Tarnes' confident words stunned Dain, who instinctively glanced at Thorin, his weathered eyes asking whether Thorin knew this mysterious general called Radahn.
Thorin shook his head slightly with genuine confusion. He knew Nepheli Loux personally, knew the formidable Bernahl, and even knew skilled warriors like Rogier and D, but had never heard of anyone called "Radahn."
Could it be a fellow countryman of Tarnes who had just arrived in Middle-earth from distant lands?
Thorin pondered this possibility while giving Dain a meaningful look, indicating he didn't know either.
Noticing Thorin's uncertain expression, Dain coughed lightly and directly voiced his tactical concern: "Tarnes, I know anyone who can command this elite legion must be a genuinely brave general, but no matter how capable, Ravenhill has at least several thousand Goblins swarming like angry wasps. I'm honestly a bit worried about just your general and a single squad of Redmane Knights facing such overwhelming odds."
"Ah, no need to worry about that at all. If our opponents are as Tarnes described, then no matter how numerous those Goblins are, they won't be a match for Lord Radahn and us." A bold female voice accompanied by several sets of armored footsteps approached.
Dain and the others looked toward the sound to see a helmet-wearing, powerfully muscular woman striding toward them with confidence.
To her right followed an imposing Redmane Knight and an old man whose magnificent beard was nearly as long and impressive as the Dwarves'.
Freyja, Ogha, and Jerren. In General Radahn's temporary absence, these three commanded the Redmane Legion and followed Tarnes' orders without question.
Dain and the others immediately recognized these three as seasoned, powerful warriors just from their bearing and the way they moved. Thorin's eyes moved slightly as he inquired with curiosity: "Tarnes, who are these three formidable individuals?"
Tarnes stepped aside courteously, gesturing for the three to come forward while introducing: "The one who just spoke to you is Freyja, Radahn's personal forbidden knight. The one with the magnificent long beard is Jerren, castellan of Radahn's castle. The remaining warrior is Ogha, who has followed Radahn in countless battles for many years."
Freyja casually found a sturdy seat and sat down without ceremony, removing her helmet to reveal an equally honest, sturdy face marked by years of combat.
Then, noticing everyone looking at her with interest, she waved her gauntleted hand dismissively: "Eh, why stare at me? Continue your tactical discussion. Don't expect me to think through complex strategies. Just tell me where to fight, who to fight, and how to fight when you've decided."
Ogha was similar in his straightforward approach, though he maintained proper Redmane etiquette, not sitting directly like Freyja but nodding respectfully to Dain and the others before standing at attention behind Freyja and Jerren.
Jerren approached Tarnes' side, addressing Dain and the others: "General Radahn isn't here at this moment, but he entrusted me with full authority before departing. Lord Tarnes has thoroughly informed me of the tactical situation here. Do you have detailed maps of Dale? Do you know where it would be easier to launch our attack from?"
Thorin nodded immediately, stepping on a wooden stool to spread Balin's carefully drawn simple map on the table before them.
Originally, Balin's scouting group had drawn this to identify specific areas of Dale needing simple repairs, facilitating future defensive fortifications.
Unexpectedly, with Goblins suddenly invading like a gray tide, this simple map became invaluable for planning their attack on Dale instead.
Thorin leaned forward earnestly, pointing to two strategic places Balin had circled in blue ink: "These two critical locations. One is Dale's original gate facing toward the Lonely Mountain, completely destroyed by Smaug during his devastating attack. The other is this particular wall section..."
He paused, glancing respectfully at Bard before continuing: "This wall section was built by humans back then, so compared to other areas we Dwarves helped construct with superior stonework, it's more severely damaged and can't withstand serious shaking or impact."
Jerren nodded approvingly: "What about enemy deployments and defensive positions?"
Thorin shook his head with grim humor: "No organized deployments whatsoever. The enemies are Goblins. Their primitive brains don't understand tactical deployment, only mindlessly swarming enemies they see. Maybe if I just show myself boldly to these Goblins, they'll run out of Dale to chase me like rabid dogs."
Bard, who had remained thoughtfully silent, finally spoke up: "But there are far too many Goblins, and they're small enough to squeeze into tight spaces. Besides the houses, Balin mentioned they even burrow into wells like vermin. I think Dale's biggest challenge isn't how to attack initially, but how to completely clear out these Goblins after we take the city."
Dain nodded in vigorous agreement: "Bard's absolutely right. I don't want to worry about Goblins suddenly emerging from wells or latrines behind me to throw stones and cause chaos while I'm fighting Azog."
Hearing this tactical concern, Jerren let out a hoarse, confident laugh: "Exterminating those little creatures that love hiding in dark places? The Redmane Legion is extremely familiar with that type of work. Rest assured, after Dale is taken, no living Goblin will remain hidden inside. I personally guarantee it."
Hearing Jerren's assured words, Freyja and Ogha also showed confident, battle-tested smiles.
Seeing their certainty, Thorin couldn't help asking curiously: "What specific method do you plan to use?"
Ogha, Radahn's grizzled veteran, said briefly and powerfully: "Fire."
"Fire?" Bard instinctively repeated with alarm, then realized the implications and immediately protested: "That won't work at all! What if the fire destroys Dale completely?"
Before Jerren could respond, Tarnes spoke first, reassuring Bard: "Don't worry about that. In my homeland, because the Redmane Legion faces particularly dangerous enemies, each of them is expertly skilled with controlled fire techniques. They definitely won't just set one massive fire to burn down Dale indiscriminately."
Freyja also added confidently: "Right, those Goblins can't possibly be more troublesome than the annoying pests we usually deal with."
After they finished their explanations, Thorin said thoughtfully: "So now we simply wait for my father's army and General Radahn that Tarnes mentioned to arrive, then we can officially declare war on Azog?"
Dain snorted with satisfaction: "Azog already declared war on us first. It's high time we punched that Orc's stinking face hard."
Thorin smiled grimly: "You're absolutely right. Dale and Ravenhill are like the Lonely Mountain's front teeth. Let's break Azog's teeth."
Gandalf, who had been listening silently to Tarnes and Thorin's tactical discussion, finally spoke with concern: "I think we shouldn't just wait idly at Lake-town for Thrain and Radahn to arrive. Azog must have used clever words to lure those Goblins to their current positions. If those Goblins decide to head toward Lake-town, things will become seriously troublesome."
Dain shouted puzzledly: "What's troublesome about that? If Goblins come here, we won't fear them!"
But Jerren immediately understood Gandalf's strategic meaning: "What this wise friend of Lord Tarnes means is that the enemy called Azog probably wants to see Goblins fight us first. In its calculating eyes, Goblins aren't its valued soldiers but expendable cannon fodder specifically to exhaust and tie up our strength and energy."
Thorin volunteered immediately: "Then let me select some of my best warriors to patrol outside Lake-town. Once we spot Goblins approaching, I'll lure them to distant locations before returning safely."
Bard frowned with worry: "But won't that put you in serious danger?"
Thorin said with noble frankness: "This is my responsibility as their leader."
Tarnes coughed lightly: "I'll have Igon accompany Thorin for protection. Since Igon also killed the Goblin king, those Goblins must remember his distinctive appearance and might be more strongly attracted to his presence than yours."
Why didn't you mention that earlier?
Thorin raised an eyebrow, his Adam's apple bobbing as he hesitated to voice this thought.
But having already spoken his commitment, he naturally couldn't back down now.
Fortunately, those Goblins seemed to completely believe Azog's persuasive words, only staying at Dale's ruins and Ravenhill without venturing elsewhere.
The most miserable creatures these days were the rats and insects in Dale's ruins and Ravenhill, nearly eaten to complete extinction by the ravenous Goblins.
Unfortunately, Tarnes and the others didn't know this crucial detail, or they could have simply waited at Lake-town and let the Goblin horde starve itself to death.
Three days later at dawn, General Radahn arrived exactly as promised.
Early-rising Lake-town fishermen hadn't yet cast their nets when they heard unprecedented whistling sounds echoing from the sky above.
Again?
They looked up curiously, thinking they surely wouldn't be as shocked as when the impressive Redmane Legion arrived days ago.
After all, jumping into frigid lake water on such a bone-chilling day to retrieve accidentally dropped nets was far too troublesome.
Then the fishermen again widened their eyes and gaped in amazement, watching war machines that literally blotted out the entire sky flying toward Lake-town, with a powerfully muscular man with arms crossed confidently flying at their front.
That was Radahn. He rode no mount but floated majestically in midair, surrounded by swirling, powerful purple magical fluctuations.
Those floating war machines included massive battering rams, towering siege towers, heavy catapults, and precision ballistas, slowly moving through the air under Radahn's gravity magic control like mobile aerial fortresses.
Battering rams' reinforced fronts bore sharp iron horns, siege tower ladders gleamed with polished metallic finish, catapult ammunition traced graceful arcs through the air, and ballista bolts glinted coldly in the morning light.
All humans and Dwarves in Lake-town were completely shocked, stopping their work entirely to emerge outdoors, gathering at street corners or standing on watchtowers, gaping in wonder at the sky's unprecedented spectacle.
Thorin, Gandalf, and others stood among the amazed crowd, their battle-hardened faces filled with genuine amazement.
When everyone fell completely speechless, Bilbo Baggins broke the stunned silence.
This lovable Hobbit looked up at the airborne war machines, scratched his curly head thoughtfully, and said: "This is infinitely more spectacular than anything I've ever seen in the peaceful Shire. Looks like we came to exactly the right place this time."
Then Bilbo stood on his tiptoes to pat Bofur and Bombur companionably, saying with forced lightness: "If I'd known war involved flying this impossibly high, I should have replaced my breakfast bacon toast with ginger cookies for motion sickness. But seriously, these machines float more steadily than old Mrs. Took's famous tea party cakes. Oh, you don't know old Mrs. Took yet. After the war ends and we return to peaceful Hobbiton, I'll introduce you properly."
The Hobbit's gentle joke brought Thorin and the others back from their shocked amazement.
As if responding playfully to Bilbo's jest, Radahn suddenly released his gravity magic control over the war machines.
Thousands of tons of war machines plummeted suddenly toward the ground. Women screamed while clutching children protectively, and Dwarves reflexively dove toward nearby houses for cover.
However, these massive war machines froze exactly three fathoms from the ground, purple gravity magic halos rippling outward like water as each machine was gently supported by invisible force.
"Don't worry! This is our powerful ally, General Radahn from the Golden Tree, come to help us slay Smaug!" Bard's reassuring voice rang out clearly near the docks, calming the somewhat panicked townspeople.
Then General Radahn slowly descended along with his war machines, landing steadily on the ground outside Lake-town's walls.
Redmane Legion soldiers who had already noticed General Radahn's dramatic arrival quickly stepped forward with practiced efficiency, positioning these war machines and preparing for immediate combat deployment.
"By my beard, he's practically a giant."
When Radahn rode his beloved horse, using gravity magic to float before Tarnes and the others before landing gracefully, Dain exclaimed while craning his neck but still being unable to see the general's face clearly.
Thorin, Balin, and the others all nodded in agreement. Dwarves were simply too short to converse comfortably with such a tall warrior.
Then Dain cleared his throat and shouted good-naturedly: "Hey there, big fellow! You're so incredibly tall; how are we supposed to have a proper face-to-face conversation?"
Tarnes stepped forward to make timely introductions: "The Dwarf speaking to you now is the King of the Iron Hills, Ironfoot Dain."
"Mm." Radahn nodded calmly, arms crossed, purple gravity magic light flickering briefly around his massive frame.
Amid strange cries of surprise from Dwarves and one startled Hobbit, they were smoothly lifted by gravity magic control to eye level with Radahn.
Then chairs, tables, and other furniture items from the ground were also lifted by Radahn's gravity magic. Chairs supporting Thorin, Bilbo, and the others' bodies while sturdy tables floated steadily in midair.
After accomplishing this courteous feat, Radahn looked directly at Dain and nodded slightly: "This solves our communication problem, King of the Iron Hills."
Dain curiously patted the chair beneath him, finding it completely motionless in midair, and praised enthusiastically: "Just call me Dain! This is incredible magic!"
Tarnes spoke with mild exasperation: "Gandalf and I didn't need to be lifted together. We two can see your face perfectly fine."
But Gandalf chuckled with delight: "I quite like this sensation! This floating feeling is rarely experienced, even by wizards."
Tarnes rolled his eyes at this sometimes unserious wizard, then composed his expression and concisely explained the recent tactical situation to Radahn.
After listening carefully to every detail, Radahn maintained his characteristically calm tone: "I understand the situation completely. So we must first take Dale and Ravenhill."
Then his powerful voice rose as he called to his subordinates: "Ogha, Freyja, I order you two to immediately lead a squad of our best soldiers and follow me personally to Ravenhill to take it. Jerren, you lead the remaining Redmane Legion forces, obey Lord Tarnes' commands, and take Dale."
"Yes, General!"