Wayne paid little attention to the surprised stares from the onlookers. In the witcher world, he might have discreetly stowed the carpet outside the city. However, in Middle-earth, he didn't intend to be so low-key. To make a name for himself in this world of clear-cut morality, he needed to do something high-profile, something that would make people remember his reputation, his story, and his power.
Simply put, the world needed heroes. While he wasn't ready to actively fight the dark forces, focusing instead on honing his skills, he understood that reputation and prestige needed to be built gradually.
After scanning his surroundings, Wayne quickly located the blacksmith shop and spotted a dwarf with an extraordinary aura. Though his memory was a bit fuzzy, Wayne recognized him as Thorin Oakenshield, the charismatic dwarf prince from the movie.
Seeing Thorin studying him, Wayne offered a polite smile and nodded. He walked directly towards the dwarf prince and said, "Greetings. My name is Wayne, and I've come to Bree hoping to find dwarf builders for my manor. Though it's a bit presumptuous, I've heard of the craftsmanship of dwarf artisans. You seem to be a prominent figure among the dwarves. Could you introduce me to some of them?"
Thorin maintained a stoic expression, his sharp eyes fixed on the stranger. He noticed Wayne's pointed ears, resembling an elf's, and couldn't help but ask, "What's with your ears? Are you an elf?"
Wayne shook his head. "No, I'm not an elf. I simply have some special blood in my lineage, hence the pointed ears. But that's unrelated to my request. You can treat me as an ordinary customer. My manor will surely need the services of the blacksmith shop in the future. Of course, if you're unwilling to help, I'll inquire elsewhere."
Thorin shook his head. As the leader of the dwarves in Bree, he wouldn't refuse potential business. Though curious about Wayne's lineage and magical abilities, his sense of responsibility towards his fellow dwarves prompted him to put down his hammer, hand it to an apprentice, and address Wayne.
"I know all the dwarves in this town. They are all excellent craftsmen. If you're looking for builders for your manor, no one is more suitable than them," Thorin assured Wayne. "Let's go, I'll take you to Balin. He's a master builder among the dwarves and has a crew working with him. You can discuss the details with him directly."
Thorin bowed politely to Wayne. "I am Thorin Oakenshield of the House of Durin, leader of the dwarves here. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wayne."
Wayne feigned surprise, then returned the greeting politely. "The pleasure is mine, Your Highness Prince Thorin. I've heard of your heroic deeds in battling orcs. Under your leadership, the dwarves in the south have found stability. You once severed the arm of the orc chieftain Azog, earning the name Oakenshield."
At the mention of Azog and the orcs, hatred flashed in Thorin's eyes. His grandfather, father, and many kin had perished at the hands of orcs. Every dwarf had a blood feud with them. He suppressed his anger, nodded to Wayne, and led the way to meet Balin.
Wayne followed, taking in the sights of Bree as they walked.
Indeed, the scenery of Bree was quite unique. Dwarves, humans, and hobbits lived together in harmony, their diverse architectural styles blending together. Such a sight was rare in the Witcher world. People of different races walked side by side, greeting each other warmly and helping each other in times of need. Even Wayne, with his pointed ears, didn't attract much attention. In this world, as long as one wasn't an orc or another dark creature, they were generally met with goodwill.
Thorin remained silent as they walked, receiving respectful greetings from the dwarves they passed. Wayne followed, attracting some curious glances, but as a seasoned monster hunter, he was used to being stared at. He calmly continued observing the town's scenery.
Suddenly, Wayne stopped. In a central square, he spotted a familiar sight—a notice board. With his keen eyesight, he could easily read the large bounty posted on it. "Please wait, Prince Thorin," he said. "I'd like to take a look at the notice board. Would you mind?"
Thorin turned and followed Wayne's gaze towards the board, understanding his interest. "Would you like to see the bounty on Bisog the Black Bear?" he asked, not showing any anger or impatience. He accompanied Wayne to the board, explaining as they walked: "It's a massive black bear that started rampaging in the nearby forest last year."
"It stands two meters tall when on all fours and four meters tall when standing upright. It can break a small tree with a single swipe and bite off a man's leg with a single bite. Its roar can terrify ordinary people, and it's faster than a wild boar," Thorin continued. "No one knows its origins or where it dens. Since its discovery, it's killed hunters, travelers, and woodcutters—eight in total. Some young humans tried to challenge it, but two died, two were crippled, and the others barely escaped. The town officials issued a reward of three hundred gold coins, a generous sum. I heard the families of the deceased contributed to it."
As they reached the notice board, they looked at the lifelike illustration of the giant bear and the details of the reward and the bear's location. Wayne asked Thorin with interest, "Do you know who painted this black bear? Their skill is impressive. The image alone could frighten off less experienced hunters!"
Thorin frowned slightly at Wayne's teasing tone. "There's no need to call me Prince Thorin. You're not my subject. Just Thorin is fine. I believe the painting was done by a female painter in town. I don't recall her name, but I think one of the victims was her brother. She contributed to the bounty as well."
Thorin then looked at Wayne with a serious expression and said,
"Would you like to accept this commission?" Thorin asked. "This black bear has thick fur and tough hide. The humans who escaped said ordinary arrows barely penetrate its fur. While you seem strong and possess some magic, you should consider carefully before challenging Bisog."
Wayne nodded, acknowledging Thorin's advice. "Thank you for the warning, Thorin. Actually, in my homeland, I specialize in hunting troublesome monsters. I'll accept this reward, but before that, let's go see this Balin you mentioned."
Thorin said nothing more, merely giving Wayne a deep look before continuing to lead the way.