Tulko rode out on his daily excursion to the mining sites surrounding Bree. The extraction of ore from these sites had become critical for the success of his business endeavor. Many of the lands outside of Bree were not private property and could be mined by those with the skill to find the ore hidden there. On this particular day Tulko breathed the free air with great hope for the future. His courtship of the lady Estelrien grew apace and put a spring in his step and a burning desire to make his business flourish.
Riding into Chetwood, Tulko began tracking a vein of ore of particularly high quality when he noticed some tracks on the ground that appeared to be following the vein as well. Tulko dismounted and proceeded with caution. Upon approach of the ore deposit a figure of uncommon strength and visage was seen already mining the deposit. The man wore the raiment of a cavalry soldier bearing the mark of the horse lords of the south.
Realizing that the ore was already claimed, Tulko slowly and silently began to withdraw when he an all too common sight presented itself. Three Blackwood ruffians emerged from the forest and approached the Calvary soldier. “Hey there!, that metal ore belongs to us,” the Blackwood captain barked as he raised his club to threaten battle. “I believe I was here first and since these lands are no one’s property the ore is mine by right,” replied the soldier. The soldier resumed mining the ore deposit giving the Blackwolds no further consideration. He obviously was new to the region and didn’t know or understand the plight he had found himself in.
“No one talks to me that way,” retorted the Blackwood captain who immediately pressed forward with his attack. The soldier parried the blow with this mining axe which shattered into many pieces. With a sudden fluid motion the soldier drew two swords from his belt and proceeded to eviscerate the Blackwood captain in whirl of blades and fury. The remaining Blackwolds moved swiftly to aid their bleeding leader who was crying out in pain for their help. Tulko promptly challenged them by saying, “ Ah, I see what you cowardly and spineless ruffians call a fair fight, three vs. one. Why not let your captain be a man and prove his worth in single combat, while you two scabby knaves prove worth or lack of it in combat against me. ”
The diversion worked, the Blackwolds, so incensed by being referred to as cowards turned their attention to Tulko with whom they desired to settle a previous score. Tulko’s defensive posture prevented the Blackwolds from laying nary a blow on him. Tulko shield bashed one of them leaving him dazed for a time. Turning his attention on the other one, he wounded him grievously causing the ruffian to retreat back into the woods. The soldier from the south completed the dual with the Blackwood captain and proceeded to deal devastating damage to the remaining Blackwood who was just recovering from his stun.
When the dust cleared, two Blackwolds lay incapacitated at the feet of Tulko and the man from the south. Tulko bowed low to the newcomer and said, “Tulko at your service.” The soldier saluted Tulko saying “and I am Eoforn, happy to make your acquaintance.” Tulko turned admiringly to the ore deposit saying, “ that lode was well worth the trouble I should say”. Eoforn sighed, “Alas my tools are broken now and I shant be able to complete the extraction of the ore let alone smelt it”. “Never fear my friend; I am known to make some finest tools for the processing of metals in the region. Please have this pickaxe as a token of my friendship.”
From that day forward Tulko and Eoforn became business partners dealing in the trading of metals, tools and fine jewelry that Eoforn could craft. Their friendship became the foundation of many adventures which do not come into this tale.
