TOL-IN-GAURHOTH XII, Erbar Telamarth

[the phantom]

After a time of silence, Mortakh spoke again. "Master Sauron, earlier you said the village only had one Eomer."

"Yes, I did. What of it?" replied Sauron without looking at the orc.

"Well, m'lord, last night not long before dawn Ufdreg and his patrol went down by that clearing where that Hunter fought our wolves. He said he heard the fighting and went to check it out, and when he reached the clearing the Hunter and wolf had just been killed and the other two wolves were standing there. And that's when he says some sort of warrior type came charging into the clearing and chased the wolves off."

"A warrior?" questioned Sauron, who was now looking Mortakh in the eye.

"Yes, m'lord. Ufdreg said that the man was wearing a black cloak and carrying an elvish sword. After he chased the wolves off, Ufdreg says he did some chanting over the Hunter's body and then left. And when Ufdreg ran up to try and pinch the Hunter's weapons and armor, he said it hurt him to get close and that he just couldn't get to the Hunter, like there was some sort of invisible force-field keeping him from disturbing or dishonoring the dead Hunter's body."

"A Ranger!" exclaimed Sauron, rising from his throne. "So- Erbar Telamarth has a Ranger, does it? Well- not for long! Now that I know he's there, I will find him!"

Mortakh backed down towards the bottom of the hill to allow Sauron to work without distraction.