The Epilogue!
-----A single candle illuminates the empty bar area as Kazel leads Dofgar and Grindor into the Two-Door Tavern. Brad looks up as they approach and he broadly smiles as he cleans the last of his mugs. The stillness and the darkness of the place in post midnight hours make it seem tomblike.
-----Kazel’s three friends listen intently to her as she relates everything that has occurred to her in the last six days. Brad and Dofgar look with admiration as the half-elven girl speaks and exchanges gasps as she gets to a tense part of her story. Grindor stands firmly with his arms crossed looking much like a stone statue. His dark eyes catch the glimmer of the flame. He occasionally emits a grunt when Kazel mentions some battle that happened. The three humbly and proudly decline to take the gold from Kazel telling her, in their own ways, that they could not accept what she had put her life on the line for.
-----Of the long sword, Grindor says, "This be this sword ye were bringin’ me earlier. It looks to be finely crafted, but I ain’t sure ifn it be enchanted." As the dwarven weaponsmith takes the black blade in his hands, he turns it over and over trying to look at its dark detail in the dim light. He remains silent though his eyes show interest. He sweeps the weapon through the air and it seems light in his grip. "Girl," he finally says, "ye be havin’ the knack of findin’ fine weapons. I be guessin’ this be enchanted or finely balanced." He points out to her a small round emblem mounted on the handle of the short sword. The emblem is a black disk on a dark blue background.
-----When Kazel shows Dofgar the ring and the necklace, the dwarf’s eyes widen. "My dear girl, it would seem ye have started your collection of family jewels!" He then whispers to her that the necklace could fetch at least one hundred gold and the ring probably twenty.
-----In the pre-dawn hours, Kazel and the two dwarves leave the tavern. As Dofgar follows her out, he tells Kazel, "I can’t thank ye enough. Even though it sounds like we didn’t have nothin’ to fear from this new thieves’ guild, ye did us and your father’s memory proud. Ye saved this whole town and the businesses a lot of grief. Ye be deservin’ them jewels, lass. Ye be a true princess in me heart!"
-----"Oh... don't be calling me princess now, or I'll be getting all soft," Kazel says as she returns Dofgar's hug, and smiles at Grindor, as if asking him, "Right?"
-----With a hug and procuring a promise to "not be a stranger," the dwarves send Kazel on her way back to the thieves’ guild.
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-----When Kazel returns to the guild, she is again drenched from the rain outside and looking tired, but she seems happier and talkative as before.
-----After a long night of heavy drinking with Picks, the Dread Pirate clambers on top of a table and places his hands on his hips, "Well, my job here is done. Evil has been vanquished and the town saved. Now it’s time for me to head back to my okra plantation and harvest this year’s tofu crop before it spoils. But before I go, I have something for you."
-----Gimplefwick jumps off the table and rummages through his cache of equipment. Pocketing the gold, he grabs his musty parrot and attaches it firmly to Seth's shoulder, "Here ye go, minstrel. Take care of 'Precious' while I'm gone."
-----Seth takes the parrot from The Dread Pirate and promises, "My dear Gimplefwick I promise to have Albert teach your Precious how to fly!"
-----The minuscule pirate then looks over at Wain and says, "Make sure and be sendin me a message about how this all turned out. An ifn ye ever need me help again, just send word."
-----Gimplefwick then walks over to Kazel with a hand outstretched. He then kicks her feet out from under her and attempts to plant a big, wet, sloppy tongue kiss on her. But when Gimplefwick trips her and tries to plant a kiss on her, he suddenly feels the cold steel of her dagger blade pressing on his throat. "Nice try, Dread Pirate," she smiles, then ruffles his hair like a child with her other hand, "But I'll stick to my own species."
-----Seth turns to Kazel, "My Dearest Kazel, I am planning on settling hereabouts for some time. I wish to open my Art gallery and Rare Antiques store, I would be pleased to work with you, if you stay in town."
-----To Seth, Kazel replies, "Well, you know where my shop is. Feel free to drop by anytime. I can use some business as I think I've had enough thievery for a while," she says turning to Wain. "But drop me a visit if something else comes up."
-----Kazel then turns to Jim. "That includes you, too. Hey, maybe when you're tired of fighting orcs, you can come give me some help if business picks up." She then gives him a quick kiss on the cheek, making sure Gimplefwick sees it. She then makes yet another face at Dora May, and with a wink at all her friends, turns and exits the guild house to the rising sun.
-----As the sun comes up, Seth dresses in his finest shirt and trousers and carries his new silver tipped cane. As he approaches Books, "Well my Dear, shall we take some breakfast?" he says as he hold out his arm ready to go to town.
-----Finally, the halfling scampers out the exit of the guild and heads off for parts unknown.
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