2)

Chapter 22: Desert Ambush

   The Death-Bringers proved to be excellent additions to our company, for not only were they fierce warriors, but they knew the lands of Near Harad even better than Hadar's men. They saved us from many a dead end and quicksand pit, and before long we were far into the deserts of Harad.

   "The tribes that dwell here are almost certainly loyal to Sauron. And if they aren't, they'll still be hostile," Nadow said as he pulled his steed up beside me.

   "Aye, bloodthirsty savages they are. Just as soon run you through as look at you," Hadar said with a laugh.

   "Doesn't your tribe live in this part of Harad?" I asked skeptically.

   "Yes indeed! Where do you think I got my fierce manner from?" He gave me a roguish grin and flexed his biceps comically.

   "That's precisely the word I'd use to describe you... Fierce," I said, raising an eyebrow and smirking.

   After a moment of silence Hadar spoke up again, having regained his pride. "There are seven major tribes in this desert. Mine is the largest, and last I heard six of the seven were unified under the Red Eye, and most of the smaller tribes followed suit."
  
   "Is yours free still?" I asked.

   "No. Mine was the first to join Mordor. We have a long standing feud with the Gondorians, just like your people. My tribe in particular, however, lost many princes to Westerling blades. Every conflict against our age-old foe has seen the Black Scorpion of Ramdah take the field with the Serpent of Harad."

   "Then which one isn't loyal to Sauron?"

   "That would be the Hateri. They're about five mumaki."

   "Five what? What's that mean?" I asked in confusion. Though Haradrim traders and slavers frequented Rhûn, I knew very little of their culture. Despite their close ties with us, they still seemed a foreign and strange people.

   "Ah, sorry. Haradrim speak. I'm so used to being around my people that I forgot you and pointy-ears over there aren't Haradrim," he said as he jerked a thumb back at Caledorn, who looked absolutely miserable at the back of the cavalcade. It was painfully apparent that he didn't like the hot weather, and Hadar's comment made him roll his eyes in annoyance.

   "A tribe's size is measured by the number of Mumakil they possess. The Hateri have five of them. That's a small number as far as the other tribes go," he added. "The Ramdah have a herd of nineteen bulls, and many more cows and calves."

   "It was rare to even see one Mumak in Rhun, I'm sure five would be quite a sight!" I exclaimed.

   Nadow snorted in derision. "Mumakil aren't worth the trouble. We forsook using them many years ago, when we stopped living a nomadic lifestyle."

"Well aren't you just posh and superior," Hadar replied sarcastically, then turned back to me. "If trained well, a full grown Mumak can carry several tons of goods. You can't beat that."

"I'm sure they eat more than their fair share though," I said with a laugh.

"True, but it's worth it whe-" Hadar stopped mid-sentence and glanced around furtively.

"We're being watched," He said, reaching for his spear.

"You're right," Caledorn replied as he reigned his horse in next to us.

"Let me guess... You know exactly who it is," I said with sarcasm.

"No, I don't... But whoever, or whatever it is has been following us for two days now," he replied, not catching my sarcasm.