"It's over," said Dorimant. "It's finally over."
"Yes," said Hawk, getting tiredly to his feet. "I think it is." He looked at Fisher. "Are you all right, lass?"
"I'll live," said Fisher dryly, flexing her aching leg.
"He was one of the best," said Dorimant, staring sadly at Stalker's body. "I never liked him, but I always admired him. He was one of the greatest heroes ever to come out of the Low Kingdoms. He really did do most of the things the legends say he did."
"Yes," said Hawk. "I know. And that's why we're going to say Hightower was responsible for all the deaths. No one really blames a werewolf. Haven needs legends like Stalker more than it needs the truth."
Dorimant nodded slowly. "I suppose you're right. A man's past should be buried with the man."
There was a sudden lurch as the house seemed to drop an inch. A subtle tension on the air was suddenly gone.
"The isolation spell," said Fisher. "It's finished. Let's get the hell out of this place."
They all looked at Gaunt, sleeping peacefully in his chair.
"You go on," said Dorimant. "I'll stick around till he wakes up. Someone's got to brief him on the story we're going to tell. Besides…" Dorimant looked levelly at Hawk and Fisher. "I promised Visage I'd look after her. I don't want to leave her here, in the company of strangers."
"All right," said Hawk. "We won't be long. What will you do now, Dorimant, now that Blackstone is dead… ?"
"I'll think of something," said Dorimant. "If nothing else, I'll be able to dine out on this story for months."
They laughed, and then Hawk and Fisher made their goodbyes and left. They walked unhurriedly down the hall to the closed front door. Hawk hesitated a moment, and then pulled the door open. A cool breeze swept in, dispelling the heat of the long night. The sun had come up, and there were rain clouds in the early morning skies, and a hint of moisture on the air. Hawk and Fisher stood together a while, quietly enjoying the cool of the breeze.
"It was partly the heat," said Fisher finally. "It brings out the worst in people."
"Yeah," said Hawk. "But only if the evil is there to be brought out. Come on, lass, let's go."
They shut the door behind them, and walked out of the grounds and down the steep hill that led back into the shadowed heart of the city. Even in the early morning light. Haven is a dark city.
Simon R. Green, Hawk & Fisher
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