Editing Announcements - 2002/08 - Atonement (section)

== Teaser 2 ==

{{Microsoft Zone
 |  Link = <nowiki>http://www.zone.com/asheronscall/news/ASHEeventteaser20802.asp</nowiki>
 |  Date = Continued...
 | Title = Atonement
 |  Text =
"It is not possible!" Gaerlan fumed. "I followed the rituals perfectly as they were laid out in the book! How could she have been freed? There is no way. . ."
<br><br>
His ice blue eyes looked out over the horizon. Below him, off at a great distance, he could see the Crater Lake. "Vermin! Freeing a murderer, a seeker of Falatacot ways! A Blood Witch! You are not worthy!" He gripped the hilt at his waist and let out a low growl. "Soon Iasparailaun, soon."
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He tapped the hilt and turned toward the tower. Wind rushed over the edge of the battlements and coalesced into a tangible being.
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"Master. We are prepared."The voice slipped into his mind. Concentrating for a long moment, he saw what his army saw. Each stood ready for the final assault.
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Although he still commanded the forces of the elements, the Harbinger could not be summoned without a physical form to contain its power. Undoubtedly the small minds of these Isparians were oblivious to his failing, and the occupation of Osteth would crush their wills and secure his victory. Nevertheless, he needed to act quickly. The vermin must not be given any chance to take advantage of this setback. One example had already been made, and as long as the wreckage smoldered, etched in their memory, he had an advantage over the Isparians. Still, the Harbinger was coming. Unless he stopped it, it would consume everything.
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He still had time. Not much, but enough.
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<nowiki>*****</nowiki>
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"The Lugians delivered the armor to us as promised. But when the storehouses were raided, we lost every last piece. We have had very little luck ascertaining the whereabouts of anything that was taken."
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Ciandra paused and looked across the room, then swallowed hard before she continued.
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"We also lost the amulets, all of them. We sent citizens to collect them, but all that have been retrieved are ruined. High Queen Elys<br><br>a has been more than helpful, her Royal Guard have assisted us at every turn.
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"Asheron came to us a few months ago. . ." Ciandra stopped short as her guest lifted a quizzical brow, a lattice of wrinkles joining together in a spider web across her forehead.
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Ciandra cleared her throat, then continued. "His assistance proved invaluable in much of our research. We have created a new kind of device, as instructed, that will allow weapons and wands to bite deeper against a chosen entity. Thus far we have only succeeded in altering the focus to deal with the elemental menace, but we continue our research to increase the spectrum of creatures that such items will affect."
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Her guest reached forward and collected a ceramic mug from the table. Carefully, Ciandra lifted the teapot and filled the mug.
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"We have also made great strides in tinkering as well. Everything has continued to fall into place." Ciandra paused. "Nuhmudira?"
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Her guest sipped the tea gently.
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"How did you escape?"
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"There are more important things to attend to than the how of my escape." Nuhmudira smiled, and placed the mug on the table with a gentle clink. "Please tell me more. . ."
<br><br>
Ciandra obliged as the night slowly gave way to the dawn.
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<nowiki>*****</nowiki>
<br><br>
Antius drank from his waterskin. Timaru was fast becoming a second home to him, though Lytelthorpe was only a few portal trips away. He had been upon Marae Lassel since the High Queen had asked that he watch the comings and goings from Martine's Holding some months before, and he had come to appreciate the free spirit of Timaru. He stayed with the Aun Tumeroks from time to time and listened to the wisdom imparted by Aun Hareltah. He had found them to be an intricate people with a rich heritage far more in tune with the spirits of the world than the Isparians'.
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News of recent events on Dereth had reached Aun Hareltah and had disturbed the quiet of the Timaru Xuta. The disquiet was grave enough to call the Shamans from their drumming circles. As Antius watched the discussion being held in the lodge, he wondered what could possibly be so important as to call them from the Menhir Rings. After a few hours, Hareltah emerged from the tent and walked in a slow gait toward Antius.
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"The Spirits within the world weep, but their tears are drying quickly," Aun Hareltah said. A look of concern passed over the elder's face. "Our duty is to protect Palenqual from Wharu, Ispar Antiusnua, yet the spirits of the land have spoken to us. You will be needed soon by your Xuta. There is a great force coming, one that will lead to the eradication of all that lives and dies. Even Wharu's children cannot face down this thing."
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Antius looked at the Elder quizzically, then nodded. Magic had fluctuated and not for the better. Everything had changed in the wink of an eye, and though it was possible to adapt, it was nevertheless something that had not been expected.
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"Before your people came among us, one like you, but touched by Atua Ngamaru, spoke of a powerful Pale One who had not left with the others. He called that one Asheron. You must seek him. He is needed for this world to survive." The Elder placed his hand upon Antius' shoulder and bowed his head gently. Antius repeated the gesture, pondering what Hareltah had said. As the Elder turned back to the tent, Antius withdrew a sapphire orb from his pouch and muttered the words that would take him to High Queen Elysa's castle.
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He arrived to find the castle in utter ruin.
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"The same happened in Yanshi." A voice called behind him. A man in the yellow and red robes of the royal guard stood at attention, looking at him as though he knew him.
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"Antius Blackmoor, yes?" Antius nodded. "The High Queen has a new request of you. Please follow me."
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<nowiki>*****</nowiki>
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The fever tugged at him again. Elysa pressed the cloth against his burning brow and spoke to him as she had for nearly two months now.
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"Do you remember when you told me that you had made a difficult decision, Asheron?" She smiled as she dipped the cloth into the basin. "I know what you meant, and I'll be damned if you made that choice just to leave us. So you need to fight. We need you. Gaerlan is growing stronger by the day."
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A tiny voice sounded from behind her, distant, almost unreal.
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"Mother. . ." She turned and saw Borelean.
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In one fluid motion, her left hand grasped the bow as her right hand slipped an arrow from beneath Asheron's bed. She had nocked and aimed the arrow by the time she was standing. Her eyes were fixed on the eyeholes of the mask of the man standing behind her son. Beneath them, she could see a glint of white, of something not quite human, not quite Virindi. A chill ran down her spine. It was Martine.
<br><br>
"Hello, Elysa."

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