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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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Interlude<br />

Your gaze darts across the tavern, catching the squirms and uncomfortable<br />

shifts <strong>of</strong> limbs and bodies. Few things are taboo in the Sigil, much less the<br />

Hive, but speaking any tale <strong>of</strong> the Lady (if such must <strong>be</strong> spoken) was only<br />

ever acceptable in alleyside whispers or murmured conversations in the<br />

corner <strong>of</strong> dank taverns.<br />

Now that Jeanette Dovelle Four-Winds had proclaimed it proudly from the<br />

stage, a num<strong>be</strong>r <strong>of</strong> Hivers draw semicircles over their hearts. You <strong>do</strong> so<br />

yourself... it had <strong>be</strong>en a habit for far <strong>to</strong>o long <strong>to</strong> change now.<br />

Mikon chews his lip. For once the callow young Harmonium guard is silent,<br />

and it is left <strong>to</strong> G'mir <strong>to</strong> vent his horror.<br />

"Are you mad, girl?!" he snarls, "Are ye tryin' ta call 'Er Serenity's gaze on<br />

us?!"<br />

"Well iffin' ye prefer <strong>to</strong> shout her name from the heights <strong>of</strong> the heavens <strong>to</strong><br />

the depths <strong>of</strong> the sea, I'd wager yeh've just taken the heat <strong>of</strong>fa me, lad!"<br />

Jeanette laughs.<br />

The sullen dwarf immediately turns green.<br />

"ThE subLIme MaDnesS <strong>of</strong> bEAt poeTry shaTters uPoN the NiMbic<br />

GLImmeRs and SigH thEir LasT!"<br />

"She is right, gentlemen," Epetrius proclaims, "A predictable orderliness<br />

underlies the Lady's <strong>be</strong>havior, though <strong>to</strong> a novice it may seem erratic," he<br />

<strong>be</strong>gins ticking <strong>of</strong>f the facts on one slim-fingered hand, "One: She seeks <strong>to</strong><br />

preserve the lawful state <strong>of</strong> affairs within Sigil by deterrence via<br />

punishment. Two: She slays those that would treat her as a goddess through<br />

prayer (hypothesized as a natural logical extension <strong>of</strong> her prohibition <strong>of</strong><br />

deities, She must ensure that She herself <strong>do</strong>es <strong>not</strong> <strong>be</strong>come a deity for the<br />

sake <strong>of</strong> consistency). Three: those that violate either rule listed previously<br />

are slain by Her sha<strong>do</strong>w. Given that She possesses the apparent knowledge,<br />

motivation, and power <strong>to</strong> condemn those that violate Her wishes, the fact<br />

that Her presence is <strong>not</strong> seen here is sound evidence that Jeanette's telling<br />

is <strong>not</strong> in violation <strong>of</strong> said wishes."<br />

853

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