[puffyn]

---- Arcoscephale, Turn 38 ----

The castle's defenders must have realized that the gate would soon give way; the few starving survivors rushed out and flung themselves on our spear-points to end their misery. Huehueteotl, the prophet, managed to escape, but there's really nowhere for him to hide. We took possession of the fortress and wandered through numerous temples, freeing the slaves, and washing the blood-stained stones. After working through the first three temples I had to get to somewhere without the stench of blood, and I let Wlde lead the clean-up crew into the last, and largest one: the high temple of the sun.

The other triplets send word from the Sinking Land that Limmy appeared to defeat the defending army. Belief in his return is widespread, even among my own troops, and Odysseus and I agree that we will soon have to have a meeting with this pretender. It's not that a little blind faith is so bad for the men (and vine-things and horned serpents). It's just that I would feel better knowing a little more about this warrior's intentions.

Luckily, this mission coincides nicely with my other task: hunting down the crone, Sethra, where she hides in the vast Horslund Forest to the south of this fortress. The mystics will stay here. They plan to rededicate one of the minor temples to the memory of Amshula, and although they remain uncomfortable sitting in the ribcage chairs in the keep's library, I know it is only a matter of time before the sheer number books of magic there will overcome any lingering distaste they may feel about turning pages made of human flesh.

Andromache will come with me. Many of the men who defected to our cause are still wounded, and require her care.

Rumors grow that the rest of the world is at war. I know that the Vanheim to our west are engaged in a mighty battle against the Kingdom of Man. I have exchanged letters with both those leaders, but refuse to get drawn into their squabble. There is another brief note from the Sinking Land to say that the strange creatures of R'lyeh have settled in the lake beside the castle. As we have no use for the lake, and they seem to shun the land, I see no reason why we should not get along. But they are very odd... Still, I will send a messenger to them, offering them peace. Even more distant and fantastical rumors arrive daily. I hardly know which ones to credit. If you believe everything, the residents of the lost island of Atlantis are just about to be wiped out by magma men and these same R'lyeh creatures, and some dark empire of undead is slowly falling to bird-men who wield power over lightning. Like I said, it is hard to know what to believe is really going on.
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