The Ultimate Evolution - Chapter 848

Chapter 848: Coincidence or planned?

Goots turned out to be a good caravan owner but a mediocre guide .

Following his suggestion, they departed at once . However, after what felt like 3 kilometers, 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 meters . Beyond that, they couldn't even see their own fingers . The darkness was awfully eerie .

Sheyan felt something was wrong . Under such a situation, if they were to meet with any danger, they wouldn't be able to react in time . He instantly asked Melody .

"What's happening to us? Something's not right . "

Melody shut her eyes, then shook her head slightly .

"The [Armour Fragment of Dwar the Nazgûl] 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, glimmers 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, some of them as big as a palm . Some of the patterns on the moths looked like truly frightening smiling faces . The moths flapped their wings to scatter some 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 seemed the [Armour Fragment of Dwar the Nazgûl] 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 meters away from the place where they fought the Nazgûl .

The matter became 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 merchant caravan that set off from the Shire . From the caravan they purchased some 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 Númenóreans 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 accustomed to smiling and enjoying good food . They were all shorter than a meter, without exception . The sounds of musical instruments 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 hammer 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 met with more Hobbits with some Dwarves, Elves and Númenóreans mixed in . Unrestrained laughter blended with the smell 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 Nazgûl 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 . Melody 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 seemed 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 smell 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 me a platinum coin as a tip . That's why I can afford to treat all of you to Aunt Suchell's delicious smoked meat 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 name "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 some 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 immediately . 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 me . 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 me alive . That's a risk worth at least 10 platinum coins . "

Sheyan continued smiling and asked .

"Do you know where I can buy some 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 merchant selling plants or seeds around this place?"

"You can find many merchants 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 time in our inn, I suggest you spread some butter on your smoked meat . 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 mere coincidence, or an ominous sign?"