Seeing Gandalf's stern expression, Kaen waved his hand, signaling the others to step outside.
Only after everyone had left and the door was firmly shut did he finally speak.
"Old man, what did you discover?"
"Darkness."
Gandalf stepped forward, his tone grave.
"The newly appointed lord of Bree—his castle is steeped in a shadowy presence. A malevolent power dwells within, corrupting minds, killing silently."
Kaen's eyes narrowed. "Are you certain?"
"I saw the mark," Gandalf replied. "It was well hidden, but I know the scent of darkness all too well—I could never mistake it."
Kaen took a long, deep breath.
Things just got more complicated.
But…
This didn't disrupt his plans.
On the contrary, it might actually help them.
With that in mind, he said,
"Gandalf, I have a plan. It's a bit crazy—but I'll need your support."
"What kind of plan?" Gandalf asked, a trace of suspicion flickering across his face.
Kaen explained, "Today, I secured the allegiance of Bree Brut. I promised to help him overthrow his brother Brill and gain control of the Town."
"Lord Kaen," Gandalf replied without hesitation, "I have no interest in such matters. Wizards do not meddle in internal squabbles. I won't offer help in this."
His rejection was swift and absolute.
But Kaen had expected that. He wasn't surprised.
"I'll handle Bree myself," he explained. "You won't need to lift a finger for that. What I do need your help with—is a coming war."
"War?" Gandalf raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Kaen said. "The creatures lurking in the Troll-woods have been attacking villages along the River for years. I intend to use this opportunity to lure some of them out—and destroy them."
Hearing Kaen speak of taking action against the shadow, Gandalf didn't immediately refuse. Instead, he asked,
"What's your plan?"
"Instigate a conflict," Kaen answered.
He laid it out: "I plan to provoke the orcs in the Troll-woods under Brill's name. Once the fighting starts, I'll use the opportunity—while their backs are turned—to seize AzureSpring Town."
"Once the town is ours, we'll search the lord's castle top to bottom. If darkness is hiding there, we'll root it out and destroy it."
"And after that… we turn our blades on the orcs. But we'll need reinforcements. That's where you come in."
"You know Lord Elrond of Rivendell. I want you to ask him to send troops—so we can strike from three directions and wipe them out completely."
Gandalf, somewhere along the conversation, had pulled out his pipe. He puffed slowly, eyes thoughtful.
Once Kaen had finished, the wizard exhaled a stream of smoke and said,
"Your real goal is still to take down Brill."
"That doesn't conflict with your goals," Kaen replied with a shrug.
"According to your own findings, Brill is tainted by the darkness. Taking him out is taking out the darkness."
"And even if he turns out to be innocent, you and the Elves won't need to fight him. You'll focus on the orcs and the shadow. That's all."
"Of course, if you believe he's truly a good man—then forget I said anything."
"I'm just asking for your help. Whether you offer it or not is entirely up to you."
Gandalf tapped the ashes out of his pipe against the table leg and gave Kaen a sharp glare.
"I don't believe Bree is a good lord."
"So… you're in?"
"I'll agree—to part of it," Gandalf muttered. "I'll send word to Elrond. But let me be clear—we're only committing to fighting the darkness and the orcs."
"Fair enough," Kaen nodded. "I'd never ask you to break your code. Oh, and tell Elrond to bring Joanna with him. She's Bree's sister. She might be useful."
"You cheeky brat—don't treat a wizard like your errand boy," Gandalf grumbled.
Even as he complained, he moved to the window and began chanting a spell.
Moments later, a bird landed lightly on the sill. Gandalf whispered a few quiet words into its ear, and it took flight.
In Middle-earth, birds were often used to carry messages—it didn't surprise Kaen in the least.
With the agreement secured, Kaen called everyone back in.
He gave his orders:
"Will, take ten men. Split up and purchase as many weapons as you can throughout Azure Spring Town. Keep a close watch on the lord's castle. Don't act until I return."
"Caden, you're in charge of securing horses. We're heading back to the abandoned village to retrieve funds—and provoke the orcs."
"Yes, my lord!"
….
Caden worked fast. By the next day, he had secured thirteen horses.
Kaen, Caden, and Gandalf set off with ten of the old lord's guards, riding hard until they reached the abandoned village on the southern edge of the Troll-woods.
As they approached the gates, Mundar, Zakri, and Ameliah came out to greet them.
"My lord!"
"This is Gandalf the Grey," Kaen introduced. "A friend I met not long ago. These are soldiers I've recruited."
"I am Gandalf," the wizard said kindly. "Pleased to meet you all. I thought Caden was a rare warrior—but it seems Kaen commands more capable souls than I expected. I can sense the strength in each of you."
"Zakri."
"Mundar."
"Ameliah."
"A pleasure to meet you, Gandalf the Grey."
The group exchanged greetings respectfully.
Inside the village, they gathered in one of the larger rooms and sat down to talk.
Kaen began,
"I purchased a large number of slaves in Azurespring Town—so I'm here to retrieve some gold. But there are also things you need to know."
"In a few days, an old man named Jack will arrive with five to six hundred people, including fifty freshly recruited soldiers. Jack is a wise elder who's sworn loyalty to me. I've appointed him as Chief Administrator."
"There's also Hubert, a scholar and village head. He may come, he may not. If he does, protect him well."
Kaen listed the names of those who had pledged allegiance to him during this time.
"Zakri, I'm placing all fifty new recruits under your command. Train them into elite archers."
"Caden, I've found candidates for your heavy infantry—the strongest of the slaves I bought in Azurespring."
"Mundar, I've secured over a hundred seasoned fighters for you. The ten outside are yours for now. The rest will come soon."
"And Ameliah—I've acquired thirty female slaves. They'll be your first group of medics."
The four of them could barely contain their excitement. After waiting so long, they were finally being entrusted with real responsibilities.
"Praise you, Lord Kaen! We finally have troops of our own!"
"This is incredible. I can already picture the arrows flying on my command!"
"I'll do everything I can to heal every soldier."
Kaen raised a hand, motioning for silence.
Then he said,
"I've earned the allegiance of Bree Brut, the younger son of Azurespring's old lord. Once I help him defeat his brother, the Town will be mine."
"That's why I've laid out a plan. This trip is about more than just gold and orders."
"I intend to draw out the orcs from the Troll-woods—"