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Post by Black Cat on May 23, 2008 22:35:07 GMT -5
Onboard the Emerald Defender
As soon as the knob on the door turned, Black Cat used silently but quickly moved to one dark corner of the cabin and used his advanced Invisibility skills.
Wild Horse moved in, not noticing that the Grand Master of the Order was right beside him until Black Cat himself closed the door. "Ha, I see that my former blade revealed my presence on your ship" he said at the same time.
"Supreme Master Black Cat!" simply said a surprised Wild Horse as he made the Kai salute. "I've heard that you've been imprisonned!"
-Yes, but that would be long to explain and we don't really have time for that right now... By the way, thanks for taking care of the first Xargath with your torpedo.
Wild Horse was more shocked: "Ha, errr... well, no problem but... errr... first Xargath?"
"There's another one in the surroundings" quickly explained the Grand Master of the Order. "So unless you really want to test your courage, I'd say it would be the best time to flee before more blood is spilled. Grand Master, get up there and try to save any survivors in the water. Then, give orders to set sail for Tyso, and don't forget to warn the Green Sceptre II about the danger."
Wild Horse was about to leave when Black Cat grabbed his arm. "One more thing: don't tell anyone that I'm onboard. I'll explain it to you later. Come back here once you have carried out your mission".
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Post by Simey on May 27, 2008 20:42:27 GMT -5
Somewhere in the vicinity of Eshnar
It is thinking fast.
More realistically, as it well knows, the series of logical calculations played out in an artificially bred mind that pass for its thoughts are processing the details of the situation very rapidly.
It finds the wolf an unwelcome distraction - it is sure it was making progress before its arrival. Worse, the creature and the creature's weapon are apparently possessed of such metaphysical power as might cause it real harm.
It has partially solved this problem. The human, caught in what it plainly found to be a difficult situation, has given it the weapon and the responsibility of watching the wolf, and has disappeared in pursuit of the companion it believes to have run away. The beast creature is now to a much greater degree in its power.
But the wolf is glaring at it intensely, and has been since entering the hut and allowing the door to be closed. Reason dictates that a renewed demonstration of the distress caused by its head injury might lessen the creature's suspicion. An inbred inventory of human expressions is instantaneously consulted and the appropriate reaction selected, modified, of course, by its prior observation of the subject it now portrays. Its eyes screw shut for a moment, its eyebrows come together, its forehead wrinkles, its lips press tightly together and its free hand reaches up to tenderly touch the wound.
As its eyes blink wincingly open again, it sees that the wolf's frown has been slightly tempered by a modicum of concern. It judges the ploy to have worked.
"We should do something about that, " says the wolf, apparently with a little reluctance. "I could-"
"No," it says through suitably gritted teeth. "It just stings a bit. It's not that bad."
The urge to kill the wolf and thereby simplify the accomplishment of its objective simmers across its spawning-created synapses, but the unknown nature of the beast creature's powers make this too risky a strategy. It must act quickly though, because the human it now portrays, and whose memories it wishes to untangle, will not remain unconscious for long, and it must by the time it awakes appear as the human that it has sent chasing nothing, since the indefinable connection that it has sensed exists between the two human knights might be its only path to discovering the truth. Its best immediate course of action is not straightforward to calculate.
Luckily, a non-mind is one not prone to indecision.
"Look," it says, with a solemn sincerity it reasons to be the aspect most pertinent to its intention, "I don't know why, but I think I trust you. And whatever it is afflicts the Kai such that he might attack one of his companions, he needs to be found and questioned. Please, help Sir Armadalus to find him quickly."
It ensures that it is positioned so that the wolf's easiest exit is through the front door, since it does not wish the creature to pass near the store cupboard at the back of the hut for fear of its sense of smell perhaps discerning what lies hidden there.
The next move is the wolf's, though already it is reckoning and analysing likely responses in preparation for whatever that move may be.
With an appropriately pleading expression on its face, of course.
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Post by Beowuuf on May 28, 2008 1:58:23 GMT -5
In a hut near Eshnar
Beowuuf nods, partially relieved but still torn. He had wished to rush after the Kai himself, but the intractable Armadalus had of course scoffed at such action.
However, while Beowuuf is surprised and delighted to find his wish granted by this mysterious knight Simey, he realises he might be missing an opportunity to question the knight on the mysterious organisation that is the Magnamund Knights' Council, and why the knight's own name would appear on correspondance at all.
More importantly, Beowuuf has in times past seen warriors brought low by head wounds, standing laughing after a battle one minute and unconscious at death's door the next. Armadalus is a proven tracker and warrior from Beowuuf's visions...
...although he has no mental defenses against the Kai...
..and Beowuuf should not leave this wounded man alone, nor waste an opportunity of interrogation without the unwelcome eyes and dears of Armadauls around. And yet...
Beowuuf no longer has the niggles of the wolf mind and wolf body as unconscious distractions. Sorba's memories are his, only one small step removed from Beowuuf's own. Sorba has retreated, willingly allowing Tamas to control. This means Tamas must also deal with the Source - the power and demands of the wolf body - directly.
Whoever Beowuuf is now, he must acknowledge no hidden saviour in the back of his mind is controlling the wolf body anymore. Beowuuf has the leash, and the purity of the hunt, the single minded concentration on a target, even if the 'kill' is to gain answers, is exactly why a wolf assassin becomes a wolf assassin. The ultimate lure and control was a key tool in a wolf creature's mental arsenal against his form. Beowuuf would be foolish to deny the body such an opportunity and distraction while his own demonstrations of control are still so new.
"Look," says Beowuuf, "you can trust me, and yes, Armadalus should not go alone. Thank you but...look...well, I need to know you are alright." Beowuuf moves forwards, and the knight moves backwards, sword raised. Beowuuf rolls his eyes in consternation and gestures for the knight to move away from the door he is unknowingly blocking. The knight still stands firm, and it is only with the most emphatic of gestures from Beowuuf the knight begins to move.
"I will go out this way," says Beowuuf, "but I need you to keep shouting at the back door or something. Something to let me...well us...know you are still conscious. After all, Wise Fox might double back aswell."
Simey nods slowly, but still seems tense and uncomfortable. Perhaps Beowuuf should not have mentioned the possibility of a returning foe?
"It will be alright," Beowuuf said, his hand on the door, when a scent hits him. The faint odour of blood. His hand freezes and he looked across at Simey. Beowuuf notices the knight's hand subconsciously tightens on the handle of the blade.
"Say 'arrows'", covers Beowuuf, "that is innocuous enough that it will not have Armadalus running back here thinking you are being attacked." Beowuuf nods as Simey seems to stand down and allow the wolf to leave.
Beowuuf breathes a sigh of relief he has covered so well. The wolf's body's senses must be picking up in preparation for the hunt, and Beowuuf fears it was not a moment too soon he left in pursuit. Who knows what could happen if the leash snapped?
Beowuuf grins a feral grin and with his body hunched to the ground begins the fast run after Armadalus, hearing the word 'arrows' repeated self consciously behind him by Simey.
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Post by eviltb on May 29, 2008 18:11:30 GMT -5
Eshnar
The NAK eviltb raised his head as he heard the roar. He leapt up onto a nearby roof and could clearly see the huge thing tearing down buildings. Almost as if, it was chasing something… eviltb smiled and checked his belt. His knives where all in place and easily accessible; around his neck the trinket Xog had given him still pulsed slightly with the power of the V’Ka Doomstone. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He held it for several moments, reaching out to the area around him. He felt the undead all around him, oblivious to everything except their hunger. He stretched further and felt another mind, unconscious but not like the undead. He diverted from this and found the creature, all rage and hatred. If he wanted to, he could make it worse. A subtle suggestion could go a long way. But not yet, not until he found what was being chased. In a flash he found what he was looking and for, and just as easily repelled. eviltb opened his eyes and exhaled. With a grin, he crouched low and dashed off across the rooftops.
Whoever this thing was chasing was trying to be clever. Occasionally the creature would stop and look around, but soon it would find its target again. eviltb made sure to stay hidden just out of the creatures range, his Obscurement discipline guaranteed him that. He headed back to the first demolished building. The one-story house had not been completed torn down. eviltb entered and could see the cat-creature lying, seemingly unconscious, on the bare floor. Another corpse lay slumped against the wall. eviltbs eyes narrowed, something didn’t feel right about any of this. Obviously, who the creature was chasing had led it away from this house and therefore could be allied to this cat-creature. Had the other body summoned the creature to its aid? Was the creature out for revenge now? eviltb exited the house and could see the creature again only a few blocks away. It was swiping wildly with its arms, sending granite and giak bodies flying everywhere.
eviltb re-entered the building and searched the cat-creature. It appeared to be injured, but not life-threateningly so. Finding nothing of interest, he moved onto the other corpse. The man was cut all over, like shards of glass had ripped through his chest. Sifting through his robes, eviltb came across a torn piece of parchment stuffed into a pocket. He unfurled it and began to read. They appeared to be orders. About Eshnar...Yellow Robes…Dessi? eviltbs eyes widened as he read.
By Order of the Magiocracy of Dessi[/u]
It is hereby decreed that the Sommlending city of Eshnar be subject to extermination. The evil contained therein is of too great a risk to be allowed to remain. It is with a heavy heart that we have come to this decision. May Kai and Ishir pass their blessings onto us during this task.
Signed…..
The page is torn at the bottom. eviltb read the paper once more and looked up at the corpse of the man. Looking over to the cat-creature, eviltb figured it would be one of the yellow robes. The man here had seen too much in his lifetime to ever perform an act of good. Still, if the city was to be destroyed, eviltb not only had to escape Eshnar, but work his way quickly back to Xog to inform the Darklord of the Dessi mages intentions.
eviltb exited the building again. He replayed the notes instructions over in his mind. He had to get out. He had to get back to Xog. He also had to find the person the creature was chasing. eviltb looked in the direction he’d come, then back at the creature. He couldn’t afford to waste anymore time. Looking up at the sky, permanently yellow thanks to the power shield, he drew his blades and dashed off into the city.
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Post by Simey on May 30, 2008 19:27:15 GMT -5
Somewhere close to Eshnar
One Armadalus was bad enough, but two....
"Wise Fox? Attacked me?" said Simey weakly, his vision still dim and variously doubling or tripling the scene in front of him. "Are you sure it wasn't that thing?"
"I'm sure," said Armadalus quietly but firmly. "The wolf was outside with me when we heard the noise from in here; it's pursuing the Kai now."
The Sommlending had clearly propped Simey into a sitting position against the wall of the hut and was peering closely at him, though with what expression on his face was difficult to tell. The throbbing pain at the back of Simey's head where he had apparently been struck constantly threatened to pulse powerfully enough to knock him out once more, but it had subsided at least a little since he'd woken up a short time ago.
"Why would Wise Fox attack me?" Simey muttered, wondering out loud. "I thought he was our friend."
Armadalus' undetermined expression intensified. "Why would you think that?"
"Seemed to be," said Simey, slightly bothered by Armadalus questioning his notion. It was annoying that he was forced to voice his thoughts in front of the Sommlending rather than keeping them to himself, but the concentration it took to turn them into speech seemed to be the only way he could currently form them coherently.
"But we only met him a short time ago," said Armadalus, his voice edged with a strange intensity.
"I know, I know," groaned Simey, nodding feebly. "But he helped us before; why would he turn against us now?"
"He helped us? When was that? Remind me." Armadalus seemed to be struggling to remain calm for some reason; Simey's mind wasn't nearly together enough to try and fathom why, though even feeling as awful as he did, part of him still had the energy to find the Sommlending familiarly irritating.
"I dunno - don't remember," said Simey, merely trying to get Armadalus to lay off, but finding that he really didn't remember; he suddenly wasn't sure what it was had made him say that Wise Fox had helped them in the first place, and, puzzling about it briefly, he had the odd sensation of trying to watch reflections in a pool that someone had just dropped a stone into.
"No, no, no," said Armadalus urgently, his face, two faces, three faces moving even closer to Simey's. "I'm sure you can remember, and it's important that you do."
Simey closed his eyes against his companion's overbearing prompts. "Why?" he said barely audibly. "And why right now?"
Because your mind is disordered and weakened, and those memories not properly locked away.
Simey's brow tightened at the peculiar thought and its surprising clarity.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he muttered.
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Post by Beowuuf on Jun 2, 2008 13:06:29 GMT -5
Somewhere close to Eshnar
The hunt for Wise Fox was so far very easy. Armadalus was a good tracker, and in a hurry so left obvious disturbances to follow.
Sadly, Beowuuf realised about twenty seconds outside of the hut that whatever skills the wolf assassin Sorba possessed, even with his shared memories Beowuuf did not have access to them. Similar to the Vakeros powers of Tamas that Beowuuf had access to, If the rolls were reversed Sorba would have no chance to utilise them. Some things you learned by doing, were simply in the soul not just the mind.
What momentarily threw Beowuuf was that his wolf body had no real powers either, which of course was logical. A heightened sense of hearing and smell was all very well, but it was the conscious mind and controlling perception that needed to assimilate that information. Sorba had spent a lifetime in command and harmony with his wolf's body. Beowuuf had spent merely a few years trying to ignore it and suppress it.
And so Beowuuf simply followed the disturbances driven into the ground by Armadalus, as the man had obviously picked up the subtle clues that Beowuuf had no hope of finding. Soon however, the clues of Armadalus's passage became less - the man was either hurrying less, the light beginning to fail was throwing Beowuuf more than he thought it would, or...
Perhaps Armadalus was being stealthier as he caught up to his prey. Beowuuf slowed his own swift progression, cursing his lack of armament. A bow possibly damaged in the previous tussle was not a match for a proper melee weapon.
Beowuuf moved cautiously, now looking for any signs that could be attributed to someone's passage. Beowuuf would have been in trouble if the light rains had not come and gone, or the area in the small glade he walked towards had not been worn with mudded areas from general traffic.
As it was Beowuuf could spot, to his untrained eye, that what seemed to be Armadalus's boots moving around alot, as if the man had paced confused. Beowuuf moved in wide circles trying to spot which way the man went. Beowuuf found something that confused him. Beowuuf then found what was possibly Armadalus's track.
The wolf realised that Armadalus had come upon a sign that was probably Wise Fox, but it emerged from the wrong direction - a simple semi-boot pointing towardsd the hut. Although Sommerlund was all the same to Beowuuf, his sense of direction told him that this was probably close to where Beowuuf had first observed the three and moved to spy on them.
Armadalus had apparently followed the wrong prints, followed their own tracks backwards - or perhaps a clever Wise Fox had tried to hide his passage away by using the group's own old dtracks. Armadalus had seen the original Wise Fox footprint perhaps, and had moved off in another direction looking for fresh signs.
Was Armadalus tracking a new lead, or merely moving off at random looking to pick up a trail? Beowuuf had no idea, he simply realised the reason for why 'Armadalus' had been so easy to track this far, and why it had then got harder.
Criss crossing paths. Beowuuf had no real hope of following the tracker now, he assumed.
Beowuuf looked at the original path of Wise Fox speculatively. Would the man infact, a Kai Master no less, not be a master at disguising his prints? In that case, would he infact follow the way he had originally come - especially if he needed to go back there?
On this hunch, assuming that Armadalus would be better at actually looking for signs of passage, Beowuuf got his head down and followed the better trail of Wise Fox from before. Luckily a muddy path and heavy foot meant he did not need to work too hard. And then, the smell began to twitch BEowuuf's nose. And then, there was a funny echo in Beowuuf's ear, not a real sound, something else...
"He left me here to die..." said Wise Fox's Talking Corpse when Beowuuf finally found the Kai. The man could not have been dead that long, but the odd weather and Beowuuf's unusual nose acted in concert to detect the beginnings of decay. The man though, very obviously, had been dead longer than the time Beowuuf had last seen him in the hut.
Beowuuf tried to raise a mental shield to the odd visions of the man accusing him of being too late. Beowuuf had not thought much of the man's replacement in the hut, but any thoughts had been unworthy - showing a pre-disposition to not liking Kai Lords and not liking the violent actions of the replicant. The man who lay dead here was no doubt a good man, a noble warrior, and certainly did not deserve his fate.
"He left me here to die..."
Beowuuf blocked the vision again, and turned from the dead body grimacing. He would never know the man in life, he had no wish to betray the memory of the man by listening to the cruel echoes of death.
"I did not kill him," said Beowuuf, shifting into a defensive stance as Armadalus had silently moved out of the shadows.
"I did not say you did," said the knight in reply, "after all, obviously he was replaced by someone or something earlier. We should not leave the Kai like this."
Beowuuf nodded and turned. He had barely started crouching when a quick question flashed up, as Wise Fox's corpse voiced a question without words.
How did he know I had not died right now?
"Gnah!"
Beowuuf turned back quickly to Armadalus, finding the exclamation came from the man himself. Armadalus has swiftly moved towards Beowuuf, but his outstretched and crumbling hand was being denied contact as his body was restrained.
"Quickly!" huffed the real Armadalus, the knight apparently coming out of nowhere just as silently as the Helghast had. If Beowuuf doubted this second Armadalus was genuine in the confusion of events, the man's grimly determined face, grime-encrusted as it was with sweat already breaking upon the brow, would be a quick method of conviction. The fact the false Armadalus was already partially turning into a Darklandsd spawn, red eyes and fanged protruding lower jaw forming, was neither here nor there.
"Quickly!" repeated Armadalus, grunting with effort to lock his arms around the thing, "kill it now!"
Beowuuf did a familiar mental inventory, an inventory he had tallied once before in a similar situation with only one minor but significant different in the result. Back in the home to Tyra Tolan, Beowuuf had felt the shape of an enchanted arrow at the last moment.
"With what?" asked Beowuuf in consternation and fear.
Armadalus's eyes widened in similar emotions. The Helghast's eyes simply glowed redder as its mocking laugh began deep in its throat.
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Post by Black Cat on Jun 6, 2008 20:20:24 GMT -5
Kaltersee
Wild Horse was quick to carry out the orders the Grand Master of the Order had given him. In just a few seconds, a signal was sent to the Green Scepter II about the second Xargath and the necessity to escape as far as possible from this region of the sea. Another minute was spent looking for survivors into the black cold waters, but no signs of life were detected, nor the presence of the second Xargath. The reason was simple: the rare survivors who had fallen into the sea has been already back onboard their ship. As for the female Xargath, she was now feasting on the broken body of the one who tried to become her mate, deep bellow the surface, and couldn't care less of the two ships as long as she had some fresh meat to eat.
***
"We need to go to Tyso! The ship has suffered a lot already and I don't know if we could make it if a storm hits us!"
The Captain was mad. Was Aldius suicidal? He had just asked him to continue the trip to Holmgard at full speed because he didn't want to miss the King's birthday diner. This was against all logic since the Green Scepter II needed to get some repairs after the Xargath's attack.
"No storm will hit us, trust me!" replied Aldius. "I need to be in Holmgard in two days, so make sure that I get there on time."
-But milord, this is the safety of everyone onboard that is at stake!
-And I tell you that if you bring me to Holmgard on time, you'll get twice the amount of gold crowns we have discussed."
The Captain was a good man. The safety of his passengers was more important than anything else, except maybe the well-being of his own family. With the extra cash he was about to get from Aldius, he would be able to buy a new ship for his son and start a real family business as he had planned years ago.
"Very well... We'll head for Holmgard"
***
"You want us to drop you in Tyso and then continue our trip to Holmgard? Why?"
Back into the cabin, Wild Horse was puzzled by Black Cat's request. He knew that the Grand Master of the Order had been put in jail for the wrong reasons, but as Black Cat explained to him, there was more to it.
Wild Horse learned everything about what happened on the Isle of Rhorgal: how Black Cat was put in jail for being involved in a conspiration against the king with a fake envoy, how that envoy took the shape of Black Cat and left for the Monastery, and how Black Cat was able to escape from the Sea Castle.
"I know that Aldius is supposed to get some kind of cargo from a ship named the Interceptor in thanks for putting me out of the way of the Helghast in disguise. I want you to investigate this once you get to Holmgard", said Black Cat.
"Okay, but you, what you'll be doing in Tyso?" asked Wild Horse.
-I'll go back to the Monastery. My double wanted to look for something there and I think I know what. You'll excuse me if I don't tell you what it is, but it's a secret that only me knows... and whoever sent that Helghast.
-That's good enough for me... So, the Interceptor...?
-Yes. I'll send a message with your hawk to Garel, a former Kai Lord that went back to civilian life. His old Kai name was Black Stallion, which is now the name of his inn, in the west quarter of the city. He'll gather information for you on that ship until you arrive. Once I'm done with my double, I'll join you in Holmgard so that we can take care of Aldius. One last thing: don't tell anyone that I'm here. I want to blindside both my double and the Treasurer".
While the two ships moved towards different direction, Black Cat and Aldius were polishing their respective plans.
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Post by Hawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 23:27:45 GMT -5
Driftwood
He slipped in and out of consciousness many times, lost count of the time and days, oblivious to everything around him save for the sound of splashing water around him. One of the few times when he managed to summon enough strength just to open his eyes, with blurry vision, he found out he was in the open sea, adrift on a piece of wood, hanging on for dear life. Shouting proved too much of an effort, managing only a raspy grunt. Soon he was unconscious again.
The lingering smell of the salty sea...
The whispering voices in the wind...
The pungent scent of herbs...
Suddenly...
A loud sound of shattering glass filled the room. The man who was asleep on a cot in the corner of the room awoke with a jolt.
"Aarrghh!!!"
An elderly man rushed to his side with a mug in his hand. A man of about 50, white silvery hair, a kind face. He urged him to calm down and rest again. "Now, now, you are safe here. Rest now and drink this. Sorry to have disturbed your sleep. I was very careless with the dishes." The young man looked around, then at the elderly man and took the mug in his hand and drank from it hesitantly. Something inside of him, a small voice told him to trust the old man. "Urgh!" He wanted to spit it out but instead forced himself to swallow the awful concoction. "It tastes awful but it's good. It'll help you to regain your strength." The old man smiled as he waited patiently for him to finish his drink.
"Is he awake?"
A young lady stood at the doorway, with a basket in her hands. Her red wavy hair tied up nicely with a scarf, and an enchanting smile pasted on her fairly tan face. The young man didn't know where he was and who these people were, and yet here he was in a room with them. Then the old man asked, "What is your name, young man?"
He opened his mouth to speak but stopped. He thought hard and looked at them with pleading eyes.
"I don't know."
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Post by wildhorse on Jun 12, 2008 12:29:21 GMT -5
~~~~The northern coast of Sommerlund ~~~
As the Green Sceptre II moved off southwards, the Emerald Defender also set sail in the same direction, but not to Holmgard.
In order to avoid giving the impression that they are following the Green Sceptre II, Wild Horse ordered that the Emerald Defender sail to Tyso. As Oriphus suggested, given the damage and manpower shortages sustained, the Green Sceptre will not be making that much of a headway. Added to the fact that they came late into the sea battle, the Emerald Defender, primarily designed as a warship, will be able to keep pace.
Wild Horse had thought of a way to get Black Cat back to the Kai Monastery quickly
During the next two hours, Black Cat spent his time in the captain’s cabin, resting from his ordeal and writing the message which was supposed to be sent to his contact. Wild Horse stayed on deck, supervising the crew as they went about their work. He knew the crew will be delighted to meet Black Cat, their rightful captain but secrecy is paramount in this situation.
~~~ Tyso ~~~
When the Emerald Defender finally docked at Tyso harbour, leaving Oriphus in charge to oversee minor repairs and replenishment of supplies, Wild Horse went off to loan two horses from a nearby horse dealer. Before leaving, he instructed that the ship be ready to set sail in two hours time.
When he returned, he first went to his cabin to find Black Hawk, tying the message to his hawk. He opened the window and let the hawk fly out.
“Grand Master, I just sent the hawk off, now I have to leave the ship.”
“Supreme Master, I got a better idea, a faster mode of transport that will bring you to the Monastery. But you have to come with me. Meet me on the dockside in ten minutes.”
Ten minutes later, with Wild Horse leading the way, both Kai made their way through the crowded city streets and rode for the city gates. Once out of the gates, Wild Horse rode for the woods that lay to the northwest of Tyso, near the necropolis. There in a hidden clearing, lay the Crystal Forge, Wild Horse’s skyship which was bequeathed to him by his late half-brother, the Brotherhood mage Shadow.
“There you are, Supreme Master, your transport back to the Kai Monastery. Guaranteed to bring you there swiftly and safely.” Wild Horse smiled as he waved his hand at the skyship. “I arranged with Kuriann, my trusty first mate, to redirect the skyship here to Tyso.”
“How did you do that?” asked Black Cat, as he walked slowly forward.
“I found that the Crystal Star Pendant which Shadow left me is magically tuned to the mind of its rightful bearer. It can be used to send a mental message to the helm-sphere of the Crystal Forge, informing the crew of its owner’s whereabouts.”
“This is really a good idea! That will save me much time traveling. Grand Master, you have done well here. Now, don’t forget what I told you earlier about the Interceptor. Search out Garel in the Black Stallion Inn in Holmgard. He knows what to do.”
“Yes, I understand. Hold on, Supreme Master, I got something else.” Wild Horse took out Illuminatus and proffered it to Black Cat, insisting that he take it.
“Since your own blade was taken by the Helghast, you will need a capable weapon when you finally face off against that imposter. Take my sword, I pray with all my heart, and rid the world of that foul spawn.”
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Post by Beowuuf on Jun 16, 2008 2:04:05 GMT -5
Somewhere close to Eshnar
"I honestly cannot believe how we escaped that," said Armadalus. "Well, it was your idea, I merely excecuted it," said Beowuuf playing it down. "No, I think you will find it was a mere wild notion I suggested, it was you whom not only saw a variant with a real chance, but carried it out so skillfully. You are an able companion who has proved his worth!" Armadalus crushed Beowuuf's opposing shoulder in a rough embrace of comradeship as they walked side by side. "Oh, the feeling is mutual my dear Armadalus", said Beowuuf blushing a moment, luckily undetectable under his fur, "after all that manoeuver with the headlock you enacted-" "A trifle!" "-trifle you say, I say it is my earnest belief it saved us from the Helghast more than my actions! A fine tale to regail our companions with. I do hope Sir Simey has found some wine or mead. Perhaps Wise Fox would enjpoy playing the Helghast as we re-inact it for Simey?" "Hmm, is Wise Fox not dead?" asked Armadalus. "Oh, you are quite correct," said Beowuuf depressed and showing sympathy to the third man walking along with them. "In point of fact, are we not dead too?" asked Armadalus. "Oh, once again correct. I forgot a moment." said Beowuuf with regret tinged with confusion. Beowuuf looked across puzzled at Wise Fox for reassurance since his own recollection was hazy, and Wise Fox winked and nodded encouragingly as a reminder. Beowuuf scratched his own head, while Wise Fox's face became pale, and all expression drained...
Beowuuf realised he could feel blood seeping from the vicious blow, as his vision returned looking across at Wise Fox looking at him. Real life with all its stark colours flooded back, and all its unpleasantly loud cacophony of sensations.
Dull pain and and sudden sickness at the blow earlier were a second thing Beowuuf was aware of. The third thing to return was a sense of smell. Burning flesh...
Armadalus!
Beowuuf bounced up as quickly as he could, rushing back unsteadily to aid the man. The Helghast had its back to Beowuuf, concentrating all its energy on crushing the windpipe of the knight in retaliation for a similar trick. The Helghast had an added advantage in its infernally heated hands.
Beowuuf kicked low at the joints of the Helghast's legs, hoping to topple it backwards from the knee. However, its firm grasp on Armadalus stopped this from being more than a backwards wobble. Beowuuf almost leapt onto the thing's back, reaching around to pull at the Helghast's arms.
The Helghast released one hand from Armadalus to send a heavy elbow into Beowuuf's snout. The beast creature was sent backwards himself, though Armadalus used the temporary distraction to smash both his own hands ddown into the single talon while the burning claw was momentary looser.
Armadalus staggered a few steps away, dizzy as air returned too slowly, and the pain carried on in his throat. The Helghast laughed and quickly turned around, obviously thinking to immobilise Beowuuf as the wolf was temporarily down. There was nothing Beowuuf could...
An image of two children, kindled by the mocking Helghast face and the previous flash of memory of being helpless to a Helghast flashed into Beowuuf's mind. Beowuuf did not have to look around to still see the vacant face of Wise fox beside him, a kindred warrior Beowuuf was now denied the privelidge of ever knowing.
"I do no like Helghast," said Beowuuf simply, anger rising like a tide inside him. The creature laughed a mocking laugh and allowed the wolf creature to rise and leap. It was only with an amused surprise that the Helghast noted Beowuuf moved so fast, twisting upright with one jump then leaping powerfully forward with another. It wasn't until the blow was struck by the wolf, that scratched the thing's face with a burning hiss, that anger and shock was on its face instead.
"What-" it started but Beowuuf back-handed it again then followed it up with a powerful blow to drive it downwards. Beowuuf's bluesteel shards in his arm would be nothing more than a distraction, a niggle, but anything to stop the creature from thinking for a moment.
The creature took a few more blows, and Beowuuf ignored a few in return allowing his wolvish strength and pure burning anger to drive him. However, it was only a few moments before the thing tried the full power of its mindforce. "Bah!" said Beowuuf even though his head felt as if it would cave in, squashing his mind. His mental defenses already erected would have but a moment, and Beowuuf needed to spend them wisely to bring his mind and magic to bear.
"GLOAR!" The Helghast was blown backwards by a power word. Armadalus was already moving forward, having recovered enough. "Run you fool, we need my blade!" said Beowuuf, almost shoving the man backwards then jumping forwards himself to start pummeling the head of the Helghast on the ground.
Beowuuf did not have time to see if Armadalus complied, although they were dead if he did not. Beowuuf did not even really have the luxury of true anger, and although he struck with all his hatred of these spawn, he had to ensure the blows did not become the same, mundane and predictable. He had to keep the Helghast distracted physically but more important mentally until Armadalus came back.
Beowuuf was dead if he didn't keep the Helghast distracted. Beowuuf was dead if Armadalus did not leave, did not come back in time. Either way, surely the hut was now much, much too far away.
A part of Beowuuf realised all he had was was the violence and the rage left as his experiences in the world, for he would be dead when they were spent too. Infact, given everything, Beowuuf was dead no matter what. Beowuuf struck more vicious blows. He wouldd be damned if he did not at least ensure that Armadalus returned to find Beowuuf's dead hands still wrapped around this thing's throat stopping it from going anywhere and killing again.
He hated Heglhast.
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Post by Simey on Jun 18, 2008 14:11:00 GMT -5
A hut, somewhere near Eshnar
A misjudgement.
In its eagerness to completely undo the unknown, tight binding around some of the human's memories when presented with the suggestion that a fragment of recollection had surfaced in the man's mind, it let a thought slip through. How this happened, and how the human comprehended its cerebration, it is unsure; perhaps it is portraying the human's companion a little too effectively for its own good.
The human's condition seems, however, to have prevented any understanding of what happened, or of the meaning of the notion that it inadvertantly projected. Nevertheless, it has moved away from the man and has spent a few moments pacing around the hut voicing what it believes to be appropriately placatory statements regarding the human's health and the short time that should be left to pass before the wolf creature returns with news, whilst inwardly it calculates its best course of action. It settles on taking a strategic risk.
"Ah," it says in realisatory tones, "perhaps you're confusing Wise Fox with the Kai who helped us in Eshnar."
The human frowns, eyes still closed. "Eshnar again," says the man in vague annoyance; "you know I don't know what you're talking about with all this stuff about Eshnar."
Its ploy having failed to prise open any further portal into the human's concealed memories, it considers other possible approaches whilst also readying convenient covering statements should the artificial nature of its prompt be questioned later.
"Would've thought you'd at least give it a rest after I've been hit over the head," says the human to himself, his neck and shoulders tensing slightly, presumably at a throb of pain from the back of his skull. "If that wasn't him though, he must have a twin."
Its non-mind takes a moment to register the probable meaning of the statement; connections are made quickly, however, between the contents of its prompt and the human's words. With an effort, it maintains a calm demeanour, not wanting to once more have the rift in the human's mind closed by its pressing too hard for information. It will not use urgent questions this time; it will use easy conversation.
"I see what you mean; they do look very alike," it says casually, eyes fixed intently on the human.
"Very alike?" says the man with a slight, derisive snort. "They look exactly the same." A look of puzzlement then creases his features. "Even have the same name."
The danger of the human fully realising the unlikelihood of two of the foul Kai warriors bearing the same name, and therefore pulling his mind into a more fully conscious state to consider the matter, is immediately apparent and it is forced to risk an insistent distraction.
"The others though, they were a strange bunch, weren't they?" it says quickly, though trying still to imply relaxed reminiscence.
The human's lip curls. "That freak show? I don't know what they were really about, but they didn't stick around with us for any longer than they had to, did they?"
It senses the portal into the human's memories widening all the time; it will surely be only moments before it can safely strike out with its mind and rip his thoughts from him without the risk of the gap being able to close.
The human, his own eyes still shut, does not see the glimmer of red in those of his companion.
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Post by Simey on Jun 19, 2008 11:36:46 GMT -5
A hut, somewhere in the vicinity of Eshnar
For an infintesimally brief moment it reminded him of an eagle's cry, such as he had heard while watching the majestic birds of prey glide serenely above the mountain lakes east of Hammerdal.
Then the perceived sound magnified a thousand fold as a white-hot lance of purest pain was thrust into his mind. The sun had careened out of the sky and vaporised the world in the brilliance of its collision. The screams of millions had merged into a gleaming blade of sonic death. Fire and lightning struck from all directions and exploded in an agony of beyond-white light.
The recession was quite startling. The light became an angry orange glow. The scream became a fearsome wail. The pain became a heavy, tormenting throb. Simey opened tear-filled eyes.
Over to his right, two figures were struggling violently with each other against a wall. His vision was too blurred and unsteady to see who they were, but Simey managed to realise that the fight was taking place in the hut that he now recalled being the last place he had been before the pain exploded in his head. He was sitting against one wall of the wooden building with his legs out in front of him. If he was going to intervene in the struggle, which he thought he probably ought to, he was going to have to get up.
He tilted himself slightly and propped himself on his right arm, wincing as an upper-arm injury that he didn't remember receiving made itself known.
From the combat came a thump and a cry of pain in a familiar voice.
Simey bent his knees a little and pointed them to the right so that he could fold his legs up close to the rest of him. They were rather stiff, as though he'd been unmoving in his sitting position for some time, but he managed to drag his feet across the rough wooden floor so as to have his knees up in front of him.
The sounds of struggle continued as he did this, but then there was an alarming hiss and an agonised growl, again in that voice he knew.
Pushing with his arms against the floor and the wall, he rolled his folded legs forward and under him so that he was on his knees.
A smell of burning reached his nostrils.
His head still throbbing and his vision still lurching, he was too unsteady to simply stand up from kneeling, so he leant forward and planted his hands, fingers spread wide, on the floor in front of him.
Burning flesh.
Wanting to move more urgently at the realisation that the fight going on was more serious than he'd thought, but barely able to do so, Simey brought his right knee up under him to touch his chest and planted his boot flat on the floor.
"Vojske?" said the familiar voice. Armadalus.
Simey's head jerked up in the direction of the struggle and he almost toppled sideways. Realising that he could do nothing to help his companion without first getting to his feet, he quickly looked downwards again and pushed carefully with his right leg to raise his backside up whilst still steadying himself with his hands.
"Vojske! The wolf's sword!" shouted Armadalus.
Not daring to look for the weapon immediately, Simey pulled his left leg forward until his left boot was also firmly set on the wooden boards.
"Quickly! Get th-" Armadalus' desperate instruction twisted into a tormented cry.
Fully expecting his head to spin violently as he did so, Simey pushed off with his hands, straightened his legs and pulled his body upright until he was at last standing up. He was surprised at the semi-clarity of vision and balance that came instead of the predicted dizziness, and he quickly looked about to try and understand what was happening.
His immediate sight was of two Armadaluses fighting with each other, and Simey thought that his vision must have got worse, not better. But as the Armadalus facing away from him - the one winning the struggle - glanced round to take in his position, he saw bright red coals in his eye-sockets. Simey staggered backwards a couple of steps, horrified at the visage and at the sight of the other Armadalus - the real one surely - pinned against the wall, defiant agony etched on his face.
Shocked though he was, Simey kept his head enough to glance swiftly around the hut in search of the wolf creature's blue-tinted blade, and saw it almost immediately, propped in the back corner next to the store cupboard. He made straight for the weapon and concentrated hard on grasping it cleanly and bringing it around in a smooth arc so that he could attack the false Armadalus without giving it too much time to react. His grip was firm, the sword's trajectory true, and he sprang forward to deliver a telling strike to the enemy's back.
He wasn't even close. The false Armadalus had released its grip on the real one with one hand and lashed out to simultaneously block Simey's blow and grasp his forearm. Violently twisting his arm, it caused him to drop the sword and then hurled him right across to the opposite side of the hut from where he'd begun his attack. He bounced heavily off the former occupant's workbench and collapsed in a dazed heap on the floor.
Semi-formed, doom-laden thoughts drifted foggily across Simey's mind, but as he began to perceive the sounds in the real world more clearly, he heard that the struggle seemed to have once more intensified. Apparently his hapless action had provided the real Armadalus with the distraction he needed to fight back again. There were several thumps of heavy punches being landed, thunks of various wooden objects getting knocked over, human grunts of both pain and determination, a chilling inhuman hiss of fury, a metal-on-wood scrape of the sword being grabbed from the floor, a swish of the weapon being whirled round in an attack, a heavy thud as a body hit the floor.
Simey managed to open his eyes, and then several moments after that regained some semblance of focus on the scene in front of him. Over the unmoving body of Armadalus stood Armadalus, breathing heavily and pointing the wolf creature's blade unsteadily at his downed foe.
Clearly Simey was looking confused when Armadalus glanced at him. "Helghast," gasped the Sommlending in explanation.
"Helghast," repeated Simey in a realisatory whisper, before a tiny part of his mind decided to chip in: Which one?
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Post by Beowuuf on Jun 21, 2008 19:02:22 GMT -5
Somewhere close to Eshnar and a small hut
Beowuuf had not thought of it before. One Helghast was the same as the other surely, black and evil. Unlike other foes - Vassgonian andd Drakkar who were fellow humans he was forced to engage - a Helghast was a conscience-less kill, pure evil condensed into terrifying form. Easily disposable with righteous indignation, instantly forgettable and alike.
It had not occurred to Beowuuf that Helghast might be discernible from each other, have personalities beyond their evil. Then again, surely they must be able to tell the difference between themselves, perhaps even spot each other when disguised.
Now Beowuuf thought of it, the Helghast who had taken the form of Wise Fox had seemed quite determined, more bloodthirsty than other Helghast he'd encountered. That Helghast had been happy to try and kill Beowuuf infront of the rest if he could, even when disguised.
Meanwhile, this second Helghast felt different. The thing was...cautious? Considered? It was hard to think, the euphoria of the broken arm only provided so much distraction from the general pain also present, and the other pains in Beowuuf's mind and body.
Beowuuf hoped it was the left arm broken - hoped the Helghast had seen the blue shards and hated them and assumed that was the arm to break. Then again, the psychic assault that had finally been unleashed robbed Beowuuf of most of his senses to figure out if perhaps both arms and legs had been broken.
Certainly Beowuuf felt like a sack of fur, being dragged through the mud as he was by the Helghast still standing. Certainly Beowuuf had no ability for independent locomotion. However, the fact Beowuuf was still alive spoke of the differences in approach. Why had the Helghast kept Beowuuf alive and bothered to take him along? Why the oddly cautious attitude?
"Halt," said a quiet, firm voice. There was a subtle tension in the voice, perhaps fear, perhaps the exertion of running. Perhaps Beowuuf would be able to push the haze back long enough to work out why the voice was so familiar. Was it Gralmis? He could certainly hear the Elder Magi's voice just as clearly at the back of his mind, telling him to put aside childish things such as fear and pain and push himself harder in his mental focus.
"Armadalus," said Beowuuf's voice in his own head a fraction before the Helghast said it.
"Armadalus," said the knight in tight amusement. "I killed the white knight, did you kill the Sommlending?"
Beowuuf coughed with laughter, though dispair was not far behind. 'They can probably tell each other apart' he thought to himself, 'and you are not arrogant enough'.
"Of course," said the Helghast, "we can hope the wolf alone knows enough for our purposes."
Beowuuf rolled painfully as he was dismissively let go, managing to open up one gummed eye properly to see the strange sight. He noticed that the new Armadalus both possessed the bluesteel blade, but also burn marks. By comparison, Beowuuf's captor looked fresh and clean. An oddly distorted irror of the real man.
The cautious Helghast moved in a subtle circle, Armadalus did likewise in the dance as the two squared off. "Did you expect me to fall for this?" asked the Helghast amused.
"I expected you to be distracted long enough for Simey to act," said Armadalus in reply.
The Helghast spun around to Armadalus's eye flick. Beowuuf realised with odd euphoric regret that the cautious Helghast was likely to be a creature he would ever meet again - there was a reason arrogance was bred into their kind.
Armadalus had already pushed Beowuuf's sword deep into the Helghast's chest. Unfortunately, the power of the blade was fickle, only attuned to a Vakeros mind. The Helghast snarled in pain then laughed in triumph and made to create a greater burning wound to match Armadalus's first.
Armadalus buckled as the thing used its mindforce to subdue its opponent before the magic of the bluesteel sword could rekindled. Beowuuf cried in pain as he tested his own limbs. His left arm was broken, his right was not. The Helghast looked around at the pitiful sight of the wolf holding his left in agony, aiming it weakly with his right.
Beowuuf blacked out quite quickly after he invoked the power of 'hold person', his last sight for a while Armadalus reaching again for the bluesteel blade...
Beowuuf came to in stages. He felt like a sack of fur, being dragged through the mud as he was by the still standing Armadalus. Certainly Beowuuf had no ability for independent locomotion so could not complain. The fact Beowuuf was still alive though, spoke of a resolution, certainly, of the previous battle. This Armadalus held a blusteel sword, Beowuuf's own. This Armadalus possessed injuries, at least from what little Beowuuf could see in his odd position. However, Beowuuf's mind was still a mess of confusion and pain. He was helpless to act again, so had to trust that all was well.
Beowuuf blacked out once more quite quickly.
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Post by Black Cat on Jun 21, 2008 22:46:37 GMT -5
Near Tyso
Black Cat looked at Wild Horse, a smirk on his face. "I really thank you for this" he said as he took Illuminatus. "Now I have a weapon, but you don't have one anymore. I promise that, once i'm done with the Helghast I'll find you in Holmgard. Just give me three days and I'll meet you at the Black Stallion Inn. In the mean time, don't try anything stupid while being without your Kai Weapon".
It was now Wild Horse that was looking at the Grand Master of the Order, determination in his eyes. "Ha, yes, I wonder why I'm telling you to be prudent" continued Black Cat. "You're a Grand Master, not a young Initiate anymore. I know that your actions will be the right ones".
"I'll do what I can during your absence and be waiting for your return" replied Wild Horse.
After exchanging a kai salute, Black Cat climbed onboard the Crystal Forge while Wild Horse was taking to opposite way towards the streets of Tyso.
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Post by Simey on Jun 23, 2008 10:04:21 GMT -5
Somewhere near Eshnar, in a hut
Oh.
Simey had been thinking that all might be well after all the pain in his head from before the fight and all the pain in his body from the prompt curtailing of his part in it. But having caught his breath for a few moments, Armadalus had suddenly started as though realising that he'd forgotten something particularly important and had darted out of the hut with not a word to explain where he was going.
Simey didn't move for a few moments: he simply blinked at the sideways, still somewhat unfocused view of the hut that he had from his position lying untidily on the floor at one end. The contents of the little building was much the same as he recalled, though a lot had been knocked over in the struggle. The two major additions were the body slumped on the floor by the back wall - the false Armadalus, or so he hoped - and the hazy figure of a hairy, wild-looking man glaring urgently at him and gesturing taughtly with one hand at the body. He blinked again in confused alarm, and while the fallen Armadalus was still there as his eyes opened, the wild man, thankfully, was gone, the vision presumably fleeing back into his imagination whence he assumed it had come.
Bracing himself for the agony that he knew would accompany the maneouvre, Simey decided to get up in order to both inspect the body and clear his mind so as to ward off the possibility of further imaginings. His head, his shoulders, his back, both arms and one leg tormented him in their protests at his not staying put, but he gradually managed to haul himself unsteadily to his feet.
The body on the floor looked peculiarly peaceful considering the manner in which it had died. There was, however, a large stain of dark blood evident on its clothing in the middle of its torso where it must have been impaled on the blue-tinted sword. Recalling the horrifying visage of Armadalus' face with fiery red coals burning in the eye-sockets, Simey tentatively squatted down next the corpse's head and pulled one of the eyelids open; the eye was normal, and this was both a relief and a frustration, since whilst he had no wish to see one of those hateful, burning orbs again, had it not been, the last of his doubts might have been quashed.
Standing painfully up once more, Simey looked uncomfortably at the body which appeared so clearly to be that of his companion. He'd only ever heard lurid stories of helghast and their powers of disguise and infiltration; he found it almost impossible to believe that anything could mimic a person so convincingly. With a chill he wondered if he hadn't simply imagined there being two Armadaluses, and whether this was the Sommlending himself, killed in some way that he didn't recall. He shook his head vigorously as though to physically dislodge the thought, wishing that his having completely imagined the fight was as ludicrous a notion as it should have been. The back of his skull protested at the sudden motion and his head throbbed with pain yet again.
Still alive....
The hissed, urgent words in his head were in a voice unfamiliar, though perhaps not completely unknown. Simey looked miserably about himself, fearing once again the onset of insanity.
There was a faint cough from beneath him. Startled, he looked down and saw that the body on the floor was stirring. He froze, not knowing whether he should attack the frail figure or help it. Desperate eyes opened and squinted up at him.
"Vojske," rasped Armadalus. "Vojske....it's me. Where did it go?"
Simey gestured dumbly at the front door. Armadalus' eyes closed and a pained expression creased his features.
"It's taken the sword, hasn't it?" said the Sommlending weakly.
Simey nodded hesitantly, his heart sinking at the thought that it was the helghast that had escaped and that it really was his companion lying bloodied on the floor in front of him. "Yes," he managed to say eventually.
"That sword was probably our....our only hope of killing it," said Armadalus, wincing in pain as he spoke.
Simey knew he should be urgently trying to help the Sommlending - sitting him upright, attempting to stop the bleeding - but there was still one thing making him uncertain.
"Why didn't it kill me?" he said. "It could have done easily, but it just left."
"Because I think....I think it wants your memories," said Armadalus, getting the words out obviously a considerable effort. "I think it wants to attack your mind and take your memories of Eshnar."
A very tiny part of Simey was riled once again at Armadalus' mention of Eshnar, but though he could remember no detail, he did recall having had a quite extraordinary pain in his head just before he'd seen the two Armadaluses struggling with each other; alarmingly - and to his further dismay - what Armadalus was saying, though a ludicrous notion, did perhaps make some sort of sense.
Making a snap judgement, Simey knelt down in front of Armadalus, took hold of his shoulders and - trying to ignore the Sommlending's visage of barely controlled agony - carefully lifted him upright so that he was sitting against the wall of the hut. He then looked reluctantly down at the large, dark stain giving the appearance of some hideous target painted in the middle of his companion, and hoped against hoped that he'd acted in time to save his life.
"Vojske," said Armadalus weakly. "Just in case something happens....in case I don't make it...."
Simey scowled and shook his head tightly at the notion, avoiding the Sommlending's eyes.
"Just in case," repeated Armadalus, his tone emphatic despite the frailty of his voice: "you need to know."
Simey glanced deliberately around, trying to see some material that might stem the flow of blood. "What?" he said shortly.
"I know you don't believe me about Eshnar. But something did happen there: something that none of us remember." Armadalus paused for a moment and drew a few agonised breaths. "If that thing returns," he continued, "you must not think about Eshnar at all; you must think about anything else. But not Eshnar....never Eshnar."
Fearing for his companion's life though he was, he was annoyed by the Sommlending's constant mention of Eshnar, because being told repeatedly to expunge all thought of the place from his mind inevitably meant that he was already thinking about it more and more.
He wondered in passing if perhaps that wasn't the whole idea.
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