How does a lord manage to remain completely unaware of his own domain's foreign trade routes?
"Didn't they arrive with your escort?" Ecthelion asked in return, his brow furrowing with confusion.
Levi considered this carefully. "Highly unlikely. I traveled south from Dale through Mordor's northern Black Gate."
Only he possessed the capability for such a journey. Anyone else attempting to get within even distant sight of the Black Gate would literally be torn apart by savage orc patrols.
Mordor's orc forces showed no discrimination when selecting victims. Sometimes even their own supply convoys carrying valuable goods would get partially stripped and looted if the group lacked a sufficiently intimidating captain to maintain order.
"Alright, fair enough."
Levi decided to abandon this line of inquiry for now. Since the caravan had clearly arrived safely, they must have discovered their own methods and routes.
"Where are they stationed? I'd like to take a look at this mysterious trade mission."
"At the northern market on the first level, near the main fountain plaza."
"I'll return shortly."
Temporarily bidding farewell to his companions in the council hall, Levi directly equipped his elytra wings and leaped boldly from Minas Tirith's highest level.
Ecthelion and Thengel rushed forward in alarm to peer over the edge, then both raised their heads skyward as explosive firework sounds erupted overhead.
"Swift as an eagle in flight," Thengel muttered with amazement.
Watching Levi soar gracefully through the afternoon air, the two men exchanged bewildered glances, momentarily rendered speechless by the spectacular display.
In just the few seconds they'd looked away to catch their breath, when they searched the sky again, Levi's distinctive form had mysteriously vanished from sight.
"Were those actually wings he was wearing?"
"No, the apparatus looked more like specially treated cloth panels. How did he achieve flight with such simple equipment?"
"Probably magical enhancement of some kind."
"That explanation makes perfect sense."
Ecthelion filed away this remarkable scene in his memory for future reference. The next time he encountered that grey-robed wizard who occasionally visited Gondor, perhaps he could inquire whether such flight was possible through wizardry.
...
Upon reaching the bustling market district, Levi immediately spotted his objective among the merchant stalls.
He was intimately familiar with the distinctive banner raised high above that particular cart in the market's central area. The flag itself bore no elaborate heraldic markings, just a single name embroidered in bold letters: 'Levi.'
This was exactly what he'd personally commissioned and signed years ago during Roadside Keep's early establishment.
However...
Standing at an elevated vantage point and observing the wagon completely surrounded by dense crowds packed so tightly that not even water could leak through the gaps, Levi felt a genuine headache developing.
No wonder Ecthelion had mentioned that shopping expeditions could prove troublesome affairs.
This particular caravan seemed excessively popular with local residents. Nearly everyone in the entire market had congregated around these foreign traders, which raised an obvious question: where had all the regular vendors disappeared to?
Seeing that waiting patiently for the crowds to disperse probably wouldn't provide him any opportunity even after a full day had passed, Levi sighed with resignation and reluctantly decided to join the pressing throng.
"Excuse me, please allow me to pass through..."
At the crowd's outer perimeter, Levi raised his voice while gently but persistently pushing inward. Thanks to his netherite armor's supernatural properties, even when surrounded by people pressing from all directions, not a single person could budge his position. He moved steadily toward the center like an immovable mountain, calm and unstoppable in his progress.
"Who's pushing so rudely from behind! I advise you to wait in proper queue order, or I'll demonstrate how this vegetable basket feels against your thick skull... oh, oh my stars, please proceed immediately, my lord..."
An elderly woman had been voicing complaints about the jostling, but when she turned around to confront the offender, her heart nearly leaped from her chest. The sight before her almost triggered a cardiac episode.
Was I being far too presumptuous with my words?
Though this worried thought crossed her mind, the legendary figure she'd just scolded clearly harbored no offense over such trivial matters. He even steadied her arm gently to prevent her from falling due to the shock of recognition.
After the woman recovered her composure, the corners of her mouth practically reached toward the sky with pure joy.
I touched him! I actually made physical contact with his armor!
"My apologies for the disturbance. I need to reach the interior to examine their goods."
"No problem whatsoever! Please proceed without delay!"
The passage proved remarkably smooth once Levi's identity became apparent. People ahead voluntarily created space for his movement. The entire market fell into respectful quiet for several moments, until Levi climbed aboard one of the cargo wagons, after which normal trading chatter gradually resumed.
"My lord! It's truly Lord Levi himself!"
From quite a distance across the market square, the caravan's leader spotted his elusive lord pushing through the assembled crowds.
"I genuinely didn't expect your travels could extend to such distant territories."
Levi examined the trade goods displayed on the cart with pleasant surprise and growing appreciation.
An impressive variety of fine merchandise was arranged here, all recognizable specialties from Roadside Keep's various workshops and farms.
These sturdy cargo wagons could transport significantly more inventory than his personal backpack and ender chest storage combined.
"My lord, we received reports of your presence in this region several days ago during our journey. But we never dared hope you'd actually be here when we arrived."
The caravan leader shared Levi's sense of delighted surprise at this unexpected reunion.
Who could have predicted they'd actually encounter their famously elusive lord during this expedition? Such meetings were extraordinarily rare events.
Their lord had once observed that traveling to sufficiently distant places would inevitably lead to encountering magical experiences. This statement now proved remarkably accurate.
After all, hadn't they encountered the lord himself? How much more magical could circumstances become?
"First Caravan Leader Charlie offers respectful greetings!"
"Indeed, you've undertaken difficult work reaching this destination. How did you manage the journey?"
"Not particularly difficult labor, my lord. We simply followed established main roads wherever possible. Oh, and we owe tremendous gratitude to our apprentice Ranger squads patrolling the wilderness alongside their supervising Ranger instructors. They took turns clearing potential obstacles and threats along our route. Those warriors performed the truly challenging work."
"My lord!"
At that moment, two young men approached with obvious excitement, waving enthusiastically at Levi's elevated position.
"Apprentice Rangers Algier and Arvin offer greetings!"
Both bowed with genuine enthusiasm, their faces displaying pure smiles radiating the distinctive vitality and energy that belonged uniquely to youth.
Their infectious spirits lifted Levi's own mood considerably.
"Excellent work. You both appear quite spirited and healthy."
He jumped down from the cart, placing encouraging hands on both young men's shoulders. "How has the apprenticeship training progressed? Have you encountered any significant difficulties during your assignments?"
This question immediately animated both apprentices, their eyes lighting up with stories to share.
"We encountered Barrow-wights and nearly perished in the ancient woods near those cursed burial mounds, my lord. That first enemy you faced during your early adventures proved incredibly challenging to defeat. We attempted every technique in our training, but couldn't overcome the creature's supernatural defenses."
The two earnest young men eagerly described their harrowing experience: seeking shelter from rain in a remote village, discovering a cursed child among the residents, then tracking and attempting to confront the Barrow-wight responsible.
"Fortunately, Instructor Falodan arrived in time to preserve our lives."
"I should have provided specific warnings about those particular entities. Barrow-wights aren't opponents that ordinary warriors can handle safely."
Levi responded with knowing chuckles, though his eyes narrowed slightly with growing irritation.
Those accursed Barrow-wights still dare emerge to harm innocent people? They're actively asking for severe punishment.
"Yes, Instructor Falodan emphasized identical warnings. Next time we encounter Barrow-wights, we won't act without assembling at least five experienced warriors."
"Wise policy. But even with superior numbers, constant vigilance remains essential. You cannot relax your guard for even a single moment when facing such supernatural threats."
"Understood completely!"
Both apprentice Rangers absorbed this counsel with serious attention.
"Incidentally, why did you choose to accompany this trading caravan? Logic suggests this should be an evaluation period for your apprenticeship completion."
"Our apprenticeship training has indeed been successfully completed."
One explained with obvious pride: "Under our instructors' expert guidance, these past months we've participated in over ten raids and frontal engagements of varying scales. The orc populations at South Downs have been completely eliminated."
"Later we encountered this caravan on the Greenway. They'd never ventured into these southern regions before and required experienced guides."
"So we volunteered to escort them safely to their destination."
"I understand the situation now."
Two Rangers reasonably familiar with southern Eriador's road conditions, combined with the caravan's regular security guards and covert protection from additional Rangers and apprentice Rangers, would indeed provide sufficient safety for such an expedition.
However, Roadside Keep's direct influence extended only throughout Eriador. Beyond that realm, countless dangers could manifest without warning.
Yet these two young apprentices had demonstrated remarkable courage and competence...
Daring to challenge supernatural Barrow-wights in order to save a cursed child near Bree, participating in over ten military engagements alongside experienced Rangers, then serving as guides and scouts to escort a merchant caravan through various perilous territories all the way to Gondor itself...
Levi gestured with obvious approval: "Outstanding performance. Algier and Arvin, correct? I'll ensure you both receive extra credit recognition when you return to Roadside Keep."
"Thank you, Lord Levi!"
Both young men suddenly shouted with tremendous volume, their excitement and gratitude echoing across the entire market square.