Surprise...

The room erupts into shocked whispers and horrified gasps as the villagers stare at the human hand splayed out on the bloodstained table. Raul collapses into a chair, trembling and exhausted, the silver dagger still clutched tightly in his white-knuckled grip.

"I… I wounded it with silver. The werewolf… it's Durlen," The Wolf killer stammers, his voice hoarse with terror and fatigue. "I'm certain of it. That birthmark… I've seen it on Durlen's hand before."

Alarmed murmurs ripple through the crowd as the terrible truth sinks in. The very man they entrusted to protect them, their innkeeper and mayor, is the monster preying on the village.

Durlen is nowhere to be seen, surely fled into the night at the first hint of discovery. The villagers begin to panic, fear etched on their faces. They turn to Raul, **** for answers and leadership.

"Is it true? Durlen, the monster?" asks an elderly man, voice quavering.

"Where is he now? What do we do?" cries a sobbing woman, clutching her children close.

Raul takes a deep, shuddering breath, trying to gather his scattered wits. He looks up, meeting the terrified eyes of his neighbors.

"I don't know where he went. But I'll find him," You declares, standing on shaky legs. "I'll hunt Durlen and end this. It's the only way to save us all."

The villagers surge forward, grabbing at Raul's arms, his clothes, **** to touch the man who stood against the werewolf and lived to tell the tale. He winces at their grasping hands but doesn't pull away, allowing himself to be supported by their collective strength.

"Rest now, lad," the old man says gruffly, patting your shoulder. "We'll stand vigil tonight and guard the village doors. You've done your part... now sleep and heal. Tomorrow, you end this."

Numb with exhaustion, Raul follows as he's led to the hearth, where blankets and cushions have already been laid out. As he sinks onto the soft furs, he catches a flash of red hair from the corner of his eye... the tavern maid, watching him with a strange intensity in her green eyes…

But before he can dwell on it, his eyes flutter closed and the exhaustion claims him at last. Tomorrow, he'll face the werewolf and the truth.