[Nogrod]

EPILOGUE (Concerning the fate of the Village)

The five survivors were having their fourth pints in the Inn. They had started with loud cries of joy and lots of hugging but as the pints went down and all the terrible things of the last days started coming back to them in full the mood changed.

“How can we ever tell your brother that his wife was a werewolf?” the Serving-Wench asked anxiously.

“Or anything that has happened, to anyone possibly coming from the war?”, continued the Serious Jester

“Like that she killed her own brother?”, the Moose Tamer wondered in horror.

There was a gloomy silence over the table.

“Well, I haven’t had a home for a long time anyhow so I could just pack my things and get away from this terrifying place. I mean this Village just gives me the creeps.” The Homeless Waif declared determinatedly.

“We’ll come with you. We’ll form a travelling Band, right?”, Gorlim’s Lighthearted Brother suggested, looking at the others questioningly. “We’ll earn our bread with immortal songs we compose and perform in the lands that are free of this horror but hungry for it’s tales?”

“This bunch would make a better circus than a band...” the Serving-Wench said dryly, frowning.

“C’mon people! That’s a good idea!” the Moose Tamer was suddenly up to the idea. “I’ll tame the animals while you two guys make the clownery, and she serves the audience – and maybe some frivolous dancing numbers?”, the Moose Tamer yelled now enthusiastically.

“And what about me then?” The Homeless Waif asked a bit lazily.

“You’re experienced wanderer and we are not, so we need a leader to us to the pathless wilderness we need to pass”, the Moose Tamer continued passionately. “And every circus needs a manager to host the show!”

They all looked at each other in some confusion. It wasn’t a bad idea after all, taking account of the circumstances. Staying wasn’t an option anyhow.

“I hope this is a better fixed idea of yours than the last one about our Ugly Little Shepherdess...” The Jester said and rose up from the bench. “Let’s go then. The morning has already broken.”

“Should I take my dagger with me, just to be on the safe side?” Gorlim’s Lighthearted Brother asked as he was getting up.

“To be safe? Noooo!” The Serving-Wench cried. And the rest agreed.