Feast of Fools

Lora Ley and Wolf travel back to the time of the Crusades as a robust celebration capers out of control, and they become both hunters and hunted in pursuit of a missing vessel. Meanwhile, a corrupt Bishop complicates matters. Humor, murder and mayhem, "Feast of Fools" is one of the novellas included in the anthology "Winter Tales."

The Feast of Fools or Narrenconvent originated in older pagan traditions such as Saturnalia, reversing roles of master and servant, rich and poor, humble and mighty. Saturn is a powerful Roman god of double nature whose festival occurs mid to late December. Lords would serve their subjects, men dress as women or vice versa. A commoner may be elected King or Pope and this person's orders were followed. Often orders were humorous, such as riding backward on a donkey or banning forks. For greedy Bishop Wiesel, it's a time of hiding in cowardly fear.

German mythical beings in this novella include the shape-shifting Drak (pl. Drake) in Mephisto the dragon-cat and Griselda, a hen who lays silver eggs. If captured, a Drak will serve an owner but is a dangerous helpmate who can turn on its master. Usually, Drake appear in the form of animals. Associated with demon magic, many breathe flame or set fires.

Join the action-packed tale in the medieval village of Wurzberg, as Wiesel learns the error of his ways, Wolf and Lora battle assassins, Crusaders seek new blood and suddenly, everybody breaks out dancing.