Missing merchant Marcwic Fairbanks found dead!

Ost Alagos, a fort seated on Weather Hill, was the final destination of the bounty hunters led by Rykka, a squint eyed southerner. Some were driven by coin and bounty that was promised for a safe return of the missing merchant, but Rykka was driven by duty and love to a man that was like her father.

They followed a trail of the good merchant from Hengstencer's farm to a small hut in Far Chetwood, where they rested, cautioned by clear footprints of orcs and goblin-men near them. Guided by the earth reader scout Sylvain, they emerged from the wild forest to the barren Weather Hills.

Even the ever-smiling Alewood looked grimly on the sight of ruins and the dangers within. Together with the former farmer Theowic they were filled with doubt and fear, unsure if this path would be their last. Finally, after words with Ves, agreeing it would be best she stayed safe and hidden, they set aside their doubts and followed the lead of Sylvain towards the towering ruin on the hill, losing any hope that the merchant might still be alive.

The clash between bounty hunters and half-orcs was bloody, but at the end the rage-driven hunters prevailed and finally set their stand in front of the leader, seeking truth about the merchant.

The half-orc, more like a mountain of a man, gave them no quarter, as he was carried by the will of the White Hand, stronger than most. He badly wounded Alewood, almost killing fair Ves, smashing the handsome face of Sylvain, tossing others around like ragged dolls until words of the black tongue spoken by Rykka startled him and focused his rage on the woman, giving others a chance to strike hard. The blade of Storvik cut deep, as the hammer of Sylvain passed the defenses of the armor made in Isengard deeps. Therwic's spear impaled the orc's hand to the ground, enough so Beofeth could cut his other arm off with his halberd of far lands. The orc ended his pitiful life with the same cruelty as he ended the merchants.

Wounded, tired and weak they stood in front of the half-rotten body of the merchant, tossed in a ditch as garbage. Many of them shed tears, from horror and sadness.

They entered Bree at dusk, their spirits low, with a body on one horse and gravely wounded Alewood on another. Some parted to seek help of a healer for the wounded, but most of them went to bring sad news to family Fairbanks and deliver the body to his family.

That night caution and fear filled the hearts of Bree, as roads were not as safe as they thought, and questions were made...

How many more need to die before someone makes a stand and stops the upcoming storm?