Paz-Durkh: Epilogue
A night of somber celebration follows Zakkael's victory over Simikiel. Nothing energetic--everyone is burned out of that impulse by the previous unnatural euphoria.
Watches are maintained. A half-dozen bandits are captured by the dwarves overnight. Apparently, they'd been sent into the mine through a back tunnel. It wasn't large enough to use to raid the supply of geodes, but the men were dressed as Legionnaires, apparently they were going to infiltrate the ranks and plant explosives on the defensive wall overnight, and then set them off during the next morning's raid--of course, that plan has been completely disrupted, the saboteurs didn't even know the main force had already fled in total retreat. The prisoners ultimately end up getting taken back to Castle Refuge to see if they can be redeemed, or at least used in a prisoner exchange the next time the Legion and the 1st Apocalyptic Cavalry end up at cross-purposes.
Throughout the day, everyone maintains sharp watch, just in case the bandits return, but there is no further trouble. At sunset, the caravan from the Legion shows up, and they fill four trucks with the geodes. Karl Thrunder, the leader of the dwarves, approaches you, addressing Artemeisia directly.
"We thank you, warriors, for you stalwart defense of our home and our mine. We are aware that this was an assignment for you, but we have informed the Legion that we wish to express our thanks directly to your group." He gestures, and the dwarves bring forward a geode for each of you. "Please, put these to whatever use you might be able to get for them."
The corporal who had led the caravan comes over and salutes. "Chief Ossana said you should ride back with us, to provide security and receive your next assignment."
The ride back is very peaceful, and you arrive at Castle Refuge at sunrise. Montcrief takes care of the delivery, and congratulates you on your success, as he reads the mission report. "Alright. Go and get showered up, and sleep for a few hours; Chief Wilde will see you at noon in the briefing room. The good news is, the ventilation has been fixed."
And so, refreshed (mostly), you find yourselves filing back into the same briefing room, the air quite comfortable, as promised. Ossana and Montcrief are already there, and as you sit down, she takes a moment surveying you all before nodding.
"Excellent work, people. You're all officially big damn heroes, now. Oh, except in Little Pocahontas." She takes a moment to pull out a sheet of paper, corners ripped as if it was pulled down after being nailed to a wall. She reads aloud. "Wanted: Information leading to the identification, capture and conviction of the murderers of Henry "Hellfire" Harrison, beloved friend and father, and his loyal lieutenant, Lucas Griswold. Inquire at the Little Pocahontas sheriff's office. 10,000 credits for identification, 100,000 each for capture or confirmed kill." She pauses.
"Furthermore, we have received a report that the sunnofabitch didn't even have the decency to stay dead. Apparently the town nearly bankrupted itself to obtain the services of someone who could bring him back from the grave. He's set himself up there as Lord Mayor Hellfire, now, because I guess the one who brought him back was a D-Bee, so he's on the outs with the 1st now, so at least that's something. Also, I suspect he knew Lucas--that was the robot armor jock, apparently--was as loyal as the poster suggests, since his lieutenant was NOT brought back from the dead." She tosses the wanted poster on the table; in the center space, there's several question marks, and a pair of rough sketches that probably are Artemeisia and Hassun; not good enough for a solid identification by some passerby, but it suggests that Hellfire, at least, would probably recognize you both. She snorts. "I hear they're building a statue to the new Lord Mayor. Sergeant Tubbins went out when we got word about this, they were holding a three-day celebration in honor of his successful resurrection. Tubbins noticed that a disturbing proportion of the children in that town have green eyes, same as Harrison. People started asking questions, so Tubbins got the hell out of there. In short, folks, you are all to stay well clear of Little Poke for the time being, until we get this situation resolved. Understood?"
"Now, on to happier matters. You all have a few days off, and your next pay receipt will have the combat bonus applied to your accounts. After that, you're getting a milk run. Goodwill tour of the region sort of thing. I'll have the details in the next briefing; in the meantime, enjoy the R&R." And with that, she walks out. Montcrief hangs back. "Any questions?"