Prophecies and Lies

Epilogue

Ah, the epilogue. The end of the whole story. A sense of finality, right? 

I hope you like the ending--after all, it sets the mood of the whole story. If you do, please tell me. I've got so much I actually want to ask you readers, but I can't really, so I hope you'll leave a comment ;).

Anyway, enjoy the end to Prophecies and Lies!

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          It was quiet in the inn. Now that the festival had ended, all the city’s visitors moved back to their homes, and the townsfolk went back to their peaceful lives. This resulted in a taproom that was nearly empty, only a few merchants left, and sometimes an odd stranger who wanted to keep the party going. Nothing for the innkeep to worry about.

          He glanced over his shoulder as the door to the inn opened, and a hooded figure entered. She didn’t come into the taproom, she quickly disappeared upstairs before he managed to talk to her; June didn’t want to see the innkeeper. When they had first arrived in Oakes, Terrance had given him a wealthy sum of money—enough to make sure they’d get a place to stay. However, now that they suddenly came back after having disappeared for many days, the innkeeper wanted to be paid again for taking care of their horse and wagon. Of course June paid him, but he kept coming back for more.

          Their money was running out and they would have to find a cheaper place soon. June wasn’t too worried about it, but she was unsure how Terrance would react. Would he be mad for spending all their money so quickly?

          She climbed the stairs slowly, a bit hesitant. The wooden floorboards made more sound the higher she got, though she wasn't afraid they would give in. They were old, but not dangerous.

          As she came to the top floor, where the small hallway led to one single door, she waited on the steps. She didn't want to enter the room—not really. She was a little afraid to see what was behind the door. She was afraid he would have made no progress today... June sighed and pulled down her hood, trying to distract herself. Her fingers played with the rim of her cloak.

          It was strange; she thought she had lost her beautiful Cloak of Flight somewhere between being kidnapped by Nikolai and the fire destroying the werewolves' home. But she had discovered it tugged safely in the back of their cart in the inn when they arrived here. Blake had taken care of it somehow; he had made sure to put it somewhere she would find it, along with an Oleyrean orb that wasn't Terrance's. A note he left in a pocket of her cloak said it was Nikolai's. He had taken it because he thought they might have a better use for it.

          Terrance had barely even glanced at the thing. He didn't care.

          She took a deep breath before pushing aside the door. “I'm back,” she said, but there was barely any answer. On the bed, Maya looked up a little droggily. She was still recovering from the ritual; though Terrance's healing potion had made the cuts on her face disappear, she remained rather tired and shaken-up. She managed to smile at June, but not much more.

          “How have you been? How are you feeling?” she asked.