"Keep a close watch on the Wandering Orc groups in the north! Ignore those in the south that can't even cross the river for now!" Roland waved a hand. The Swift River never froze over completely in winter, and massive ice runs came with early spring. If the Orcs tried to cross it, they would be courting death—and they would definitely succeed! Those slabs of ice smashing into people under the current's force would not leave them merely bruised black and blue. More likely, they would end up in pieces scattered east and west!
"Ah, right, Your Majesty. That Gondor force has undergone quite a transformation by now!" Darian Nightblade seemed to recall something and reported to Roland.
"Mm. Denethor II selected all of them from respectable families. With proper training and enough food, turning them into soldiers is not difficult!" Roland waved his hand. They had been good soldier material to begin with. Most of those youths came from free peasant farming families! Tough and resilient—that was their defining trait! Having grown up doing physical labor, they had plenty of strength. After Roland had used those soldiers for a few security campaigns under the guise of official business, the former militiamen had gained confidence through battle.
"The soldiers are good, but the commanders... that's another story! Most Gondor lords are hard to describe, really!" Darian Nightblade said disdainfully.
"Come on! Take a walk with me!" Roland suddenly said.
"Alright!" Darian Nightblade nodded. Other assassins yearned for darkness; only he embraced the light.
"What fine land! What a shame it's been ruined by all that flashy nonsense!" Roland gazed toward the Sea of Rhûn in the distance. The Rhûn region had a warm climate, fertile soil, and flat terrain. Its lush grasslands made it ideal for animal husbandry. Those