In Search of Nibelungen - Epilogue

by Pyorgi

Desolation. The futility of war. This is what I have come to learn.

This is what Babushka sent me away from the caravan for. Perhaps now I am wiser, but also sadder. Most of my new friends seem to share the same feelings of sorrow and despair. We had won a great battle, but at what cost? Hundreds of men lay dead or dying in the fields surrounding Freiburg. Posen's mighty army had been turned away. At least for now...

Curiously, Franz remained unmoved. I had expected that finally now I would see some emotion from him; joy perhaps, that we had won the day, and he was being cheered as a hero who had saved Freiburg, or deep sorrow perhaps for his strife-torn nation and the men and women who had lost their lives today. But no, nothing. Nothing but dour, expressionless Franz. I get the feeling that my friend had seen many days like this, and I shudder at just how bad it must have been to live through the dark days of the War of the Cross.

The battle had been short, sharp and furious. We were very fortunate that Kelby Loring had been freed, he is indeed a mighty General, and for the most part was able to outpoint Posen throughout the battle, despite her reputation as one of the land's most renowned tacticians.

As for our party, Eduarde was in his element, capturing the enemy banner, and parading it in front of Posen's army, seemingly untouchable. Giancarlo fought a curious battle. Early on he picked up our banner after the carrier had been slain, but I don't think he really had much of an idea of what a banner carrier should do - once I saw him wiping his bloody nose on it! Dandelion fought a mighty duel, and although he was the victor, he was severely injured. Pistol at times looked like he was fighting against us, but assures me it just looked that way! And then there was Franz. Leading a large group of men, he fought like a demon, winning several duels, and stayed in the thick of things to the end. I tried to keep with him, it seemed that the opposition took little notice of me, perhaps assuming an unarmed man was of no consequence, but I managed to bounce a few heads together.

And so we won the battle, and the people of Freiburg cheered wildly for Franz von Tannen and his men, we received great rewards from the city, but still I feel quite hollow inside.

Until I heard the familiar sounds of tambourines and accordians. I quickly ran towards the gates of the new Drachenheim manor, a building formerly occupied by a fellow called Erhardt that my companions had dealings with. There coming up the cobbled stones was our caravan, Tonino, recovered from his wounds waving wildly towards me. I ran to greet him.

"Have you learned well?" asked Babushka. I nodded somewhat glumly. A curt smile crossed her lips.

"War is futile", she muttered.

I jumped on to the wagon, waving goodbye to my new friends, and we headed off back towards Ussura, leaving Eisen, but we will be back, I'm sure of it, for we are the Tumbling Bouchikis.