Half a month later, Ryan returned once more to Dessen.
This small town, once ravaged by Orc fire, now stood with its gates repaired and its houses rising again, under the leadership of Grinwald and his son Torvin. Like hardy grass after storm, the people of Dessen sprang back to life.
Ryan's arrival was greeted warmly. Torvin, busy with the work of rebuilding, came at once to meet him.
"It has been too long, Lord Ryan. I am glad beyond measure that you have come again to Dessen."
The young noble bowed in courtesy. Ryan returned the gesture and said:
"To see your faces alight with hope again gladdens my heart. I have come this time with coin, for I would purchase arms and grain."
"Your generosity honors us. My father will rejoice to hear it," Torvin replied, leading Ryan, Elger, and Ailin into the town.
The streets had been cleared of ruin, many houses mended. Merchants had raised stalls upon the broken stones, offering hand-forged weapons. The roads bustled with folk, far livelier than one might expect of a place so lately scarred by war.
Ailin, marveling, asked:
"Torvin, it seems Dessen has more people than before. How has this come about?"
Torvin smiled, and explained.
The Orcs of the North raided twice each year: once in autumn to hoard food for winter, once in spring to recover from the long hunger. For they could not labor under sun, nor till the soil, and thus relied ever on plunder.
At these times, the House of Dulod would offer shelter to the villages nearby, in return for tribute of food and goods.
It was for this reason, Torvin told them, that half the men of Dessen had been sent to guard the outlying hamlets when the Orc-host came a fortnight ago. Thus weakened, the town fell more easily. Yet their victory afterward—the slaying of the Orc chieftain and the breaking of the host—spread swiftly across the land.
Seizing the moment, Grinwald had drawn strong young men from the villages, who now aided in the rebuilding. Thus Dessen's strength had swelled.
"And now," Torvin added, "all along the banks of the Hoarwell your name is spoken. They say 'Ryan the Ranger slew the Orc-chief and saved the town.' You and your followers are held as guardians of this land."
Hearing it, Ryan thought to himself that Grinwald was indeed a true lord. Though he had not openly pledged himself to Ryan's cause, he had subtly laid foundations to aid it.
Ailin said softly: "Then Alaina and Arion, raising men along the Hoarwell, will find their task far smoother."
"Assuredly," Elger agreed. "Lord Ryan is now a name of renown. To serve beneath him—why, it shall be the dream of many a youth."
Torvin, startled by their words, turned to Ryan.
"My lord… if I heard aright, you are recruiting soldiers?"
Ryan nodded. "Yes. I must have an army. This is but the beginning, and there is much yet to be done."
Torvin's thoughts turned to his father's words: Ryan is no ordinary man. If death does not claim him early, he may yet achieve greatness.
…..
So they came to the lord's hall of the Dulod. Within, Ryan saw Grinwald again.
This time he was clad not in armor but in a blue robe, tall and slender as any elder. His right arm, still bound in sling, had not healed, but his face showed vigor, his spirit strong.
At sight of Ryan he smiled, stepping forward.
"It is long since last we met, Lord Ryan. Welcome to the hall of Dulod. Your presence graces these walls."
"I am honored, Lord Grinwald. And I must thank you for all you have wrought these past days," Ryan replied, bowing with Elger and Ailin beside him.
They were seated, and tea was poured. Words of courtesy soon gave way to earnest talk.
When Grinwald heard that Ryan sought to buy arms, equip men, and raise a host, he was taken aback. He had known the youth's ambition ran high, and was prepared to lend aid, but had not thought the hour would come so swiftly. Yet in this, he saw proof again of Ryan's uncommon nature.
"Young men ever bring wonder to us old ones," he sighed. Then he said: "Weapons and armor I can provide. Speak your needs, and Dessen's smiths will set to work at once. As for grain, that too is simple. The merchants are here in plenty. From the Shire, from Bree—they will bring all you require, for coin is their master."
Ryan breathed relief, and set forth his orders.
For heavy infantry, three hundred suits of harness: padded coat, mail, heavy plate, iron round-shield, and long spear. Two gold coins each.
For bowmen, seven hundred suits: leather coat, mail shirt, round-shield, one bow, fifteen arrows, and long spear. One and a half gold each.
And for the host, twenty-five thousand arrows, at the rate of fifty for one gold.
Grain too he ordered—stores worth a thousand gold.
It was a staggering bargain. In Middle-earth, coinage was reckoned in gold, silver, and copper; one gold was worth twenty silver, four hundred copper. A common household might live a year upon but a single coin.
And now Ryan laid down three thousand and more. Grinwald and Torvin were struck to silence, astonished at the wealth this young lord commanded.