Damselblossom (Winterlands);

A novelette of 12,000 words, sequel to Hambly's Winterlands (Dragonsbane) series. When a visiting wizard calls at Alyn Hold with the news that the region is about to be attacked by a horrible monster, John Aversin, Dragonsbane and Thane of the Winterlands, and his wizardly partner Jenny Waynest, are much less upset than the Silver Mage thinks they should be. The Silver Mage demands that the whole countryside turn out to kill the Kraken once and for all; John points out that it would involve fewer casualties if everyone simply moved out of its way for the three days (out of 150 years) during which it comes ashore, easily determined by the behavior of the matriarch pig Damselblossom. When the Silver Mage insists upon a showdown, John begins to suspect his motives.