Rashomon

Xia Lin sat beside the long table, his focused gaze fixed on several sheets of parchment spread across its surface, covered with the various clues and timelines he had hastily jotted down.

Kade stood by the fireplace, his expression grave, one hand absently stroking the warhammer at his waist.

Sera curled up in a chair in the corner, her black tail draped over the armrest and swaying now and then.

Celia sat beside Sera, her fingers lightly rubbing the holy symbol on her chest, looking deeply troubled.

The innkeeper Glen tactfully settled the other survivors on the second floor, leaving this unusual group some privacy.

"All right," Xia Lin broke the silence, setting his cup on the table with a crisp clink. "We have all heard the other side's story. Now, let's sort this out."

He pointed at Kade. "Let's start with our side. Sirian the werewolf paladin's version."

Kade nodded and began recounting it. "Sirian, a paladin of Sharunlai, was bitten and cursed by a werewolf three years ago.

"He chose to see the curse as a trial bestowed upon him by the Goddess, using his beast form to hunt evils the law could not punish."

"He believed Linor was an irredeemable monster," Kade said in a low voice. "She came out every night, beguiling travelers with her songs and draining their life force. She did not distinguish between good and evil. As long as they were alive, she would strike."

"Sirian gave us three days." Kade looked at his companions. "On the night of the full moon, three days from now, no matter what we uncover, he will kill her."

Xia Lin nodded and turned to Sera and Celia. "Now for you two. Linor the dhampir poet's version."

Celia spoke first, her voice filled with obvious sympathy. "Linor