Editing Announcements - 2010/05 - Celebration (section)

== Rollout Article ==
{{Turbine 2008
 |  Link = http://ac.turbine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=571-april-event-fiction&catid=81-2010&Itemid=68
 | Title = May Event Fiction
 |  Text =
“Excellent,” Emperor Geraine said pleased. “Everything is falling into place, as I foretold.”
<br><br>
Emporer Geraine sat in his dark throne, gazing into a silver bowl that lay on the table before him. Unholy light made eerie shadows on his determined face. On the black marble table, next to the scrying bowl was the fabled Book of Eibhil, opened to a page covered in twisted symbols that shuddered on their own accord. Geraine's long fingers drew a pyreal knife out of a most unusual chalice. The bowl of the chalice was made from bleached skull of a Ruschk Shaman from the North. He held the knife over the whispering pages, allowing the dark blood contained within the vile cup to drip onto the book. The blood bubbled and hissed before disappearing without a trace.
<br><br>
From the darkness in front of the throne, a huddled form slowly shambled into the sickly glow cast by the gazing basin. The figure waited, uncomfortably shifting its weight, waiting to be acknowledged.
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“Out with it,” ordered the emperor.
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“Master,” the man began, “the kidnappings for the Aluvian queen's hidden castle continue as you ordered.”
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“Good,” Geraine said without looking up from his dark work. “Are they still blaming those Mhoire wretches?”
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“Yes, M'Lord.”
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Detecting a slight hesitation, Geraine said, “Are you certain?”
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“From what we have been able to learn, M'Lord.”
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“Make certain. The kidnapping must continued as planned. The stress they are placing on the feeble Isparian leadership is crucial to all the changes I require to upset their little ‘Golden Age of Peace.' Pathetic really.” Geraine placed a hand on the Book of Eibhil. “Soon enough they will pay the price of their arrogance. They underestimated me. Underestimating what resources I have at my disposal. Mastering these magics has allowed me to pierce the veil of the future, giving me the tools needed to handle these small parasites. They will regret leaving their world to meddle in our affairs. But let them think they are the Masters of Dereth. Let them bask in their ignorance until it is too late.”
<br><br>
Geraine dropped more blood onto the book, which almost appeared to shudder with delight, which echoed the pleasure on the Emperor's face. The magic only showed the most likely outcomes, but that was the efficient weapon when wielded by the right hand. His hand. “They shall pay. As will they're little keeper, Asheron.”
<br><br>
“Yes, M'Lord,” the shadowed servant toned, trying to ignore the disturbing smile on his master's face.
<br><br>
The sharp pyreal blade drew a twisted arcane symbol onto the page beneath Geraine's gaze, who stared unblinking until the blood was ingested by the book. He nodded at the whisperings that hissed forth from the tome. Turning his attention back to the bowl, he asked, “How are the plans for these ‘Gear Knights' progressing?”
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“The Apostate Virindi continues to harass the Gear Knights in a manner that places the blame on the Isparians.”
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“And the rogue element you mentioned earlier? What of the Gold Gear Primus?” the Emperor asked.
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“We have managed to stall his success thus far, Sire.”
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“See that you continue as such. And make sure that you're feeding the proscribed information to the Apostates exactly as I dictated. There needs to be just enough misinformation to keep the pressure on the Gear Knights constant, but it must be a slow choking wire around their foolish necks. Too much too soon and they might suspect a trap and go searching for the truth.  Then all could be lost. The Gear Knights hate of the Isparians must be so ingrained it will cloud their logic. The Isparians need to lose their pet guardians before any of our more overt plans take place. I would be disappointed if accidents led to the full alliance of the Gear Knights and the Isparians. If that happens, then none of my plans may advance as needed.”
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The servant flinched at Geraine's mention of disappointment and the horror it promised, but he did not let his fear touch his voice as he spoke. “The Gear Knights will fully hate the Isparians before we are through, Sire.”
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“Good.”
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“Do you wish anything else of me, my Lord?”
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Geraine paused for a moment to think. “Yes. Keep an eye on the Shadows.”
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“As you wish, Sire.”
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“The premature formation of this Shadow Kingdom presents some interesting concerns,” he said tapping the knife point to a dark mandala on the bottom of his current page. “As well as opportunities. Isin Dule has always been an unpredictable gamble even in the best of times. We may need to do something more blatant against him in the near future.”
<br><br>
“As you command M'Lord.”
<br><br>
“And have the three Archons watched,” Geraine instructed. “Quietly. I wish to make sure they continue to stay loyal to me. Understood?”
<br><br>
“Yes Sire,” the man said, realizing he was dismissed.
<br><br>
“Excellent,” the dark lord said as he dipped his knife once again into the blood held in the skull before him. He was already engrossed again in his foul work before the servant was gone.
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