Blues in Blue Mountains
Since he done Skunkwood and his cronies in, Tarnon found himself very busy. The hunt for brigands continued, because the flame of vengeance was still burning hot.
Getting rid of smaller bandit groups in the hilly country of Bree took a lot of time and also planning.
The brigands were already aware of the grey hooded avenger. They were elusive and careful. Still Tarn managed to slay or chase away the majority of them. In the end, Sharkeys band was scattered and most of the robber bosses were kicking the bucket.
Connected criminal organizations tried to track and hunt Tarn, but he always showed up suddenly and in same manner disappeared. One attempt was almost successful.
A sword stab from behind the corner missed his abdomen by just two inches. Thanks to his slim stature, Tarnon evaded the strike and sharp daggers quickly punished the sword wielder and from a pirouette also his companion.
Only those, who knew similar ways of stealth learned of him soon. Anyway everybody has to eat, and selling the loot was an important, maybe the only way to get money. So sooner than he would expect, shady traders found him. A quiet, shiny and profitable business was soon established. After a few weeks, Tarn’s counting came with an unpleasant result: the business was profitable only for the buyer. On next appointment, the rogue shortened the shady trader’s body of a tiny bit to teach him a lesson.
In order not to be cheated anymore, Tarn needed to learn very soon of the value of the treasures and gems. He packed his sack and traveled to the core of metal and gem crafting specialists: to the dwarves in Ered Luin.
During the expedition to the west, Tarnon was mostly amazed by beauty of surrounding area. It was so long he didn’t travel. The serenity of the Shire filled his eyes and heart with joy and consolation. When passing through Duillond and Celondim, he was eye-candying everything around him.
The goal was the very capital, Thorin’s hall, where the finest crafters were supposed to dwell. However, already at the first proper dwarven settlement, Gondamon, it seemed there are so many khazâd in dire need. Something was wrong in the whole country, not just Bree. Something was lurking and slowly poisoning everything.
He agreed to help them. Dealing with some Dourhand scum was only the beginning. Sneak into the old ruins and observe. Attack from the shadow, dodge the axe. A sidestep, then a turn followed by a jab in the kidney of the bearded outcast. Job done. But by these tasks he proved himself to the dwarves.
Soon, a dwarf commander enrolled him to help to drive out goblins of a nobody‘s land. Rath Teraig, a nasty ulcer on the beautiful Ered Luin. Goblins! It was hate at first sight. But also a great lesson. His swiftness was not enough for nets and insidious spears thrown from many directions. The first attempt was a failure. He fled wounded and only athelas potion helped him survive. For the second time, he came trained, prepared and encouraged by anger. Deadlier, swifter and ruthless, Tarnon was finally victorious. Goblins' croaking talk turned to death rattle.
Helping the dwarves earned him money, more scars and a granted him a name among them. So when he arrived at Thorin’s hall, the crafters already heard of the silent, slim goblin slayer. It seemed that they didn't care about his scary, hurt voice. They were flattered by the fact he wants to learn more of precious metals and showed him, what it means to be a journeyman. Quartz, opal, flaw, tweezers… things he never heard of became his reality. Tarnon plunged into jewellery and soon started to love this craft.
But the yell in his dreams still went on…
