[LAST CALL] You Don't Have to Go Home, but You Can't Stay Here.

[thorr kan]

> When he recovered, the minotaur said, “Tell me *everything.*”

Rowan grimaced. “Times change, Thorr-kan. Generica has been a crossroads for a long time, but it is also a boom town. And sometimes, those booms go bust.

“These changes drew away some of the strange and powerful who used to patronize the world, the city, and The Dragon’s Inn. As they drifted away, they took some of the magic with them. The cycle continued and accelerated. As the magic faded, the fantastical elements faded with them. Opportunities faded with them. Other than a few mundane patrons,” and Rowan gestured to the few remaining drinkers in the common room, “Generica is populated now by normal people living normal lives dealing with normal threats.”

Thorr-kan nodded slowly. “I have seen similar things happen before. And I cannot really say I blame them. With magic comes so many existential threats that require existential solutions. Normal life can seem hard enough to deal with.

The White Minotaur spent several minutes slowly sipping his dwarf spirits. The human and the minotaur watched the last of the patrons finish their drinks in silence, then just a silently leave The Dragon’s Inn. Then he quietly continued, “But that does not mean I will not miss it.

“So much of my life has been wrapped up in this Inn, this city, and this world. Partings such as this are bittersweet.”

Rowan raised a tankard in agreement with Thorr-kan. “That they are.”

“So what are your plans, Littlefair?”:

Rowan gestured around the now empty Inn. “Notice anyone missing?”

“No Bob,” Thorr-kan nodded in response. “Where is the lad?”

“He’s become a successful adventurer off-world,” replied Rowan, “and established a settlement on a more…active city.” He finished his tankard. “Mary and I will be joining him. Adventurers are always a thirsty lot. Methinks we’ll open a new inn there. The Short Ogre Cook be coming too.”

Said worthy joined the two at the bar. “I needs a change, too,” he rumbled. “No place for me in Generica anymore either.” Behind him, the kitchen was dark and silent.

Mary finished putting out the lamps in the common room, joining the others with the remaining lit lantern. She took up the conversation. “It will be good to see Bob and the grandchildren. We could all use a change!”

It was the minotaur’s turn to gesture around the darkened Inn. “And all this? What becomes of The Dragon’s Inn?”

Rowan smiled in sadness. “Our enchantments are too powerful to be destroyed by what has happened here. The Dragon’s Inn will go dormant and fade into obscurity. But its potential will remain. If someone truly needs it, the Inn can be reconstituted.

“Nothing truly ever dies.

“It is time to go, minotaur.”

Thorr-kan nodded again, true grief showing in his face. Once more he clasped arms with Rowan. Then he bent to give Mary a kiss on the forehead. To his surprise, the ogre gathered the minotaur into a tight embrace. “You will be missed, friend,” he whispered gruffly.

The four took up the last light, filed through the door, and locked it behind them. A fog has settled over the square. Behind them, The Dragon’s Inn faded away into the mist. There was another round of embraces.

“Fare thee well, friends,” Thorr-kan whispered brokenly. The three waved forlornly, then strode off and quickly faded into the fog, as if they had never been there.

Thorr-kan squared his shoulders. He looked upon the occluded sights of Generica one last time, then wiped the last tears from his eyes. The minotaur sighed. “Time to put things away.”

And with one last look around, The White Minotaur hefted The Horn of Justice, bid “Farewell!” to The Dragon’s Inn, and faded into the Marches. It was time to return home.