Chapter 14: Recruiting Soldiers

The next morning, Old Jack spread the word around the village that Kaen was recruiting soldiers.

Upon hearing that a powerful warrior was enlisting fighters, the entire village turned out, curious and excited to see what was going on.

Standing atop a large boulder, Kaen looked down at the gathering crowd of five to six hundred people. Among them, about a third were able-bodied young men—roughly over two hundred.

He organized his thoughts and then raised his voice to speak:

"People of the village, I am Kaen Eowenríel, a warrior from the Eastern Continent. My life's purpose is to defend peace through strength, to drive out evil and darkness, and to forge our own glory with courage."

"My current goal is to purge the darkness within the Troll-woods, to restore its beauty, and ensure that travelers along the Eastern Road may pass safely."

"For that, I need a group of men who stand for justice, who abhor the darkness. I will teach you the art of battle and help you grow strong. I will offer generous pay so that you may live free of worry."

"Those who follow me will receive five silver coins each Month—three gold coins a year. I shall provide weapons and equipment, and ensure you are fed and clothed."

"To become one of my soldiers, you must meet the following conditions: First, you must be of age and in good health. Second, you must be under forty. Third—"

As Kaen spoke, the crowd grew silent, listening intently. When he finished, murmurs and discussions rippled through the crowd.

Among the villagers who met the conditions, some appeared deep in thought, others indifferent, while a few showed visible excitement.

"My lord! I wish to become one of your soldiers!"

One man raised his hand enthusiastically, and soon, many others surged forward to sign up.

The recruitment proceeded smoothly.

After a strict selection process, Kaen gained fifty strong and healthy young men.

Once they had sworn their loyalty, they officially became the second group of warriors under Kaen's command—and were granted a system buff upon induction.

Kaen gave them a day to settle their affairs and make arrangements for their families.

That afternoon, Old Jack approached Kaen.

His weathered face held the weight of age and experience, his eyes cloudy with time. He looked at Kaen and said, "My lord, may I ask you one final question?"

"Please do," Kaen replied without hesitation. "I will answer it with all sincerity."

He knew that if he answered well, what came next could be the beginning of something much bigger.

"What do you think of people like us—those without a lord?"

Those without a lord—people without the protection of a monarch or ruling power. At its core, Old Jack was asking: If we pledge our loyalty to you, how will you treat us?

Kaen did not pause. He looked directly at the old man and declared:

"Still waters carry ships. Turbulent waves can sink even the grandest vessel. I will treat every one of my subjects with kindness. If ever I break this vow, may I be cursed to suffer a fate worse than death."

Old Jack took a deep breath, as though he had finally made a long-delayed decision. He took two steps back and dropped to one knee.

"Then may you remember these words, my lord. I, Jack, along with all 621 souls of this village, pledge ourselves to you. From this day forth—"

And so, Kaen gained his first true subjects.

In the distance, Gandalf sat on the porch, puffing on his pipe, a satisfied smile forming on his weathered face.

"The kingdom has only just begun," Kaen said. "There's still so much to be done. Jack, you are a wise man. As of today, I appoint you Chief Steward of the realm. You will oversee all domestic matters, everything aside from military affairs."

"You'll lead the fifty new recruits and the villagers to the abandoned settlement outside the Troll-woods."

"That place is already guarded by two of my strongest warriors, as well as a skilled healer. Caden and I will continue to recruit more soldiers and settlers. We shall return in half a Month."

Jack bowed low. "I shall carry out your will, my lord. I will not fail the responsibility you have entrusted to me."

Kaen nodded. "I believe in you."

Jack hesitated for a moment before adding, "My lord, if you plan to continue recruiting soldiers and people, would you consider taking my grandson Will with you? I've lived by the river all my life and built up a bit of a reputation. With him by your side, your journey may go more smoothly."

Kaen agreed. "Very well."

…

The next day, Kaen and Caden left the village—accompanied by two more companions.

One was a young lad named Will, Old Jack's grandson. Agile and capable, he had lost his parents to orcs at a young age and harbored a deep hatred for them.

The other was the mysterious grey-robed wizard—Gandalf.

"Kaen," Gandalf spoke, "There's a question I'd like you to answer for me."

"Master Gandalf, whatever it is, just ask. I'll answer honestly and fully."

"Very well. Then allow me to tell you a story."

Leaning on his staff, Gandalf began:

"Far to the east of your homeland, beyond the Misty Mountains and the dark Greenwood, lies a lonely mountain—Erebor. A century ago, it was home to a mortal Dwarven kingdom."

"That kingdom was destroyed by a dragon. The dwarves, led by their king, were scattered. In the battle for Moria, King Thrór was slain. His son, Thrain, took his own son, Thorin, and what remained of their people to the Blue Mountains in the West."

"A century has passed. King Thrain vanished, and Thorin became the leader of the Durinfolk in the Blue Mountains. Under his guidance, the dwarves began to flourish once more."

"But as a prince of Erebor, Thorin carried two great desires: to reclaim Erebor, and to find his missing father. As you may know, dwarves hold family ties sacred."

"Recently, I found him. I told him the time had come to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. We agreed—I would help him find a burglar. This entire expedition I'm organizing is to help the dwarves reclaim Erebor, and to strengthen the northern frontier of the Free Peoples in the East."

"Unfortunately, this was a decision I made on my own. My colleagues in the White Council know nothing of it. If they did… well, I fear I'd be given quite the scolding."

"You, Kaen, are a man of vision—wise beyond your years. So tell me honestly, from an outsider's perspective: was I wrong to do this?"

Hearing this, Kaen understood that Gandalf had already made contact with Thorin and set the wheels of the expedition in motion.

It was now the autumn of the year 2940. By spring of next year, Gandalf would travel to Hobbiton to find Bilbo Baggins and join the dwarves—thus beginning the journey.

The colleagues Gandalf referred to were the members of the White Council, a gathering of powerful beings sworn to protect Middle-earth's peace.

Among them: Gandalf the Grey, Saruman the White, Radagast the Brown, Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien, Lord Elrond of Rivendell, and Círdan the Shipwright.

In the original tale, Gandalf, fearing that the dragon Smaug might ally with the darkness, had hidden his plans from the White Council. He aided Thorin in organizing the quest to reclaim Erebor.

When the dwarf company arrived at Rivendell, Gandalf was indeed chastised by Elrond, Saruman, and Galadriel. Only after revealing the Morgul-blade—proof of darkness's return—was he forgiven.

Thinking of all this, Kaen turned to Gandalf and said firmly:

"Master Gandalf, you were right."