The Execution - Revision history

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	~~''Material retrieved from original~~ Turbine ~~caches available at http://web.archive.org.~~		{{Turbine Games
			\| Link = <nowiki>http://ac.turbine.com/index.php?page_id=383</nowiki>
	~~''Original~~ Link ~~(now dead) -~~ <nowiki>http://ac.turbine.com/?page_id=383</nowiki>		\| Title = The Execution
			\| Text = <div align=right>''Posted By '''Ibn''' on '''06-Apr-2005'''''<br></div>
	<div ~~style~~=~~"background-color:#4D1C13; border:2px solid #D0D0C7;width:80%;padding:30px;margin-bottom:20px;margin-left:5%;margin-~~right~~:10%;">~~
	~~<font color=#FFFFFF><big~~>'''~~The Execution~~'''~~</big>~~
	~~----~~
	~~<div align=right><i>Posted By~~ on ~~<b>~~06-Apr-2005~~</b></i>~~<br></div>
	<i>by Brandon "meanbeard" Salinas''</i>		<i>by Brandon "meanbeard" Salinas''</i>
	<br><br>He was falling. It was dark and he was falling. The wind roared past his ears. His stomach felt hollow and queasy. Other than that, there was no sensation at all. He had no concept of time or place. All he knew was that he had been falling for years, and as far as he could tell, he was going to fall for many more. He thought that after years of falling through blackness, he would have grown used to the sensation, perhaps even welcomed it. But no. It was still as terrifying now as it was when the fall began.		<br><br>He was falling. It was dark and he was falling. The wind roared past his ears. His stomach felt hollow and queasy. Other than that, there was no sensation at all. He had no concept of time or place. All he knew was that he had been falling for years, and as far as he could tell, he was going to fall for many more. He thought that after years of falling through blackness, he would have grown used to the sensation, perhaps even welcomed it. But no. It was still as terrifying now as it was when the fall began.
	<br><br>Because, after all, who knew when he would finally hit the ground?		<br><br>Because, after all, who knew when he would finally hit the ground?
	<~~div align=~~center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></~~div~~>		<center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></center>
	<br><br>The Duke's eyes flashed open. All was still dark, but it was not the pitch of his dream. No, there was light here, though that light was barely discernable in the early morning hour.		<br><br>The Duke's eyes flashed open. All was still dark, but it was not the pitch of his dream. No, there was light here, though that light was barely discernable in the early morning hour.
	<br><br>He was covered in sweat. His blanket clung to his naked flesh. He unwrapped himself from the heavy cloth and flung it to the ground. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and held his head in his shaking hands.		<br><br>He was covered in sweat. His blanket clung to his naked flesh. He unwrapped himself from the heavy cloth and flung it to the ground. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and held his head in his shaking hands.
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	<br><br>The Duke stood and walked to his table. He lit a candle and opened the small wooden box. He unrolled the parchment within and re-read the terms.		<br><br>The Duke stood and walked to his table. He lit a candle and opened the small wooden box. He unrolled the parchment within and re-read the terms.
	<br><br>He had a duty to his people, didn't he? What good was an ideology if all of his people were dead?		<br><br>He had a duty to his people, didn't he? What good was an ideology if all of his people were dead?
	<~~div align=~~center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></~~div~~>		<center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></center>
	<br><br>The Duke wrapped his fur-lined cloak tightly against his chest. He made his way to Eleonora's cottage. Few stirred at this early hour. Only a handful of guards patrolled the town's perimeter. The ocean breeze whistled through the shops and trees.		<br><br>The Duke wrapped his fur-lined cloak tightly against his chest. He made his way to Eleonora's cottage. Few stirred at this early hour. Only a handful of guards patrolled the town's perimeter. The ocean breeze whistled through the shops and trees.
	<br><br>He reached the town's edge. Eleonora's cottage was set off from the others. Though she championed the ideals of The Individual - and in fact was the one who had introduced them to the Duke - she never truly felt a part of those she led. She held herself at a distance from the rest of Silyun, choosing to live apart from them rather than with them, as the Duke had chosen.		<br><br>He reached the town's edge. Eleonora's cottage was set off from the others. Though she championed the ideals of The Individual - and in fact was the one who had introduced them to the Duke - she never truly felt a part of those she led. She held herself at a distance from the rest of Silyun, choosing to live apart from them rather than with them, as the Duke had chosen.
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	<br><br>A single piece of parchment lay on the table. The Duke picked it up and read it.		<br><br>A single piece of parchment lay on the table. The Duke picked it up and read it.
	<br><br>His heart grew cold. He began to tremble. He dropped the note and watched, helpless, as it fluttered to the floor.		<br><br>His heart grew cold. He began to tremble. He dropped the note and watched, helpless, as it fluttered to the floor.
	<~~div align=~~center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></~~div~~>		<center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></center>
	<br><br>Sir Binwas led them through the frozen forest. His hands were bound behind his back. He struggled to maintain his footing on the ice. So far, he had fallen seven times, a fact which pleased Eleonora immensely.		<br><br>Sir Binwas led them through the frozen forest. His hands were bound behind his back. He struggled to maintain his footing on the ice. So far, he had fallen seven times, a fact which pleased Eleonora immensely.
	<br><br>"Watch your step, Sir Binwas," Eleonora called to him, as he slid on a particularly wet patch of ice.		<br><br>"Watch your step, Sir Binwas," Eleonora called to him, as he slid on a particularly wet patch of ice.
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	<br><br>Sir Bellas stepped away from the wheezing, sputtering man and spat on him. He turned to Eleonora. "I'm ready to go when you are."		<br><br>Sir Bellas stepped away from the wheezing, sputtering man and spat on him. He turned to Eleonora. "I'm ready to go when you are."
	<br><br>Sir Binwas vomited, then rested his head on the ice.		<br><br>Sir Binwas vomited, then rested his head on the ice.
	<~~div align=~~center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></~~div~~>		<center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></center>
	<br><br>"They are coming, my King."		<br><br>"They are coming, my King."
	<br><br>Varicci followed his scout's gaze into the barren plain below. He squinted against the white glare of the ice. He gave his eyes a moment to adjust themselves to the dazzling light. For several seconds, he saw nothing but the glare. But gradually, he made out the figures. Four small dots on that ice-covered landscape. One of them stumbled ahead of the others, slipping and falling. He looked like a drunkard. Or a bound man marching to his death. That would be Loc.		<br><br>Varicci followed his scout's gaze into the barren plain below. He squinted against the white glare of the ice. He gave his eyes a moment to adjust themselves to the dazzling light. For several seconds, he saw nothing but the glare. But gradually, he made out the figures. Four small dots on that ice-covered landscape. One of them stumbled ahead of the others, slipping and falling. He looked like a drunkard. Or a bound man marching to his death. That would be Loc.
	<br><br>He thought it strange that this sight afforded him no sense of joy or achievement. The moment of his enemy's defeat was nigh. The woman who had slain his brother was down there, ready for death. With her gone, the Duke would either surrender or over-commit his forces in an ill-advised act of vengeance. The war was at an end. All he had to do was play this one last part.		<br><br>He thought it strange that this sight afforded him no sense of joy or achievement. The moment of his enemy's defeat was nigh. The woman who had slain his brother was down there, ready for death. With her gone, the Duke would either surrender or over-commit his forces in an ill-advised act of vengeance. The war was at an end. All he had to do was play this one last part.
	<br><br>But still, he felt no joy. Merely a grim sense of purpose, the same hollow drive he had felt these last few years. He knew that he had a job to do. He knew the glory of Sanamar rested on his shoulders. But he could muster no feeling for it.		<br><br>But still, he felt no joy. Merely a grim sense of purpose, the same hollow drive he had felt these last few years. He knew that he had a job to do. He knew the glory of Sanamar rested on his shoulders. But he could muster no feeling for it.
	<~~div align=~~center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></~~div~~>		<center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></center>
	<br><br>Sir Bellas stopped. He held up a hand and the party froze. Eleonora stepped up behind Loc's back and slipped a gauntleted hand over his mouth. She held a poniard to the back of his neck.		<br><br>Sir Bellas stopped. He held up a hand and the party froze. Eleonora stepped up behind Loc's back and slipped a gauntleted hand over his mouth. She held a poniard to the back of his neck.
	<br><br>Up ahead, just past a field of frozen trees, a thin tendril of smoke snaked upwards to the heavens. Eleonora whispered in Loc's ear. "This it?"		<br><br>Up ahead, just past a field of frozen trees, a thin tendril of smoke snaked upwards to the heavens. Eleonora whispered in Loc's ear. "This it?"
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	<br><br>"You'd better hope we make it out of there alive," she whispered in his ear. "Because no one's coming back for you." She smiled a grim smile. "Except maybe the Ruschk."		<br><br>"You'd better hope we make it out of there alive," she whispered in his ear. "Because no one's coming back for you." She smiled a grim smile. "Except maybe the Ruschk."
	<br><br>Sir Bellas strode forward. Eleonora and Carlo followed.		<br><br>Sir Bellas strode forward. Eleonora and Carlo followed.
	<~~div align=~~center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></~~div~~>		<center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></center>
	<br><br>Eleonora crouched behind the ice-encrusted tree. Carlo huddled behind her. Sir Bellas had crept up the steep slope of the cliff that overlooked the loyalist camp. He was hidden behind a rock just above the loyalists, waiting for Eleonora's signal.		<br><br>Eleonora crouched behind the ice-encrusted tree. Carlo huddled behind her. Sir Bellas had crept up the steep slope of the cliff that overlooked the loyalist camp. He was hidden behind a rock just above the loyalists, waiting for Eleonora's signal.
	<br><br>She looked back at the camp. These three men supposedly held a portal gem into Varicci's chambers. These were the men who would provide her with the key to assassinating the wretch who had tried to kill her father.		<br><br>She looked back at the camp. These three men supposedly held a portal gem into Varicci's chambers. These were the men who would provide her with the key to assassinating the wretch who had tried to kill her father.
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	<br><br>She fought her best. She parried as well as she could, vainly tried to hit him in the few opportunities he gave her. But he was just too skilled. She was a child wildly swinging at an indulgent adult. She had no hope of defeating this foe.		<br><br>She fought her best. She parried as well as she could, vainly tried to hit him in the few opportunities he gave her. But he was just too skilled. She was a child wildly swinging at an indulgent adult. She had no hope of defeating this foe.
	<br><br>She glanced at Sir Bellas' crumpled form. A tear fell from her eye, a tear for the life she was soon to lose, a tear for the people she had to abandon. She hoped they could win this fight without her, though she feared they too would soon meet their ends. She swung one great wild swing at Varicci. He stepped back and easily evaded the attack. Then he cracked her in the head with his mace. Her vision turned white and she felt her skull crack. A fierce blow to her chest knocked her to the ground. The world grew dark and her hearing grew dim. She was dully aware of the sound of cheers before she lost consciousness completely.		<br><br>She glanced at Sir Bellas' crumpled form. A tear fell from her eye, a tear for the life she was soon to lose, a tear for the people she had to abandon. She hoped they could win this fight without her, though she feared they too would soon meet their ends. She swung one great wild swing at Varicci. He stepped back and easily evaded the attack. Then he cracked her in the head with his mace. Her vision turned white and she felt her skull crack. A fierce blow to her chest knocked her to the ground. The world grew dark and her hearing grew dim. She was dully aware of the sound of cheers before she lost consciousness completely.
	<~~div align=~~center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></~~div~~>		<center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></center>
	<br><br>The Grand Mother of Silyun knelt by the stream and cupped hands beneath the water. The two guards the Duke had sent with her stood a polite distance away, their hands on their crossbows, waiting for attack. She hated that these soldiers had to risk their lives to indulge her religious beliefs, but she could not turn her back on the spirits that guided her every thought and movement.		<br><br>The Grand Mother of Silyun knelt by the stream and cupped hands beneath the water. The two guards the Duke had sent with her stood a polite distance away, their hands on their crossbows, waiting for attack. She hated that these soldiers had to risk their lives to indulge her religious beliefs, but she could not turn her back on the spirits that guided her every thought and movement.
	<br><br>She lifted the water to her face and poured it on her upturned forehead. She cupped her hands and lowered them to the water once again. She lifted the water to her face and repeated the ritual. The third time she placed her hands in the stream, however, she noticed something that chilled her heart. A thin trickle of blood flowed downstream and eddied around her cupped hands.		<br><br>She lifted the water to her face and poured it on her upturned forehead. She cupped her hands and lowered them to the water once again. She lifted the water to her face and repeated the ritual. The third time she placed her hands in the stream, however, she noticed something that chilled her heart. A thin trickle of blood flowed downstream and eddied around her cupped hands.
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	<br><br>The three of them removed Eleonora's breastplate. Beneath it was a tattered linen shirt. Two small wounds - obviously caused by Varicci's archers - were buried in her chest. Next to them was a great bloody hole directly above the girl's heart.		<br><br>The three of them removed Eleonora's breastplate. Beneath it was a tattered linen shirt. Two small wounds - obviously caused by Varicci's archers - were buried in her chest. Next to them was a great bloody hole directly above the girl's heart.
	<br><br>The Grand Mother closed her eyes. A wave of fear and grief threatened to overwhelm her. This champion who had been so kind, so noble, had had her heart ripped from her chest by that dog who called himself King. And the Grand Mother was the one who would have to tell the Duke.		<br><br>The Grand Mother closed her eyes. A wave of fear and grief threatened to overwhelm her. This champion who had been so kind, so noble, had had her heart ripped from her chest by that dog who called himself King. And the Grand Mother was the one who would have to tell the Duke.
	<br><br>She looked up at the guards. "Help me," she said. "We must carry the body of this warrior back to her father."~~</font></div>~~		<br><br>
			She looked up at the guards. "Help me," she said. "We must carry the body of this warrior back to her father."
			}}

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	She looked up at the guards. "Help me," she said. "We must carry the body of this warrior back to her father."		She looked up at the guards. "Help me," she said. "We must carry the body of this warrior back to her father."

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	She looked up at the guards. "Help me," she said. "We must carry the body of this warrior back to her father."		She looked up at the guards. "Help me," she said. "We must carry the body of this warrior back to her father."

			[[Category:Lore]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 14 October 2008
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	<br><br>He was falling. It was dark and he was falling. The wind roared past his ears. His stomach felt hollow and queasy. Other than that, there was no sensation at all. He had no concept of time or place. All he knew was that he had been falling for years, and as far as he could tell, he was going to fall for many more. He thought that after years of falling through blackness, he would have grown used to the sensation, perhaps even welcomed it. But no. It was still as terrifying now as it was when the fall began.		<br><br>He was falling. It was dark and he was falling. The wind roared past his ears. His stomach felt hollow and queasy. Other than that, there was no sensation at all. He had no concept of time or place. All he knew was that he had been falling for years, and as far as he could tell, he was going to fall for many more. He thought that after years of falling through blackness, he would have grown used to the sensation, perhaps even welcomed it. But no. It was still as terrifying now as it was when the fall began.
	<br><br>Because, after all, who knew when he would finally hit the ground?		<br><br>Because, after all, who knew when he would finally hit the ground?
	<br><br><nowiki>*****</nowiki>		<div align=center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></div>
	<br><br>The Duke's eyes flashed open. All was still dark, but it was not the pitch of his dream. No, there was light here, though that light was barely discernable in the early morning hour.		<br><br>The Duke's eyes flashed open. All was still dark, but it was not the pitch of his dream. No, there was light here, though that light was barely discernable in the early morning hour.
	<br><br>He was covered in sweat. His blanket clung to his naked flesh. He unwrapped himself from the heavy cloth and flung it to the ground. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and held his head in his shaking hands.		<br><br>He was covered in sweat. His blanket clung to his naked flesh. He unwrapped himself from the heavy cloth and flung it to the ground. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and held his head in his shaking hands.
Line 17:		Line 17:
	<br><br>The Duke stood and walked to his table. He lit a candle and opened the small wooden box. He unrolled the parchment within and re-read the terms.		<br><br>The Duke stood and walked to his table. He lit a candle and opened the small wooden box. He unrolled the parchment within and re-read the terms.
	<br><br>He had a duty to his people, didn't he? What good was an ideology if all of his people were dead?		<br><br>He had a duty to his people, didn't he? What good was an ideology if all of his people were dead?
	<br><br><nowiki>*****</nowiki>		<div align=center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></div>
	<br><br>The Duke wrapped his fur-lined cloak tightly against his chest. He made his way to Eleonora's cottage. Few stirred at this early hour. Only a handful of guards patrolled the town's perimeter. The ocean breeze whistled through the shops and trees.		<br><br>The Duke wrapped his fur-lined cloak tightly against his chest. He made his way to Eleonora's cottage. Few stirred at this early hour. Only a handful of guards patrolled the town's perimeter. The ocean breeze whistled through the shops and trees.
	<br><br>He reached the town's edge. Eleonora's cottage was set off from the others. Though she championed the ideals of The Individual - and in fact was the one who had introduced them to the Duke - she never truly felt a part of those she led. She held herself at a distance from the rest of Silyun, choosing to live apart from them rather than with them, as the Duke had chosen.		<br><br>He reached the town's edge. Eleonora's cottage was set off from the others. Though she championed the ideals of The Individual - and in fact was the one who had introduced them to the Duke - she never truly felt a part of those she led. She held herself at a distance from the rest of Silyun, choosing to live apart from them rather than with them, as the Duke had chosen.
Line 25:		Line 25:
	<br><br>A single piece of parchment lay on the table. The Duke picked it up and read it.		<br><br>A single piece of parchment lay on the table. The Duke picked it up and read it.
	<br><br>His heart grew cold. He began to tremble. He dropped the note and watched, helpless, as it fluttered to the floor.		<br><br>His heart grew cold. He began to tremble. He dropped the note and watched, helpless, as it fluttered to the floor.
	<br><br><nowiki>*****</nowiki>		<div align=center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></div>
	<br><br>Sir Binwas led them through the frozen forest. His hands were bound behind his back. He struggled to maintain his footing on the ice. So far, he had fallen seven times, a fact which pleased Eleonora immensely.		<br><br>Sir Binwas led them through the frozen forest. His hands were bound behind his back. He struggled to maintain his footing on the ice. So far, he had fallen seven times, a fact which pleased Eleonora immensely.
	<br><br>"Watch your step, Sir Binwas," Eleonora called to him, as he slid on a particularly wet patch of ice.		<br><br>"Watch your step, Sir Binwas," Eleonora called to him, as he slid on a particularly wet patch of ice.
Line 38:		Line 38:
	<br><br>Sir Bellas stepped away from the wheezing, sputtering man and spat on him. He turned to Eleonora. "I'm ready to go when you are."		<br><br>Sir Bellas stepped away from the wheezing, sputtering man and spat on him. He turned to Eleonora. "I'm ready to go when you are."
	<br><br>Sir Binwas vomited, then rested his head on the ice.		<br><br>Sir Binwas vomited, then rested his head on the ice.
	<br><br><nowiki>*****</nowiki>		<div align=center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></div>
	<br><br>"They are coming, my King."		<br><br>"They are coming, my King."
	<br><br>Varicci followed his scout's gaze into the barren plain below. He squinted against the white glare of the ice. He gave his eyes a moment to adjust themselves to the dazzling light. For several seconds, he saw nothing but the glare. But gradually, he made out the figures. Four small dots on that ice-covered landscape. One of them stumbled ahead of the others, slipping and falling. He looked like a drunkard. Or a bound man marching to his death. That would be Loc.		<br><br>Varicci followed his scout's gaze into the barren plain below. He squinted against the white glare of the ice. He gave his eyes a moment to adjust themselves to the dazzling light. For several seconds, he saw nothing but the glare. But gradually, he made out the figures. Four small dots on that ice-covered landscape. One of them stumbled ahead of the others, slipping and falling. He looked like a drunkard. Or a bound man marching to his death. That would be Loc.
	<br><br>He thought it strange that this sight afforded him no sense of joy or achievement. The moment of his enemy's defeat was nigh. The woman who had slain his brother was down there, ready for death. With her gone, the Duke would either surrender or over-commit his forces in an ill-advised act of vengeance. The war was at an end. All he had to do was play this one last part.		<br><br>He thought it strange that this sight afforded him no sense of joy or achievement. The moment of his enemy's defeat was nigh. The woman who had slain his brother was down there, ready for death. With her gone, the Duke would either surrender or over-commit his forces in an ill-advised act of vengeance. The war was at an end. All he had to do was play this one last part.
	<br><br>But still, he felt no joy. Merely a grim sense of purpose, the same hollow drive he had felt these last few years. He knew that he had a job to do. He knew the glory of Sanamar rested on his shoulders. But he could muster no feeling for it.		<br><br>But still, he felt no joy. Merely a grim sense of purpose, the same hollow drive he had felt these last few years. He knew that he had a job to do. He knew the glory of Sanamar rested on his shoulders. But he could muster no feeling for it.
	<br><br><nowiki>*****</nowiki>		<div align=center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></div>
	<br><br>Sir Bellas stopped. He held up a hand and the party froze. Eleonora stepped up behind Loc's back and slipped a gauntleted hand over his mouth. She held a poniard to the back of his neck.		<br><br>Sir Bellas stopped. He held up a hand and the party froze. Eleonora stepped up behind Loc's back and slipped a gauntleted hand over his mouth. She held a poniard to the back of his neck.
	<br><br>Up ahead, just past a field of frozen trees, a thin tendril of smoke snaked upwards to the heavens. Eleonora whispered in Loc's ear. "This it?"		<br><br>Up ahead, just past a field of frozen trees, a thin tendril of smoke snaked upwards to the heavens. Eleonora whispered in Loc's ear. "This it?"
Line 51:		Line 51:
	<br><br>"You'd better hope we make it out of there alive," she whispered in his ear. "Because no one's coming back for you." She smiled a grim smile. "Except maybe the Ruschk."		<br><br>"You'd better hope we make it out of there alive," she whispered in his ear. "Because no one's coming back for you." She smiled a grim smile. "Except maybe the Ruschk."
	<br><br>Sir Bellas strode forward. Eleonora and Carlo followed.		<br><br>Sir Bellas strode forward. Eleonora and Carlo followed.
	<br><br><nowiki>*****</nowiki>		<div align=center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></div>
	<br><br>Eleonora crouched behind the ice-encrusted tree. Carlo huddled behind her. Sir Bellas had crept up the steep slope of the cliff that overlooked the loyalist camp. He was hidden behind a rock just above the loyalists, waiting for Eleonora's signal.		<br><br>Eleonora crouched behind the ice-encrusted tree. Carlo huddled behind her. Sir Bellas had crept up the steep slope of the cliff that overlooked the loyalist camp. He was hidden behind a rock just above the loyalists, waiting for Eleonora's signal.
	<br><br>She looked back at the camp. These three men supposedly held a portal gem into Varicci's chambers. These were the men who would provide her with the key to assassinating the wretch who had tried to kill her father.		<br><br>She looked back at the camp. These three men supposedly held a portal gem into Varicci's chambers. These were the men who would provide her with the key to assassinating the wretch who had tried to kill her father.
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	<br><br>She fought her best. She parried as well as she could, vainly tried to hit him in the few opportunities he gave her. But he was just too skilled. She was a child wildly swinging at an indulgent adult. She had no hope of defeating this foe.		<br><br>She fought her best. She parried as well as she could, vainly tried to hit him in the few opportunities he gave her. But he was just too skilled. She was a child wildly swinging at an indulgent adult. She had no hope of defeating this foe.
	<br><br>She glanced at Sir Bellas' crumpled form. A tear fell from her eye, a tear for the life she was soon to lose, a tear for the people she had to abandon. She hoped they could win this fight without her, though she feared they too would soon meet their ends. She swung one great wild swing at Varicci. He stepped back and easily evaded the attack. Then he cracked her in the head with his mace. Her vision turned white and she felt her skull crack. A fierce blow to her chest knocked her to the ground. The world grew dark and her hearing grew dim. She was dully aware of the sound of cheers before she lost consciousness completely.		<br><br>She glanced at Sir Bellas' crumpled form. A tear fell from her eye, a tear for the life she was soon to lose, a tear for the people she had to abandon. She hoped they could win this fight without her, though she feared they too would soon meet their ends. She swung one great wild swing at Varicci. He stepped back and easily evaded the attack. Then he cracked her in the head with his mace. Her vision turned white and she felt her skull crack. A fierce blow to her chest knocked her to the ground. The world grew dark and her hearing grew dim. She was dully aware of the sound of cheers before she lost consciousness completely.
	<br><br><nowiki>*****</nowiki>		<div align=center><br><br><nowiki>******</nowiki></div>
	<br><br>The Grand Mother of Silyun knelt by the stream and cupped hands beneath the water. The two guards the Duke had sent with her stood a polite distance away, their hands on their crossbows, waiting for attack. She hated that these soldiers had to risk their lives to indulge her religious beliefs, but she could not turn her back on the spirits that guided her every thought and movement.		<br><br>The Grand Mother of Silyun knelt by the stream and cupped hands beneath the water. The two guards the Duke had sent with her stood a polite distance away, their hands on their crossbows, waiting for attack. She hated that these soldiers had to risk their lives to indulge her religious beliefs, but she could not turn her back on the spirits that guided her every thought and movement.
	<br><br>She lifted the water to her face and poured it on her upturned forehead. She cupped her hands and lowered them to the water once again. She lifted the water to her face and repeated the ritual. The third time she placed her hands in the stream, however, she noticed something that chilled her heart. A thin trickle of blood flowed downstream and eddied around her cupped hands.		<br><br>She lifted the water to her face and poured it on her upturned forehead. She cupped her hands and lowered them to the water once again. She lifted the water to her face and repeated the ritual. The third time she placed her hands in the stream, however, she noticed something that chilled her heart. A thin trickle of blood flowed downstream and eddied around her cupped hands.