The Epilogue
-----Two hours after the sun sets, a huge feast takes place in the great hall of Crystal Keep Castle. A lot of food is served and a minstrel plays soothing tones on a lute. The blaze in the fireplace and the many candles set in stands about the hall, add to a relaxing and comfortable feeling.
-----Lord Lambert and his Court Advisors sit at the main table in front of the mantle. The Lord of Hearthorn is a handsome and just man of regal bearing. His dark hair falls barely to his shoulders and he wears a short black beard. His blue eyes radiate strength and goodness. He wears the decorated clothing of a defender of his fiefdom and a paladin of the Holy Redeemer.
-----His five advisors he introduces as Lord Chamberlain Sarius, Lord Chancellor Lucan, Lord Justice Liam, Lord Marshall Kelvin, and the Lord Chaplain Jareth of Joren. Also in attendance are The High Guardian Curate Karena of the Temple of the Holy Guardian and The Sun Lord Jacian Dawnrider.
-----Lord Lambert warmly welcomes the adventurers and invites them to sit at the side tables. After a lot of food and drink is consumed, Lord Lambert turns to call on the Lord Wizard to speak. Zepharon who sits beside Sarah rises to address everyone.
-----Sarah looks very beautiful and radiant in a golden gown. The woven designs in her dress seem to twinkle as they catch the light as if enchanted with starlight.
-----"Lord Lambert, Noble Advisors of the Court of Hearthorn," the Lord Wizard begins, "friends and heroes of the fief of Hearthorn, permit me to pay honor to these six young people who we have the pleasure to welcome here on this day. For it is in my humble opinion, that were it not for the bravery and skills they possess, evil would have gained a hold on our fair kingdom."
-----"First, permit me to divulge all information I have learned since the beginning of this year." The Lord Wizard turns so he faces the young adventurers.
-----"There were two elements of evil activity working together in the area, Sir Krondor and the dark worshippers. As for the motive of the dark worshippers, everything centered around the Darkening Crystal in the Oakwood Forest. It is my belief that the Darkening Crystal was a magical construct that slowly destroyed the living and would bring about their goddess’s perverted vision for the world. The power of the Crystal was slow, only increasing its area of effect each new moon."
-----"For them to succeed in this quest, they needed to distract the people of Hearthorn from where their horrid device throve. Hence, the cursed affliction of the animals. In the Wesgol, the Dark ones constructed another site that you found, and thankfully destroyed, that obtained its power from the magical nature of a faerie dragon. It was from that area that the Dark ones maintained the curse that plagued the animals. The evil ones you found in the cave were dark worshippers that masqueraded as followers of the mad god. They would help maintain the animals’ madness and the raising of the dead to do the bidding of the one called Devlin. They also received stolen goods from the bandits that Sir Krondor brought in."
-----"Of Sir Krondor, the kindest thing that can be said is he is a traitor. He looked to claim Hearthorn by discrediting Lord Lambert’s rule. He, it was who brought in bandits and humanoids into the area to attack the villages and farms. He and Devlin planned the economic ruin of the fiefdom. The town still suffers from the counterfeit coins their lackeys distributed."
-----"As for the small black gemstones you found along the way, they were simply small ornamental stones made of obsidian. The evil ones carried them so that when the value of the coin in Hearthorn collapsed, they would still have something of worth. Whatever plan they had after that can only be speculated."
-----"In the area to the south, bandits had attacked and harassed the forest homes, making it appear that the attacks were provoked by the elves of the woods. In turn, some of the humans had gone after the elves, further drawing attention away from the Darkening Crystal."
-----"Broactor was correct in suspecting Krondor. The Priest of the Hunt detected the movement of bandits through the area as they took stolen items to their hideaway in the Wesgol. Broactor couldn’t put his finger on it but he also knew this was related to the animal’s afflictions."
-----"When the Priest of the Hunt began to accuse Krondor, Krondor thought that those in Hearthorn would dismiss Broactor as delusional. The turning point was when Broactor laid a few traps injuring some of Krondor’s brigands. That was when Krondor commanded his troops to attack the Temple of Thales and then ride south to Tru. Hoping to kill Broactor, Krondor’s plan would remain hidden and the attack would be blamed on roving bandits."
-----"Now it is that Sir Krondor has fled the area. Perhaps from learning that Broactor still lives, but more likely from learning that a young band of heroes have, over the course of a few days, destroyed his bandits’ base of operations and brought an end to the animals’ curse. Reports I have received spotted Krondor in Tru yesterday boarding a river craft."
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