Isengard was one of the most important cities in Middle-earth. Its geographical location was very strategic, and it was also the capital of the Kingdom of Rohan. In the country, it was similar to China's Tianjin, Shanghai, and other municipalities directly under the Central Government.
As early as twenty years ago, King Theoden of Rohan handed this place over to his close friend, Saruman the White. The latter had always disguised himself well until he imprisoned Gandalf, who had always been jealous of him, and finally revealed his true face. This event should have happened more than half a year later.
After Saruman obtained Isengard, he found the Crystal of Knowledge in the Tower of Orthanc. Because he was addicted to it, the long-term use of it allowed Sauron's will to gradually corrupt him and change him.
At the same time, because of his fanatical research on the knowledge of the One Ring, he also fell into the mire of his desire for power while studying the power of darkness. The reason he allied with Sauron was not because he was enslaved like the Ringwraiths, but because of his wild ambition!
Saruman's real purpose was undoubtedly to obtain the One Ring and replace Sauron to rule the whole world.
The reason why Sheyan, who had lost the opportunity to complete the main mission, came to Isengard was very simple – to find Saruman!
At this time, Saruman had not revealed his identity, so in the eyes of others, he was still the noble chairman of the White Council, the sacred white-robed wizard. At the same time, it must be admitted that Isengard was still very prosperous under Saruman's rule, and the people under his rule lived a rich and happy life.
This meant that it wouldn't be too difficult for Sheyan to meet him. Secondly, Saruman wouldn't reveal his identity at this moment. Or perhaps Sheyan wasn't worth it for him to do so. This meant that Sheyan wasn't in too much danger.
As for the risks brought by the previous conflicts, Sheyan had also considered it, but the only person he met was the Uruk-hai Lurtz. Sheyan did not believe that Saruman would be so bold as to keep Lurtz, who did not look like a human, by his side. If that was the case, Saruman would have lost his reputation long ago.
The gems used to travel from Eriador to Isengard were really expensive. They probably burned at least tens of thousands of platinum coins worth of gems. After the four of them appeared from the transmission circle and walked out of the hall, a tax officer politely registered their names and origins. After learning that they were merchants who bought and sold gems in the territory of the Dwarves, the tax officer collected a modest sum of money and allowed them to go down the mountain and enter Isengard.
If one were to look down at Isengard from above, they would feel that it was mysterious, huge, and ancient. But after approaching the city, although there were still a large number of ancient ruins and strange ancient characters everywhere to remind tourists of the antiquity of this place, the bustling streets and lively citizens added an indescribable vitality to this place.
The knights patrolling the streets had solemn expressions on their faces as they rode slowly on their horses. Needless to say, the knights were tall and strong. More importantly, the horses they rode looked quite sturdy. When they walked, the white gas they exhaled from their nostrils was about a meter long. When they galloped, their sturdy muscles wriggled elegantly under their skin, displaying a powerful explosive force.
It was obvious that the patrolling knights had a good relationship with the merchants on the streets. They would greet them from time to time. Many merchants would even take out food to feed their horses. What was eye-opening was that the huge horses of the knights would eat almost anything they fed them. Eggs, bread, oatmeal, hay, bacon....
Melody had been staying in Rivendell all this time. She had just experienced the gentle and warm Shire, and then witnessed the cruel and cruel Eriador. Now that she came to the bustling and orderly Isengard, she could not help but feel amazed.
Sheyan felt the orderly operation of the city and observed the vigorous vitality and order of Isengard. After thinking for a while, he nodded. He did not do anything else but asked someone and went straight to the biggest jewelry store in the city.
*****
"Well, there are about 4,000 strangers who came to Isengard today. Sixty-seven strangers arrived through the transmission circle. Among these sixty-seven people, there are three people who need to be closely monitored. Send six groups of people to monitor them tomorrow."
"Wait, why are there only three people? I remember that there was a group of people who were also quite suspicious. There were a total of four of them. Two of them looked like experienced warriors, and one of them should be a mage. The last girl looked ordinary, but the longbow on her back contained a powerful force of nature. It is very likely to be a treasure of the elves. "
"This group of people has been investigated. They wrote that the reason they came to Isengard was to sell gems. In fact, that is indeed the case. After they entered the city, they visited six jewelry stores and magic item stores. The gems they sold were indeed rare and exquisite."
"That doesn't wash away their suspicions. I suspect that the source of their gems was stolen from Eriador. The riots there have not subsided yet."
"I know, but a gem taken out by this group of people has attracted the attention of Lord Gansdore. It is said to be a stone that contains a strange soul. Since the chief wizard of Lord Saruman is paying attention to them, we don't need to waste our limited manpower on them."
"You're right, my lord."
Lord Gansdore, whom the spies mentioned, had just arrived at the Tower of Orthanc. He bowed respectfully outside the magic laboratory, and the faint screams did not move him in the slightest. He knew that if he wanted to stay in front of Lord Saruman for a long time, he had to learn to forget the things that he should not see or hear.
Gansdore was not the most powerful of Saruman's subordinates, but he was the most cautious and sharp-tongued one. This was the reason why he could sit in this position for a long time.
Gansdore waited for half an hour, but his respectful expression did not change in the slightest. Even the angle of his bow remained the same. After a while, the door of the laboratory opened, and a silent attendant stood in front of him.
"The Lord will have afternoon tea in ten minutes. You can have a minute to communicate with the great Saruman."
Gansdore nodded, straightened his back, and walked into a room next to him.
After he pushed open the door of the room, a corridor appeared in front of him. On both sides of the corridor were smooth marble pillars like soldiers. Purple ivy crept everywhere, cleverly forming a garden. There was a sun in the sky, and the shadows of the leaves on the ground were dyed crimson by the sunlight.
From time to time, there were servants shuttling back and forth in the corridor. Many of them were beastmen. They were all tall and had dark brown skin. They no longer had that unpleasant smell. Instead, they had tied up their hair with animal leather buckles. There were some pale white bone ornaments on the buckles. Their expressions were numb and lifeless.
At the end of the corridor, there was another door carved with praises to the gods and angels. After pushing open the door, they arrived at Saruman's reception room. It was a cozy space. The floor was covered with a dark brown glossy bearskin. Stepping on it was like stepping on a warm grassland.
The air was filled with the fragrance of pepper, cinnamon, licorice, and Duoxi fruit. These could effectively help mages recover their mind and strength. The stained glass inlaid around the living room depicted the rise of Rohan. The angel wall lamps on the four walls emitted a gentle light.
This was the magical magic tower set up by Saruman, where one could get the enjoyment of an emperor.
Gansdore knelt on the bearskin on the ground, not daring to look around with his eyes. He remained humble. After a few minutes, an unusually tall mage with a white beard and white hair strode over. He was wearing a spotless white robe, and his eyes were as deep as an eagle's. He sat on the luxurious sofa in the middle, took a mahogany pipe next to him, and lit a pipe full of tobacco for himself. Then, he took a deep breath of the sweet smell. After a while, he said, "Let me give you a piece of my mind. Let me give you a piece of your mind.
"Tell me why you're here."
Gansdore simply took out a delicate purse with the sound of metal clanging inside. He then crouched on the ground and said:
"There are three thousand platinum coins in this purse, my lord. This is the reward paid to me by a guy who claims to be a gem merchant. He only asked me to do two things."
"Hmm." Saruman exhaled a mouthful of smoke and closed his eyes. "I appreciate your loyalty and honesty, but I'm tired of this topic, so I want to shorten the time of this meeting to one minute."
Gansdore took out another purse:
"This is the first thing that the man asked me to bring to you, my lord. He said that the gem inside came from another world. Yes, it's a world, not a country. I'm very sure of this."
Saruman waved his hand, and the purse fell off, revealing an egg-sized, black, transparent crystal that spun slowly in front of his eyes.
"Interesting, I can hear a weak soul crying inside this crystal. This is indeed not a product of Middle Earth. But the soul inside this soul crystal is too weak, I'm not interested in it at all. You still have 15 seconds."
Gansdore nodded and said:
"The man said that if my lord is not interested in the first box, then please let me give this box to you. Then, no matter what your lord's reaction is, the platinum coins in that purse are mine."
"Where's the box?"
Saruman said impatiently: (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to qidian.com to vote for me. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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