Chapter 848: Coincidence or planned?
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Goots turned out to be a good caravan owner but a diocre guide.
Following his suggestion, they departed at once. However, after what felt like 3 kiloters, they were still walking around in the endless forest. They would lift their head after a certain distance, hoping to see the starry sky or feel the caress of the wind on their faces, but to no avail. The forest trapped them in a cage of branches and leaves.
Besides the sounds they emitted themselves, they were surrounded by an eternal silence, a long darkness and the absence of life. They have torches, of course, but the light only penetrated as far as 5 ters. Beyond that, they couldn't even see their own fingers. The darkness was awfully eerie.
Sheyan felt sothing was wrong. Under such a situation, if they were to et with any danger, they wouldn't be able to react in ti. He instantly asked lody.
"What's happening to us? Sothing's not right."
lody shut her eyes, then shook her head slightly.
"The [Armour Fragnt of Dwar the Nazg?l] on you is shrouding us with a dense black aura. I can't feel the flow of nature; only madness, fear and chaos."
It appeared impossible for them to keep travelling, so they decided to stop. A bonfire was once again raised. Not long after that, glimrs of colourful lights appeared around them. The lights were actually multiple pairs of eyes staring at the group.
When they approached the eyes, the eyes would gradually disappear only to reappear in another direction.
Luckily, dawn soon arrived. With the modest light from the early sun, they could finally observe the real identities of the eyes. They belonged to countless grey and black moths, so of them as big as a palm. So of the patterns on the moths looked like truly frightening smiling faces. The moths flapped their wings to scatter so kind of powder all around them.
Sheyan frowned in thought. It must be noted that the personal space of a contestant is independent from this world and should theoretically isolate any aura from spilling out. It seed the [Armour Fragnt of Dwar the Nazg?l] was not so simple.
The face-patterned moths couldn't resist the light of dawn and gradually flew away. The clouds on the sky were enveloped in a layer of gold, signifying a fair day ahead. Only now did the group discover that they had been walking in a huge circle for several hours. Their current location was less than 200 ters away from the place where they fought the Nazg?l.
The matter beca much simpler now. Goots discerned the direction they should advance in and gradually steered them onto the main road. At noon, they were fortunate enough to encounter a rchant caravan that set off from the Shire. From the caravan they purchased so mounts. About 5 hours later, they successfully arrived at the Shire.
The Shire was inhabited by Hobbits. The Hobbits were about half as tall as the Núnóreans in the north, so they were also called Halflings.
Large patches of plowed farmland could be seen around the Shire, looking like orderly, brightly-coloured carpets.
The spring barleys looked green and should only mature in two months. The green leaves of the onions supported dandelion-like flowers. The North Down Hops would soon be ready to add their fragrance to ales and beers. Purple cabbages were currently being harvested. The carriages ahead carried full loads of pipe-weeds that will be sent into the Shire to be processed into aromatic tobacco leaves.
As they proceeded along the flat gravel road, the number of Hobbits they encountered grew larger. The Hobbits all had stout bodies, red jovial cheeks, curly hair, honest faces, bright eyes and large mouths that were accustod to smiling and enjoying good food. They were all shorter than a ter, without exception. The sounds of musical instrunts could occasionally be heard from amongst them.
Sheyan noticed that the carefree Hobbits' feet were covered with brown curly hair and had leathery soles. That should be the reason why they were able to move so fast.
Quite a number of Hobbits had a long object made from cowhide on their backs. Goots explained that those slings were their weapons. One can imagine the slings to be like the chain balls used in hamr throwing events, except the chain can be severed according to the wielder's will. They possessed significant might and were rumoured to be able to sling egg-sized rocks at a shocking speed.
The Hobbits' residences are in the form of underground holes with only their roofs showing above the surface. Round doors made up the entrances to their houses; that was their preferred style of architecture. As Sheyan and his group travelled further, more round signposts and hobbit-holes crept up. They also t with more Hobbits with so Dwarves, Elves and Núnóreans mixed in. Unrestrained laughter blended with the sll of juniper wine to create a unique atmosphere.
Goots finally heaved a sigh of relief when the famous landmark of the Shire, the Old Windmill, appeared in front of them. It signified that they have finally stepped foot into the Shire. He was obviously still afraid of the Nazg?l keeping chase.
The whole Shire was built on a few hills with soft contours. Its streets were like mountainous paths,winding around those hills. The face of the hills were dug full of hobbit-holes. Wooden accessories decorated the residences with the unique style of the Hobbits. If one were to look from afar at night, the Shire would look like a collection of hills with bright lanterns hung on them. It depicted a scene full of warmth and tranquility.
The four of them chose an inn called the Black Sheep to rest in. The inn had a unique signboard that was charred by smoke. Quite a few mounts were resting outside the inn, indicating its thriving business. After settling matters concerning their accomodation, Goots had to rush off to handle his own business. Having his whole caravan decimated on their return trip was a serious matter after all. His operation was based in the Shire, so he had to go explain himself to his people.
Before Goots left, Sheyan shoved a pouch into his hands. lody felt terrible for the loss he suffered, so she contributed 8 platinum coins as his compensation. 8 platinum coins were a small fortune worth 8 thousand silver coins. Goots seed to be in dire financial straits as he accepted the coins without much hesitation.
The four of them were received with a warm reception in the inn. They were assaulted with the blended sll of ham, eggs, freshly baked bread, ale and tobacco while coursing their way through multiple round tables and wooden benches. Finally, they managed to grab an empty table at the corner. While waiting for their food to arrive, Sheyan suddenly heard a loud voice boom out from the neighbouring table.
"I've never seen such a generous person. Truly! I swear upon my smoking pipe. In order to teleport to Eriador as soon as possible, he paid 30 platinum coins! He even gave a platinum coin as a tip. That's why I can afford to treat all of you to Aunt Suchell's delicious smoked at today!"
There were a hundred such conversations in the inn every minute. The reason Sheyan was attracted to this particular one was due to the na "Eriador". That happened to be the sole reason he was in the Shire - before he got inflicted with the Black Breath, of course. Now, he also had to find so Athelas here.
Unfortunately, he did not hear anything else worthy of note. Their dinner was soon served. Sheyan didn't let the surly looking waiter leave imdiately. Instead, he put 10 silver coins on the table with a smile and said.
"This is a small fee to have you stay and answer a few questions for . If your answers are satisfactory, I will pay an additional 20 silver coins to show my appreciation."
The beardy waiter looked at Sheyan suspiciously, but still grabbed the coins.
"I only have minutes. Any longer, and "Quenn" Suchell in the kitchen will skin alive. That's a risk worth at least 10 platinum coins."
Sheyan continued smiling and asked.
"Do you know where I can buy so Athelas?"
The waiter grumbled to himself.
"Damn, what the hell is an Athelas?"
But he was unwilling to let the additional tips slip from his hands as he added.
"Maybe you can wait for another hour? I'll help you ask around."
Sheyan raised his brows.
"I'll be staying here the whole night. 2nd question, and also the last one - is there a rchant selling plants or seeds around this place?"
"You can find many rchants dealing in magical materials in Buckland. The pipe-weed of the Shire is famous for being an indispensable spellcasting material. A lot of sages wish to purchase them. You should be able to find the plant you wish to buy there. Thank you for your coins, sir."
The waiter deftly swept away the coins left by Sheyan on the table. Before he left, he added.
"If this is your first ti in our inn, I suggest you spread so butter on your smoked at. It will taste even better."
Sheyan smiled and nodded. However, the only thing on his mind was the question.
"Who was the person that was in such a hurry to get to Eriador? Is this a re coincidence, or an ominous sign?"
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