The morning fog has mostly retreated to the edges of the village now, revealing the various booths and tables that ring the square. Children rush about, trading in their frog-chits for the bags of roasted chestnuts, cookies and popcorn balls available at most of the tables. The entire square smells like a giant, open-air bakery. The only place apparently not offering food is a dark gray tent tucked into the alley space between the miller and carpentry shops. A suspicious looking Korv perches on a stool outside, chewing on a cigar and wearing a green derby hat. The crudely written sign over the tent flaps reads "Dr. Fether, Retro-Phrenologist"

A tired looking bat steps out of the inn. He stretches both his arms and wings wide, then yawns fangily. "Blugh," Alptraum mutters as his wings slowly fold back down. "Stupid frogs, croaking all blasted night." He licks his lips and looks around the goings-on.

Speaking of frogs, a group of Skeeks and otter-like Akwavi are wrestling two barrels full of the amphibians into position next to the fountain.

A tall black and white Sphynx walks about with a roughly built broom over one shoulder, looking into booths and tables selling tasty treats, laughing and smiling brightly as children rush about.

The lady witch from last night is also among the townsfolk in the square. She's currently at one of the many locations selling roasted nuts. Given she's one of the taller anthropomorphic squirrel-people from the town she seems to have gotten herself an equally tall bag of nuts to eat. She chats amiably with the merchant in between bites.

Alptraum scratches lightly at the back of his neck and walks along the street. He peers into booths here and there. Occasionally, he has to politely refuse some sort of trinket. Sometimes he even has to run to escape a persistent street hawker. He stops and takes a breath, then looks up at the odd Korv. "Okay, I have to ask, what the heck are you?" he asks.

"Frog bladder, miss?" asks a Kadie at one of the booths Tulani passes. The item in question is indeed a bladder-on-a-stick of the sort used by clowns and jesters, which makes a rude noise when struck against something.

"I'm a Korv," caws the Korv. "Is the hat confusing you or something?"

Alptraum rolls his eyes. "No, not what species," he says and points a clawtip at the sign. "That."

A gangly and fidgety Lapi youth walks up next to Morgan. He's wearing a suit made of green rags and carrying a paper-and-wicker frog-head mask. "You'll make sure she doesn't hurt me, right Morgan?" the boy asks nervously.

Giggling a little, Tulani leans down a bit to ask the Kadie how much, before purchasing one of the bladders on a stick.

"Oh, that," the Korv says, puffing on his cigar for a moment. "You know how you can read the bumps and pits on someone's head to figure out their personality and talents and such, right? Well, it stands to reason then that you can cause the same things by careful placement of bumps and dents. That's Retro-Phrenology, that is."

The witch turns to look down at the child when he approaches her. She smiles and looks ready to listen in a fashion that might seem almost motherly. Then she blinks at the request, tilting her head. Her witch's hat flops to the side. "Hurt you child?" she asks concernedly.

"Amelia, that is," the Lapi says to Morgan. "I'm playing the Frog King this time, and I heard that Amelia can split firewood with one axe-blow."

The bat blinks. He looks away for a moment, then looks back. Nope, the Korv is still there. "You're telling me you whack people on the head? And, they pay you?" Alptraum replies and cocks an eyebrow. "That's … silly."

Spotting Alptraum, the Sphynx walks up behind him, giving him a good natured bop on the back of the head with her bladder on a stick, producing a suitable 'pbbtthh' before speaking, "Hi Alptraum", and on noticing the Korv, "Oh, Hello."

Morgan laughs lightly before reaching down to place a hand on the child's shoulder comfortingly. "Amelia may be very strong child," she explains warmly, smiling, "but she would never hurt a child. If you like I'll bring you to meet her so you can see for yourself."

"Who me?" the Korv says, looking surprised. "Do I look like a doctor? Don't be ridiculous." Puff puff puff. "Dr. Fether does it, in the tent. Got something you want changed? Be more witty, better sense of humor, suppress the urge to dismember folks?"

"I'm perfect the way I am, thanks," Alptraum replies with a grin. "Besides, where's the proof that the shape of your head determines anything, eh … agh!" He ducks down as he gets whacked on the back of his head and looks back, seeing the Sphinx. "Haha, Tulani, funny," he says with a grin. "Ah, don't let him talk you into getting whacked on the head, okay? Or did you become his apprentice?"

Still smiling, Tulani hmmms questioningly, saying, "Whacking on the head? What's that all about?"

Alptraum points a claw at the Korv. "Those people. They whack you on the head to change your personality, or some such silliness," he explains.

Amelia, the designated Frog Princess, is over by the fountain practicing with her broom. Her costume is a bit more conservative than last night, and apparently also fits better, as she swings her broom about and makes chopping motions with it. Erik von Richebeau and the mayor stand nearby (but out of striking range) and appear to be chatting.

Tulani's eyebrows flow up in surprise. "Really??" she asks and looks up to read the sign over the tent. "Retro-Phrenology. That's banging people on the head?"

"Come," insists the witch as she moves her hand from the child's shoulder to take his hand. "It's better you see for yourself." And she begins leading the child in Amelia's direction. When Morgan gets within speaking distance (and just out of clobberin' distance) she stops moving and smiles at Amelia enigmatically.

"Yes," Alptraum deadpans. "You don't need one. You're already silly enough."

The tent flap brushes open as a Skeek woman emerges with her husband in tow. A damp cloth is wrapped around the man's head, and he looks a little dizzy. "Now maybe your eye will stop wandering," she tells the man.

The Sphynx smiles a bit sheepishly, saying, "You've got me pegged, Alptraum." She almost jumps as the pair exit the tent.

Spotting Morgan, Amelia stops her workout and lets the broom rest against her shoulder. Black tail twitching, she waves to the witch and the stand-in for the Frog King. "Hi Morgan! Hi Loogie! I sure hope you can run fast," she says.

Alptraum pats Tulani's shoulder. "Come on, let's leave the headwhackers to their fun," he says with a grin. He turns and continues down the street, in the direction of the fountain.

Tulani follows a short distance behind the bat, occasionally stopping to take a closer look at a piece of the festival decorations.

Loogie Chalk, the Lapi in the frog costume, whimpers slightly and tries to hide behind the shorter – yet more imposing due to the pointy hat – form of Morgan. "She's gonna hit me!" he complains.

"Amelia," the witch says. It's a heavy greeting. Rather sounding like the kind of greeting you'd get from your mother when you know she knows you did something bad. "You are going to be gentle with young Loogie, aren't you? I brought him to you so that he can see he has nothing to fear from you."

"That must be the victim … er, Frog King," Alptraum says to Tulani and points a claw in their direction. "Boy, I hope he heals quick. Ow."

The squirrel maiden frowns slightly before saying, "I'll just hit your fake head then, okay?" This seems to be a very grudging compromise on her part.

The Black and White Sphynx frowns a bit at the display by the fountain before brightening up at the girl's agreement and saying, "Children will always be children."

Morgan raises a brow at that concession. "And you will do so … ?" She leaves off the rest for the squirrel woman opposite to complete.

The black poodle spots Tulani and Alptraum, and comes over to greet them. "I trust you slept well?" he asks, looking cheerful. His little sister Emily has her own homemade broom as she trails along behind him.

"Uh, lightly?" Amelia offers, watching Morgan. "I won't break or knock the head off, I promise."

"As will a great many adults," Alptraum quips and grins. He glances to the side and says, "Ah, good morning Erik. I slept all right, nevermind the frogs croaking, and the dozen or so I threw out of my bed last night," he replies. The bat then squats down and waves his fingers at Erik's little sister. "Howdy!"

Emily smiles, showing as many teeth as she can, then lightly baps Alptraum on the nose with the brush-end of her broom. "Gotcha!" she claims.

Morgan turns her head to look at the boy hiding behind her. She smiles at him again and watches him expectantly, asking, "How do you feel about that Loogie?"

The Lapi twitches his whiskers for a bit, then says, "Okay… shouldn't be any more dangerous than Morris Dancing."

Tulani smiles to the poodle saying, "Yes, I slept very well, the festival seems to be getting along well."

Alptraum oofs and falls over melodramatically. His wings, arms, and legs all splay out and he gasps, "The tragedy, I've … had a brush with death! The agony! The Pain!" He sneezes, then adds, "The sneezing!"

"Where is your Jupani companion this morning?" Erik asks the travelers. "I do hope his dinner didn't disagree with him."

The witch releases the child's hand and nods. "Good. You should always try and see the truth for yourself if you can, Loogie. There are many mysteries in life," she tells him somewhat mysteriously. Then she turns him around and gives him a gentle push off towards his friend. "Go have fun. This is your day too."

Grinning at Alptraum's antics, Tulani reaches down to tickle Emily a little bit, before holding out her bladder on a stick and asking her if she'd like to have it?

"Thanks Morgan," Loogie calls back, as he and his friend jog off into the fog.

The poodle girl's eyes go wide as she looks at the bladder. "Mummy would hate for me to have something like that," she says woefully, before grabbing the stick and proceeding to whack it against her older brother's behind. BLAARRP! BOOORP! BLAAAAT!

"Ahem!" Erik says, trying not to look too embarrassed. "It's almost time for the Frog King to arrive, Emily, so you'd better go take your place with the other children, hmmm?"

Alptraum starts laughing as he gets up and dusts himself off. He shakes his head slightly and says with a grin, "Just hide it from your mother … like, under her seat cushion." He smiles in an attempt to look innocent.

Morgan straightens as she watches the child run off. The hand that had been holding his hand reaches up to adjust the point of her hat. "Amelia," she says in a fonder tone to the taller woman behind her, "doesn't it seem like just yesterday we were that young? Anyway," she turns around and gives the woman a smile, "thank you for comforting Loogie. I know how you enjoy these sorts of things."

The mayor stands up on the edge of the fountain, and announces, "The ceremony is about to begin! All frog beaters please take your places!" Children of all ages begin to form up in a half circle centered on the fountain. Amelia winks at Morgan and goes to take her place before the fountain, facing the fog-shrouded swamp with the beaters behind her.

Leaving Alptraum and the older poodle behind her, Tulani steps up to join the ranks of the semi circle, holding her broom at the ready.

Morgan grins widely at the wink before she too heads over to join the mayor beside the fountain. She moves to stand on the opposite side of the man from Amelia. The witch has her own broom and she holds it in a dignified manner. Rather like a wizard might hold a staff with one hand around it and the butt resting on the ground.

Erik hastens off to one side of the square, where people are already lining up between the booths and tables and line of beaters. "Oh my, this should be quite a show, I think," he says, urging Alptraum to join him.

Alptraum snaps his wings down tightly and walks slowly out of the square. "Oh, I imagine so," he replies. "So, ah, has anything weird happened over the years with this festival that you've heard of?"

"As you all know," the mayor intones, "in the dark days of our forefathers the Frog King would terrorize the village every fifth spring. His hordes of grotesque children would ruin the crops and spoil the wells. It was only by submitting to the monster's demand for a bride that the village was able to survive."

"Well, I believe someone mentioned a rain of newts one year," Erik tells Alptraum. "But I've also been told that that in itself was just a matter of bad timing, as opposed to being considered out of the ordinary."

Alptraum laughs quietly and nods. "Ah, welcome to Sylvania, land of the weird. Gotta love it," he comments.

Tulani smiles, pricking her ears forward, and listening carefully to the story.

"And so, the flowers of our village were taken by the beast," that mayor continues, bowing his head now in a sign of remorse. "But it all changed when the bold Yewberry Blackthorn volunteered to be the sacrifice! To everyone's shock, she fought against the Frog King, and drove him limping back to the swamp! And nevermore has his shadow dulled our springtimes!" he declares, holding his arms out and looking cheerful once more.

Morgan surveys the crowd as the mayor tells the story. Every so often she'll raise a brow and bob her head slightly in somber acknowledgement to the mayor's words. She rather looks like she's trying to be especially serious – perhaps comically so – for the benefit of the crowds… but most likely for the children.

"And now, as is tradition, we honor Yewberry with this recreation of her battle, as it took place fifty years ago!" the mayor announces, then gestures floridly to the fog at the unoccupied end of the square. "Behold! The Frog King!"

Amelia brings her broom up in anticipation, as all eyes look to the fog. And keep looking. After an awkward silence, the mayor once more bellows, "Behold, the Frog King!" and casts a nervous glance to Morgan as Loogie misses his cue.

Alptraum hmmms. He cants his head toward the fog and emits several high-pitched pulses, scanning into the mist.

The witch turns around and when she sees a distinct lack of Frog King and the glance from the mayor she pipes up, saying, "The great, mighty Frog King who brought this town to its knees and who is unafraid of any champion we might have!"

Frowning, the black and white Sphynx cocks her ears forward, her wings twitching a bit with worry.

Something is indeed moving through the fog, although for the moment only Alptraum can detect it. It isn't long before the Lapis in the crowd also pick up the sound of movement… too much movement for a lone Lapi boy in a costume of rags.

The Eeee forces his way forward and toward the mayor. "This may be a false alarm, sir, but get the kids back for a bit. Hurry," Alptraum says loudly. "Something isn't right."

Hearing Alptraum, Tulani quickly begins ushering any of the smaller children around her back behind her, taking a few steps back herself.

A shadow looms in the mist, and resolves all too quickly. Standing taller than a Rhian, the hunched form lurches forward. Covered in tattered scraps of fur, the scaled, batrachian monster opens its huge mouth and lets out an earth-shaking croak. Atop its flat head, two frog-like eyes scan the crowd independently, while a second pair of glowing red orbs beneath them gaze forward. A long, reptilian tail drags the ground behind the creature, and one taloned hand hangs low enough to scrape the cobblestones.

Alptraum snaps his wings out and does a quick pulse up into the air. He drops down moments later, trying to place himself between the creature and the children.

Reacting much like Alptraum, Tulani half spreads her wings, trying to block the creature's view of the children she managed to get behind herself.

The witch listens to what Alptraum has to say with interest and her grim expression goes from forced for the sake of presentation to truly dire. She shakes her head and glances off into the mist again. "I'll leave the pro-" Her eyes widen as the monster steps from the fog and she immediately steps forward towards it while waving the townsfolk behind her. Her large brushy tail lashing worriedly. "This town is under my protection. You! Spirit! Where is the child?" she demands.

"I HAVE RETURNED," the Frog King bellows, as more shapes boil out of the fog. Moving on all four legs, they nonetheless resemble the larger creature, and each is as large as an adult boar. Dozens of them march forward towards the crowd, which is soon in a panic.

Focusing its eyes on Alptraum and Morgan, the Frog King demands, "BRING FORTH MY BRIDE OR SUFFER MY WRATH!" The horde of frog-beasts spreads out to form a line across the open side of the square, although most people have fled in the other direction between the buildings.

Trying to act quickly, but without attracting too much attention, the black and white Sphynx backs up, while attempting to keep what children are there together and behind her.

Alptraum flexes his claws briefly, his toeclaws digging into the dirt some. "No. You return the child and leave, or face our wrath," Alptraum replies defiantly. He glances over his shoulder at Morgan and hisses, "Go on, blast it!"

"That's a wicked costume!" one of the young otters says from behind Tulani. Not all of the children have fled, apparently thinking this is still part of the festival.

Morgan falters in her forward motion as more creatures pour from the mist. You can see her clutch her broom for strength, and then she's moving forward again. "This is my village traveler," Morgan tells Alptraum as she steps in front of him. "I protected it long before you arrived." She looks up at the monster, and up … and up. "You. You will find nothing for you here. Did you learn nothing from the lesson of the past?"

"Everyone please calm down," the mayor yells, daring to turn his back to the monsters. Erik is frozen in place, standing alone to one side and hissing, "Emily! Emily come away from the fountain!"

A very frightened and out of breath Lapi dressed in green rags runs into the square from one of the alleys, waving his arms and yelling, "Monsters! Monsters… oh!" Noticing that the monsters have already arrived, he changes direction and runs down a different alley.

"ARE YOU MY BRIDE?" the Frog King asks, coming closer to get a better look at Morgan. "THE LAST ONE WAS DISRESPECTFUL!" it complains.

Tulani continues backing up pulling the children towards her, trying to get the frightened ones moving away.

"What?!" asks Morgan, and she sounds as if she hadn't quiet expected that question. "Don't be silly. I, um," the witch shakes her head as if to regain focus before she narrows her eyes and thumps her broom against the dirt. "There is nothing for you here! And why do you need a bride? Bring a girl flowers. Treat her well. Have you ever tried courtship without threatening a town?"

"Well, I'm not part of the village and I'm protecting myself and Tulani," Alptraum comments behind Morgan quietly. He steps to the side to get a clear view of the creature. A few more sound pulses from him, scanning over the creature's skin.

"I bet I can peg that one between the eyes," says one of the otter boys, who reaches into a barrel to retrieve a frog with one hand while pointing to an approaching frog-monster with the other. "No way," his brother says. "Not with a frog!"

The Frog King's skin isn't like that of a normal frog, and is covered in fish-like scales and horny plates under the rotting garments of fur. "MY CHILDREN NEED A MOTHER TO SUCK DRY!" the monster demands.

"HA!" cries Amelia. "Suck on this, you ugly old toad!" the Kadie screams and darts forward past Morgan. There's a loud crack as her broom breaks against the Frog King's left knee.

Tulani puts a wing in front of the otter boy as he lifts the frog, saying, rather nervously, "Now that wouldn't be nice, would it?" and wincing, her ears flattening back at the sound of the broom breaking.

"Amelia, diplomacy. Oh, forget it," remarks the witch. She turns to Alptraum and tells him while shaking her head, "She is not very subtle I'm afraid," before she returns her attention to the frog. Then the witch begins gesturing with her free hand and chanting under her breath.

Alptraum watches in shock as Amelia dashes by. He almost says something, then just looks at the creature, considering. "Morgan" he whispers, then stops to see if the witch can do anything.

"OW!" bellows the Frog King, who starts hopping around on one leg while holding his whacked knee in his talons. The black squirrel runs around and kicks at the monster from behind. His 'children' seem confused about what to do.

"Get 'em!" yells Emily, who rushes one of the confused monsters. The little poodle jumps onto its back and starts whacking it in the face with her broom.

If it weren't for the apparent seriousness of the situation, Tulani might actually be laughing at the 'Frog-King'… as it is she tries to think of something to keep the frog men occupied. Turning back to the otter who was about to throw the frog she mutters to herself, "On second thought… " and upsets the frog barrel in an attempt to keep the frog men confused.

Morgan's expression goes from concentrating to faintly worried as the child joins the fray. In between her gestures she can spare enough time to wave Alptraum forward at the monster.

Alptraum cocks an eyebrow, then just shrugs. "Nothing like a little frog butt-kicking, I guess," he says and charges toward the Frog King, claws spread. "Let's see how armored this thing is," he thinks and snarls.

As real frogs spill forth and run in every direction, the children also run forward to attack with their brooms. The monsters have trouble moving, apparently not wanting to tread on the frogs.

"STOP KICKING ME!" the Frog King bellows, before being knocked backwards by Alptraum's charge and letting out a pained "Ribbit!"

Leaping forward herself, Tulani proceeds to join Alptraum, going after the frog king with her own broom.

Alptraum suddenly gets an idea. His wings spread and beat hard, launching him up into the air. He climbs upward for a bit, then suddenly beats his wings backwards, propelling himself down, feet first, toeclaws splayed. "Time for a little Retro-Phrenology!" he shouts.

The Frog King forgets about his wounded knee, and tries to protect his head with his webbed hands as the broom-blows begin to fall. The other monsters are in a panic, hopping around and bumping into eachother. One of them is clearly losing a tug of war as several Skeeks and otters cling to its tail.

Tulani continues whacking the frog-king about the torso, trying to keep him down as Alptraum dives.

Talons strike the crown of the Frog King's skull, and tear open long gashes as the Eeee slides along the back of its neck and finally loses his grip near the monster's shoulders.

The witch gestures dismissively and the power that had been building about her hands and eyes dissipates harmlessly. She places her hand on her hip and watches the Frog King get beaten senseless by travelers, Amelia, and children. "Emily, your mother … Amelia, well, just be careful," she calls with a tone of worried concern.

"Frog surfing!" Alptraum declares and snaps his wings, hefting him slightly away from the creature and to the ground. He shrugs, then just heads back in and starts pummeling the Frog King with his fists. He flashes a fangy grin to Tulani and Amelia.

Grinning back at Alptraum briefly, Tulani continues whacking at the frog-king with her handmade broom.

The poodle girl is laughing wildly, riding her monster and whacking it on the sides to make it change direction. Several other creatures have been rolled onto their backs to expose their bellies. Half of the abominations have already fled into the fog, and the chirping of frogs fills the air. Some of the adults have begun to reappear out of the alleys, holding pitchforks, pikes and other tools that are nastier than brooms.

Morgan glances back at the mayor and the black poodle to smile at them and shrug. "I have never been more proud of this village, I tell you," she tells them, though she still sounds concerned.

"Emily?" Erik mutters. His glasses dangle from one ear, and he just stands stunned in the fountain, getting his boots wet. A few paces away, a group of otters is trying to stuff a monster into an emptied frog barrel. "This has gotta be worth a whole cake," one of them claims proudly.

"LET ME GO!" cries the Frog King, having finally managed to curl up into a ball. "I'M NOT THE REAL KING!"

Alptraum steps back from the creature and rubs the backs of his knuckles gently. "Well, who are you, then?" Alptraum asks. "And why are you attacking this town?"

Looking surprised at the 'not-the-frog-king' statement, Tulani stops whacking at it and sets her broom down, pricking her ears forward for its response to Alptraum's query.

The witch turns to wander over to the fountain and reach a hand to tug the poodle out of the fountain. "Erik, you're getting wet. Come on out now before you catch a cold," she chides him.

"THE OLD KING DIED FROM HIS WOUNDS," the cowering monster claims. "I AM THE FIRST CHILD TO GROW TO ADULTHOOD!"

"And what happened to the old king didn't give you an idea what would happen if you returned here?" Alptraum asks, ears flicking. "What exactly did you really want, a bride? Or did you do this just because your father did?"

"Cold?" Eric says, looking blankly at Morgan. He notices the water, and then steps out. After brushing a few frogs aside, he sits down on the base of the fountain pool. "Emily, stop harassing that monster! You'll… you'll get warts!" he calls to his sister.

"IT IS ALL I REMEMBER," the Frog Prince answers.

Turning towards Emily the black and white Sphynx calls out to her, "Your brother's right you know."

"Ewwww!" the poodle girl says, screwing up her muzzle. She hops off of the monster and runs to the fountain to wash off her hands. "Gross!"

"Well, maybe you should pick a less painful way of living, eh?" Alptraum replies and peers at the creature. He thinks of something, then adds, "Have you ever considered maybe working with the people of the village? You realize what sort of tourists you could draw in by staging a performance once a year? You could get a split of the profits. You'd be famous."

Now that she's seen to Erik the witch leaves him at the pool to walk over to the Frog Prince. There she listens attentively.

One bulbous eye pops up to look at Alptraum. "FAMOUS?" the Prince asks. "WILL GIRLS FIND THAT ATTRACTIVE?"

Perking up at Alptraum's words, Tulani nods and nudges Morgan saying, "It sure would be better than risking having someone try to trash the place again, or fighting."

"This toad bit my tail!" Amelia yells, and starts wailing away with her feet and fists on one of the smaller monsters. "I combed it for three hours!"

"Fame and money hide a lot of flaws," Alptraum says to the frog and waggles his eyebrows. "You and the town could help each other out, you know. Not only would you help keep away invaders, but your shows would make you famous. The great Frog King, they'd call you."

"WHAT DO… What do you mean by 'invaders'?" the Frog Prince asks. "I don't like fighting. I wouldn't have to fight would I?"

"You may also wish to consider dating someone of your own species. Perhaps your fame will draw a Frog Princess," Morgan explains. She glances at Tulani, smiles at her, then she reaches out to pat the young woman's shoulder before walking past her towards Amelia. "I have a comb Amelia. Try and not kill the frog child. Diplomacy, Amelia."

"Nah, you just have to look scary and growl a lot. Or if it's Gallee, threaten to give 'em warts," Alptraum replies with a grin.

"Isn't diplomacy just carrying a big stick?" Amelia asks, pausing to brush a stray strand of hair out of her face. "My broom broke. Give me another one and I'll be really diplomatic!"

Following behind Morgan, Tulani nods to the witch's words, saying to Amelia, "I'll even help you brush it out if you like?"

Forgetting the insult to her tail for the moment, Amelia whispers to Tulani, "Morgan didn't even notice how extra fluffy my tail was today, either."

"Just once a year though, right?" the Frog Prince asks Alptraum. "I don't like coming out in the daylight too often."

Tulani gives a brief, almost silly frown to Morgan, before taking the comb from her, and patting Amelia on the back saying, "Well! Let's get that tail fixed shall we?"

The Eeee nods, "Just once a year, right. You have a great mock battle, wow the tourists, then have a party afterward. You might even find a date!"

"Yeah, thanks," Amelia says to the Sphynx. "I hope this slime washes out easy."

"I am going to submit you for guard duty with energy like that Amelia." The witch puts a hand on her hip again as she digs in to her pouch and produces a tail comb. It's a nice wooden handled one with a carving of a female Kadie on it. She hands it to Tulani. "Violence is not always the answer. Your mother would be worried sick if she saw you now. I was rather worried as well."

"And that girl won't hit me so hard with her stick next time?" the Frog Prince asks, turning his eye to watch Amelia and Tulani.

Alptraum leans in and whispers conspiratorially with the Frog King. "We'll make sure they give the Frog Princess one made of paper or some such," he assures.

Taking Amelia by the arm, Tulani draws her towards the fountain saying, "Well let's find out! A little water from the fountain, and a few quick strokes should take that slime out easy."

"Is everything all right over there?" calls the mayor from the fountain. "Only, see, we've got the torches and pitchforks all ready now."

Alptraum steps back from the Frog King and presents it with a flourish to the Mayor. "Sir, let me present to you the new attraction of Stonebarrow, the Frog King's son. He seems to like the idea of working with you each year to do a festival that'll really draw in the tourists!" he declares. He then rubs his neck and says, "Right now, though, I think he could use a doctor. Whups."

"Ouch, yes," the new Frog King agrees, finally uncurling.

An air of disappointment hovers over the mob, as they begin to shuffle their feet. "Was a brand new torch, too," complains one Skeek. "I had to run all the way back home for mine," the Kadie next to him notes. "And I carried it back in my teeth!"

The mayor claps his hands, and tells the crowd, "Now, now, no complaining! We've still got plenty of regular frogs to chase off you know."

The Eeee laughs quietly and steps away from the Frog King. He rubs the bridge of his nose briefly and says, "Morgan, know healing spells? I think Froggie could use your help."

The cigar smoking Korv appears next to Alptraum and the King. "Doctor eh? We can fix you right up! Want to be more charming and witty too?" he asks. Behind him, a chestnut Rhian mare looms, arms crossed against her chest. A belt holding a variety of mallets hangs on her hips.

After Helping Amelia to clean the slime out of her fur and fluffing out her tail a bit, Tulani grabs up her broom again and begins sweeping away the small frogs.

"I know many arts of healing," Morgan responds enigmatically. She steps forward towards the Frog Prince and nods to him. "If you will accompany me I will take you to my home and I will see to your injuries."

Following Tulani's example, the other children pitch in. They seem to enjoy it almost as much as fighting monsters.

Alptraum erks and waves his hands. "Nonono, he needs a medical doctor. I'm afraid he couldn't afford your treatments, anyway. Maybe after he gets those gashes fixed right up and gains some fame in a few years, eh?" he says to the Korv.

"Thank you, ma'am… err… sir?" the dazed Frog King says, standing up to limp behind the Kadie witch. Its siblings mill about, with several sitting in the fountain pool. One of the creatures is trapped in the middle of a circle of bullfrogs, which seem determined to court it.

The witch takes the frog's clawed hand and tugs it to follow her. "Don't worry about it," she tells him, grinning.

Alptraum watches the Frog King go with Morgan and quips, "Guess she turned out to be his bride anyway." He grins widely, then turns to go check on the rest of the townsfolk.

Laughing happily, the black and white Sphynx runs with the others with brooms, chasing the frogs across the square. Taking pity on the cornered frog monster, she shoos the bullfrogs away from it.

"C'mon, Fether," the Korv says, leading the mare back to their tent.

The monster croaks in thanks to Tulani, then runs off back to the swamp itself.

"Hmm," Erik says, getting his glasses back in place and walking over to Alptraum. "Thank you for your help in… ah… subduing… the Frog King," he says to the Eeee.

Finished with the frogs, Tulani sits down by the edge of the fountain, before looking to Alptraum, grinning and saying, "That went well, didn't it?"

"Ahh, think nothing of it. My pleasure," Alptraum replies to Erik. He pauses, considers, then says, "Hey, if either of you see me look at Morgan and grin … you may want to elbow me. I have this urge to ask her about how her date with the Frog King was. I really should learn to resist those urges." He grins and sits down next to Tulani, sending a few frogs hopping madly away. "Well, I 'toad' you the trip north would be interesting, eh?" He grins.

The Frog Prince and the witch walk off down the road together and vanish in to the mists. At the same time Arkold stumbles out of the inn without a shirt. "Whut? Did I miss something? Man, I always miss somethin' good!"

"Well, perhaps you could return for the next festival, good sir," Erik suggests to Arkold, then takes out a leather-bound notebook and consults it. "That would be… umm… commemorating the day a dragon was dropped into the old well. I do hope it isn't quite as exciting as this was, though."

"Oh," says the wolf groggily. "Well, I'm goin' back to bed then. Have fun with your frog dance and wake me up when the party stars." Then the wolf wanders on back inside, yawning.

Alptraum glances over toward the Jupani and calls out, "Not at all, Arkold. You didn't miss a giant slimy Frog attack the town, get the crap beaten out of it, then have it agree to be the town's yearly sideshow. It's been very dull."

Tulani just rolls her eyes and sticks her head in the fountain.