Goblins in Bree

On the cart ride back to Bree, the companions spied a grumpy man scowling at them from his field. After delivering the sweets to Mr Butterbur at the Pony and receiving his everlasting gratitude, the party took some lunch outside on the porch.   As Rooty and Elbereth got to know each other, Damian and Froig spotted the man from the field and a hooded man spying on them from behind some buildings across the thoroughfare. Using the commotion about the upcoming faire, Rooty snuck atop the general store to eavesdrop on the two men. The hobbit drew close enough to hear the hooded man call the other, 'Ferny' and issue a warning for Ferny to be ready. Something about the man's voice made Rooty's hair stand on end.   The hobbit followed the hooded man to the stables, arriving in time to see him ride away with two cloaked goblins. Rooty rejoined the group just as they ran into Bill Ferny at the other end of the alley. Not wanting to make a scene in the town, the party watched as Ferny melted into the crowd.   As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the group followed the road back to Ferny's farm. Rooty and Elbereth snuck up to the shuttered windows as Damian and Froig waited by the road. Rooty watched as Ferny paced his kitchen like a caged rat until Elbereth's misstep on a rotted board alerted him to their presence. The group caught Ferny as he fled from his back door. After some smooth coaxing from Rooty and determined threats from Damian, Ferny gave up his secrets. The man claimed to be part of a bigger danger or at least he was trying to be. He even attempted to brand himself after the enemy refused to allow him into its ranks. Ferny warned that the Shadow was growing and Bree was in its sights. He warned of a plan to destroy the town.   Before dragging Ferny back to Bree, the group searched his house and found a map that confirmed Amdir's guess of a tower in the North Downs being used as the enemy's lair.