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By Robert B. Hazelton

Disclaimer: The characters within are used without permission for the sheer non profit enjoyment of fans of the Gabriel Knight genre.
Epilogue

Birds sang a merry tune over the light breeze around Schloss Ritter. A pleasant fragrance danced upon the wind-- baked goods from nearby Rittersburgh and far off a flute played a melody, the distance inhibited any but the highest notes.

Gabriel leaned against the wall outside the door to the catacombs, coat neatly drawn and tied about the waste. He pulled the petals from the bud of a rose and dropped them to the ground, his face drawn in thought. Contemplation seemed to be his new pastime.

Claudia. Foremost on his mind. He would've never seen her again if it weren't for the thing that killed her and almost him... Some fragment of his soul, the same shrapnel that every person loses with the end of a meaningful relationship, seemed once again to cause pain. Of course, regrets for missed opportunities are the most common... Why did it feel like

he missed out on another chance?

Misguided emotions. Desire had always guided his life. Desire to enjoy himself. Desire to be entertained. Desire to find the next thrill. Now suddenly, his life had meaning. Regretful? How could it be? Isn't responsibility what all souls crave? A chance to matter? Deep inside, he wanted to matter. More than anything.

"Gabriel?" Grace broke his reverie and he smiled at her as she rounded the corner. "I've been looking for you. What's up?"

He shrugged. "Just relaxin a bit."

"I got that information about Claudia." She offered gently, trying to gauge his expression.

"The autopsy report?"

"Yeah," She squinted at him. "Do you want to hear this now?"

"I do." He pushed off from the wall. "What did they call it?"

"Heart failure. Natural causes."

He shook his head. "Makes sense. I know how she felt... I know that if I wouldn't have been warned... I... I don't think that I would've..."

She put her hand up. "It's okay. I understand." He planted her hands in her own pockets. "I also found out about the husband..."

He looked at her expectantly.

"He died as well. Heart failure." She frowned. "He died after leaving an auction on his way home."

Gabriel shook his head again and looked down. "Strange how fateful this job is."

She frowned. "Having doubts Gabriel?"

He shrugged. "Only that things would get any easier."

"But would you have it any other way?" She smiled.

Before he could answer, Gerde appeared from around the corner. "Her Knight!" She cried. "You're needed on the phone! Someone named... Leber?"

Gabriel looked down at Grace and laughed. "I suppose not." They followed Gerde around the castle, pausing only once for a last look back at the pile of rose petals in front of the door. "I'm sorry, Claudia." He whispered and turned away, once more into the fray.