Shadow of Mordor - The Novel

Chapter Thirteen - Hunting Partners

"Maybe not all who wander are lost, Wraith, but we surely are." Talion griped.

It had been days, all spent searching for the blasted Dwarf, that hunter who claimed to know where Celebrimbor's chisel rested.

"We are lost in more ways than one, Talion." Celebrimbor breathed in Talion's mind.

The Ranger grimaced at the reminder of his losses. Talion snapped to attention when he saw a thin column of smoke begin to rise from between two knolls. He had only taken one step before a cry rang out from somewhere nearby. Talion spun around, blinking away the sun and the green grass, and adopting the Wraith's eyes as his own.

"Slaves..." Talion grimaced as he saw the all too familiar outlines of the Uruk slavers. Six Men were chained at the wrists and ankles, forced to march, presumably to a stronghold or mine.

"Keep focus, Talion. Remember your priorities." Celebrimbor said in Talion's mind.

"I cannot abandon them to die. I will not." With that, Talion blinked the darkness away and began sprinting towards the Uruks. He mantled over a large rock, then felt a burst of speed as the unfamiliar muscle memory of an Elven lord took his mind. Talion's boots seemed to repel the ground, forcing him forward faster than any Man had run before. The Uruks didn't have time to react. The Ranger slammed his shoulder into one's chest, cracking his ribs and bowling him over. Talion rolled with the fall, finishing in a crouch before standing up and pulling three ephemeral knives from the air. One, two, three, the dagger whizzed past one Uruk and embedding themselves into the enemy behind him. He coughed, black blood spraying from his mouth as viscous tar filled his lungs. The third Uruk turned just in time to see Talion drawing his sword from the throat of the first Uruk he had hit. The Orc drew his scimitar and charged at Talion, who met his blade with a *clang*. One twist of his sword, and Talion disoriented the Orc just long enough to swing Urfael at the Uruk's legs, sweeping him into the air. Midair, Talion stabbed downward and pierced the Orc's chest driving him down and burying the blade guard deep in the ground through the Uruk. The Ranger turned to the slaves, who were cowering against a large boulder.

"It's alright, you're safe now." Talion knelt and ripped the key off the neck of one of the Uruks before placing it in the hand of the slave at the front of the line.

"Thank you stranger, the Tribesmen of Núrn are in your debt. Go, good sir, I know not your mission, but you've done enough for me and my companions." The Man took the key from Talion and began unlocking the shackles. Talion nodded at the Tribesmen, then turned and jogged back to where he had seen the smoke column. Now a full pillar, he walked towards the fire cautiously, not knowing who may have lit it. As he turned the corner, the only other one there, sitting on a small stool by the fire, was Torvin. He sat shirtless, rubbing a salve on a small gash on his shoulder. The Dwarf turned and smirked at Talion.

"Hope yer not put off by ma wee scars." The Dwarf turned away again, facing the fire, then gestured for Talion to sit beside him.

"No, not at all. I actually have a few of my own." Talion sat down on a nearby log, facing Torvin and the fire.

"Oh ho ho! I'll bet. What type'a battle scars did ya get from tha Black Gate, eh?" Torvin chuckled then turned to look at Talion. "Splinters? Or did ya scar yer voice tellin' yer soldiers ta head into battle?"

"Tread lightly," Talion spoke quickly, any semblance of mercy gone from his eyes, his face becoming as a stone. "My scars run very deep..."

Torvin, for once, was silent. Then, after a few moments, he gestured to a cluster of long, thick scars on his left side. "Tha mighty Graug gave me these. And he also took ma huntin' partner..."

Silence passed as they both stared into the flames. Then, Talion shifted and spoke. "So, what now?"

Torvin scoffed and said, "Well, another lesson fer you, my Cap'n. Maybe ye'll even come outta this one unscarred!" The Dwarf laughed and patted Talion on the shoulder, then walked away, gesturing for Talion to follow.