Ever demanding is the supply chain of Isengard. Wood, iron or work forces. It doesn't matter what. All flows to that accursed pinnacle. One of those shipments comes from a very unusual place: The shire. The white wizard has taken a liking to the halfling's leaf but also some of the foodstuff. Normally these supply chains were being handled by brigands under the pay of the white hand, with the exception of some half-orc goons. But this time the cargo was different. A certain delicacy was required for the task. It was not often that Isengard required life cargo from so far away.
The goods were all collected in Bree from hobbit traders. The other necessities were gathered from the nearby town of Staddle the night before the journey began. Two hobbit holes were emptied of its inhabitants and put into barrels. It was made to look like just another brigand attack. Most of that wasn't even a lie. The new barrel dwellers were being cared for rather well all things considered. Mostly because none would dare to stand before Saruman with his prize dead. A single cart rode out of town at the break off dawn. The driver was a local lowlife named Clive. About an hour or so later the cart came upon the South-guard ruins where it was greeted by a couple of Half-Orcs and a strange man dressed in grey. The half-orcs had a cart of "confiscated" goods of their own. The company was eventually lead by the old man, eight half-orc guards with their driver and Clive. They set out for Isengard at midday. They planned to be back in a short week.
The road through Minhariath was as silent as predicted. It only took the supply chain three days to reach their destination in Dunland. The settlement of Avardin was a main meeting spot for commerce. At least before the white hand gave the order for the use of Galtrev as a main hub for the industry of Dunland. Still, the goods needed to go to Avardin. The locals greeted the half-orcs with faked smiles. Clive was met with more open arms, when it was discovered that he was a man, not a beast. The old man gave not a single moment of his time to the Dunlanders that went to greet him, almost riding them over with his steed. The old man went to the man that he needed to speak. Man might be too big of a word though.
Tidhelm walked through the village, being told that his contact was at the small arena. The pit was build after the commerce was low and it paid off. Dunlanders came for miles to bet on the fights in this small ring of wooden palisades. Tidhelm found his contact sitting on one of the few stairs that the fighting ring had. A fight would soon start and the crowd was already starting to get riled up for the fight. Tidhelm take the seat next to the half-orc named Luzbug. The half-orc looked to his left giving a snarl to Tidhelm and saying: "they are pitching a bear against a fresh slave next . I bet 50 silver that the bear will skin that boy alive!" Tidhelm responded calmly saying:"I have the goods that you must bring to the Sharky and I put 75 on that slave." The half-orc gave another snarl and he said: "My boys will make sure that his prize reaches him unharmed. You will also loose some silver this day." A young man was being dragged into the pit. The look on his face when he saw the bear was found priceless by both Tidhelm and Luzbug.
The fight barely lasted a minute. The boy's neck got grabbed by the bear. The poor lad couldn't even bring a single blow to the beast. Tidhelm give a snarl of his own and he said to Luzbug: " double my bet on the next man. You get it all if the next contestant fails." The half-orc nodded and replied:"You give your own kind too much credit yet a deal you got." The next contestant seemed to be a man of Rohan. This was greeted by extra cheering of the crowd when he walked into the pit. Some stones were thrown at the man's direction but the hardy man of Rohan was so focused at the task at hand that he didn't even flinched. His fight was more in his favor, besting the bear with only a rather head wound considering what the younger boy got to endure. Nothing about the endeavor could be noted as special save from the reaction of the Rohirim. When the bear was slain with the large crude sword that he used, the man looked around the palisade. He saw Tidhelm sitting there looking at the fight and the man seemed to be in shock again. The same way he was when he entered the pit. Tidhelm only snarled at the man. Tidhelm was far too happy to be bothered by the fighter. He said to the half-orc next to him: "I expect my coin or else it will be your head. Enjoy the last fight and bring the goods to Isengard." Luzbug only nodded, too concerned with finding a way to safe his head. Tidhelm had enough of the fighting and went to find a place to sleep before he headed out tomorrow.
beaten by the roar of a sabre cat. Tidhelm drew his blade and not a moment to soon because the hungry beast had already made five victims before Tidhelm came back to the fighting pit. Apparently the large cat jumped over the palisade, allowing the prisoner that needed to fight to escape. Tidhelm could see some riders already saddling their horses and giving pursuit yet that wasn't the main danger on the mind of the old noble. About a dozen Dunlanders were trying to keep the fanged menace away with their crude spears. They were doing a poor job. Tidhelm quickly stepped in with his sword in his hand, meeting the beast head on. The cat tried to circle around the noble but too little avail. As a last measure the sabre cat tried to prepare himself for what might be his last kill but before his paws could come loose of the ground the beast gave a yelp and fell quickly to the ground. About four arrows pierced the beast. All were fired from the strong bows of the Uruk-hai that stood from a distance. They came closer, accompanied by Luzbug himself. "Told you that my boys could handle it." The half-orc said, "seems we are even now." Tidhelm sheathed his sword looking at Luzbug and saying: "If you think that an overgrown cat could have bested me, than I clearly did something wrong when I shaped you for this world. Now just find me the chieftain of this village, if he is not eaten by the floor rug laying there on the ground." The half-orc nodded and he snarled the orders to his Uruk.
Not soon after two man were being presented before Tidhelm. The chieftain and his shaman. The shaman spoke in the best Westron he could:"Slave bewitched great hunter. He is strong with the great Huntsman. I question him and make talk." The chieftain quickly added: "Such an accident will not happen again. We will raise the palisade three meter if needed and host the biggest fighter in honour of you and your master. Please don't take my head off. My riders are catching the man as we speak for you to speak justice upon." Tidhelm could only be disgusted by the poor excuse of the chieftain and the old noble raised his hand to silence him before he gave away one of his daughter for marriage. Tidhelm spoke in such a commanding tone that even the Uruks that dragged the two in front of the old man were almost trembling: "Bring this man back and deal with him or the Uruks will burn down this whole village with all of your wives and children in it! Now be off!" The two man crawled away in fear and possibly anger, leaving Tidhelm standing alone with some of the Uruks and Luzbug. Tidhelm spoke:"Let two third of your troops take care of the supply chain. Let the others patrol the town. We will not have a repeat of earlier events. I am needed again in the North. Do not disappoint me." Luzburg nodded against Tidhelm. Soon after most of the uruks left with the supplies and the remaining Uruks patrolled around the settlement, to the displeasure of the inhabitants.
Tidhelm rode out with his own half-orc crew and Clive the next morning. Leaving Dunland alone with his refound captive.
