In the Shadow of the Star: Part 1

[Mithadan]

The relevance of Bird's question evaded him. Nonetheless, Mithadan answered. "As I told you in the Trade Inn, I was set upon by bandits before I reached Sarn Ford and was forced to go many days out of my way seeking to evade them. Then, after I left the Trade Inn, I came upon a character skulking by the road, behind a bush actually. Before he could introduce himself, I put the tip of my sword to him. He claimed his name was Stoat or some such thing and seemed rather hostile towards The Shire. He said that once I was caught by the Hobbits and ejected from their land, I could look for him in Bree if I wanted to join him and his fellows."

Mithadan looked at Bird in confusion. "Why do you ask?"