The next day the quartet stood outside the village, deciding that it was in their best interest to leave town immediately, yet Sparrow would have none of it. Hence the quartet awaited his arrival.

"There's one thing I'm having a problem piecing together," continued Helmut. "If you had the power to kill that monster so easily, why didn't you ?"

Keeping in line with a practice that she had begun in the morning, Nina refused to make eye contact with Helmut, resting her chin on her staff. "I told you," she mumbled, "this was none of our business."

"But we were right," snapped Helmut.

Nina's nearest eye wandered over to critique Helmut. "I feel its relevant to remind you, that you still owe me money for saving your lives last night," she said softly, returning her attention ahead of her.

"The sick have made a full recovery," reported Sparrow, joining the quartet. Nate padded over to his side, rubbing affectionately against his leg. "I wanted to thank you personally for your help. I know that it is not a lot, but these wyvern horns should fetch you quite the profit in the next town over. We don't have much need of these things here as anything other than decoration."

"Are you sure ?" asked Helmut. "You should keep a horn for yourself, you never know when you'll need money." Nina's staff collided with Helmut's skull. "Ow !! What was that for ?"

"We'll take both horns," assured Nina.

Sparrow approached Helmut, extending his hand. "I especially wanted to thank you, Helmut. You risked your life for people that you had no connections to and you almost got yourself killed because of it. If I could be selfish for a moment, I would like for you to never forget me."

"Uh, I was the one that healed both of you," reminded Nina.

It was kind of weird to be thanked for almost getting myself killed, but Helmut would take what he could get; however, having been so had meant little to Helmut, whom currently worked to decipher the solemn nature Sparrow demonstrated.

"Stop right there," threatened Wynf, the prerequisite amount of townspeople trailing behind him.

"What's going on ?"

From out of the crowd and behind Wynf, the elder emerged. The weight of his voice proved heavier than the weight of his body.

"It's time."

"Time for what ?" Helmut asked again. He looked to Sparrow, who nodded at the elder in solemn compliance. "What's going on ?!"

"Sparrow broke one of the tribe's sacred rules," Wynf explained. "To enter that cave was to defile the resting place of our ancestors and placed our entire village in peril. For this, he will be executed."

"Are you even listening to yourself ?" exclaimed Helmut. "He saves your lives, so you kill him ?! How did you guys even know ?"

"I told them," said Sparrow.

"What ?!?!"

Wynf bristled at the commentary before advancing. "Stand aside," he warned. "Sparrow is a part of our family and we shall treat him in a manner befitting such."

"I don't think so," exclaimed Helmut.

Chewy don't think so," mimicked the gremlin.

The duo's preemptive strike was preemptive by Nina, who enshrouded their legs in ice, sending both malcontents reeling. Helmut struggled futilely to free himself of the ice.

"Nina, let me go !"

Nina's attentions resumed their fixation on the horizon.

"Thank you for your consideration," said the elder, struggling himself with a palpable lump embedded in his throat.

Wynf placed his hand on Sparrow's shoulder, guiding the boy back to the village.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Sparrow, did you get brain damage ?" accused Helmut, resembling a spastic snake in his endeavor at freedom. Chewy, meanwhile, was licking the ice. "Don't just go with them, fight back ! Come with us, you don't belong there !"

Wynf stopped, Sparrow's voice the sole indication of his presence. "Thank you, Helmut. I know that this isn't what you expected, but it is for the best. My family's traditions must be upheld, regarded of the consequences. I was fully aware of what last night meant for the village and for myself, but it wasn't until I met you that I accepted the latter. In doing so, I was able to embrace my village in a way that only I could. At least for now..."

"The times are changing," continued Wynf, "and with it our customs. But now is not their time."

"Get back here," demanded Helmut, the tribe funneling into the gate. "I said get back here !" The telltale friction informed him that the doors gate was being closed. "Did you hear me ?! I won't let you !" Helmut thrashed about with renewed vigor, slamming is head against the ground on a few attempts. "I won't let you ! I won't let you !" A gentle thunderclap signified the doors closing, Helmut;s pitiful cries falling on deaf ears. Finally relenting, Helmut rested on the warmed over soil that absorbed his tears. When his breath grew even, Helmut took the deepest breath possible. He wanted to make sure that as many people heard as possible.

"DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMNNNNNN !!!!!"