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The whole village celebrates for the entire evening. There is dancing and music with improvised instruments, mostly flutes and percussions. There is good food, gathered in a hurry through snares and traps by hunters who felt they were safe for a few hours. Most of all, there is good humour for the first time in a long while. Children are running and playing around the camp and lovers are enlacing tenderly. Many villagers, some very young, gave the heroes token of their appreciation; small wooden carved figurines or modest metalwork. A young woman of about fifteen offered a particularly tasteful rose shaped hairpin made of crude iron. The celebrations go on into the night.
Suddenly the night lights up and a ghostly apparition fills the sky above the village. The head of a man appears hundred of yards in the air, looking down on the village as if it was a ant hill. He is appears coldly beautiful and cruel.
-''Congratulations on your victories, mortals. I am Ethan Severus, the Lord of this game preserve.
I want to congratulate the intruders for their bold victory. I am impressed. It took some magic before I even learned your names. I speak of the warrior known only to me as Max, bold and courageous. I speak of the young lady Haruka who is a woman after my own heart, not afraid to make dangerous deals to achieve what must be achieved, and I speak of the wizard Ashir, clever and cool headed even in the face of adversity.
I feel honor bound to reward your bravery and skill. I offer you the chance to leave this preserve. I even offer you the chance to join me as vassals, but if you are not thus inclined, I understand and will let you be on your way. You have earned as much.
I mourn with you the passing of Raiko, proud and virtuous knight from the Jadite kingdom. He fought bravely. You will, I hope, understand that I cannot offer the same to the sinister agency that took over your friend's body. I must destroy it. As for the village, it has to be razed and the preys must resume their duty.
I hope you will be reasonable and accept my generous offer. I will not offer again and the next attack shall be overwhelming. I expect your answer tomorrow night.
And on this note, have a nice evening.''
The apparition disappears and the night is again dark. This time, so is the mood as the villagers huddle together, optimism gone.