We were up at Carver Leechers, men and boys from all over Bree. Thornley, Thistlebrush, Thistles, Ironguts, Hunters, Skinners..Not men of much wealth, but upstanding Bree men. I stood in the center of the room, pacing as I took a moment to look at each man, "For months, Caravans have been raided by the new host, of Southrons. Poor blokes that have occupied parts of our peaceful land." I started, pausing. They all had their arms crossed, The Skinner lad leaned forward though, eyeing me.
"They've taken Dogwoods farm. And the Old Sweetgrass. They've even assaulted the Quince Farm. Friends, brothers. We are a peaceful people, dealing with a harsh foe. A harsh foe we must beat bloody, and chase out of our land." I said, as I looked at them, I cleared my throat, "The Watch has posted up bounties, amounting to several thousand silver. Bounties. Coin that can be put toward hiring more Watchmen. Coin that can be put toward arms and armour for the folk. Coin to feed our hungry, and clothe our sick. Coin to benefit Bree. Instead, in the pockets of foreign sell swords and bounty hunters. Now is the sign of a prudent measure? Armed camps right outside our town, and we give such bounties?!" he said, the men started to nod with approval, their brows creasing with anger, "Are we to sit back, and let this lazy Watch put extortionate bounties on all the brigands?! Because if we can not defend our own land, lads, we do not deserve it!"
"Our farms stolen, our crops feeding our foe, and the poor growing ever poor as the price for stale bread matches that of a cow! Our women raped, and killed. Are we to allow this? Do you want your wives to end up as my damned Milly?!" I roared at them, axe in hand, crusted with the old blood of a Southron. The men were shouting now, anger, except for one, a concerned greybeard. He stood up, raising his hand, "And, how many of you, will die in your fight, Cutting? How many of our boys won't see twenty, won't see marriage, won't see babes? How many woman will you widow?" he asked sternly. He pointed a shaking finger at me, "I knew you since you were a lad. Seen you grow into the..the..thing you are now." he finished, sitting down. His talk has calmed down the rancor that swept up moments ago. I stepped forward to look at each man, before resting my gaze on the old man, "One of the scholars told me, 'I never knew a war where one side bled.'" I said, breathing in deeply through my nose, "I won't lie, some of us might die. We all might." I looked at each man, "But we die fighting a foriegn foe, who comes for plunder. Who chokes Bree with his..Siege camps." I said loudly, pointing the head of my axe toward the window, "To the north, rumor of Orcs spread. How soon will we have to wait until Bree is awash in foes? We must act now." I said simply, sighing, "Now who is with me?"
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Yea, me too."
The old man stared at me for a long moment, "If you find a smith, you have my forge." he said, shaking his head.
