Shadow of Mordor - The Novel

Chapter 3 - The Spirit Of Mordor

Night had fallen, and Talion was exploring the outskirts of the massive fortress known as Durthang, when he heard a strange voice call out to him.

"Over here Ranger! Don't tell me you're scared?"

Talion stalked over to the strange voice, finding an Orc tied up to a post, calling out to him. He was scrawny, a small and weak Orc, with a pockmarked face and a crooked nose. His beard was black and coarse, and his pointed ears were pierced with heavy iron rings.

"Ranger! Come close if you want the Black Hand!" The Orc cried out to Talion. "Those slave scum are pouring poison in your ear! Oh, but you cut these ropes and Ratbag will tell you everything!"

Talion stalked around the strung up Orc, debating within himself whether or not to trust him. Talion drew his son's broken sword, his new dagger, and held the tip to Ratbag's throat.

 "Now what would you know that all these dead Orcs didn't?"

Ratbag grimaced and snarled, "Go ahead ya bastard! Do it! I'll die and you'll know nothing!"

Talion pressed the razor sharp point into Ratbag's neck, saying, "Maybe I'll grant your request... end your miserable life."

Ratbag's eyes widened and he croaked out, "No, NO, no no no! I was jesting! Look, those slaves are no match for the Orc army! Their scheme's as rotten as barrel fish!"

Ratbag paused, a grin slowly taking over his ugly face. "But Ratbag can teach you the ways of the Orc... Ratbag can make your plan work!"

 Talion bent down, now eye to eye with the Orc, and whispered, " We're going to find out what you know..."

Talion raised his left hand, which had begun to glow with a blue-white light. He placed his hand on Ratbag's scarred face and Ratbag groaned slightly. As the Wraith's magic worked its way into the Orc's mind, Ratbag screamed in pain and Talion saw the Orc's mind.

One Captain in particular stood out in Ratbag's memory, and as Talion focused on him, he saw him. His name was Goroth, and he was a Beastmaster Captain. He wore a Caragor head as a headdress, and was covered in bones from the Beasts of Mordor. Talion marked Goroth as his next target, and released his hold on Ratbag. The Orc panted, taking deep, shuddering breaths.

Talion stepped back, then sliced the ropes that held Ratbag up. Ratbag fell to the ground, the ropes around his wrists falling away as he looked up at the Ranger. Ratbag tried to stand, but stumbled, almost falling over.

 "Your problem, Ranger, is the Warchiefs. Strong leaders, they are."

The Orc looked at an Uruk corpse on the ground, pulling a double take at the dead body. Ratbag knelt down, turning the corpse over, looking for something.

 "Now if somethin' were to happen to them, they wouldn't be able to stomp your little insurrection, would they?"

 Talion stated bluntly, "I would hunt them down."

Ratbag scoffed and said, "How? They're not very popular around here. And they know it."

 Talion looked down at Ratbag and said, "But you can find them?"

Ratbag drew a dagger from the corpse, and said with a grin, "Oh yes. Ratbag'll show you the way. You help me, I help you."

 Talion smiled, then whipped his dagger under Ratbag's neck, point digging into the soft flesh. "Do not make me regret this deal."

Ratbag pushed the blade away and said, "Marvelous!" He rubbed his neck and said, "Now let's stop faffin' about, eh? First I need to take care of a certain Captain.., and a few Caragors. Come with me Ranger."