Editing Announcements - 2003/05 - Discoveries (section)

== Teaser ==

{{Microsoft Games Insider
 |  Link = <nowiki>http://microsoftgamesinsider.com/AC1/MayAC1Teaser.htm</nowiki>
 | Title = May Teaser
 |  Text =
'''Discoveries'''
<br><br>
600 Years Before
Winds laden with rancid spores assaulted the skyship, causing it to lurch to the right. Asheron gripped the gunwale and marveled at the sight of rats, desperate to find shelter, scurrying between his legs into holes in the deck no wider than the length of his finger. The winds abated in intensity for a moment, and Asheron made his way on unsteady legs to the door of Emperor Kellin's cabin. As he pushed the door open, the winds grew in strength again and the door swung open wildly, striking the wall of the cabin and startling the Emperor and his three advisors.
<br><br>
"What do you want, plague-bringer?" Kellin barked.
<br><br>
"Plague-bringer? Is that what you call me now?" Asheron spat back. "I am no more a bringer of plague than you are the cultivator of the disease, Kellin." His tone sarcastic, he continued, "Look about you! The ancient and glorious seaborne empire of Yalain has been shattered. There is no one here to impress save your attendants who still wag their sly tongues, reaffirming your value to the Yalain."
<br><br>
Asheron could see the rage building in Kellin, but too much had happened to waste time on pretense in their discussion. The threat of one of Nali Valind inquistions no longer had any power over Asheron; even had she not escaped to Ireth Lassel, Kellin simply couldn't afford to expose the secret of Asheron's long life. Asheron was the most learned among them and the only one who had any hope of stemming this tide of Darkness.
<br><br>
Asheron allowed a moment to pass in silence, then spoke firmly as he saw the Emperor about to say something. "I have come with a directive."
<br><br>
"You are in no position to make demands of the Throne, Asheron." Kellin retorted, attempting to save face. The advisors remained silent, seemingly in awe of the aged and wizened Asheron.
<br><br>
"Hold your tongue!" Asheron snapped back. "This ship must be taken to Knorr."
<br><br>
"Are you mad? Knorr? The place where the Olthoi first made their mark upon the world?"
<br><br>
"The Seat of Knorr houses my father's research," Asheron responded quickly. His barbed tone had not changed since entering these chambers. "That research is vital if I am to find a cure for the Olthoi plague. We must collect that information, and soon, else this world crumble and your Throne with it."
<br><br>
A long, tense moment passed. Finally, Kellin relented. "See it done, old one."
<br>
<center>*****</center>
<br>
The Present
Once an example of the greatest works of the Empyrean, Arikas, the Warden of Knorr, was now but an abject reminder of a lost age. Once a glorious work of magical art with smoothly jointed arms and legs, hands with cleverly articulated fingers, and a finely carved face, Arikas was now only a misshapen, barely functional form. But though the long years had worn away the majesty of the golem, Asheron could tell that its mind was still very much whole.
<br><br>
"Arikas, are the conveyances intact?" Asheron asked, as he pulled the point of an Olthoi pincer free from the golem.
<br><br>
"Conveyances are functional, Lord Master Asheron, though the number of life forms categorized 'Olthoi' are great. Twenty-two conveyances from the seat of Knorr are functional, only four have been destroyed, Colleg—"
<br><br>
Asheron broke into Arikas' speech. "Thank you Arikas. You have done well here." He pulled another bit of pincer free from the Warden. "I am here to collect more of my writings. Perhaps, in another hundred years or so, we shall open the halls of Knorr again."
<br><br>
"That would be most welcome, Lord Master Asheron."
<br>
<center>*****</center>
<br>
Aerbax shredded the cloak of the tainted Executor. Such a mutation could not exist. A flaw lay hidden in his methods and the subject had been altered in a manner unexpected.
<br><br>
"Again!"
<br><br>
Aerbax's thoughts emanated through the chamber. Puppet made its way to Aerbax and transferred thought.
<br><br>
"How long ago?" Another transfer, then, "Deliver obsidian fragment. Explanation enclosed."
<br><br>
Puppet turned away from Aerbax, ready to execute its directive.
<br><br>
"The Singularity has chosen its course. Now begins the discourse."
<br>
<center>*****</center>
<br>
"You are sure?" Nuhmudira asked as she watered the sunflowers growing just outside the window of her cottage.
<br><br>
"He left," her guest, a man with a coy smile, answered with a shrug. "He went somewhere I couldn't track him. It must be very far away."
<br><br>
"Yes…" She motioned to the table, drawing his attention to a neat stack of newly drawn trade notes. "Where will you be if I need you?"
<br><br>
"Fishing."
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