When the summer ended, so did our luck it seems. We did well last year, our trading had brought us one of the highest profit in years. But our endeavor to northern lands seemed to turn into one of our biggest mistakes. We lost a lot of goods, time and almost our lives. You could imagine how glad we were to enter Thorin’s halls again, but we found no joy here. The words of war are still ringing in my ears. We are at war. Thogen had to repeat it again to made me realize how grave our position is. Soon the trade routes will be cut off by the evil stirring in Sarnur. Thogen relies on us to bring him supplies, but what can we do? If the only road towards Thorins gate will be overrun we can but sit and await our fate here.
My father and I had a long discussion, will we pick up arms and join the ranks? We attended not a lot of drills nor are we very disciplined forming ranks and the military code. Our talk was almost to end in nothing but despair. Until we met Master Bolin who was on the mend from his broken leg. He looked as sour as we did and told us he decided to leave Thorin’s halls before it was too late. He was about to travel light and leave for Bree. Our discussion continued as we spoke in length about the formation of the Durin’s folk Trading Company and how this will unite all dwarrow traders of the west. Bolin will sit it out in Bree and await whatever fate awaits these halls. Preposterous! We will never abandon our kin, nor do we lose fate in the strength of our military! Then Bolin gave us a marvelous idea, he mentioned this remote outpost Othrikar where he used to run caravans to. It’s a an old mining outpost, in poor shape, yet resources and supplies can be found there should the roads of Ered Luin no longer be safe. Bolin was in a rush to leave the halls with a bunch of other deserters, they hurried down the road out of sight.
If we are to be of any use we should leave our beloved halls before the end of the week. Let us hope it is not too late by then. We should apply for a position in Othrikar, Im sure we can meet any requirements the military may have once we are there. At least, it’s better to sit out here and wait till my beard touches the stone floor. I will start writing my application right away.
Nervously Hilfar walked in circles before the main hall of the Durin’s Folk Trading Company. He had send in his application to join the trading company and a request to get a job in the office of Othrikar. The more profound members of the trade company were now discussing important matters and maybe also his application. These members were dwarrows who owned a great amount of wealth either by a heritage or hard work. The doors were closed, and all sound from their meeting was blocked. Hilfar told himself that they would never agree to his proposal, why would they? I am but a mere potion maker, nobody of importance.
The door slowly opened and a dwarf clothed in a long blue robe walked up to Hilfar “Please enter, they are expecting you”. Hilfar followed and entered the meeting hall. It was rather cold and candle braziers lit the dark hall. In the middle stood a large oval shaped stone table with a dozen chairs around it. Most of the trade officials were of older age, their beards had many colours. Half of them were bright grey of age, but Hilfar spotted a firebeard among them and a stern looking black beard. Hilfar noticed that most of them had expensive rings with precious gemstone inlay and jewels in their beards of unmatched value. One of the elders stood up with a grey beard that nearly touched the ground. He had a friendly face and very bushy eyebrows, he opened his hand and beckoned Hilfar to come closer “welcome Hilfar son of Ullfar, welcome to the meeting of our Trading Company”. Hilfar bowed politely and the elder beard continued “ my name is Dár and this is…” Dár started to introduce all the trade officials, Hilfar forgot most of the names after mentioning except of the black beard which was introduced last “… and finally Ravnur Blackbraid.” Ravnur stared at Hilfar with a hateful eye.
Dár continued “ Firstly I want to thank you showing interest in joining the trade company, we have evaluated your application to take up responsibility at Othrikar”. Hilfar stood nailed to the ground trying to hide his insecurity, only speaking when spoken to. Dár smiled “Othrikar has seen better days and has suffered from our neglect, after many troubles with raided caravans and Dourhand intrusion, Othrikar has become dysfunctional”. Ravnur grumbled and his cold stare was broken for a moment. Dár smiled at Hilfar “We discussed your application and delved into your family history and found out you are a descendent from Falnar Goldsmith of the line of the Ironhammer. This works in your favor as Falnar surely would have set around this table should he still have lived. Secondly, the Uzbad Duinn has recommended you on the job who is a taken in high regard by most dwarrows here. And at last your devotion to the life of trade and hard work as a potion maker proved your determination”. Dár reached for a sealed letter inside his robes and walked up to Hilfar, he handed him the letter which he took with a warm smile “Congratulations master Hilfar, you application is granted by the majority of this Trading Company”. All dwarrows stood up and clapped their hands, except for Ravnur.
Ravnur stood up and smacked his fist hard on the stone table “Enough with this display, you will hand the key to Othrikar to a mere potion brewer! Are you out of your mind!?”. Dár turned to Ravnur “Please calm down, your point was made earlier but this council has decided, please take your peace with it”. Ravnur his face turned red as he gnarshed his teeth “Othrikar is a ruin! You are all fools to think it can be reinstalled! You will send this foolish runt to his death!” The other dwarrows balded their fists and were enraged, all were shouting around the table. Dár raised his hand “Enough!”. Ravnur Blackbraid marched out of the room throwing an ill look at Hilfar as he left. Dár turned to Hilfar again “Forgive this display, may it shed no illness on your new job, we wish you all the best with the faring at Othrikar, may Mahal shield you from unwanted eyes”. Hilfar bowed deeply “I thank you, keep an eye to the south as within two moons a new caravan from Othrikar will arrive in Thorin’s halls once more”. Hilfar bowed again and left the hall.
The door closed behind him and he peered in the dark hall hoping not to bump into Ravnur. He walked through the dark corridor but the door open again and heard someone follow him. One of the elders from the trade company followed him, it was Ásfinnur. This dwarf had a silver grey beard, and his face was full of wrinkles. His deep voice asked Hilfar “walk with me young master, just for a while”. Ásfinnur slided silently beside Hilfar and waited a while before speaking “It is a word of caution and a warning that I bring”. Ásfinnur finally looked Hilfar in the eye “Our friend Ravnur’s behavior was not without reason, without proof to my claim, I believe Ravnur has ties with the Dourhands.” Ásfinnur looked around him and continued “Your wish to go to Othrikar has greatly upset him, I expect the Dourhands near Othrikar may know of your arrival long before you set foot in the North Downs.” Ásfinnur grabbed Hilfars shoulder tightly “Take care and travel unseen, Mahal keep you safe brother”. Hilfar bowed in respect towards Ásfinnur, before he walked out of Thorin’s halls.
