Sixteen figures erged from Bag End one after another, facing the rising sun, ready to embark on their journey.
Bilbo, walking at the very end, held a bundle in one hand and the dagger Kael had given him in the other, gazing longingly at his ho.
"Let's go," Kael said, patting the Hobbit's shoulder without saying much else.
But before leaving, he drew his magic wand and waved it at the door lock.
Everyone who saw this was puzzled.
"Kael, what are you doing?" Bilbo asked curiously.
"I'm placing a small curse on your door lock to prevent anyone from occupying your house while you're away," Kael explained with a smile.
The dwarves gasped, looking at Kael in horror. The word "curse" instinctively made people think of evil deeds.
Bilbo was even more stunned, flailing his limbs and stamring, "No, it doesn't need to be so serious, Kael! Quickly remove the curse!"
The kind Hobbit's face flushed with anxiety, deeply afraid that others might suffer from the curse.
Kael waved his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, it's just a minor curse. Anyone who forcibly breaks the lock will grow hair all over their body. It's just a warning, not serious."
This was a harmless prank curse Kael had learned from Curses and Counter-Curses. Upon hearing this, Bilbo breathed a sigh of relief.
Gandalf, overhearing the conversation, looked at Kael in surprise. "Kael, do you have research on the art of cursing?"
"It's not research, just a little understanding," Kael replied, waving his hand.
Gandalf gave him a aningful look, clearly not believing it was so limited.
When leaving, Kael did not forget to bring the last pot of Mandrake from the greenhouse. He intended to use this Mandrake to save seeds. After it blood and bore fruit, the resulting seeds would be magical. As long as they were planted in magic-rich soil, Kael would no longer need to water them with magic for transformation, and the Mandrake that grew would be a magical plant. Moreover, the cries of the Mandrake could sotis play an unexpected role.
Departing from Bag End, Kael, as usual, rode in a carriage pulled by the pony Little Dull. Bilbo and Gandalf also hitched a ride.
The dwarves, too many to fit in the carriage, walked to the village first and then planned to depart on horseback from the Green Dragon Inn.
After a brief stop at the Green Dragon Inn, everyone continued their journey, heading east along the East-West Road.
After several days of walking, they crossed the Brandywine Bridge and finally left the Shire.
Passing by the Old Forest, Kael made a brief stop and entered with Gandalf. He took a branch from a vine-like Huorn and then leisurely left the forest amidst the angry rustling of the trees.
He had promised to make Gandalf a magic wand, and this section of vine wood was the staff he had chosen for Gandalf's wand.
Because Gandalf's staff material was vine wood, Kael did not need to try various woods to find a match; choosing vine wood directly was the best fit.
Thorin was sowhat displeased with Kael and Gandalf's mid-journey departure and delay, but aside from a displeased expression, he said little.
Everyone continued forward and soon arrived near the Barrow-downs.
Due to the delay in the Old Forest, they couldn't leave the Barrow-downs before nightfall, so they chose an open space to rest temporarily.
"Everyone be careful tonight," Gandalf warned solemnly. "Although we're not close to the Barrow-downs proper, we must still guard against the appearance of Wights."
Hearing this, everyone beca vigilant. Bilbo clutched his dagger tightly, his eyes scanning the darkness, always feeling as if a Wight could rush out at any mont.
Thorin was even more displeased. His eyes swept over Gandalf and Kael, and he snorted coldly, "If you hadn't gone into the Old Forest mid-journey and delayed us so long, we'd have already left the Barrow-downs and wouldn't need to be so careful!"
Kael frowned. If it weren't for his agreent with Thorin, sotis he really wouldn't want to deal with this man.
Gandalf didn't get angry at Thorin's accusation. With a cheerful smile, he said, "Sorry, Kael generously agreed to make a magic wand for , and I was a bit impatient, which is why I dragged him into the Old Forest to find suitable wood."
"But there's no need to worry too much. Wights generally don't leave the vicinity of their tombs easily, so we just need to stay vigilant."
"All right, I'll prepare so things so everyone can have a good night's rest," Kael said, standing and waving his wand.
The carriage rapidly transford and expanded into a large yurt, big enough for everyone. The grass beneath beca a thick, soft carpet, and the leaves turned into green sleeping bags.
Everyone was dumbfounded and deeply shocked by the magic Kael wielded with a wave of his hand.
"Am I drunk? Or is this an illusion?" Bombur, the stoutest of the dwarves, asked dizzily.
The others widened their eyes, touching the transford items around them. After confirming they were real, their astonishnt grew.
Thorin was equally shocked, his eyes fixed on Kael, unsure what to say. He found Kael's abilities beyond his understanding.
Bilbo, however, was comparatively calm, having long witnessed Kael's miracles, so he accepted it readily.
Gandalf surveyed the surroundings, picked up a sleeping bag, and said cheerfully, "We're lucky for the rest of our journey. These camping conditions are far better than any inn!"
Kael continued casting magic, setting up protective spells around the yurt. "All right, everyone, go inside and rest. I've set up a magical barrier, so there's no need for a night watch. We'll continue in the morning."
Having witnessed Kael's miraculous magic, everyone agreed and entered the yurt one by one to rest.
At midnight, snores like thunder filled the yurt.
Thick dark clouds shrouded the sky in complete blackness.
Outside, besides the sound of horses chewing grass, all was silent—not even insects stirred.
At so unknown mont, a chill swept in, and the temperature dropped rapidly.
A mist appeared silently, creeping toward the yurt as if to engulf it.
The dozen or so ponies outside suddenly beca restless, pawing the ground and snorting, trying to break free.
Suddenly, a tall, dark figure burst from the mist at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow, ignoring the frightened horses and charging straight for the yurt.
It slled the living inside and believed it would soon break through to massacre them.
But just as the Wight revealed a hideous smile, ready to strike, it collided with an invisible, solid barrier.
The enormous impact sent the Wight flying backward, ripples spreading through the magical shield.
(End of Chapter)
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