A dizzying rise: a former merchant becomes a favorite of Sauron's Herald
Days passed. Amantul continued to work as a jailer in the dungeons of Barad-dûr. he torture masters and other servants didn't laugh at his eccentricities, but they treated him with disdain. They assigned him the most humiliating and difficult jobs in the prison. There were two reasons for this: 1) everyone knew Amantul was a traitor who had escaped Gondor. Traitors are treated accordingly. There were two reasons for this: 1) everyone knew Amantul was a traitor who had escaped from Gondor. Traitors are treated accordingly. 2) many of them noticed that the "ex-merchant's " showed an increased interest in the prisoners, especially the male ones. Amantul eyed naked elves and humans with a strange interest. The torturer the former merchant served considered this a flaw, hindering their collaboration and strengthening their faith in Sauron. He tried in vain to rehabilitate Amantul with his own methods.
Meanwhile, the Mouth of Sauron decided to experiment with his subordinates' diet. He prescribed that his servants subsist on ash and "earth oil"—a black, oily liquid that accumulates in the lowlands of the Gorgoroth plateau. He also reduced sleep and rest to four hours a day and abolished weekends. This led to discontent among the servants in Barad-dûr. Gurzyul forgot that his subjects were mortal and needed adequate nutrition and good rest. Several high priests and sorcerers joined forces with the guards to get rid of the mad fanatic. They attacked him and wounded him, but Dulgabeth turned out to be stronger. The rebels were captured and thrown into the dungeons of Barad-dûr. They were cruelly tortured and executed. The Mouth of Sauron locked himself in his chambers and received no one. One day, Amantul was ordered to take dinner and medicine to the Herald of Sauron. Many terrible stories and rumors circulated about Sauron's chosen one. It was said that he had killed two of his mistresses and also ate his own slaves. Servants regularly disappeared on the stairs near the chambers of Sauron's Herald, never to be seen again. Stories aside, orders must be obeyed. So Amantul took a tray of food and ascended to the chamber of the Mouth of Sauron.
Dulgabeth lived at the very top of the Tower of the Eye, under the roof with the Great Eye of Sauron. After climbing 900 steps of the steep staircase, Amantul found himself at his door. He knocked timidly on the door. «We bids thee welcome”- He heard a hoarse answer. The herald sat on the bed, deep in thought. The herald sat on the bed, lost in dark thoughts. He didn't look scary or dangerous—just a tired, lonely man of no age . "Put it down and go," said Dulgabeth.














