Epilogue

The village of Falloux was no longer a ghost town as Crispin and Talia made their way into the western fringe of the community. At least seventy Tourant Lancers had made the village their new home, tramping the rapidly melting snow into a thick sludge of mud and ice along the streets. A contingent of priests had also come to the town, revitalizing the dormant temple. Even a handful of mages from the Arcanists' Guild had made the long trip from Montcalm to Falloux, ready to supply magical backup to the Lancers if the need arose.

"They're a little late," Talia said simply, standing on the edge of the village next to Crispin. It had taken the pair three days to return from the Goblin Stones, taking little comfort in the fact that winter had broke almost as soon as Elec died. The melting snow had formed a heavy mix of waterlogged snow and brittle ice, making the return trip as difficult as their initial journey through the swirling winds and deep powder.

"At least they brought some clerics," Crispin said, using his long bow as a cane. The small amount of healing salve that they pair had left over after the battle had done little to heal their wounds, and Crispin's healing magic was not nearly powerful enough to mend the extensive damage that the wolves and the druid had inflicted upon the pair.

"To the temple, then?" Talia concluded, turning to her companion.

"Before anyone sees us," Crispin agreed, nodding. The two had only taken a few steps before they lost the element of surprise.

"Crispin!" a familiar voice shouted from the center of the village. The ranger turned slowly, to see Fleury hurrying through the icy mire to the pair. "What happened to you? We thought you'd be here waiting for us!"

"Would have been too dangerous," Crispin said. "By the way, we dealt with the problem."

"We got your message," Fleury said, coming to a stop in front of the pair. "What was that about a druid?"

"An elf," Crispin corrected. "He was hiding out in the mountains, using his spells to keep winter going. He wanted to freeze us all out."

"An elf," Fleury said, considering the information. "Guess we should have known. They give us more and more problems every year."

"He wasn't from Argent," Talia put in. "What took you so long?"

"We've had other problems, a little bit north of here," Fleury explained, growing serious. "Half of Sauveterre was killed, winter wolves again. And Taureau is a ghost town. No one survived there, either. Four hundred dead, in all."

"He really did a job," Crispin said, looking past the old Lancer to the milling soldiers. The ranger hesitated for a moment, then continued. "Emeri… didn't make it. I'm sorry."

"Well, at least you two made it back," Fleury said quietly, looking down at the ground for a moment. "I'm glad that elf didn't get everyone. Guess I knew as soon as I saw the two of you without him."

"Sorry," Talia said. "He… well, he saved us, at any rate."

"Yeah, well, everyone dies some time," Fleury said, trying to push the conversation past the subject of his friend's death. "Look, the marquis sent some officials down here, and the Arcanists' Guild wants to know what happened to their wayward scholar. You two head over to the temple and get those injuries looked at, and I'll let the officials know you're here."

Crispin opened his mouth to protest, but Fleury had already turned and started back into the town to alert the company's leaders to his arrival.

"We should have stayed in the cave another couple of days," Talia said, turning wearily to the ranger.

"There might be time to head back now," Crispin offered. Talia smiled slightly.

"I'd rather sleep in a bed," she said, nodding to a nearby cabin. The mage took two steps to the small building, then turned back to Crispin. "Are you coming?"

"I thought you'd never ask," the ranger said with a smile, following Talia to the cabin.