Though Thorin's voice wasn't loud, it reached the ears of everyone around.
Bilbo perked up his ears, unsure whether he should be listening.
The nearest Dwarves looked over, and Gandalf chuckled while smoking his pipe, though he was obviously also curious about Thorin's question.
Tarnes looked at the longing in Thorin's eyes and sighed softly: "That's not an easy power to master, Thorin."
But Thorin stubbornly said: "But it's a powerful force that can transform into a dragon. If I could possess such power when facing Smaug, the chances of defeating it would be much greater."
Tarnes glanced at Igon, who then said: "Tarnes is right, Thorin. Though Dragon Communion incantations restored my dignity, they're actually not something gentle."
Kili walked over and, having just heard Igon's words, asked in surprise: "Wait, that's also a type of incantation? Like the beast incantations Fili and I are learning?"
Igon said hoarsely: "Yes, and no. Beast incantations... I've heard of these prayers. They were created by Gurranq, Beast Clergyman, which means anyone can learn them without any barriers."
Kili and his brother Fili, who had come over upon hearing the conversation, both nodded.
Though they still hadn't mastered two types of beast incantations, entry-level learning indeed presented no difficulties.
Thorin then asked: "So Dragon Communion incantations have high barriers?"
Igon laughed loudly, his laughter somewhat terrifying: "You guessed right, Thorin. Dragon Communion, Dragon Communion... as the name suggests, you must devour a dragon's heart to learn it. And once you've devoured a dragon's heart, that curse will accompany you forever, making you crave dragon blood and devour more hearts, until you eventually become a wingless wyrm that can only crawl on the ground."
Listening to Igon's words, Bilbo noticed the golden vertical pupils under his hood and immediately connected them to that dragon head, instinctively shivering.
Thorin fell silent. Learning Dragon Communion incantations required a dragon heart, but where could he get one now?
The only dragon he knew was still entrenched deep in the Lonely Mountain... also his target for elimination on this journey.
Thorin ultimately abandoned his plan to learn Dragon Communion incantations, nodding respectfully to Igon: "I believe your explanation of Dragon Communion's dangers, Mr. Igon. We successfully escaped the Old Forest today thanks to you. On behalf of all the Dwarves in the expedition, I express our gratitude."
Seeing Thorin give up, Tarnes secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, he actually had quite a few flying dragon hearts in his spatial pack.
But as Igon had said, the side effects of Dragon Communion incantations were far too powerful. Thorin had absolutely no need to risk learning them.
Only after Thorin left did Bilbo quietly sidle up to Igon, asking with concern: "Mr. Igon, are you feeling alright? Does using Dragon Communion incantations cause pain or anything? I have some snacks... though they can't help relieve pain, they might distract you."
Igon was startled. He hadn't expected this hobbit to ask questions out of concern for him. He smiled and said: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Bilbo. But don't worry about me. Dragon Communion incantations have restored my dignity, so I accept everything about them gladly. As for pain... ha, that's nonsense. Using Dragon Communion incantations doesn't cause me pain."
Of course, there was one thing Igon didn't say aloud: that each use of Dragon Communion incantations caused subtle parts of his body to transform toward that of a wyrm.
But after hearing Igon's words, Bilbo trusted him completely and didn't ask anything more, turning to prepare tonight's camping tent.
Only after Bilbo left did Tarnes come to Igon's side.
Igon looked at Tarnes and said first: "You're not also here to ask where I'm feeling unwell, are you?"
Tarnes was startled and shook his head with a laugh: "No, of course not. Though that doesn't mean I don't care about you..."
Igon interrupted: "Good. I shouldn't be at the point of walking with a cane yet. So, what do you want with this old man?"
Tarnes pointed to the distant hills with giant stones scattered about and the visible tombs throughout, saying: "I'm here about the night watch. I think we should pay extra attention to our surroundings tonight."
Igon said: "Isn't that the same as last night?"
Tarnes said: "There are some differences. Tonight, you, me, Bernahl, and Millicent won't rest. You and Bernahl watch the direction we came from."
He paused, looking toward the path they had taken, where traces of the Old Forest could be faintly seen in the distance.
Then Tarnes continued: "I'm not sure if those trees from the Old Forest will pursue us. After all, they were only scared off by your dragon roar. Those Huorns are too strange... they move almost soundlessly. Unless you look carefully, you can't detect their movement at all. If you notice any trees approaching, wake Thorin and the others immediately."
Igon patted his chest: "No problem. Leave this small matter to me."
Tarnes patted his shoulder, then nodded to Bernahl nearby, and finally walked toward Millicent.
At this moment, Millicent was helping Bilbo unload bags from his horse's back. Upon seeing Tarnes approach, her bright, lively golden eyes looked over.
"Tonight you and I will watch the Barrow-downs direction. After dinner ends, you can rest for a while, and I'll wake you in the latter half of the night," Tarnes said gently.
Seeing the two in conversation, Bilbo gestured that he wouldn't disturb them while carrying the heavy tent frame away.
Millicent also smiled and nodded, then looked at the dusky sky: "This should count as my first time adventuring with you?"
Tarnes smiled slightly: "If we don't count our journey from the Ruins-Strewn Precipice up to the Altus Plateau and all the way to Windmill Village in the Lands Between, this is indeed the first time."
Millicent withdrew her gaze from the dusky sky and teased Tarnes: "Or should we say the ninth time? After all, you chose to respect me, going through eight identical journeys so I wouldn't be captured by the scarlet bloom."
Tarnes coughed lightly, looking toward the Dwarves who had started their fire: "This journey, you don't need to worry about the scarlet rot in your body. Enjoy yourself... this world is very beautiful."
As the setting sun's afterglow bathed the entire camp, the Dwarves' busy figures appeared especially warm in the golden light.
The campfire was lit, blazing flames reddening the Dwarves' copper-colored faces.
They formed a circle, and at Bilbo's calls, the pots and pans in the Dwarves' hands clinked melodiously.
Their cooking movements were rough yet skilled. Iron pots gleamed metallically in the firelight while various spices and ingredients danced in the pots, stirring up waves of enticing aromas.
"I'm afraid I'll never accept Dwarves... they cook like a circus performance! It's disrespectful to the ingredients!" The hobbit came to Tarnes' side, unable to help complaining.
Tarnes comforted him: "Calm down, Bilbo. At least they didn't drop the ingredients on the ground, right?"
Bilbo muttered: "But it's only the second day, and we've already eaten half the food I brought. Won't we be gnawing on hard rations in another day?"
Hearing Bilbo's grumbling, Millicent couldn't help but laugh at the hobbit's words.
She also comforted him: "You don't need to worry about food, Mr. Bilbo. After we cross the Barrow-downs tomorrow, we'll reach Bree, where we'll resupply."
Only then did Bilbo perk up, his eyes brightening: "Bree? Oh, I know it! That's a town where both humans and hobbits live. Wonderful! Maybe I can even replenish my tobacco there!"
As cooking smoke curled upward, rich aromas wafted to everyone's noses.
Though these Dwarves' skills weren't as refined as Bilbo's, their passion and focus for food were fully expressed in every bite.
On the gentle grassland, the Dwarves spread several tablecloths and placed golden-roasted potatoes on them, their cracked skins concealing sweet starch within.
There was also cooked bacon, treated with special methods that gave it a rough flavor under the Dwarves' cooking.
The Dwarf brothers Fili and Kili walked steadily with proud smiles, each carrying plates full of sumptuous delicacies, thoughtfully presenting them to their two teachers, Tarnes and Bernahl.
Gloin noticed this scene, his eyes showing deep regret.
He had also wanted to use this opportunity to get closer to Bernahl.
But Gloin wasn't discouraged. His gaze unconsciously followed Fili and Kili's steps, silently pondering how to show his goodwill first the next time the expedition stopped for a meal.
Bilbo sat squeezed together with Bofur and Bombur on the same tablecloth, his sharp eyes scanning the delicacies the Dwarves had carefully prepared.
His gaze seemed able to penetrate those golden roasted potatoes, and his nose seemed capable of detecting whether the seasoning was just right.
While criticizing the Dwarves' cooking methods and seasoning proportions, Bilbo ate everything on his plate.
This definitely wasn't because it was delicious, but because he didn't want to waste even a bit of food.
That's how Bilbo convinced himself.
Night came and went, time seeming frozen in this tranquility.
However, imperceptibly, the eastern horizon gradually showed the pale white of a fish belly.
That was dawn's first ray of light, quietly and silently poking its head out.
The sky gradually changed from ink blue to pale cyan, and slowly, layers of orange-red sunset clouds began accumulating on the horizon.
This night passed without any incidents. No Huorns pursued them from the Old Forest, and nothing strange emerged from the Barrow-downs.
Except for the seemingly endless eerie, inhuman cries coming from the Barrow-downs all night.
But fortunately, the Dwarves all rested well, except for Fili and Kili, who had stayed up on watch... they were practically falling asleep on their horses' backs.
Dwalin was about to wake Fili and Kili when Thorin raised his finger to stop him.
"Shh, let them sleep a while," Thorin said softly, his eyes full of affection.
He slightly slowed his mount's pace and, together with Dwalin, securely tied Fili and Kili to their respective horses to prevent them from falling while sleeping.
Bilbo rode his pony, wrapping his clothes tighter while watching the Dwarves' actions ahead, then curiously asked Tarnes and the others, who had also stayed up all night but showed no signs of fatigue: "Aren't you tired? Those Dwarf brothers are practically falling asleep on their horses."
Tarnes closed his eyes to assess his body, then opened them and shook his head: "My spirit is indeed slightly fatigued, but as for sleepiness... not really."
"Well, I suppose asking a wizard such questions does make me seem rather foolish," Bilbo pursed his lips, teasing himself.
Another day passed, and just as Bilbo felt his bottom was about to turn into two hard stones on the saddle, the expedition finally reached Bree.
A deep ditch ran most of the way around Bree-hill, encircling the town on the slope.
Inside the ditch was a thick hedge, with large gates on the west and south sides. The expedition was now at Bree's west gate.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Thorin dismounted and politely knocked on Bree's tightly closed west gate.
There was a small door within the west gate. After hearing the knocking, footsteps and the sound of a swinging lantern came from behind the door.
"Where are you going?"
The west gate's night watchman opened a small observation window at the bottom of the small door and looked at the Dwarves outside.
Thorin replied quietly: "We want to go to The Prancing Pony."
The young watchman closed the observation window and opened the small door, raising his lantern to illuminate Thorin and the others: "One, two, three... thirteen Dwarves in total, five humans, and even a hobbit? Are you from the Shire? What brings you to Bree?"
A silver coin appeared in Thorin's hand, which he tossed to the watchman, who instinctively caught it.
"We're only going to The Prancing Pony for lodging. Everything else is none of your concern, watchman," Thorin said in a low voice, commanding without anger.
The watchman caught the silver coin with delight and said obsequiously: "I meant nothing by it, generous Dwarf. Please come in. It's my duty to inquire about travelers' intentions after dark."
Kili whispered to Fili behind them: "Does that mean he didn't need to give him that silver coin?"
He was promptly smacked on the head by an exasperated Fili.
The watchman then laboriously opened the west gate, allowing Thorin and the others to ride in.
Bree's streets already had few people. The occasional passerby would curiously examine this strange party of humans, Dwarves, and a hobbit, then hurry home without much concern.
Thorin stopped in front of an inn. Under the inn's eaves protruded a long wooden beam with a white horse relief carving, clearly marked "The Prancing Pony."
"We're here," Thorin said.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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