Editing Announcements - 2002/09 - Verdict (section)

=== Part 2 ===
{{Microsoft Zone
 |  Link = <nowiki>http://www.zone.com/asheronscall/news/ASHEeventteaser0902_2.asp</nowiki>
 |  Date = September 6, 2002
 | Title = Verdict
 |  Text =
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<font color=#FFFFFF>'''Part 2'''</font>
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Asheron had not heard from Elysa since her departure; had she been there, she would have noticed the lines of concern around his eyes. However, she was not, and he was just beginning to realize what her absence meant to him.
<br><br>
"You are concerned about her," said the masked figure across from him.
<br><br>
"Very much so, Candeth," Asheron said as he stroked his beard. "Very much so."
<br><br>
Before Elysa's arrival, before she had activated the portal device and he had summoned her into his presence, he had been alone for five centuries. Recalling that time, he had difficulty believing that he had kept his sanity. Throughout the long years, he'd had only a few constructs, Golems and other magical servants, to keep him company. Then he had offered a place in his castle for Elysa and Borelean, and their presence had warmed his heart in ways he hadn't thought possible. In Elysa he had found a kindred spirit, and in Borelean, a new pupil.
<br><br>
His friendship with Elysa had been through much in the last few months, and only recently did he feel that it had returned to where it once was. Recent events had also brought about a change in what was important to him. Where once he had been solely dedicated to releasing his people or not compounding the crimes he had already committed, he was now focused on helping Elysa's people and those many others that had arrived. And while Elysa could not--or would not--see it, Candeth was one of those who had needed his help.
<br><br>
Already, Candeth Martine was struggling to make amends for what he had done. He had followed Asheron's direction on the siphoning crystals, appearing before those assembled, preparing them for what must come. Where once he had seemed to radiate an aura of insanity and instability, he now radiated one of contrition. In many ways, Asheron and Candeth were alike. Both had brought so much pain to the world, but neither had realized it until much later.
<br><br>
"Your heart is much tied to Melanay--" Martine paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "No, she is Elysa." He sighed, "My mind still occasionally betrays me. My control is still not perfected."
<br><br>
With a faint, reassuring smile on his lips, Asheron spoke, "That will come in time, Candeth. In time you may even be able to shake off the Virindi trappings your body still expresses."
<br><br>
The inhuman mask stared directly at Asheron. "Be that as it may, it pains me to think of the anguish I have caused her."
<br><br>
"Her forgiveness may also come in time. You need only be patient."
<br><br>
"If the time exists, that is," Martine said quickly. "What more can I do? We can't have much time left."
<br><br>
"Only what you have already done. Prepare yourself. Your people will open the way for us to attack Gaerlan directly."
<br><br>
"The people." The mask turned away from Asheron and stared at a torch hung on the wall. "They've done so much for me. One of them found a letter I had written long ago and returned it to me. It helped me break free of the state my mind was in after the truth was revealed to me.
<br><br>
"I know before, when I was. . ." Martine struggled for a moment. "Different, that I fed off the people's attention. I fed off their fear of me, their respect for my power. I used it to salve my conscience, to block out unwelcome thoughts and memories.
<br><br>
"Even the Virindi part of my mind," Martine continued, twitching at the memory of what had been done to him. "The part that was violently thrust into my mind, enjoyed it. It took pleasure in the concepts and feelings that were alien to it. It is only now that I can see it was pushing me further and further, just so it could gain some new experience."
<br><br>
Martine's voice became nothing more than a whisper. "I became accustomed to its presence, so much so that even after the unnatural union of our two parts resulted in its death, my mind generated a replacement. Why couldn't I see it? Why was Gaerlan able to exploit me so easily?"
<br><br>
"Candeth." At the mention of his name, Martine turned to look at Asheron. "I have lived for over 2,500 years," Asheron said, leaning closer. "And in that time I've studied many different schools of magic. In all my studies, I have yet to find a spell that will send us into the past, as much as our minds want to live there."
<br><br>
"You have healed the damage done to your soul and mind. Be grateful for the chance you have been given. For so long you've been the pawn of others, those who wanted to use you. You were a pawn for Sir Alayne. The Virindi then transformed you into an instrument of destruction. Finally, you became a tool of Gaerlan's revenge.
<br><br>
"Now, for the first time," Asheron paused to let the words sink in. "You are free."
<br><br>
To be continued. . .
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'''Unlike any other gaming experience, the world of Asheron's Call continues to evolve. Join us, as we open our September Event, Verdict. Be sure to continue your part in this incredible ongoing story, and we'll see you in Dereth!

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