The Dollmaker of Kalastra

Epilogue: Fate

Khendric opened the door to Harry's inn. Business seemed alright, but Harry looked tired. When he noticed the beasthunter, he motioned him over.

Khendric sat down on a stool and put the head of the dollmaker on the table. He had covered it in cloth, not wanting to sully the counter.

"Where's your friend?" Harry asked, not acknowledging the head. "Hurt?"

"No, he's fine. He's outside tending to a stray we picked up."

"You killed the beast?" the innkeeper asked.

"We did."

"I thought so."

"What do you mean?"

"Eric's leg fell off while he was asleep," Harry explained. "He felt no pain, or he didn't admit to it, at least. So I thought maybe that was why, but I don't know much about this. I take it he won't get his leg back?"

"I doubt it," Khendric answered. "I'm very sorry for him."

Harry looked away, trying to hold back tears. "Ah, better this way. We both knew the chances were slim, and this is better than having the animal leg. Pick your poison, I guess."

"I hope he sees it this way too," Khendric said.

"Time will tell. He seemed happier this way. What was it? The beast, I mean."

"Nothing usual. It wasn't a known beast, but a creature born from dark magic. We called it the dollmaker." Khendric patted the head. "Its head is here, if you wish to see. It's a disgusting thing."

"I'll take your word for it," Harry said, grimacing. "That smell is ghastly enough, and Eric's donkey leg falling off is proof enough. Could you dispose of it?"

"Yes. The dollmaker was created by a darkora. Remember we talked about those?"

"Yes."

"A poor woman had been the victim of a beastly curse. The dollmaker led us to them and we stopped an infestation from spreading through the city."

"Really?" asked Harry. "I guess that's a good thing. Eric's sacrifice wasn't for nothing."

"It truly wasn't."

"I'll find your pay," Harry said.

"Only one third," Khendric told him. "Instead of the agreed upon two thirds. Use the rest on Eric. The boy is gonna need a contraption to help him walk."

"Thank you," Harry said. "Let me tell you this instead then: I wasn't completely truthful earlier. When you asked if I knew where the other beasthunter had gone—the female one—she . . . she did tell me."

"Did she now?" Khendric asked, hopeful.

"Yeah, but I was afraid. If I told you, then . . . maybe you would disappear too. And with Eric and—"

"I understand," Khendric said. "I really do. Where did she go?"

"It was weird," Harry began. "She came in, about to tell me something, but another man approached her. He was cloaked, so I saw no face, but he had a pack of gnurgles following him."

"Gnurgles?" Khendric asked.

"Yes. Then she came over, told me she had to leave, but she made it really clear I knew she was going to Ashbourn. Said it many times actually."

A smile crept over Khendric's face. "Thank you, Harry."

"And to you, Master Beasthunter. Are you on another case already?"

"No, not yet. Topper and I have other . . . matters at hand now: a destination, thanks to you. And a more . . . fatherly responsibility, you could say."

"You have kids?" Harry asked.

"No," Khendric said. "Before coming back here, we saved a young girl, after she lost her parents. We couldn't leave her here, so we took her under our wings. Perhaps . . . though it might be foolish, she could become a beasthunter too."

The End of The Dollmaker ofKalastra.

Khendric and Topper's story continues in The Beasthunter of Ashbourn, Willbreaker, releasing on Amazon November 1st. 2020