Middle-Earth: Kaen, Lord of Light

"Sigh, have you heard? The Orcs from the Troll-woods are planning to attack us."

"Who told you that? I haven't heard a thing."

"The Grey-robed Wizard said so."

"The Grey-robed Wizard? Oh heavens, my grandfather told me stories about him!"

After Gandalf returned to Azure Spring Town, he began spreading word of the coming attack by the Orcs. Now, the entire town was abuzz with rumors.

….

Inside the lord's castle.

The man seated on the high-backed chair had a shadowed expression. Upon hearing his subordinate's report, his eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of crimson flickering through them.

From the dark corner behind him, a hoarse, guttural voice emerged.

"The Grey-robed Wizard… he's nothing more than an old fool parading around as some self-proclaimed herald of justice. Once the ritual is complete, you will receive the blessing of the Dark God. No one will be able to stand against you."

At those words, a glint of greed flickered through Bree's eyes.

He issued an order:

"Send someone to the Troll-woods to investigate. If this is all a lie… then bring that wizard to me in chains!"

"Yes, my lord!"

….

Outside the castle.

Gandalf watched the departing scouts gallop off, then turned with a tug of his reins and headed toward the tavern.

….

Inside the tavern.

The room was filled with swords, spears, and bows—supplies Will had sent people out to purchase over the past two days.

Knock knock knock!

Someone rapped firmly at the door.

Everyone inside tensed immediately.

A moment later, a deep, steady voice came through.

"It's Gandalf."

….

Gandalf had brought three thousand gold coins—and Kaen Eowenríel's instructions.

Upon hearing this, Will took the coins and headed straight for the slave market, where he found Balord.

"I come on behalf of my lord, with gold in hand. I hope you'll honor the contract and promises made during your last journey."

Balord's eyes gleamed with greed as he swallowed hard at the sight of the gold.

He handed over a parchment and said, "Here's a list of all my current merchandise. Take a look."

Will took the list and reviewed it carefully:

Strong male slaves: 120.

Beautiful female slaves: 30.

Value: 600 gold coins.

….

Healthy male slaves: 300.

Healthy female slaves: 150.

Value: 400 gold coins.

….

Slightly injured male slaves: 200.

Slightly injured female slaves: 50.

Value: 25 gold coins.

….

Lord's guards: 114.

The lord's second son: 1.

Value: 100 gold coins.

….

Balord said, "Altogether, that's 861 slaves. The total value is 1125 gold coins. Lord Kaen already paid 100 gold in advance and took 20 people with him. Now, I hand over the remaining 841 to you."

Will shook his head. "War is coming. I can't take them all. But if you agree, I'll pay you 1300 gold coins. In return, you'll need to supply us with food and quality weapons."

"Absolutely not."

Balord rejected the proposal without hesitation. "I'm just a slaver. I don't want any part in this chaos. I deal in people—nothing more. I can't offer you food or arms."

Young Will stared into Balord's beady eyes and smiled coolly.

"Oh, but you can. Gold will give you the motivation. Sometimes, a little risk brings far greater rewards."

"Lord Kaen's venture has only just begun. In the future, we'll need ten times… no, a hundred times as many slaves. And food. And arms. And resources."

"You're a good candidate. So, tell me—do you want to be an ordinary slaver for the rest of your life, scraping together a few coins a day, or do you want to seize this chance and build something that lasts?"

"Mr. Balord, give it some thought. Opportunities to change one's fate don't come often."

His words left Balord in deep silence. His pudgy face wrinkled in contemplation like a blooming chrysanthemum.

Kaen's mystery, nobility, and wealth all spoke of something far beyond the ordinary.

Balord had sensed this himself.

Truth be told, he did wish to cooperate with Kaen, but he never understood what Kaen truly wanted. As a slaver, he knew only one thing: Kaen wanted bodies. Beyond that, he was clueless.

Now, under Will's subtle persuasion, he was beginning to grasp Kaen's deeper needs.

People. Grain. Weapons…

After a long pause, Balord raised his head and looked at Will.

"I can get you what you need… but it'll take time."

Will smiled and extended his hand. "The sooner, the better. And as much as possible. Price is not a concern—we need it urgently."

Balord hesitated, then finally reached out and shook hands with him.

"I have over fifty guards under my command. They can help your cause."

"Welcome aboard, Mr. Balord."

….

Rebellion was beginning to brew within the slave market.

….

Southern edge of the Troll-woods.

Kaen, Zakri, and Caden were riding their horses along the forest's edge, pacing back and forth.

Midnight approached, but the forest remained eerily quiet.

Caden spoke up, "My lord, those beasts still haven't come out. Should we provoke them again?"

Zakri, whose vision was the sharpest, spoke instead. "No. They're already here."

In the distance, flickering lights emerged in the darkness. Birds that had long settled in their nests suddenly burst into the sky in a frenzy.

An army of Orcs, in perfectly organized ranks, emerged from the forest.

The glow of their torches stretched for miles. Their numbers were easily seven or eight thousand. Among them were Warg riders… and ten massive Stone Trolls.

Zakri swallowed hard. "M-My lord… isn't that a bit much?"

Caden inhaled sharply through clenched teeth.

Kaen fell silent. He hadn't expected the Orcs to deviate so drastically from the norm.

Still, it was too late to turn back now.

He took a breath and said, "If they're marching on foot, it'll take them at least a day and a night to reach Azure Spring Town. Which means they can't launch their assault until the night after tomorrow."

"Zakri, ride to Rivendell at once and inform Lord Elrond. Tell him that eight thousand Orcs are on the move. He needs to prepare."

"Yes, my lord!"

Zakri nodded and spurred his horse, racing toward Rivendell like the wind.

"Let's go, Caden. We need to get back to Azure Spring Town immediately and inform the others."

"Understood!"

….

The next day.

Kaen and Caden galloped back to Azure Spring Town without rest.

They found Gandalf alone in the tavern.

Seeing the two of them return, Gandalf rushed forward. "Lord Kaen, how did the plan go?"

Kaen and Caden looked at each other—then gave an awkward smile.

"It went smoothly," Kaen said. "A little too smoothly."

"What do you mean?"

A bad feeling rose in Gandalf's gut.

"I brought back eight thousand Orcs," Kaen said calmly. "Hundreds of Warg riders. And ten Stone Trolls."

"What?!"

Gandalf shot up from his seat.

Leaning on his staff, he approached with a troubled look. "You never said there would be this many Orcs."

"I didn't know," Kaen replied, coughing lightly. "But don't worry. I've already sent Zakri to inform Lord Elrond."

"Let's hope Elrond brings plenty of reinforcements," Gandalf muttered grimly. Then, turning to Kaen with a steely gaze, he added, "I'm starting to regret agreeing to your plan."