Two

The old walls marked the place whereat the first Media-Vidians arrived two thousands of years ago, but it was a deserted place. I had not encountered any wanderers yet, as dawn deepened and the sun shined, her rays turning the old citadel’s grey rocks into orange.

My errand was to retrieve tidings about furypapas. ‘Tis a perilous task. The warrior may break through a defence post and into Media-Vida’s heart, though not unscathed. But to infiltrate it is not an errand for a normal warrior. One of us, the elite Maiar, may be able to accomplish such a feat. For being unrecognized is easy, but to act and pretend to be one of those primitive beings, that requires practice, training, and a flair.

The morning air swept across the hilly terrain. It was the first Media-Vida’s ruins, but I felt uneasy. An uneasiness that stems not from the fear of wraiths and other unholy creatures, unwordly beats, that may have taken their abode after the Media-Vidans left the place; I actually had passed unhindered. It was another kind of uneasiness.

Just a robed and hooded man I might seem, and I did not want to put forth any of my power, not yet.

By noon I was within sight of Media-Vida’s walls. I decided to disguise myself as a meigerà, as a foot soldier of low rank. There were many low rank soldiers and one more would make no difference; these were times of fear, for Letto I, the Puppet, knew that something was awry, so he kept a great host.

I approached the gates. They seemed to be guarded just by some meigerà, though their commanding gougerà must not be far. I bewitched them and wherefore they asked no questions.

The stone road winded its way up. On both sides, scant, cracked-walled houses. I decided to make my way up into the centre of the city, for it was market day, my purpose being to change my raiment and to pass off as a merchant. I could not put a spell on Media-Vidians to find out about furypapas, since there were, scattered throughout the city, qichi, powerful sorcerers of high rank and abilities.

In case of an emergency, they would act either as field commanders or they would form small teams for special operations. They would sense my presence, should I use my Ainu might. So I had to be sly and cunning. Ere I entered Media-Vida I created, out of stones, gold coins. Even so, a qich would be able to find out the deceit. Unlikely as it might be that one of them should come across one of those coins, I could run no risks.

One

I plodded along under the Stars, oh ye beautiful stars! For me that night an omen of death! Naught but frogs and crickets could I hear, and yet I felt a sign of Doom which made me uneasy.

The following morning I had to bring a message to Media-Vida’s Council; tidings of war did I bring, for Media-Vida’s destruction would signify the end of the Sixth Age, and the beginning of the new one. Little can men understand, in their short life-span, about great changes, but my errand was to convince them not to fight the Legions of the Valar; I still counted on their King’s wisdom, for Letto I the Great was a wise sorcerer.

His line was that of the Great men whose life was still long, and he ruled Media-Vida wisely and prudently. I wanted him to understand that Media-Vida could not be saved, for a Doom mightier than the power of the Valar was at work.

These thoughts entertained my mind when all beasts and insects fell silent, and then I felt it. Someone whose power was greater than that of all men was nigh. Fear took me, for I could not risk my errand and I could not unleash the great power that is in me, lest my mission fail. I could not risk war against Media-Vida, for millions of innocent men would perish.

I could see naught in the darkness of the night. Easily, had I been unrestrained, could I have lighted up the sky or unleashed a great power which would have make my unseen foe flee, but I still did not know whether he knew of me or not. It could be pure chance, but I had been feeling a Doom overnight.

I stopped, and I ducked behind a clump of bushes. Could I hear a hissing laughter? Suddenly, silence. Stillness. The chirping of crickets. The presence had left.

Aye, it might have been pure chance… but a red star glowed in the sky above.