Yuletide: An Ivory Stag Story

 

 

Yuletide:

An Ivory Stag Story

 

By

Brian R Kupfer

 

Part One

Portals we Have Seen On High

 

 

As is their wont, the six companions are gathered around their favorite table in the Ivory Stag Tavern.

The round table is in a corner of the tavern, across from the long bar, where the group can see the entire lower floor of the establishment, including the giant main entry door.

The table sits mostly in shadow, away from the chandeliers that hang from the ceiling nearly twenty feet overhead.

 

Not just a local watering hole, the Ivory Stag is also a reliquary for the area’s history, almost like a museum that also happens to serve great food and drinks.

However, unlike a museum, which is generally open to the public for a fee, the Ivory Stag tavern hosts a much more exclusive clientele.

Think of it like The Explorers Club, or some other exclusive guild house.

You have to have the right type of bona fides to even begin the application process to be able to access the Ivory Stag Tavern.

 

The tavern’s interior is done in warm and welcoming natural tones.

Whole trees form the cross beams of the ceiling, their denuded branches serve as anchor points for the lush fabrics that drape across the large room’s ceiling, as well as supporting the Tavern’s candle-light chandeliers, which provide a soft illumination for the establishment.

Additional tree trunks are spaced around the interior of the building as supporting columns throughout the seating area of the Stag, staggered seemingly at random.

Unlike a traditional tavern, the Ivory Stag doesn’t have large mirrors running along behind the bar, since mirrors can be used as portals by those that know how, and some of the patrons of the establishment don’t cast any reflections, a fact that might tend to unnerve some patrons.

Instead of mirrors, the wall behind the bar features a large mural of a bone white male deer, the legendary namesake of the Ivory Stag, as well as representing some of the Realm’s more famous adventurers, and on the walls are mounted displays of suits of armor and weapons used by some of the land’s most famous heroes.

Arranged in and amongst all of this are portraits of some of the benefactors of the Ivory Stag, as well as some of the few rulers of the Realm that the Stag’s proprietor personally likes.

If you know where to look, there is a portrait of one of the women seated at the table.

 

Standing on a small stage in the corner nearest the main door, four gaily dressed Dwarves are the evening’s musical entertainment, and the quartet are singing acapella.

 

The six adventurers are sitting around their usual table, enjoying their Summer Solstice evening meal with their wine, ale, or mead, depending on each adventurer’s personal preference.

To get this tale properly going, you should probably be introduced to them.

With no further fanfare, here around the table are our six protagonists.

 

Scarlet Stormbringer, the Half-Elf Assassin, sits in the corner, in the shadows, her long auburn hair spilling out from under the thin silver tiara with its single clear jewel that denotes her as the Uradel Margravine of the Realm, before falling over her pointed Elvish ears.

The lithe woman is laughing with gusto at a memory the large male beside her has brought up from one of the group’s shared adventures.

 

On her right, Erin Whitebeard, the large and furry Quarter-Yeti Mage Spy, sits with his bald shaven head reflecting the candle-light of the nearest chandelier, his close-cropped white beard quivering in amusement.

 

On his other side from Scarlet sits Ingfri Fredotir, the Tiefling Barbarian.

Only slightly shorter than Erin, Ingfri has an Amazonian build and thigh-length wavy purple hair that often covers her pointed ears and small black horns. 

Her long prehensile tail flicks behind her while she animatedly adds her perspective of the memory they are all discussing.

 

Beside the Tiefling is the only fully human member of the companions, Elizabeth Loch, the blonde Sorceress, whose eyes are alight with mirth while she sips her ale and listens to her friends.

After one particularly raucous recollection, Elizabeth adds “You know that was based on a true story.” in a deadpan delivery, as if an outside viewer commenting on a tale.

The whole group once again erupts in laughter.

 

Next to the Sorceress is Marbelle Ray, the Wild Shape Druid, whose blue hair flies as she turns back and forth, talking with her hands while she recounts her point of view of the episode in question.

Her eyes shine with mirth while she enjoys the memory with her friends.

 

Finally, between the Druid and the Assassin is the Cleric of Morpheus, the brunette Kalashtar female, Sorashana Snips.

Sorashana leans against Scarlet’s shoulder, tears of laughter rolling down her face.

The Cleric’s Medallion of Morpheus bounces on her chest while her whole body shakes with her laughter.

 

The six are more than friends, they are a found family, and have spent the last few years together as adventuring companions, completing quests and generally trying to make the Realm a better place while still managing to make a living, and even a bit of a name for themselves.

Sort of a group of freelance heroes, in a way, although none of them are really in this for fame or fortune.

If asked point blank, none of them would be able to give a reason why they are always partaking of these adventures, excepting perhaps the motivation to improve their world and spend time with those they love.

 

Tonight, on the Summer Solstice, their gathering together isn’t about chasing legends or finding lost artefacts, although they are certainly discussing fondly times they have done both during their past escapades..

 

No, tonight is about spending some relaxing time with those they love in comfortable surroundings, and with good food.

Or so they all intended.

The gods, or fate, or just the needs of the plot, often have other plans.

 

As the Summer Solstice, tonight is the longest night of the year, and although the companions could easily be out celebrating with many of the other denizens of the Realm, they all much prefer a not-so-quiet dinner with their found family.

 

It is as they are working on their desserts, all of which the Ivory Stag serves are sumptuous and made to order, that Marbelle’s familiar, the large black crow known as Ri, makes his appearance.

He flutters in from the behind the fabrics draped along the ceiling, and the redheaded barmaid that usually takes care of the six adventurers eyes the large bird warily while he swoops down towards the circular table and his Druid.

 

No one has ever discovered exactly how Ri manages to get into the Ivory Stag, since they have never seen him come through the main door, or the secondary door at the end of the hallway on the building’s second floor, unless he is perched on Marbelle’s shoulder, and all of them know that was not the case when the group arrived tonight.

 

When the large black avian flutters to a landing at his normal perching spot atop Marbelle Ray’s shoulder, the iridescent-feathered crow drops a tied and sealed scroll in front of the Wild Shape Druid.

 

Thanking her familiar, Marbelle reaches up and hands Ri a piece of cheese, which the bird greedily devours while she unties the scroll, which is magically encoded to only open for Marbelle herself.

That little added protection is a bit out of the ordinary, but not unheard of in their adventuring circles, and the Druid shrugs, placing her thumb on the seal and unlocking the magical enchantment.

When the scroll rolls open on the table in front of her, Marbelle reads it, utters a “huh”, and passes it to Elizabeth, who, as their Sorceress, generally has more knowledge about the Magi side of things.

 

The blonde spell slinger reads the short scroll quietly to herself, ignoring for the moment the fact that the eyes of everyone at the table are upon her, waiting in hushed silence for her to explain what the scroll is about.

 

Predictably, Erin is the first to get bored with waiting.

“So….what does it say?  Do we have a job?” The large and furry man asks Elizabeth and Marbelle.

“Yeah, we’ve got a job, but the timing is a bit off.” Ingfri comments, having read the scroll once Elizabeth passed it to her, before handing it over to Erin.

 

Once the scroll has been read by all six of the campaigning crew, they all understand what Elizabeth means by the odd timing of the request for their help.

This is a task that is only possible to be completed around the Winter Solstice, six months from now.

 

However, the scroll had said that their quest would start tonight, that the adventurers would be given a sign as to when the quest would begin, and it also stated that transportation had already been arranged.

What the ensorceled scroll states is simple.

In fact, it is just the address and five lines of not very helpful instructions:

 

Marbelle Ray, the Wild Shape Druid and companions

Care of the Ivory Stag Tavern

 

Krampus’ Cloak has been stolen by unknown parties.

Without it he can’t take over and lead the Wild Hunt at the Winter Solstice

Your team have been chosen to retrieve the Cloak of Krampus and return it to him.

The Quest starts tonight, and transport is standing by.

Hurry and finish your meals because the quest begins when you get the sign

 

There is no signature and now that all seven of them, including Ri, have read it, the scroll dematerializes with a quiet “pop” and a puff of smoke.

“Well, I guess that means our quiet evening is over. Shall we?” Ingfri comments while the smoke dissipates.

At a gesture of agreement from Scarlet, the nominal leader of this group of equals, the companions reach into the corner behind them, to where their weapons and gear have been placed into a Chest of Requirement while the found family enjoyed what they had thought was going to be a relaxing dinner.

 

While the companions are strapping on their arms and armament, the team discuss the odd scroll and quest.

“Who’s to say that, if we recover the Cloak, we can’t just keep it? Wouldn’t that stop the Wild Hunt?” Scarlet asks her friends while strapping her sword on her hip, after having secreted away numerous knives around her body.

“I don’t think it works that way. I don’t think us holding onto the Cloak would stop it. If anything, it might make it more uncontrolled.” Marbelle replies, settling her grey traveling cloak over her shoulders.

“Also, if you keep the Krampus Cloak it might just decide that, since you have it, you should lead the Hunt.” Sorashana adds, slipping her pair of sai into their belt sheaths.

“Oh!” Elizabeth’s eyes get wide and she puts a hand in front of her mouth. “Oh. Oh no. No no no. I’m not at all prepared to do that.”

 

The group all know that the Wild Hunt is never-ending, and has been ongoing for all of recorded history and before through legend and myth, and that a deity, godling, celestial being, demigod, or Ancient of some form is always leading it, turning it over to the next in line after their time has ended.

Odin had run it for a long time, and they all know that it currently is being led by Holda, whom he had turned it over to in the spring.

Some of the pantheon of deities had led the Hunt multiple times.

Ares and Artemis seem to spend the most time leading, as they seem to pop up every few years or so.

One memorable Hunt had been lead, or rather infamously derailed, by Thor.

Their own Barbarian Tiefling, Ingfri, had actually been a participant in a prior Wild Hunt, although she had not led it, having joined up at the behest of some Valkyrie companions after too much mead.

When asked about it, she gets a wistful look and just says that it was the best time she can’t remember and will never forget.

After a while, the companions had learned to just not ask the statuesque female about it.

 

Thinking about this, the campaigners know that they want to get this quest done as fast as possible, and somehow avoid being swept up in the Wild Hunt itself.

“Guess we’re in the Cloak hunting business.” Erin quips while he straps his double-bladed battle axe and its holster across his back, then checks to be certain his dagger is secured at his belt.

The rest of the companions are also ready to go by this time, and they all look at Marbelle questioningly, since the scroll had come to her.

The Druid just shrugs her shoulders, which makes Ri, perched on the right one, squawk in annoyance and ruffle his feathers.

Almost as if on cue, a violet light starts to shine, flowing down the stairs from the Ivory Stag’s second floor.

The companions all look at each other before turning and, as one, ascending the stairs on the left side of the bar, dropping into a well-practiced traveling formation while they head up to the second floor, where there are Inn-style rooms available for purchase, as well as an exit to a staircase on the rear exterior of the Ivory Stag Tavern’s building.

Once on the second floor, the companions can see a swirling, obviously magical portal against the rear interior wall of the Tavern, overlaid on the doorway of the room at that part of the hallway.

It just so happens to be the door to room number seven.

Steeling themselves, since none of them have any idea what might be waiting for them on the opposite side of the travel portal, or even where it might be taking them, the seven adventurers pause a moment, their features highlighted by the swirling purple light, lending our companions a supernatural cast and, incidentally, causing lighting that makes all of them look damn good.

As you want all your heroes to.

Can’t be out there doing heroic deeds while looking less than amazing now, can we?

 

Scarlet, Ingfri, Elizabeth, Sorashana, Marbelle with Ri on her shoulder and Erin step through the swirling purple portal.

 

Part Two

Holiday Road

 

 

When the companions emerge on the other side of the portal there is snow on the ground and a nip in the air.

The sun is just dipping below the distant horizon.

The adventurers are standing at the edge of an idyllic small town, perfect little houses leading to perfect little shops.

The hand-carved wooden sign posted just to the side of the road they are standing on proclaims this to be the town of Holiday.

It only takes an instant after looking around at their surroundings for the found family to realize that they are all unarmed, and furthermore are all suddenly dressed in luxurious fabrics, silks, and cottons with fur trim as befits a traditional celebration within the Realm.

 

Looking around at one another, the first thing that the companions notice is that Erin’s skin, fur and beard have all turned green.

The large man is wearing an almost comical looking, but warm, oversized and fuzzy red knee-length jacket and a floppy red felt hat.

The hat has a white poof ball on the end, and both the hat and jacket are trimmed in white fur.

He also has a travel cloak that matches.

Ri looks at him from Marbelle’s shoulder, letting out a series of “Caws” that sound uncannily like laughter.

“I feel like I should be throwing things at people or thieving from beings with weird noses or acting manic.” The Mage grumbles, examining his furrier than usual and now green hands.

The found family spend a few moments looking over and admiring each other’s attire after taking in Erin’s new appearance before turning to the task at hand.

Scarlet is attired in a long black winter great coat with wide white fur lapels and cuffs, with a sash of brilliant red across her torso, accented by a red with white fur hooded cape.

Ingfri has on a grey open front fur vest and furry leggings that almost make her look like a faun, and her short black horns have grown out to almost be antlers. Over the top of this is a red travel cloak trimmed in white fur.

Sorashana is in a ground-length dress of forest green that drapes in the front and back, and her shoulders are covered by a thick chestnut colored fur stole.  Over this is a red velvet cape trimmed in white fur.

Elizabeth is in a simple white dress with a white fur cloak draped over it.

Marbelle is perhaps the most strikingly attired female of the group, wearing a deep blue formal style dress with a copper-colored wide leather belt and thick white-fringed red cape attached to her shoulders.

 

After they have spent a few moments admiring each other and watching Erin grudgingly come to terms with his green-ness, the group look out over the bustling little Holiday town before them.

 

“So we’re looking for a magically enchanted, red, floor-length cloak trimmed with white fur, right?” Sorashana asks quietly once they have stepped away from the purple swirling portal that serves as the entrance to Holiday.

 

The portal disappears behind them without a sound. 

It was just there one moment and gone the next.

 

“That’s what the crazy scroll said.” Erin replies.

“That’s…..not going to be hard.” The Cleric comments with a wave of her hand towards the snow-covered scene before them. “Although it might also be impossible.”

“Caw.” Ri agrees.

The crow, at least, hasn’t had any change in attire, since all he wears is his feathers.

Unlike Ingfri or Erin, his appearance hasn’t changed any, either.

 

As to Snips’ point, while the companions are looking at the inhabitants of Holiday, nearly half of the beings walking along the streets are wearing a red cloak with a white fur lining.

“Fuck.” Scarlet states succinctly.

Ingfri looks around at her friends and shrugs.

“Most of us are wearing them too.” She comments with a wave of her hand, and Scarlet, Sorashana, Marbelle and Erin all realize that they and Ingfri herself are all wearing some version of the white fur trimmed red holiday cloaks as well.

They’d noticed it before while looking each other over, but for some reason the significance hadn’t dawned on them.

“This is going to be like looking for a needle in a needle factory.” Elizabeth states quietly while she looks around them at the dozens of people in red cloaks.

“I really don’t feel like asking every single person with a red cloak where they got it.” Marbelle comments quietly to the others as they try to come up with a plan.

Just then a pair of Satyr in blue uniforms with golden badges on them walk by, evidently the local constabulary for Holiday.

“Or getting arrested.” She adds with a look to the Quarter-Yeti.

 

“We’re going to need a hand.” Scarlet announces, obviously having run through as many scenarios as she could come up with in her head, and finding them all somehow lacking.

 

Erin looks off past the edge town, the Spy obviously thinking and running through who he might know in this area. “Or, maybe a claw.” He mutters, almost to himself.

 

“I might know a guy.” Ingfri comments suddenly, staring off to her left, towards a glade just on the outskirts of town, where the others can see movement.

It is the same area that Erin is looking at.

 

At almost the same moment, seemingly like it was planned, the Mage and the Barbarian reach out and stop a passing dun colored Goblin.

The creature has on a grey canvas shirt and pants, with an oval nametag with the name Rudy in red script on the left breast pocket.

 

“Do you happen to know if Sanna is still around here?” Erin asks.

“Is Sanna around today?” Ingfri queries at the same time.

 

The two large beings just look at each other and smirk, obviously having had the same idea.

Rudy the Goblin, meanwhile, looks between the two towering humanoids, obviously growing flustered, and his nose begins to turn a startling shade of red.

You could even say it glowed.

 

Erin tips his hand toward Ingfri, suggesting that the Goblin speak to her.

 

 “Yes, he’s here today.  If you all know Sanna you know he’d never miss the Winter Solstice celebrations.” Rudy tells the statuesque Tiefling warrior.

“Wait…the what?” Sorashana asks the Goblin, not sure she heard right.

“Winter Solstice celebrations.  It’s the highlight of the Yule season here in Holiday.” Rudy replies, his shining nose dimming a bit once he determines that the warmly dressed party aren’t intending to hurt him.

 

“Ok. So when is the Winter Solstice?” Scarlet asks the grey-brown creature, who just stares at her like she’s grown another head or something.

Erin leans down and mutters to Marbelle, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” While the Goblin is staring at Scarlet.

The Wild Shape Druid just looks back at the Quarter-Yeti and mouths the words “I know.”

“Caw” Ri agrees with Erin from Marbelle’s shoulder.

 

Looking past Scarlet to Elizabeth, the Goblin approaches the white-robed Sorceress, apparently having decided that she is the only sane member of the companions.

It is a fair assessment from all appearances.

 

“Do you truly not know that today is the Solstice?” the little being asks the blonde human.

“We know, we’ve just had an odd journey and lost track of time.” Elizabeth Loch replies, the air around her and Rudy shimmering slightly when she uses her magic to soothe the creature’s doubts.

 

Rudy the Goblin looks the six travelers over, noting the rich fabrics and cleanliness of their attire, then shrugs, pointing a gnarled hand off in the direction both Ingfri and Erin had been looking earlier.

 

“Sanna holds court in a glade just about a quarter mile outside of town.  You can see it from here, but if he doesn’t want to see you you’ll spend all night wandering in circles.” The stout being tells them, still seeming suspicious of them and glancing towards the uniformed Satyr, a different one from the pair before, that is wandering a bit too casually towards them.

 

After thanking the red-nosed Goblin for his help, the Assassin, Mage, Cleric, Sorceress, Barbarian, Druid and her Familiar all head out of town to where they hope that Sanna is the movement they can see in the obscured glade just past town.

“Today? That sort of miffs our quest’s timeline a bit.” Marbelle mutters while the six companions start heading towards the glen that Rudy pointed out for them, which is where Ingfri and Erin had been looking before basically accosting the Goblin.

The walk is not long, and, although the air is cold enough for the snow to be gently falling, giving their trip a sense of tranquility and beauty, the clothing they have been outfitted in keep them plenty warm.

The group of warriors moves swiftly but silently, unencumbered by their usual armor and weaponry, the lack of which makes them lighter, faster, and quieter…as well as nervous.

 Soon enough, the found family come to a break in the woods that surround the town and can see the clearing.

They all stop the moment the scene in the glade becomes clear, Sorashana, Elizabeth, Marbelle and Scarlet halting in surprise, while Erin and Ingfri both stop in order to not run their friends over.

In front of them is a truly odd sight consisting of a half dozen halflings, a human, and a medium sized black dragon.

 

The companions slowly walk up to the group of other beings in the clearing.

Erin looks up at the ancient dragon in curiosity.

“Zat you, Sana Claws?” the big Mage asks.

 

Lowering his horned head, the black dragon brings one of his glowing green eyes down right in front of Erin’s face, looking the currently furry green Quarter-Yeti over.

 

“Whitebeard,” the black dragon rumbles, “Didn’t recognize you in that getup at first. That jazzy comment was funny the first two or three times, by now, it’s getting a little stale.  I expect better from you.” The large dragon tells the grinched Yeti descendant with a huff.

 

Around them, half a dozen irrepressible Kender, brightly dressed in green tunics and red and white striped leggings, are sitting on the ground, the contents of their pouches spread out in front of them, and the diminutive halflings are sorting through their piles of “acquired” toys and goodies, sometimes exchanging them with one of their fellows.

 

Nick occasionally wanders from Sanna’s side to the sextet, in order to retrieve, with the sigh of one that has gotten used to this sort of thing, one of his belongings that the jovial Kender have “found”.

Sanna snorts in amusement each time Nick does this.

Nick is the name of Sanna the dragon’s caretaker, a young man of about 30 with a sunny disposition and a portly appearance.

Clean shaven, the young man jiggles when he walks and is dressed in red with white fur trim.

 

Looking at the scene ahead of them, the companions are brought in mind of one of the holiday legends, and how close, yet strangely askew, this scene is to that popular myth.

Sanna Claws the black dragon obviously can tell what the six adventurers are thinking from their expressions.

“But I always heard…” Sorashana starts, only for the dragon to wave a claw in a gesture of negation.

“Do you really think an out of shape, standard human, no offense Nick,” Sanna comments to the rotund young man, who shrugs back at the dragon, “could make it all over the entire realm in one night? Or does a flying Ancient with teleportation skills make more sense?”

“I actually just thought it was an exaggeration.” The Cleric replies, looking thoughtful.

“It was more a case of people hearing what they wanted to, combining multiple things, and making up their own story.  As always.” Sanna states wryly.

 

“Now, don’t get me wrong, I always love seeing you, well, the less green you, and the gorgeous Tiefling is always welcome here, but, with all my heart, what the hell are you doing here?” the Black dragon asks Erin Whitebeard in amusement, looking over all of the companions while keeping his peripheral vision on the Kender, who look like they are starting to get bored, which, with Kender, is never a good thing.

Erin indicates for Ingfri to go ahead.

The statuesque Barbarian walks closer to the dragon, her purple hair offsetting her black antlers and slightly pointed ears, the short, furry grey vest and furred leggings shifting slightly with her fluid motion while she walks up to the large lizardkind.

 Stopping directly in front of Sanna Claws, Ingfri Fredotir bends down and kisses the black dragon on his snout in greeting before sitting down cross-legged in front of him.

“So, here’s what we’re doing in your territory.” She tells him, giving the dragon all the information they have on this now foreshortened quest.

After listening to Ingfri, Sanna looks thoughtful for a moment before huffing out an annoyed breath that blows the Tiefling’s hair back and almost blowing her vest open with his inadvertent exhalation.

“Sorry about that.” He tells her, motioning to her mussed appearance, “but the good news is I know exactly where the Cloak of Krampus is.”

Erin looks ecstatic for a moment before Sanna turns to him.

“The bad news is who has it.”

 

 

Part Three

I’ll Be Home for Solstice

 

 

“His name is Knecht Ruprecht. He’s a Dark Elf. He is almost always swathed in Black robes, and carrying a long wooden staff.” The black dragon pauses, tapping a claw on his chin in thought. “He’s kind of a dick, really, but mostly what he is, is a jealous. From what I’ve heard around Holiday, Knecht Ruprecht stole the Cloak to take Krampus down a peg in the Yule hierarchy.” Sanna tells them, nonchalantly reaching past the companions to pluck a gold ring away from one of the green-attired Kender that is trying to look invisible, while walking away from the adventurers and the black dragon.

“So, how do we get it away from him before Krampus arrives?” Marbelle asks Sanna.

The black dragon known as Sanna Claws sighs before answering the Druid’s question.

“You and your companions will have to work in harmony to convince Ruprecht to give back the Cloak. If you perform your task pitch perfectly, you should be assured of success.”

“Not sure I like the sound of that.” Erin comments to Elizabeth.

“One last question, if I may?” Ingfri asks Sanna.

“Anything for you, my dear Tiefling.” The dragon replies.

“You don’t happen to know where Knecht Ruprecht is at the moment, do you?”

“Not right now, but I know where he’s going to be. “

 

When they approach the center of Holiday a few minutes later, there is a group of Elves, all blonde and all gorgeous, whether they are male or female, singing Yuletide carols.

Immediately upon entering the town square, the companions can sense the magic that permeates the area, an aura of peace, goodwill, warmth and joy.

And yet, something also somehow seems off.

Following his instincts, Erin Whitebeard walks towards the singing elves, realizing when he gets closer that there are four females and three males in the singing choir.

The big, green, fur covered man in the jovial red suit nods to the singers while he passes them, and stands with his hands on his hips, staring at the ten foot tall Yule tree.

He doesn’t even need to look to his left to know his adopted little sister, Scarlet Stormbringer, has walked up beside him.

“You think?” She asks him quietly, just barely loud enough for his enhanced hearing from his Yeti heritage to hear her over the singing.

The big man nods slightly to her, at the same time that Marbelle Ray takes up position on his right side.

The Mage shrugs at the two women on either side of him, and makes a signal with one hand behind his back, alerting Elizabeth Loch, Ingfri Fredotir and Sorashana Snips that there is about to be action.

“Hey Scarlet, What’s every Yule Elf’s favorite type of music?”

The black-clad Half-Elf raises an eyebrow at the larger man, then looks over at the singing Elves.

“Wrap!” The Quarter-Yeti answers with excessive joviality.

Scarlet groans while Marbelle puts a hand over her face.

The three hear a low chuckle.

The green furred man turns his head slightly to the Druid on his other side.

“Marbelle, do you know why is there an Angel on top of the Yule tree?” he asks her, pointing.

She shrugs, then says out loud.

“I dunno Erin, why is there an Angel atop the Yule tree?”

“Sanna was really stressed out, and the Angel came by and asked ‘Hey Sanna, where should I stick this tree?’ and, well…”

Scarlet laughs, Marbelle laughs, the tree laughs.

Erin nods, glad that his instinct for spotting Mimics had not let him down.

His friends all move into their well-practiced positions.

It’s not the first Mimic they’ve dealt with, and they’re pretty sure it won’t be the last.

Once it knows it has been discovered, a huge slavering mouth appears in the middle of the giant greet tree, and the Yule symbol lunges toward the singing elves, who scatter in every direction and then turns its attention on the three companions that had revealed it.

While Erin and Scarlet and Marbelle distract the Mimic’s attention, Sorashana throws a Lloyd’s talisman at it, stunning it.

Almost as soon as the talisman lands, Elizabeth casts a fireball spell, and the white-hot three foot wide plasma ball rockets into the highly flammable false tree, incinerating it.

 

The singing Elves in their red robes with the white fur trim slowly make their way back to the Holiday square, looking in dismay at the smoldering pile of ash where the Yule tree once stood.

Within moments, however, a pair of Kobolds have appeared and swept the mess away, leaving the town center pristine and beautiful once again, if treeless.

 

Once the seven Elven singers have re-taken their places in the center of Holiday and resume their caroling, the mood in the air once again starts to lift.

The Elves are just starting into their second song since the Mimic’s interruption when a dark shadow moves out from behind them.

The town center slows to a hush as the townspeople, who had gathered after news of the Mimic incident had spread, spot the tall, hooded shadow moving through singers, his black cloak contrasting with their bright red ones.

The seven vocalists appear to look confused for a moment.

In the next moment, a golden haze envelopes the Elves and the song they are singing starts to change, becoming less of a joyful tune of celebration and more a dirge of melancholy.

“When the time draws nigh, and the world is dear

The scrim between the planes has begun to shunt

The spirits soon are able to cross from there to here

And through the worlds runs again the Wild Hunt eternal.

To prevent at this time the corruption of the Solstice

In harmony raise your voices to the sky not for the vernal

Make sure your pitch is perfect for when you do all this.”

The Elven singers intone, and the golden haze starts to fade, leaving the singers breathing quietly and Knecht Ruprecht standing in front of them, leaning on his staff and staring at the companions, who are for the moment speechless.

It doesn’t last long, and for once, it is the Tiefling that breaks into the hushed pause.

 

“Surely they can’t mean…..” Ingfri starts, looking at the singing Elves, then her companions, and finally the smarmily smirking Knecht Ruprecht.

“Yeah, it’s Galdr time gang.” Elizabeth explains.

Only Sorashana seems pleased at the somewhat predictable solution.

 

The Elven singers, who seem to not know where they are after the haze evaporates,  glance at the male in the black hood in dread and scatter once again.

There is no chance they’ll be returning this time.

Drama Elves are far different from their warrior cousins, and no one truly expects minstrels to be fighters.

 

Knecht Ruprecht looks the companions up and down, the smirk never leaving his face, while he watches the Yule chorus Elves flee the scene, seemingly happy with the reaction they have to him.

“I don’t suppose there’s a chance you’re going to just give us the Cloak, is there?” Marbelle asks the black cloaked Ruprecht.

“You’ve been around enough to know the rules of such an encounter.”

“And me without my battle axe.” Erin mutters to Scarlet, whose hands are near the small of her back as if going for her non-existent throwing knives.

“Can’t you just…” Sorashana asks Elizabeth, waggling her fingers to indicate magic.

“On a celestial being?  I’m not that powerful a Sorceress.  Nor suicidal.” The blonde human replies.

“Well, no choice, then, I guess.” Marbelle grudgingly states to her friends.

Once the companions have resigned to their fate, an ethereal piano starts to play, the sound of the keyed music seeming to come from everywhere, even though it doesn’t have a visible source in the center of Holiday.

In time with the piano music, a waif-thin female figure, that the adventuring crew assume must be Fae enters Holiday’s center. 

They categorize her as likely Fae due to her slender stature, large piercing but smoky blue eyes, wild blonde tresses, pointed nose, overall ethereal looks and commanding aura.

The woman exudes controlled chaos, and swaggers in time to the music that is filling the square, undulating to the piano and horns as they start to play a chorus.

Looking right at the six companions, the mysterious woman crooks a finger in invitation to join her while she starts to croon.

“Have Yourself a Magical Solstice, Let your heart take flight.”

 

“Gods strewth.” Erin mutters to Ingfri when he hears the woman sing, “Do you know who that is?”

Ingfri shakes her head, her purple hair floating and her black antlers nearly clobbering her Quarter-Yeti friend when she does.

“No, but I’ll freely admit I’m glad she’s here.  Way better voice than any of us have.” The Tiefling comments.

“Pretty too.” The Mage adds.

“Pretty Reckless, too, just waltzing past Knecht Ruprecht like that.” Scarlet adds while the six of them walk up behind the woman, who,, once they approach, is not quite as tall or imposing as she had seemed when she first walked into the town center.

As often happens in these kind of moments that are often marked by the hall, the air itself seems to glitter while the wo man sings, and where once there was nothing, an even larger Yule tree than the false one portrayed by the Mimic appears behind the singing Fae, who is suddenly attired in a sparkling red knee-length holiday dress.

It is the Magic of the season. Literally.

 

The crew gather around the in front of the candlelit tree, singing their solstice song in the round, Erin with his bass providing a deep counterpoint to Sorashana and Scarlet doing a playful duet, all of them backing up the graceful and otherworldly woman.

Ri adds a strangely on tune “Caw” whenever he feels it appropriate.

 

“Have yourself a magical Solstice, make the Yuletide gay

Next year, all those troubles will be far away.

Once again as in olden days

Like those golden days of lore

Faithful friends gathered near to us

All those so dear to us will soar”

 

As the song draws to a close, the companions and the Fae singer all notice that Holiday is hushed, expectant.

The only sound, besides their own slightly elevated breathing, is the tap tap tap of a wooden staff against the cobblestones of the town center, as Knecht Ruprecht approaches them.

“Ah yes, Yuletide Galdr.  Well played.” The black-robed form states, his deep voice rumbling through the square while he stops right in front of Ingfri.

The tall, yet slightly shorter than the Tiefling, being reaches up and folds back his hood, revealing the ethereal beauty of an Elf.

In this case, a Dark Elf.

Not particularly Evil, but not exactly Good, either.

Honestly, Ruprecht is probably best described as an easily bored Chaotic Neutral, a proto-trickster type, like Loki with ADHD and on speed.

 

Ruprecht looks the purple-tressed Tiefling over with a penetrating gaze.

“I know I’m supposed to have some grand monologue about how your song has shown me the error of my ways, and how the magic of the season has reformed me, then hand over the Cloak, but you know, I’m not feeling it.”

He looks the Tiefling over again, noting how the vest only strategically covers her torso, his attention bordering on lecherous.

“Instead, how about you and I go find a nice quiet place and have our own hot, sweaty, loud kind of party?”

Erin subtly shifts into position behind the black-cloaked legendary creature.

Ingfri just stares back at Knecht Ruprecht for a moment, then busts out laughing.

Deep, rousing belly laughs.

The Dark Elf looks confused.

It takes Ingfri nearly a minute to regain her composure, tears of mirth rolling down her face while she tries to stop her laughter.

“Yeah, that’s a no.  In whatever language you might want to speak.” Scarlet tells the fabled henchman.

Wiping her eyes, the Tiefling Barbarian looks quizzically at Ruprecht.

“That was the best you could do.  You Lothario you.  If I had bombed that badly I’d just slink away and lick my wounds for, oh, the next century or so.  Because with lines like that…you’re going to be alone anyway.”

“But before you leave, the Cloak, if you please.” Elizabeth adds, her shoulders shaking slightly at the mirth she is holding back.

With the look that the Dark Elf gives to Elizabeth, then turns on the companions and the Fae who has sung with them, Erin almost expected a little animated storm cloud to appear over his head.

With a grunt of annoyance, Knecht Ruprecht reaches into the bag tied at his hip, that none of them had noticed until now.

He makes a tossing motion with his hand while he pulls it out of the bag, and a shimmering, obviously magical, large red cloak, or should that be Cloak, floats through the air towards the companions, completely covering Ri when it settles over Marbelle’s shoulders.

The garment is made for someone far larger than the Wild Shape Druid, and puddles on to the cobblestones at her feet.

Sorashana and Scarlet gently take the Cloak off of her friend, freeing Ri, who flutters away, crowing indignantly while he flies to the large and magical tree to perch, hopefully out of the range of any more flying clothes.

By the time the large black bird has alighted on the Yule tree, the black-clad form of Ruprecht has disappeared.

Shrugging, the Faerie blonde songstress looks at the companions.

“I’ve got time for one more. Feel like one of my favorite classics, acapella style?” She asks them with a mischievous wink.

Swept up in the moment, all of the adventurers agree, and, following the dynamic blonde woman’s lead, our heroes are soon into another musical number.

 

I’ll be home for Solstice,

Yule can plan on me.

Please have snow and mistletoe,

And candles lighting the tree.

 

The companions realize that, at some point during the song, the seven member Elven choir have returned and are adding their voices to those of the adventuring crew and the Fae.

 

Solstice Eve will find me,

Where the love light gleams.

I’ll be home for Solstice,

If only in my dreams.

 

 

Once the echoes of the final chorus have faded, the carolers hear a slow and isolated clapping noise.

Looking towards the source of the sound, all of them can see a large being out of legend sitting on a wood and metal bench at the edge of the town square of Holiday.

Taking up the majority of the park bench is a cloven hooved, dark furred, giant goat being with a horned skull mask.

Still clapping, the being stands up from the bench to his full towering height of eight feet.

Like pretty flittering flame in a windstorm, the elven singers once again flutter and hide.

In stark contrast to his imposing appearance, there is actually an air of calm and humor around Krampus, who, still clapping in his slow deliberate way, walks towards the Fae woman.

Smiling, the giant bows to the singer.

When he speaks, his voice is soft and mellow, in complete opposition to the bleached and horned skull mask he wears over his face.

At least, the companions think it is a mask, as not even Erin feels the urge to ask the being.

“An angelic performance, as always, Mother Sen.” Krampus tells the woman, the smile evident in his voice.

He turns his frightening mask towards the others after greeting the Fae woman.

“As for you all, I’ll just say that I’m glad you’re such competent campaigners.”

“You’re not exactly what we were expecting, either.” Scarlet tells him.

“I’ve been mostly misrepresented and misunderstood, I’d describe myself as more of a deterrent creature than inherently evil, like the stories claim.”

The tall goat-looking being holds out a hand towards Marbelle, who walks over and hands the man his Cloak.

“I thank you, chosen of the Ivory Stag, for the service you have done me this night.  I don’t suppose your quest would include joining the Yuletide Wild Hunt, would it?” He asks them all, making eye contact with each of the six of them.

“CAW!” comes floating out from the depths of the tree behind them, and Krampus laughs again.

“Well, I guess Ri told me. That was quite emphatic.  A pity.  Instead, if ever you have need of me, you have only to speak my name, and I will pay my debt.”

With that, the black-furred, skull wearing male bows once again to the group assembled before the tree, and, in a fluid movement while straightening from the bow, leaps into the air and mounts a winged horse, galloping into the snowy night sky, where they watch him merge with a good hundred others flying overhead.

Mother Sen watches him join up in front of the Wild Hunt, and she, along with Erin Whitebeard, Sorashana Snips, Marbelle Ray, Scarlet Stormbringer, Elizabeth Loch and Ingfri Fredotir, watch the Wild Hunt ride across the Winter Solstice sky until they are out of sight.

To others, they probably just looked like shooting stars.

 

* * *                                                    * * *

 

 

 

From this found family to you and yours,

I hope your holidays are filled with the warmth of love,

 laughter and magic……and maybe some adventure too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoyed this story and want more, don’t worry

 

Elizabeth,

Erin,

Ingfri,

Marbelle,

Ri,

Scarlet,

and

Sorashana

 

Will return with more Adventures and Magic in the novel:

 

The Legend

of the

Ivory Stag

 

Coming to a bookshelf near you in 2026