Located in the northwestern section of the city of Turkûrzgoi, the Western Provincial Governor's Palace was a sprawling complex of marble and brick buildings which housed the province's highest ranking official and their extensive household of servants and retainers. The position of governor was by appointment, but multiple generations could hold the office, with the title going to the firstborn heir. That was the system that was put into place by the Nazgûl over a millennium before, and Sauron had continued the tradition after his return to Mordor. This ensured that no mortal king or warlord could rise up to unite the people of Nurn, and the country remained in the control of beings ancient and terrible.

To enter the governor's compound, one passed through an imposing wooden gate which was flanked on either side by turrets crowned with steep conical roofs. Upon the other side of the gates lay the outer courtyard, a wide greensward which boasted an enormous statue of Sauron clad in battle armor at its center. Surrounding the effigy was a bed of late blooming flowers chosen for their semblance to the hues of the fiery Lidless Eye: flame-colored roses, golden calendulas, and coppery chrysanthemums. At the opposite end of the courtyard from the gate, the Great Hall of the Governors rose up in all its imposing magnificence. Long and rectangular in shape, the palace featured a central structure which was capped by an undulating parapet with angular crenelations which rose and fell like the points of a crown. Extending from the sides of the main hall were two wings, both identical in appearance, their embattled parapets slightly lower than that of the primary structure. An arcade ran around the entire front of the palace, with its tallest and most elaborate arches calling attention to the grandeur of the main hall. Shadows lay deep within the arched bays between the columns, the inky darkness a sharp contrast to the pale marble façade of the palace.

Esarhaddon always admired the architecture of the Governor's Palace, although he found it too austere for his own tastes. Still, though, whenever he had business there, he liked to imagine what it would feel like to sit upon the governor's throne and wear the jeweled coronet of the Western Province. In his fantasies, scores of fawning sycophants and humble petitioners bowed and scraped before him, begging him for just a few moments of his precious time, while a harem of the most beauteous women in all of Middle-earth awaited his pleasure. These were merely idle fantasies, though, for he possessed few political aspirations. He doubted that he could tolerate the endless bureaucracy of the Mordorian government for very long. It was frustrating and tedious enough for a merchant to abide by all the policies and procedures which were required by the Tower.

As he followed the procession of dignitaries to the Governor's council chamber, Esarhaddon reflected upon the purpose of the meeting he was about to attend. The caravan raids in Northern Harad had been so devastating to the supply chain that the Mushma Confederation had requested aid from Barad-dûr to defeat the bandits. Because trade and tribute from Harad were so valuable to the war effort, Sauron had authorized the Mordorian Guard to muster a small force to aid his allies in the South. As part of their duties to the Lord of Mordor, the members of the Southern Merchants' Council were expected to muster their own men to add to the ranks of the host. The council that morning would be to determine the number of warriors each merchant would contribute, as well as what strategies might be utilized to defeat the raiders.

The council chamber was long and rectangular, with tall arched windows set at regular intervals along two walls. The image of the Great Eye had been incorporated into the tracery at the top of each window, with an oculus of amber glass making it seem as though the Dark Lord was silently watching over the proceedings. Around the top of the room ran a mosaic border depicting stylized stalks of wheat, and in the space between each window was a mosaic of the Great Eye surrounded by black tendrils of power. At one end of the chamber was a raised dais where the governor sat upon an ornate walnut chair and presided over meetings. On this day, however, there were two chairs instead of one, for the governor of the Southern Province was also in attendance. Rows of chairs for officials and council guests lined either side of the room, and a large oval table in the center bore a map depicting the region of Northern Harad which lay south of the Mountains of Shadow.

"My lords and ladies, officers of the Mordorian Guard, and esteemed members of the Southern Merchants' Council, I call this council to order." Governor Veryatur tapped his rod of office three times upon the marble floor, the authoritative sound echoing through the chamber. "Trouble brews beyond the borders of this land, threatening to divert the attention of the Eye from the war in the West. It is critical to our victory against the corrupt realm of Gondor and its deluded allies that the forces of Mordor continue to fight unimpeded. This will be a sore challenge, however, if trade with Northern Harad continues to be disrupted by lawless brigands. Our allies in the Mushma Confederation cannot fight a war abroad while also attempting to maintain peace at home. The regent of the Confederation petitioned the Tower for military aid, and this request was granted by the Lord of Mordor." He turned to the woman who was seated beside him. "My lady, I turn the floor over to you now, since you were the first to learn of this dire situation."

The assembled nobles and merchants directed their attention towards the Governor of the Southern Province. Lady Ninurissa was a statuesque woman of middle years, with golden tan skin and black hair which had been arranged in a braided chignon. Atop her head sat the coronet of the Southern Province, a four-rayed golden crown whose central gem was a flame-red carnelian surrounded by smaller lapis lazuli cabochons. The lady's gown was the same deep blue of the lapis, with a central panel of ivory which had been embellished with raised embroidery in medallion-like patterns of orange and gold. Around her slender neck was a heavy golden bib necklace adorned with dangling gems, and from her ears hung ornately crafted golden earrings.

"Upon the 15th day of October, an ambassador from the Mushma Confederation arrived at my palace in the city of Jagautsâhd," Lady Ninurissa stated, her face solemn and her voice grave. "The tidings he bore were quite alarming, especially at this pivotal time when the great powers of the world vie with one other. As many of the warriors of the Seven Tribes leave their homeland to fight in the West, there has been a rise in attacks upon caravans passing through the wastes of Northern Harad. Only the caravans bound for Mordor have been targeted by these marauding bands of raiders — a peculiarity which is most disturbing. At this time, it is believed that these raids are being perpetrated by opportunistic brigands, but it is possible that enemies of Mordor or the Mushma Confederation are responsible for the attacks. Not all of the tribes of Harad serve the Lord of Middle-earth, though none openly seek His enmity."

When Lady Ninurissa had concluded speaking, Lord Veryatur addressed the assembly. "The Tower has authorized the Mordorian Guard to be dispatched to Northern Harad. This expedition will be led by General Zaydal, commander of the Durbûrzkala garrison." The governor gestured towards the general, who nodded in response. "The Western Province will be providing two hundred ready infantrymen, and the Southern Province will be sending two hundred horsemen. Since the aid that Mordor can provide is limited because of the war, it is the duty of the Southern Merchants' Council to support this effort as well. One of the purposes of this council will be to determine how many men each of you will be contributing to the cause."

Esarhaddon silently observed the negotiating which followed. While most of the council seemed agreeable with the demands which had been placed upon them, others balked at the cost. With the exception of Governor Veryatur and a few others who kept men-at-arms in their halls, most of the merchants and lower ranking nobles would be forced to hire mercenaries. This would require much coin, and not all were willing to surrender their coffers so freely. One of the chief complainers was Esarhaddon's own father-in-law, the salt merchant Kaishal.

An obscenely fat man, Kaishal wiped his profusely sweating brow with a linen handkerchief. Obviously agitated, he looked around the chamber and then scowled. "Lord Veryatur, you requested that I provide one hundred horsemen. That is too large an expense. Just outfitting one cavalryman alone – just one, mind you! – armed and mailéd, with all the necessary provender and habiliments, is expensive enough! Besides the riders and their mounts, there are the wains, the teams and drivers that must be considered." He sighed deeply and wiped his steaming brow. "My lord, you must remember that I am a merchant, and do not have a host of soldiers at my beck and call. I will give fifty and no more!"

"For one of the wealthiest merchants in the entire Western Province, old Kaishal certainly tries to play the role of the pauper if it suits his purposes," Esarhaddon mused to himself, his eyes narrowing as he regarded his father-in-law. "While he might not have great numbers of warriors at his disposal, he has more than enough coin to hire a small army."

"Without the troops that you had been assigned to provide, our prospects are greatly lessened!" General Zaydal exclaimed, his face growing ruddy with irritation.

"The Lord of Mordor would not look favorably upon such miserly behavior." Lady Ninurissa frowned, becoming weary of all the grousing and complaining. "One must be willing to repay the Giver of Gifts for the blessings that He has given, whether it is through an offering of coin, or an offering of blood."

As the dissenters fell into a resentful, muttering silence, the discussion shifted towards the particulars of the expedition itself. The two governors yielded the floor to General Zaydal and the other Mordorian officers present, and soon the military faction was busy formulating strategies to defeat the brigands and make the southern trade route less perilous for the caravans. Standing beside the map of Northern Harad, General Zaydal pointed at various landforms as he discussed his plan of action, which involved utilizing a substantial infantry force to put an end to the raids. Captain Orabur, an officer from the Southern Province's Mordorian Guard, disagreed with this approach, however, and offered his own counsel upon the matter.

"With only half the number of cavalry requested and no infantrymen at all, I wager I would have success on such a mission!" Captain Orabur boldly proclaimed. The captain had been selected by Lady Ninurissa to attend the council because of his expertise in desert and wasteland combat, and he found the general's heavy reliance upon infantry to be ill-advised.

General Zaydal scowled at the captain. "Many men are needed to contend with the bandits!"

"In that rugged country, infantry will only slow us down. Battle-seasoned horsemen and worthy mounts are all that are needed! Travel lightly! Here, let me show you. Between this point and here," Captain Orabur traced the outline of a road, "are the favorite targets of the raiders. Note this deep crevice and then lower down in elevation, see the knolls depicted upon the map? These have proved to be excellent places for raiders to ambush the caravans." He glanced around at the other members of the council. "All of you are familiar with the great distances that must be covered. This is not a military campaign; this is a foray against raiders. What good are infantrymen against horsemen?"

"Great good," General Zaydal stated emphatically. "If used wisely, cavalry has its advantages. You are overlooking several important factors here, though."

Esarhaddon, who had been silent up to this time, looked up from his careful consideration of the map. "There is merit in what the Captain says, and far less expense."

A thin-faced man, who had grown impatient with the endless deliberations, spoke up. "I am a seller of fine fabrics and know nothing of military affairs! One says this, and the other says that, and how am I to know what is right? All I ask for is safe caravan routes."

"That is what we all desire," Torthor, head of the Southern Merchants' Council, imparted gravely.

"Your caravans will be safe after this expedition is completed," the General confidentially assured them.

"I am not quite sure..." the fabric merchant trailed off, his words lost in the low din which had begun to fill the council chamber. Two different strategies had been proposed to defeat the brigands, and the merchants and nobles debated amongst themselves if the General or the Captain had the wiser plan.

"It would be better if the cavalry was the only force involved," Captain Orabur insisted, refusing to back down from his stance. "Much lighter and quicker."

"Captain, I appreciate your suggestions, but I think that I know quite a bit more about military strategy than you do."

"I did not think this was a military operation—"

"Certainly it is not," General Zaydal interrupted, "but it will be conducted as though it were."

"But it is brigands that we will be dealing with!" exclaimed Captain Orabur. "Raiders, General, and while they do not have the refinements of the military, they have great cunning and skill. I implore you! Discard the infantry in favor of the horsemen!"

"The General is the commander of this force; his word will be regarded as final," Governor Veryatur pronounced, his voice rising above the quarreling of the two officers and the murmur of the crowd.

Attempting to lessen tensions and restore peace to the council, Torthor took advantage of the uneasy quietude which followed the governor's declaration. "The Southern Merchants' Council supports the Tower's decision to aid the Mushma Confederation, and we will do all in our power to assist the Mordorian Guard of the two provinces in this expedition to Northern Harad."

"While it has been many years since I dwelt in the land of my birth, I still consider myself a man of Harad," Esarhaddon said proudly, his gaze falling upon the other members of the council as they turned their attention towards him. "When I first learned of the situation in the South, my heart was deeply troubled. As a representative of the House of Huzziya, I pledge one hundred men, many of whom are experienced horsemen skilled in caravan defense. I could do no less for this endeavor." He glanced at Kaishal out of the corner of his eye, and chuckled silently at the deep frown upon his father-in-law's face.

"With the combined forces of the Western and Southern Provincial Mordorian Guard, the warriors pledged by the noble houses, and the mercenaries commissioned by the members of the Southern Merchants' Council, I am confident that this expedition will be successful!" General Zaydal declared, beaming with satisfaction. "When the host returns from the South, the head of the brigand leader shall be mounted atop the pole which bears the standard of Mordor!"