Zi Vadok
of
DurthangGorgol's Court
The parapets and battlements of Durthang offered an expansive view of Udun of north-western Mordor. To the north, mountain ranges stretched on toward the Black Gate. To the east, the fields of Udun broke before the passage of Isenmouthe. South the mountains broke through the earth like jagged teeth as they bit across the horizon into the fumes of Mount Doom. And to the west, stars peeked through the dark pre-dawn gloom over the world of man. Upon the highest tower, his dark eyes surveying the lands beyond, was Gorgol, captain of Zi Vadok.
Since the fall of Sauron, Gorgol had felt an oppressive force be lifted from his mind. The dominating will of his master was gone, and for the first time in his life, the Orc captain was his own master. He was free. His lips curled up in a smile as he looked upon that which he claimed as his kingdom, but the smile was fleeting, and it soon withered into a scowl. So long as the Haradrim and Ufthak's Morannon Orcs defied him, his claim was fragile.
The rebel Ufthak and his horde are able to strike out into the Udun plains and retreat back into the tunnels of the mountains before Gorgol's patrols are able to respond. Meanwhile, his orcs fret at the shadows of his own halls, for there is no telling where Hasharin and his Haradrim assassins lurk. He must bring his enemies to heel or destroy them. Until then, his looming destruction oppresses him as much as Sauron's will. With one final sneer at the fiery glow of the easterly sun, struggling to penetrate the ashen plume that covered the land, Gorgol descended the tower and held court in his solar.
Skewered rats, charred batwings, and boiled hrad roots awaited Gorgol as he took up his seat upon his throne. The high seat of Durthang, once claimed by Nazgul, was won by Gorgol. Cut from black oak and troll bones, the high back of the chair rose high up with three great spikes, mirroring the three spires of Durthang. Gorgol snarled as Radbug served him his breakfast. It was meager fare for an Orc lord, yet he ate better then most. Many would endure the day with empty bellies as their supplies dwindled rapidly.
Radbug kept his gaze down as he placed the measly meal before Gorgol. Radbug was the leader of the snaga, the lesser orcs and goblin slaves. Shortly after Gorgol came to Durthang after Sauron's fall, the snaga revolted. Radbug agreed to help Gorgol quell their pitiful rebellion, and for his aid, Gorgol raised him up to their leader.
Gorgol bared his fangs, tearing into the burnt rat as his court of uruks looked on. "What news of Yaz?" The captain demanded, spitting a rat bone from his maw.
"Word reached us in the late hour of Yaz's victory over a Morannon rabble," said Zarfu, a sergeant and his standard bearer, a black uruk of broken and jagged fangs. "Yet Ufthak's whereabouts continues to elude him, and he calls for more Orcs."
"Yaz has the gull to waste lives on a pointless battle and call it a victory, while the rebel Ufthak eludes him?!" Thundered Gorlog. "He will get no more orcs! Send word to Yaz that my patience is at an end. Find Ufthak or I will cast him from the battlements!"
"As you command, Captain!" Saluted Zarfu.
"What of our supplies?" Gorgol asked, stripping the skin from charred batwing.
Gorgol's newest arms-master stepped forward. Kurz, a Morannon Orc, broad shouldered and as tall as a Uruk, a halberd strapped across his back. "Our stores are low, Captain. The orcs are restless, but I have no choice but to lower rations yet again, or we will be starved out within a month. Aside from the odd thief trying to nab a loaf of bread, our store rooms are secure. The rebels likely too busy with Yaz then mount another raid."
"Take the hands of any thief you find," growled Gorgol. "And hang them in the main hall to show the others how we deal with their kind. See to it that our stores remain safe unless you wish to suffer the same fate as your former master." Kurz saluted sheepishly.
Radburg stepped forward. "If I may, my master..."
"What is it, cur?" Snapped Gorgol to the slave-master.
"A snaga reached us last night, half starved and near death, having marched all the way from Nurn."
"What do I care for such a maggot, not even suited to provide a meal?" Chortled Gorgol, prompting laughs from amongst his court.
"This one was well beneath your magnificence, my Master," whined Radbug. "Yet he brought news and with his dying breath he told of the man slaves of Thaurband and their revolt. They have taken the town, and flooded the eastern Nurn to defend their treason."
Gorgol tossed his head back and laughed. "Har! I would boil them in their precious watery tomb that surround them, so their man-flesh falls right of the bone! May they count their fortunes they are not within my reach, for my belly growls!"
The door to the solar suddenly sprung open, interrupting the howls of Gorgol and his court. "Captain!" Called a Uruk with a bloodied brow. "Bolg is on the loose. He has escaped his hall."
"The troll has served his purpose well," said Gorgol with a twisted smile. "Perhaps he could be put to a better use." The orc captain rose from his seat, turning to Radbug. "Fetch my armour... I will deal with Bolg myself."
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