In the afternoon, the Black Gate fortress on Mordor's border stood like a giant beast crouching on the foul earth, silently towering in the shadows.
The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and decay, constantly drilling into the rangers' nostrils and making them furrow their brows slightly.
However, the main reason for their deeply furrowed brows was the Orc army below the Black Gate's towering walls.
The air seemed about to be torn apart by the surging clamor below. Sauron's Orc army was like endless, roiling black tar that filled every inch of barren land within sight, stretching to the distant horizon shrouded in smoke and dust.
The ground trembled. Even atop the high walls, they could feel the vibrations.
The Orcs' rough beast hide and rusted iron armor rubbed against each other, producing harsh scraping sounds. Blades and axes glinted with twisted malice in the dim light, and countless ugly, ferocious faces bore naked bloodlust.
"What's the situation, Beckett?"
Talion hurried over and, seeing the Orc army below, asked the ranger captain on duty.
Tarnes, Melina, Bernahl, and the others also followed closely behind Talion.
Tarnes, who had come with Talion, had some impression of this young ranger captain's appearance. He had once sat near that traitor when Tarnes helped Talion catch the spy.
So Tarnes briefly introduced this person to Bernahl and the others who had followed.
However, after not seeing him for several months, this once-spirited young ranger now had wrinkles on his forehead and gray-blue stubble covering his chin and looked as if he had aged ten years, lifeless and weary.
The loss of comrades and Orc attacks had ultimately left indelible marks on Beckett.
Beckett first noticed Tarnes's group behind Talion, paused, then said to Talion in a hoarse voice, "Very serious. This time the Orcs aren't playing around. Both their numbers and quality look more terrifying than before. Even Uruk-hai and Orc trolls, which were rarely seen before, have been deployed."
As he spoke, he pointed to certain formations in the Orc army below that were clearly distinct from the smaller Orcs.
Tarnes was about to say something when Igon's aged but sharp voice cut in, scoffing at the sky. "I think your adversary has grown impatient. Look at the clouds in the sky. Three Nazgûl are hiding in there."
Both Talion and Beckett looked up in surprise, but no matter how they squinted or used the telescopes at their waists, they couldn't see any trace of the Nazgûl.
Igon waved his hand. "Don't bother looking. They just noticed my gaze and hid back in the cloud layer."
Beckett instinctively wanted to question Igon, but remembering he was someone who came with Wizard Tarnes, he wisely changed his tone. "How did you discover them?"
Igon laughed heartily. "Just looked up and spotted them. They probably saw us too and hid again."
Just looked up and saw them. What kind of incredible eyesight would that require?
Just as Beckett's face showed surprise, Talion cleared his throat and whispered in his ear. "Lord Tarnes brought members of the Lonely Mountain expedition this time. The one who just spoke to you is Divine Marksman Igon, though Tarnes told me his real title is Dragon Warrior Igon. Also, you've always wanted to meet Lord Bernahl, who fought multiple Nazgûl to a standstill, right? That golden-eyed man in silver armor is him."
Then Talion squeezed Beckett, who was instinctively getting excited. "But now isn't the time for reminiscing. Lord Tarnes used his magic to bring Golden Tree forces. You'll have a chance to talk when you coordinate with them later."
Beckett looked at Bernahl a few more times, then turned back and nodded vigorously to Talion.
This left Bernahl somewhat puzzled.
However, it didn't prevent Bernahl from speaking to Talion and Beckett at this moment. "With Nazgûl present, we need to guard against that strange aura they emit. Even the strongest warriors can easily panic in that instant, while soldiers with weak wills will directly abandon resistance and lose all fighting ability."
Talion nodded. "We've had several encounters with Nazgûl, though not as heroically as you fighting multiple ones alone, Lord Bernahl. But we can still maintain our composure under Nazgûl interference. Please rest assured, Lord Tarnes. Our people won't hold you back in battle."
Bernahl shook his head slightly. "No, I mean I'll cast a certain incantation on you rangers that will make you immune to Nazgûl interference, so you won't need to be distracted resisting it."
Then he pointed at Tarnes and added. "This magic was also taught to me by Tarnes. He'll join me in casting this unique Golden Tree blessing on you."
Tarnes glanced at Bernahl, knowing he didn't want to cast magic on so many rangers alone and had found a reasonable excuse to drag him in.
Bernahl winked at Tarnes, meaning that with him present, these rangers would more easily accept Golden Tree incantations.
At this moment, Melina said softly behind Tarnes. "What Bernahl mentioned should be the Golden Tree Blessing from the Golden Tree incantation branch. I can also help share some of your work."
Tarnes nodded slightly and said to Melina. "Thank you for the trouble."
Just then, sharp-eyed Igon said, "The Orcs in the distance are starting to move. The general assault is about to begin. We don't have much time to waste here."
Tarnes took a deep breath and said to Talion. "Have your most knowledgeable ranger about the Black Gate's structure go with Igon to the Leyndell forces and tell them where the defensive works and weak points are on the Black Gate walls."
Talion immediately called to his son. "Dirhael! Did you hear that? You're most familiar with the Black Gate's architecture here. Go with Master Igon and quickly inform the reinforcements Lord Tarnes brought about our situation!"
"Yes!" Dirhael shouted, wasting no words as he immediately left with Igon.
Bernahl frowned at the suddenly agitated Orc army below. "I'm afraid there's no time to cast incantations now. They're marching much faster than the Orcs we encountered at the Mountain."
Tarnes looked coldly at the ugly gray-black Orc tide below. "I can see that. These Orcs are probably the main force Sauron has been hiding and cultivating."
As he spoke, his staff appeared in his hand. While gathering magic power to cast spells, he said to Melina and Bernahl behind him. "I'll buy you some time to cast incantations. Millicent, if any Nazgûl dare dive down to the walls, they're yours."
Millicent said nothing, but the Curved Sword of Haligtree gripped tightly in her hand represented her answer.