"Not taking things seriously in peacetime leads to major losses in actual combat. That's exactly you two."
The century-old young Ranger Halbarad lectured earnestly. The two trainee Rangers kept their eyes down, remaining silent.
"Next time you encounter monsters like barrow-wights, remember not to act rashly when your party has fewer than five people. First seek support in the area."
"Understood." Both replied.
"Good." Halbarad nodded, forgiving their recklessness.
He continued: "If I'm not mistaken, you're headed to report at the Ranger outpost in the South Downs, correct?"
"Yes."
"I'm heading back there too. Follow me."
"Please wait."
Just as Halbarad was about to turn and lead the way, one spoke up: "Could we wait a moment? There's still one matter unfinished."
"What matter?"
"A child in the village."
...
In the pitch-black village, only one house still showed light. A hunched figure paced within, checking the bed one moment, peering out the door the next.
Finally, as the candle was about to burn out again, three figures approached. Two were the familiar Rangers; the third was unfamiliar, leaving no impression.
"This is our instructor."
Upon entering, the two immediately introduced him.
"Instructor?"
"Yes, the one who teaches us techniques and trains us."
"The monster from earlier has been eliminated by us and our instructor. Don't worry. It won't come for Pete again."
The old man's face lit up with joy.
"Wonderful! I knew it. You look like skilled fighters. That monster wouldn't gain any advantage from you."
Hearing this, both Rangers showed some awkwardness on their faces. Halbarad glanced at them but maintained his usual silence.
"Thank you, truly. Thank you."
The old man bowed, then called into the house:
"Phil, quickly bring fresh towels for our guests!"
"Have you eaten tonight? There's still fresh meat and vegetables in the cupboard, plus some wine I've been saving..."
"No need."
One replied: "We just wanted to check on Pete's condition."
"If he's recovered, we're in a hurry to get elsewhere."
"Very well."
The old man agreed and led the three to Pete's bedside. The poor child still lay unconscious, though his condition looked much improved. Not as severe as before.
"Still some aftereffects, but nothing life-threatening."
Halbarad crouched by the bed for a look, then pulled out the Athelas he'd gathered earlier and handed it to the old man:
"Dry this herb, then steep it in hot water. The aroma it releases will dispel the curse lingering on this child."
"I understand."
The old man carefully stored the Athelas as if this common herb were some worldly treasure.
With matters here concluded, the three donned their cloaks, pulled up their hoods, and continued eastward through the heavy rain.
"So strange."
On the road, one trainee Ranger said: "Why would a barrow-wight actively attack a village? If every barrow-wight did this, wouldn't all of Bree-land have been uninhabited long ago?"
"Who knows?" the other muttered.
"This village's location isn't very good."
Halbarad, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
"It's caught between the Barrow-downs and South Downs. Barrow-wights appearing here is quite normal."
Normal? Not really.
After reminding the two, Halbarad fell silent again without further explanation. It truly wasn't normal.
For decades, most barrow-wights had obediently stayed in the Barrow-downs, rarely approaching human settlements. At most they'd wander into the Old Forest. Then they'd be driven out by that mysterious presence within.
Barrow-wights generally only operated within their territory unless driven by something. Driven...
They were summoned by the Witch-king's dark magic. Generally, only the Witch-king or other Nazgûl could directly command them.
This was worth noting.
The path from the village to the nearest South Downs outpost wasn't far. Soon, the three stood beneath a not-very-tall tree.
Creak.
A wooden panel opened, revealing a downward passage. Led by Halbarad, the three descended in turn.
"Wow..."
The two trainee Rangers exclaimed in wonder. The square space, support pillars in Roadside Keep's style, warm glowstone, and various familiar facilities.
"Just like being home."
"These are the two late newcomers?"
Upon landing, a Ranger approached.
"Yes!"
The two rather disheveled young men immediately stood at attention and declared loudly:
"Roadside Keep trainee Rangers reporting for duty!"
"Good spirit, though your condition doesn't look very healthy."
The Ranger said: "I should punish your tardiness, but weather is always unpredictable. The fault isn't yours. This time you're excused."
Speaking thus, the Ranger suddenly frowned slightly.
"You look injured. What happened?"
"They were harmed by a barrow-wight."
Halbarad stepped forward to explain.
"Barrow-wight."
The Ranger repeated, changing his attitude: "I'm glad you returned intact, lads."
"But in this condition, you can't participate in upcoming operations."
"Go rest. There's a strike plan against orcs in a week. I hope to see you then."
"Yes!"
Having given instructions, the Ranger departed. The two trainee Rangers relaxed.
Halbarad pointed in one direction: "You can rest at those bunks over there. There's water nearby and some Roadside Keep wine, though I don't recommend drinking much. It won't help your injuries."
"Go on, rest well and gather strength for coming battles."
"I wouldn't want Levi returning to find two trainee Rangers lost, especially from the first batch. If that happened, knowing his temperament, he might well cut a path from South Downs to the White Mountains."
Watching these two reckless newcomers, Halbarad sighed. These boys were quite like their lord in temperament. Seeing injustice, they'd charge in without question, asking neither cause nor reward, just rushing forward.
Unfortunately, they had their lord's disposition but lacked Levi's strength. Such green potatoes needed proper tempering. Lest they sprout poisonous shoots.
Having made final arrangements and preparing to leave for his own tasks, suddenly two pairs of curious eyes blocked Halbarad's path.
"Instructor, are you very familiar with our lord?"
"I suppose. Why?"
"Just curious. We haven't seen our lord for several months. Could we ask where he's gone?"
Sigh.
Thinking of Levi's movements, Halbarad couldn't help sighing again. That Levi. Every time he left, he'd just give a simple greeting and run off. Come and go as he pleased.
Most people didn't even know what he was doing. Couldn't he learn from other lords? Hold meetings before departing to explain the itinerary and timeline, arrange all pending work, bring some attendants...
Forget it. He'd probably never do such things. But even so, everyone in the territory had grown accustomed to Levi's impromptu travels.
Asked for reasons, one could only say, "Well, he's Levi. He does what he wants."
Levi's itinerary wasn't exactly secret. Of course, if a stranger asked, Halbarad would definitely detain and interrogate them about their purposes.
But Roadside Keep's sprouts were trustworthy. Halbarad spoke with a hint of complaint:
"He said the territory couldn't lack something called 'watermelon,' dumped a pile of tasks on me, and ran south."
"This includes your internship."
"I hope he returns soon, or that road's completion will be delayed further."
"Everyone's waiting for him."