Faramir carefully followed a group of people, his dark gray cloak perfectly blending his figure with the shadows everywhere in the alley, and his steps were light and made almost no sound.
In addition, the rare moonless night also gave him great cover, so much so that the four villains and highwaymen whom Aratu and Nolatu had met at the Prancing Horse Inn did not even notice that they were being followed. . They cursed, pulled the purchased food and beer in a cart, and walked out from the east gate of Bree. The guards did not even dare to ask too many questions.
Because these villains all had knives and horns hanging on their waists, and their eyes were filled with evil. And, most importantly, the guards knew that these villains might still have connections with their boss.
"I always feel that life will not be peaceful." A guard complained to his colleagues: "Now even these robbers and bandits can swagger in and out of the town, making people who live an honest and peaceful life frightened." He has a red dog. He has a rosy nose, neither tall nor short, and his upper body, which is not strong, is covered with a half-worn leather armor. Underfoot is a pair of black boots.
"Shut up, red-nosed Hasni." The colleague said: "The boss and their leader often drink together. If you don't want to lose this job, just stick to your post. We can't control other things, and we don't have any responsibility." Ability governs.”
But Hasni still muttered his dissatisfaction, saying that the roads in the south had become more dangerous and there were fewer merchants, which meant that his 'tips' had also become less. He also said that someone was robbed somewhere and there was blood. "If you ask me, we should have joined the command of His Majesty in the north. At least with his protection, we would never have such frightening days!" Hasni, who had a rosy nose, complained.
"Bree has never been ruled by a 'king'." Colleagues said: "The elders of Achet, Coombe Village and Steddo Village rule this area, even when the kings are still there, it has not changed! "
"They won't allow a 'king' to suddenly fall from above." The guard seemed to find it boring just to stand, so he couldn't help but say a few more words: "Those who collect taxes by themselves and are free are no better than those who are controlled by the king." Is legal restraint coming? Hum, I heard that far to the east of the mountain, across the palace of the legendary Elf King, a king was elected in the former Changhu Town, but look at their days How are you doing? I heard a nephew of my cousin's nephew's friend say some time ago: Rovanian is even more chaotic. Those guys riding chariots from the east and River Valley City--hum, that's Changhu Town. Many wars broke out between those guys and the king under the mountain, and their king even died in the battle. The humans fled into the legendary dwarf kingdom under the mountain, like stray dogs."
"And those guys on horses in the south have almost lost their king's residence. Those legendary noble people have even died, and their lives are not as good as ours!"
Hasni's eyes widened in surprise, and his big red nose became more vivid in the dim firelight: "Really? Why are there fewer businessmen coming from the east and south?" The timid guard seemed to really see When various ferocious and violent aliens speaking different languages, brandishing swords and crossbows, and driving huge carriages, rushed towards him, he couldn't help but tremble and said: "Oh my God, this is too scary. . How could this world become like this?"
"Humph." The guard who was more informed raised his chin proudly, as if this kind of thing made him very proud, and he said: "So, compared with them, those small-scale roadblocks and robberies are not at all It's worth mentioning." He glanced at the frightened red-nosed Hasni and whispered: "And we are hiding in the town, they can't do anything to us. Our captain has contact with their leader, they won't Attack Bree...who!"
The talkative guard was surprisingly alert, and he nervously pointed his spear in the direction of the town. Hasni also hurriedly looked into the darkness.
Faramir walked out of the shadows, his face hidden under his hood: "I. A poor wandering man." He raised his hands to show that he meant no harm.
But the guard was still surprised and asked with a hint of caution: "Why are you still wandering out so late at night? Can't the food and beer at the Prancing Pony Inn make you nostalgic?"
But Faramir walked over quickly and said nonchalantly but with a hint of no-nonsense: "The stars are good tonight. I just want to go for a walk. As for where to go, I don't think it has anything to do with you."
"It doesn't matter to us, sir, but we have to ask anyway," said the guard. He was more diligent than interrogating those thieves who had previously blocked his way.
"So you asked now," Faramir said. He began to put his hands on his waist, and the momentum from the mountain of corpses and sea of blood rushed towards his face. "Now, open the door, guard."
Hasni and his companions couldn't help but take a step back and said in fear: "Okay, sir. This is just our duty, please don't blame."
They opened the closed door and their attitude became more pliant than ever before.
Faramir could barely suppress a groan. But...the glare in Faramir's eyes dissipated, and he quickly walked out of the thick log door. The bonfire beside the guard post illuminated his cheeks slightly.
Suddenly, Faramir stopped, turned around and said to the guard: "Maybe my companions will come to me after a while. If possible, I hope you can tell me that I went northeast."
"Of course." Hasni and his companions nodded hurriedly. "My lord."
Faramir quickly and secretly escaped into the shadows of the wild. He was no longer the prince of Gondor, and this was not his beloved old home. He had no choice but to sigh inwardly at the guard's negligence.
After confirming that the mysterious and feared wanderer had left, Hasni and his companions breathed a sigh of relief. "The direction he mentioned." Hasni hesitated and couldn't help but say.
"Shut up." The companion snapped: "Do your job, Hasni. Your tongue has caused us enough trouble tonight. Don't let me hear another word from you."
"But you obviously said more than me." The red-nosed Hasni said aggrievedly.
The companion almost wanted to hit him on the head.
In fact, they all knew what direction the mysterious wanderer was talking about. The highway robbers, thugs, and bandits who were carrying food and drinks had left in the northeast direction.
Thinking of the amazing aura of the mysterious Wanderer, Bree's east gate guards always felt that they were in big trouble.
They stood guard uneasily for a while. As a result, three unexpected people were welcomed again.
"Gentlemen, perhaps you saw a man in a cloak going out from here. He is my companion. Can you tell me which direction he went?"
The tall man wearing the same cloak as the previous wanderer hid his face under the hood. Hasni and his companions only saw the thick beard under his chin and the swords under their cloaks.
"He went northeast." His companion replied quickly, and Hasni opened the door flatteringly.
"He didn't lie." The second cloaked mysterious visitor said. His voice was almost the most beautiful that Hasni and his companions had ever heard. It seemed to have magic power, and it seemed like starlight was flowing, making people stop and listen. .
As a result, Hasni and his companions knew almost immediately that they were extremely noble people, and might even be the legendary elves.
They lowered their heads in fear and said, "The Bree people may be ignorant and greedy, but they will never lie to you and your companions."
But at that time, Aratu did not look at them again. Because he found that most people here are filled with money and lies. Maybe occasionally they will find their conscience, but they will eventually become corrupt. But he won't reject them, he just doesn't love them that much.
Yes.
They were followed closely by Aratu, Noratu, and Boromir.
After that night, the twins also told some of their stories in general. They claimed that they were out for fun, but they deviated a little from the planned route. But Boromir and Faramir, who have been through life for more than ten years, easily guessed the truth hidden by the young princes.
But none of them revealed it.
Because they didn't know whether this was allowed by His Majesty. Boromir simply said: "Reckless and thoughtless behavior is extremely foolish, Your Highness. The wild is much more dangerous than the elves' legends say."
"Maybe. But we can protect ourselves." Nolatu said, his young face full of vigor. He persuaded Boromir and his brothers to do him a favor, "I heard a dangerous name at the Prancing Pony Inn, Khamul!" he said: "If the men of Gondor remember this name, know that, This is one of Sauron’s minions.”
A flash of sadness flashed through the brothers' sharp eyes as they thought of their grandfather. Thinking of it, the fall of the Hurin family most likely stemmed from one of the Nine Rings of Humanity - Ecthelion was dead, and Adrasil's oath ended in another way. He told his brother the truth of the matter. Only then did Boromir and Faramir realize that their family actually had such a dark history.
"Yes, we remember." Boromir said sadly: "There are always records of Nazgûl in the royal family's secret volumes. There is a black knight among the enemies who are chasing us, but I am not sure whether he is It’s Khamul.”
"Ordinary humans will not know this name. Their short lives prevent them from recording the history of long ago. The only possibility is that they are all Sauron's minions." Young Nolatu became serious, but there was a difficult look on his face. The majesty of the words, "We need to know what they have up their sleeves."
"But human towns have many eyes and ears. If we attack them here, it will definitely attract the attention of the Black Knight." Aratu said.
Faramir thought for a while and said: "We can lead them into the wild, or wait for them to leave Bree and follow them quietly. I have a hunch that our conversation will definitely alert the enemies in the shadows, because they can speak Elvish. There are not many humans.”
When Aratu and Noratu heard this, they immediately understood that Denethor's sons were trying to persuade them, intending to make them act more cautiously in the future.
The twins were grateful and happy. They said, "This is a wise man's advice. A true friend would not say this."
But the plan went a little awry, and the enemy was more alert than they expected. Those gangsters and villains left Bree that night. But fortunately, their base seems to be not far from here. Because the next day, Faramir discovered some sneaky people coming to buy a certain amount of food and drink.
So, Faramir, who was the most experienced in tracking and sneaking among them, immediately followed - Aratu and Noratou were still too young, and they were temporarily unable to do this job.
They followed the marks left by Faramir and the flickering wheel marks on the ground to the east of Mount Bree.
Behind a jungle, they found Faramir, who had been lurking for a long time.
Faramir pointed to a cave on the mountain col and said to them: "Their stronghold is in the mountain. There is only one path leading to the cave above, and the entrance to the cave is guarded. It is almost difficult not to alert them."
Aratu and Nolatu looked up and saw a cave between the dark mountains, two people high and three people wide, lit by fire. The thieves' slang and rude yells could be heard inside.
The two guards holding scimitars and bows and arrows stood boredly at the entrance of the cave, their eyes wandering around, and their ears pricked up, listening to the happy sounds of their companions eating and drinking inside.
"How many are they?" asked Boromir.
"Seventy or more." Faramir said: "The cave is very deep, and I cannot see all the people clearly, but judging from the food they purchased, they must be quite numerous."
"I can't feel the breath of the Black Knight, he's not here." Nolatu closed his eyes, listened carefully to the sound in the wind, then stroked a small tree next to him, and said, "All the trees here are here. Said I didn’t see those terrifying shadows.”
Boromir and the others were surprised, but thinking that the twins inherited half of the elven blood, they seemed to think it was natural.
"Then we'd better not waste time." Aratu said: "I have a hunch that the enemy has been alerted, and he must have taken action in advance!"
"Then that's it!" The silver-haired Nolatu drew out his sword Ringir, "I hope the enemy chiefs here know their whereabouts and purpose."
He rushed up the path bravely.
Behind him, the other twin also drew his sword and followed closely.
Seeing this, Boromir and Faramir could only rush forward. It happened that at this time, a large cloud came from the sky, covering the hills even deeper.
The twins' steps were as nimble as deer's, and they ran so swiftly and lightly that the paths in the mountain stream could hardly hinder them. The dark night gave them natural cover, and the guards above did not notice them immediately.
By the time they reacted, it was already too late.
"Enemy attack," the guard with the bow and arrow shouted. As Faramir ran, he drew an arrow from his quiver and shot him dead with one arrow. The remaining guard turned around in horror and tried to run away.
But at this time, Nolatu had already rushed up the mountain col. Linjir, who was as beautiful as a cold star and had a shining sword, cut off the head of the escaping guard with a sword.
The elder brother, Aratu, opened his mouth and faced the cave, and there was a brilliant dragon flame! As a result, a shrill scream suddenly sounded, startling countless birds.
Boromir and Faramir stopped abruptly to avoid being accidentally hurt.
