Lonely in Lone lands
After the return to Bree, it was necessary to take care of a few loose ends. Mapping the rest of brigand circles was easier than it would seem, as Tarnon himself knew lot of them. Assassinating the important people was more dangerous job. But since his skills improved, he was deadly and precise again.
But his deeds did not attract only obscure characters.
Once on a misty evening, Tarnon was returning from a journey to his temporary place. Close to the abandoned hut a figure appeared in the thinning light, blurred by the fog.
“Leave that dagger unsheathed, young man,” said the man.
Bugger, bother, a trap!
“Be calm and don’t worry, we are allies,” another voice sounded from the side. Tarnon now noticed a bow aiming from that direction.
Then he recognized ranger hoods.
The two introduced as Saeradan and Andreg. After a few words Tarnon was appeased and serene.
Their conversation was long. Tarn’s fists clutched many times during listening. And when he learned about the death of Amdir, his knuckles even turned white. Another firewood for the vengeance flame…
At the end of their dialogue Saeradan patted Tarnon on the shoulder. The rangers calmly departed, leaving young rogue to his thoughts.
New information, new plan… and new targets.
The Bree outcasts were only puppets. Obviously. The tracks to those responsible were leading to southeast, to barren wild land.
“We will meet at the foot of Weathertop.” It was a task, a first trial Tarnon was supposed to complete: to get there alive and in time.
He made it.
Second trial was nearly a chore – to kill as much orcs in the area. Tarnon stood to his duty as a bloody craftsman. Slow, thorough butcher job, full of hateful shouts and death rattle of the orcs. His reward was a new scar and an additional task.
“Go to the last fort of free men and find Radagast. He needs the strongest support now.”
Tarnon began to get used to the dusty, arid region of Lone lands. It was easy to hide and attack from shadow in this landscape. After a few days, he found Ost Guruth without a problem. Of course, after assassinating a few dozen orcs and half-orcs on the way.
It was strange, how the inhabitants welcomed him. Though they seemed so tough and their cold look could cleave logs, their hearts were warm and open.
Only after he met the mighty Radagast in person, Tarn realized the true power of the wizard. He spoke to him and Tarnon started to shake in fear. Not afraid of the man, but of the quest and the consequences.
Wraiths and zombies… ughh… please, no…. He did not speak aloud his worries, but the master of animals somehow guessed his thoughts.
“Don’t worry, lad. I know that Garth Agarwen is a nasty place. Rest, prepare, and come to me when you are ready. And don’t forget the most important thing: you will not be alone.”
But Tarnon knew. He failed. He failed in a battle with himself. The horror was too great.
I cannot do this…
At least he would not be alone, as Radagast said. He spotted a few warriors in the courtyard speaking of their mission. A dwarf metalsmithed into thick armour, a tall warden, a sharp-eyed huntress and a muscular man with two-hander.
I’ll leave the undead to you, brave adventurers, said Tarnon in his mind. But he knew he will find his part in this. He knew there are many other places to hit the enemy hard and ruthless.
Saeradan mentioned Esteldín as a bastion of the Rangers. Tarnon already heard of the dangerous lands in the north. Since he already earned a bit of a name among the Dunadain, it seemed now as the best destination.
