Epilogue:
As the last notes of the song faded away and echoed in the auditorium, Eliza McConnel gave a modest bow as she was greeted by applause from the students who had come to watch her performance. It had been a few years since she had graduated college here at Somerset Valley University, but it was nice to come home once a year and do a show for her school. After having recorded a few folk songs with a minor record label, she was now an up and coming star in the local music industry. Naturally everyone around the nearby city of Boston wanted to lend support to a homegrown talent and they were always particularly eager to hear some of the stories that helped inspire her music.
Eliza gave another bow and smiled as she reached for the microphone, "Thank you! Thank you everyone! I'm glad you enjoyed that little number. It seems people around here are always asking to hear the Ballad of the Somerset Knights."
One of the students in the audience raised a hand and called out, "Is it true that you were a student here when those monsters attacked several years ago and the knights came to save the town?"
Eliza laughed gently and nodded, "That's right. I was starting my junior year here along with the knights. They were actually my friends and classmates. Their experiences and heroics helped to inspire some of my music that tells their story. Back in the old days, ancient people like the Celts had a strong oral tradition and the passing on of history and culture fell to their bards. Those bards were great storytellers and musicians who helped preserve those tales and even if we don't really have them around anymore, I like to think that I'm doing my part to honor that tradition."
Another girl in the audience raised a hand and gave a hopeful look, "Miss McConnel, you said you went to school with those heroes and that you were friends with them. Do you know what happened to them, or where they are now?"
"Of course!" Eliza grinned, "I still keep in regular contact with all of them. They all remained local and even if they're not battling monsters on a regular basis, they're still keeping an eye on things here, just in case."
The crowd remained quiet as she sat back and gave a smile, "Connor Walsh went on to get his degree in English and become a successful writer. I know he's published a couple of Fantasy adventure novels taking inspiration from his exploits with the fey. The series is still ongoing and there's been some talk of maybe having his books adapted into a screenplay. When he's not writing or editing, I know he also teaches some Creative Writing courses at a local community college too. Maybe now that I'm in town, I can twist his arm to come play a few music sets with me at the local pub... just to make sure he doesn't get too rusty with the fiddle."
The audience chuckled as she gave a wink and continued, "Noelle Moreau is currently finishing up veterinary school and preparing to take her board exams. While I haven't had much time to talk to her recently, I know she's still staying active with her karate classes and volunteering at the local animal shelter too. For anyone who was concerned, don't worry. Both she and Connor are still together and in a happy relationship. After shared experiences like those, I can't imagine they wouldn't be in it for the long haul. But God help them if they decided to move in together. Poor Connor... I imagine Noelle would probably turn the whole place into a petting zoo."
After a little more laughter from the crowd of students, Eliza scratched her chin and leaned back on her seat, "As for Quinton Wallace, I understand he got his degree in Sociology and went into social services work assisting psychiatrists. He had told me how glad he was that he became a knight because it really helped to bring him out of his shell. I had always thought he was a really sweet and gentle guy, but he was always so timid and unsure of himself too. After he learned to overcome all that, he wanted to help people who suffered from the same issue and make them just as confident too. He told me he enjoys his work and finds it fulfilling, though he's still a little uncertain if he's ready to go into public motivational speaking. One thing at a time, right?
Laura Gremory graduated college with her degree in History and recently completed her Master's thesis in the field of Archeology. She had gone out west to Colorado for a year or two to intern under a famous professor by the name of Gabriel Bishop. From what I know, she's on her way home to work on making some archeological discoveries of her own here. In the mean time, I also know she had won a major tennis tournament out west and is on better terms with her parents too.
And not to forget Stephen Gentum-Smith... he finished here with a degree in Business and currently works for a big sports equipment distributor in Boston. He's been promoting their archery equipment, helping give demonstrations to advertise and boost interest. Although they haven't been able to spend a whole lot of time together because of their schooling or work, I know that he and Laura have maintained a long distance relationship and I'm certain now that Laura is coming back home, the both of them will be much happier to be nearby each other again."
One of the younger students stood up, "Miss McConnel... this may sound like a silly question, but did those five knights ever ride again? Was that battle against Balor really the end of their adventure?"
"Of course not," Eliza laughed, "The story isn't over just yet. Even after defeating Balor and saving the people of Somerset Valley, the five knights had gone on many other journeys across the Faerie Realm to help keep the peace in that world as well as our own. If you'd like to hear the tale of their next adventure, why don't you all just sit back, relax, and listen as I sing about it in my newest song..."