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\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid2577451 \tab 
Peleps Argian smirks as he steps from the mushy sand of the beach to dry ground.  His trio of Tomescu demons noiselessly toddles along behind him.  The demons, often known as Clamorous }{\insrsid15218252 Cloud Arsenals, are}{\insrsid2577451  Argian
\rquote s very favorites}{\insrsid12280718 .  It i}{\insrsid15218252 s conquest }{\insrsid2577451 that the Peleps sorcerer }{\insrsid15218252 lives for, and these beings serve}{\insrsid2577451  him well.  }{\insrsid13318409 
Their bodies are hidden behind a}{\insrsid8403068 n}{\insrsid13318409  opaque black cloud and their multitude of arms hold dozens of weapons.  }{\insrsid8989251 They are the perfect instruments of warfare.}{\insrsid13318409 
\par }\pard \ql \fi720\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13318409 {\insrsid15938346 He rubs his finely}{\insrsid2577451  trimmed goatee and waits for his pair of mortal courtesans to catch up.}{\insrsid8067057 
  The two men are}{\insrsid15218252  absurdly dressed in puffy}{\insrsid2577451  red and white pants with matching tops.  Argian has hopes of making this style the official Peleps Legion uniform, but the design has not re
ceived much support.  No matter, once he becomes Emperor, he can do as he pleases.  Both courtesans fumble over themselves to flatter their master, calling him a genius and man of vision.  Peleps Argian laughs and agrees, patting his generous gut.  

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2577451 \tab Back 
on the beach, the other Terrestrials are helping pull the Trierarchs ashore and preparing their men to disembark.  A few glance at the pompous sorcerer while they work, exchanging worr}{\insrsid7080386 
ied looks and mumbled sarcasm.  Sensing their frustration, Peleps Grenalt the Mountain Avalanche steps up beside them.}{\insrsid2577451 
\par }{\insrsid7080386 \tab \'93Don\rquote t worry,\'94 He says in a low, gravely voice, \'93that sorry excuse for a Dragon-Blood may be in charge of this hunt, but even he can\rquote t cause us to fail.  Our targets are two young Solars I\rquote 
ve already met in battle once.  I assure you they are nothing to fear.\'94  He gives a rumbling laugh. \'93They haven\rquote t even begun to reach the power of the Anathema of legend, they are mere whelps!\'94
\par \tab To punctuate this pronouncement of victory, Grenalt points a meaty finger to}{\insrsid15875012 wards one of the Trierarchs.  It}{\insrsid7080386 
 is lurching from side to side, despite being firmly on the beachhead.  A huge hatch swings open and a giant metal form rises from the depths of the vessel.  The warstrider is massive, nearly twenty feet tall and almost half as 
wide.  Black jade and riveted steel make up its body and a huge great sword is slung over its back.}{\insrsid8067057   As it moves, the ship beneath it strains and shifts back and forth.}{\insrsid7080386 
\par \tab As the Terrestrials and their mortal soldiers stare }{\insrsid8067057 in awe at the war machine}{\insrsid15875012 , a young sailor}{\insrsid7080386  notices something odd about the ocean.  He puts a hand over his eyes to shield from the sun\rquote 
s bright light and squints.  Sure enough, the ocean }{\insrsid15875012 is }{\insrsid7080386 rolling and frothing}{\insrsid15875012  in the distance}{\insrsid7080386 .  }{\insrsid8067057 He points}{\insrsid12275562  and the entire assembled group }{
\insrsid15938346 turn}{\insrsid15875012  to}{\insrsid12275562  stare in confusion.}{\insrsid7080386 
\par }{\insrsid12275562 \tab Argian is the first to act.  His eyes bulge and he looks in alarm to the top of the mountain.  Standing at the edge is a tiny figure with blazing golden wings about him.  He is pointing at th}{\insrsid15938346 e ocean and can be }{
\insrsid12275562 nothing but a Solar.  Argian shouts a single syllable in an odd dialect and his demons jump towards him.  Ea}{\insrsid2128345 ch extends several green insect-}{\insrsid12275562 
like arms with bizarre shapes.  The three come together and join arms forming a crude chair.  Without making a sound they scoop up the sorcerer.  Argian points inland and shouts once more, this time}{\insrsid15282536  more frantically.  The Tomescu}{
\insrsid12275562  dash into the jungle with astonishing speed}{\insrsid8067057 , carrying their master comfortably.}{\insrsid12275562 
\par \tab 
\par }{\insrsid2128345 \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab *\tab *\tab *
\par }{\insrsid8989251 
\par }{\insrsid2128345 \tab Crimson Torrent stares in awe as his sorcery causes a wall of water to swell and smash into the shoreline.  The five ships are devoured by th}{\insrsid15875012 e white cascade.  Trees near}{\insrsid2128345 
 the beach bend and break, rocks are upturned, and the water turns brown from the churned up soil.  For hundreds of yards inland the water flows, crushing everything in its path.
\par \tab Kera stands a safe distance from Torrent, taking in both the sight of the celestial sorcerer and the havoc he is w}{\insrsid15282536 recking upon the Terrestrials.  H}{\insrsid8067057 is anima banner is showing at full force \endash 
 a graceful set of golden wings and a shining halo.  }{\insrsid2128345 Up to this point she hadn\rquote t given much thought to the man\rquote 
s power.  After this, she would think twice about angering him.  As the tsunami reaches the end of its rage, she turns to Torrent, \'93I think I saw a warstrider down there.\'94
\par \tab Torrent frowns a}{\insrsid13318409 nd stares at the beach solemnly}{\insrsid2128345 , \'93I did too.\'94}{\insrsid8403068   He pauses for a moment before stepping back from the ledge.  \'93
We have to get ready, there are far too many for us to handle alone.\'94  He begins walking down the marble stairs to the catacombs below.
\par \tab Kera cocks her head in confusion, \'93Why not just leave like we did before? What\rquote s so special about this place?\'94
\par \tab Torrent stops mid stride and turns to her with an icy stare, \'93This is my home.\'94  Without another word he continues downward.
\par \tab Kera sighs.  Despite Torrent\rquote s knack for getting into trouble her master commanded her to aid him.  She foll}{\insrsid15282536 ows him into the depths of the m}{\insrsid8403068 anse.
\par \tab After what seems like an eternity, the pair reaches a massive set of closed double doors.  They are inscribed in golden inlay.  Kera gasps and takes a step back as she reads the words.
\par \tab Torrent recites them from memory.  \'93Here lies the body of }{\insrsid8989251 I}{\insrsid6695258 ndomitable Spirit of the Sun}{\insrsid8989251 , humble servant of the Unconquered Sun.  We, his Dragon-borne comrades and friends, ask his eternal f}{
\insrsid15282536 orgiveness for ending his life.  W}{\insrsid8989251 e pray he realizes why we acted as we did}{\insrsid6570326 .  M}{\insrsid8989251 ay }{\insrsid6570326 we }{\insrsid8989251 once again become comrades in the great beyond.\'94}{
\insrsid8403068 
\par }{\insrsid8989251 \tab Kera }{\insrsid15282536 stares at the inscription in silence}{\insrsid8989251 .  Torrent continues, \'93In here is this Solar\rquote s ghost.  It is hungry, very hungry.  It seeks retribution again
st the Terrestrials for their crimes against him.  The room is probably littered with }{\insrsid15282536 artifacts and lost tomes, but I haven\rquote t }{\insrsid6570326 had the guts to contend}{\insrsid8989251  with such an ancient ghost.\'94
\par \tab Kera turns to the Exalt, \'93How do you know all of this?\'94
\par \tab \'93Because,\'94 He says, tracing along the lines of the inscription, \'93I am his reincarnation.}{\insrsid6570326 \'94 He turns to Kera, \'93}{\insrsid13707597 This }{\insrsid5922026 m}{\insrsid13707597 anse\rquote s}{\insrsid6570326 
 books speak often of the other Exalted, }{\insrsid13707597 the }{\insrsid6570326 Lunars and Sidereals.  Why did they not come to the aid of the ancient Solars?}{\insrsid13707597 
  If I ever discover the being or god that convinced the Dragon-Bloods to rise up against the Solars in the First Age, I will tear it limb from limb with my bare hands.}{\insrsid6570326 \'94  Kera frowns and remains silent.}{\insrsid8989251 
\par }{\insrsid13707597 \tab Minutes later the two manage}{\insrsid8989251  to open the ancient doors.  Inside a low, mournf}{\insrsid13707597 ul bellow resonates as the hungry}{\insrsid8989251  ghost stirs to consciousness and looks for victims.
\par \tab The Solars run.
\par 
\par \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab *\tab *\tab *
\par 
\par }{\insrsid4530594 \tab Peleps Grenalt saw the massive wave coming but could do nothing about it.  He simply crossed his arms and held his breath.  He was tossed mercilessly under the crushing waves and bounced off dozens o}{\insrsid5922026 f}{
\insrsid4530594  rocks and trees.  His face in bloodied and his right arm likely has a fracture, but otherwise Grenalt is healthy.  Pissed off, but healthy.}{\insrsid8989251 
\par }{\insrsid4530594 \tab He shouts orders now, trying to assemble the survivors and gather what supplies could be salvaged.  An inspection of the remains is sobering.  Not a single mortal Legionnaire survived, many drowned while still in their sh}{
\insrsid5922026 ips.  All five of the ships are}{\insrsid4530594  smashed to pieces}{\insrsid5922026 , and only one looks}{\insrsid4530594 
 even remotely salvageable.  They just have to figure out how to get it out of the tree tops.  Most unfortunate is the loss of two Terrestrials.  Most of the Dragon-Blooded avoided the cascade by walking above it, swimming through it, or simply endur
ing it.  Luckily, the warstrider survived intact thanks to the quick wits of its pilot.
\par \tab Unfortunately, Grenalt murmurs, Argian survived.  He now wrings the water out of his pretentious silk beret at the outskirts of the disaster area.  Before Grenalt can take charge of}{\insrsid13910780  the situation, Argian pipes up in a shrill voice}
{\insrsid4530594  \'93}{\insrsid5922026 I want two teams! Split up and go into the manse, find them and kill them!\'94  He points at four Terrestrials to follow him and he stalks off towards the structure.}{\insrsid4530594 
\par }{\insrsid5922026 \tab 
Grenalt stares in shock, his mouth agape.  Splitting up against Solars was the single worst thing to do.  Their only hope was to overwhelm the Celestials with sheer numbers, and those numbers were already depleted enough.  Grenalt curses and kicks the gro
und.  Argian is leading this Wyld Hunt and has complete authority.
\par \tab Peleps Argian turns and gestures towards the warstrider.  \'93You climb the mountain; you won\rquote t fit in these passageways.  Work your way down and we\rquote ll meet in the center.\'94 He makes a clasping motion with his hands, \'93}{
\insrsid4530678 Crushing the Solars}{\insrsid5922026  in the middle!\'94
\par \tab Grenalt rolls his eyes and the Exalts standing behind Argian look pale.}{\insrsid4530678   How in Creation did a buffoon like this manage to insinuate himself so high into the ranks of House Peleps?  It was an em
barrassment Grenalt pledged to rectify today.}{\insrsid5922026 
\par }{\insrsid4530678 \tab }{\insrsid4878363 Argian makes a flourish and leads his demons and Dragon-Bloods into one of the mountain\rquote 
s many corridors, telling Grenalt to take another path with his group.  The proud Argian adjusts his beret and rubs his goatee in eager anticipation.}{\insrsid14905458   The defeat of the famous}{\insrsid4878363  Crimson Torren}{\insrsid14905458 
t and the claiming of a lost First Age manse}{\insrsid4878363  all in one day!  This was certain to catapult him to leader of the House.  The only other obstacle was Grenalt, who was also a favorite to ass
ume the leadership role.  Argian already had a number of plans in place to deal with Grenalt permanently once they arrived back on the Blessed Isle.  Poison can be such a wonderful thing.}{\insrsid4530678 
\par }{\insrsid4878363 \tab Deep in his glorious daydream Argian turns a corner deep within the maze of corridors and finds himself face to face with a}{\insrsid14905458 n undead horror.  The thing is pitch black and seems}{\insrsid4878363 
 to be floating slightly off the ground.  The}{\insrsid14905458  only colors on the monster are}{\insrsid4878363  his flashing golden eyes and his bright white teeth.  The millennia old hungry ghost stares at the group}{\insrsid14973613 
 before lunging in a furious rage.  Argian shrieks in terror.}{\insrsid4878363 
\par }{\insrsid14973613 
\par \tab \tab \tab \tab *\tab *\tab *
\par 
\par \tab Grenalt the Mountain Avalanche holds his hand up to stop his group.  He turns his head slightly, listening carefully.  \'93Did you hear anything? I think that was a scream.\'94 He whispers to the Terrestrial behind him.  The man shakes his head.

\par \tab The last Dragon-Blood in line chimes in trying to be helpful.  \'93I think I heard some footsteps.\'94  He smiles broadly.  Grenalt turns to the young Exalt but before he can utter a word, the man\rquote 
s jugular explodes in a grisly shower of blood.
\par \tab 
\par }{\insrsid4530678 \tab }{\insrsid14973613 The three remaining Terrestrials instantly fall into combat stances and spin to face their dying comrade.  His eyes bulge and his hand reaches out for aid, but he is dead before
 he can hit the floor.  Confusion breaks out amongst the group.  There isn\rquote t anybody else in the narrow corridor!}{\insrsid4530678 
\par }{\insrsid14973613 \tab The sound of softly padding feet comes from the side of the wall and the men stare in disbelief.  There still isn\rquote t anything there.  Too late Grenalt notice}{\insrsid10633164 s the tiny imprint of a shoe in the dust on }{
\insrsid14973613 the wall.  A foot drives into his face and he staggers backward.}{\insrsid10633164   He throws his arm up reflexively and feels a blade clatter off his forearm and onto the floor.  Had he not reacted, it would have s
truck him in the throat.}{\insrsid14973613 
\par }{\insrsid10633164 \tab Grenalt brings his arm down in time to see another of his men lurching forward, blood spraying from his neck.  The Dragon-Blood gurgles for a moment before collapsing to the ground in a heap.  Grenalt shouts and swings his grand g
oremaul into the side of the corridor, shaking the very foundations of the structure.  Dust rains down from the ceiling and coats a lithe figure moving nearby.  Somehow the person is nearly invisible.
\par \tab Grenalt shouts to the }{\insrsid8608071 other Terrestrial who whirls her}{\insrsid10633164 
 dire lance in a perfect arc to hit the fast moving assassin.  Incredibly, the figure manages to not only dodge the attack, but use the lance as leverage to vault over the }{\insrsid8608071 wo}{\insrsid10633164 man, }{\insrsid9402474 fatally }{
\insrsid8608071 stabbing her}{\insrsid10633164  in the temple as it does so.  The Mountain Avalanche curses once again.  He knows he has no chance of hitting something that nimble.  With a }{\insrsid9402474 roar of effort the thrusts a }{\insrsid10633164 
fist forward.  A cascade of essence }{\insrsid9402474 hurtles}{\insrsid10633164  dow}{\insrsid9402474 n the hallway, filling it}{\insrsid10633164  instantly.
\par \tab Kera pauses at the sight of the incoming attack.  There is no way to dodge the assault; it fills the entire width of the corridor.  She grunts as the shockwave buffets her and }{\insrsid8608071 she }{\insrsid10633164 
falls to her knees, gasping for breath.  Kera looks up just in time to see a jade gauntleted fist rushing towards her face.
\par \tab }{\insrsid9402474 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14103054 {\insrsid9402474 \tab \tab \tab }{\insrsid6493347 \tab }{\insrsid9402474 *\tab *\tab *}{\insrsid14103054 
\par }{\insrsid6493347 
\par }{\insrsid14103054 \tab 
Crimson Torrent makes his way back to the top of the manse.  The hearthroom is more like a rooftop than a normal room.  It is exposed to open air on all sides and has no ceiling.  The view of the sun is magnificent, but it also means anybody with supe
rnatural climbing abilities can gain access to the manse from this location.  The pounding sound of the warstrider slowly climbing the side of the mountain verifies Torrent\rquote s fears.
\par \tab In seconds the metal monster has clambered to the summit and Torrent find
s himself staring down a twenty foot tall war machine.  The warstrider draws its steel great sword and gives it a practice swing, mocking Torrent.  The Solar summons his loyal blade, Burni}{\insrsid7021451 ng Dawn from Elsewhere and prepares for the worst
}{\insrsid14103054 .
\par }{\insrsid1836736 \tab Without warning the warstrider raises its left arm and exposes}{\insrsid8591898  a}{\insrsid1836736  bolt launcher.  Torrent manages a ga}{\insrsid8591898 sp just before a volley of four }{\insrsid1836736 
bolts slice the air towards him.  }{\insrsid8591898 Each is three fee}{\insrsid6447791 t long and an inch thick}{\insrsid7021451  tipped with a heavy iron barb}{\insrsid6447791 .  He}{\insrsid1836736 
 throws himself into a defensive posture and strikes at the incomin}{\insrsid6447791 g missiles with his daiklave.  Torrent }{\insrsid1836736 deflects the assault}{\insrsid7021451 s}{\insrsid1836736 
 but his arms burn with the effort of pushing aside so much weight.  }{\insrsid6447791 The Exalt is lucky he didn\rquote t fracture any bones.}{\insrsid16607312 
\par }\pard \ql \fi720\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16607312 {\insrsid1836736 Crimson Torrent\rquote s heart sinks as he realizes it would take a miracle to parry t
he great sword.  The weapon likely weighs over two hundred pounds.  Even with amazing speed and grace, the massive we}{\insrsid7021451 apon will}{\insrsid6447791  simply crush through his block}{\insrsid1836736 .}{\insrsid16607312 
  Somehow he would have to dodge the warstrider\rquote s attacks, something easier said than done.}{\insrsid1836736 
\par }{\insrsid4225350 The two mismatched opponents charge toward one another and exchange blows.  Torrent dives under the heavy great sword and makes several quick slashes at the warstrider\rquote s legs.  His daiklave deflects uselessly off the hard surface 
and the pilot inside laughs callously.  
\par The warstrider swings his two handed sword in wide arcs which Torrent finds surprisingly easy to dodge.  Even a construct of the warstrider\rquote s strength is having trouble managing the massive weapon\rquote s weight.  Despite the ponderous flailing
 of the sword, the speed and accuracy of the warstrider\rquote s boot catches Torrent entirely by surprise, as well as in the chest.
\par }\pard \ql \fi720\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7670761 {\insrsid4225350 
The Solar howls in pain as the huge metal foot slams squarely into his midsection.  He hurtles backward through the air a full twenty yards before tumbling to a stop.  His blade s}{\insrsid8404421 kitters across the stone floor and disappears over the
 side of the tall manse.}{\insrsid7670761   }{\insrsid8404421 The warstrider pilot cackles at the sight of the Solar collapsing and mocks Torrent as he attempts to stand.  }{\insrsid7670761 
\par }{\insrsid8404421 Ignoring the taunts Torrent }{\insrsid11745197 instantly }{\insrsid8404421 summons Bur}{\insrsid11745197 ning Dawn to his hand }{\insrsid8404421 and unleashes}{\insrsid11745197  a hellish series of attacks}{\insrsid8404421 
.  Flickering red essence jumps from Torrent\rquote s weapon as he make}{\insrsid11745197 s slashes into the empty air which speed}{\insrsid8404421  towards the warstrider.  Caught off guard, the pilot fails to react and the }{\insrsid3178204 violent 
barbs of essence dig}{\insrsid8404421  into the machine\rquote s armor}{\insrsid3178204 .  They cause no obvious damage }{\insrsid5076360 and fail to hit any vital area}{\insrsid3178204 s.}{\insrsid8404421 
\par }\pard \ql \fi720\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16607312 {\insrsid8404421 Torrent swears under his breath.  It will take }{\insrsid7670761 a dozen}{\insrsid8404421  more attacks like 
that to bring down the behemoth. He doubts he has the essence reserves to maintain many more barrages, let alone continue to avoid the warstrider\rquote s attacks.
\par }{\insrsid13585622 Not surprisingly, the warstrider pilot decides to use the distance between them to his advantage and sheaths his sword.  He raises both arms this time, revealing that each is equipped with a rapid fire bolt launcher.
  Torrent groans as green essence writhes over the expended launcher, reloading it in seconds.
\par Both weapons fire at once emptying their canisters of bolts in an instant.  Torrent falls back to a defensive posture and focuses his entir}{\insrsid6107208 e being into a desperate series of parries}{\insrsid13585622 .  Buoyed 
by charms, he burns essence mercilessly }{\insrsid6107208 to save his life and nearly succeeds.  Only the final bolt pierces his defenses, but it pierces his shoulder as well.}{\insrsid13585622 
\par }{\insrsid6107208 The impact of the huge missile knocks Torrent backwards.  Bones shatter, his shoulder dislocates, and his flesh is flayed out.  A significant part of his armor cracks into pieces and falls to the ground.}{\insrsid6695258 
  The only small consolation is that the bolt travels entirely through his body.  
\par }\pard \ql \fi720\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6695258 {\insrsid6695258 Torrent collapses to his knees and screams.  The entire right side of his body burns in agony.
  His vision turns red as pain nearly overtakes his mind.  Through watering eyes, he sees green essence once again spill over the warstrider\rquote s ha}{\insrsid7670761 nds}{\insrsid6695258 .
\par }\pard \ql \fi720\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1144414 {\insrsid6695258 It takes nearly the last of his resolve to even stand, but he does so out of pure necessity.  }{\insrsid7670761 
No one will be coming to rescue}{\insrsid6695258  the }{\insrsid1144414 Solar;}{\insrsid6695258  he must save himself or die here like Indomitable}{\insrsid1144414  Spirit}{\insrsid6695258  of the Sun.}{\insrsid1144414 
  Out of options and in sheer desperation, Torrent charges forward as another rain of bolts rush towards him.}{\insrsid6695258 
\par }{\insrsid1144414 Torrent slices the air before him, once again sending arcs of red essence towards the warstrider.  This time however, they slam into the bolts and shatter them into millions of splinters.  He sprints between the giant\rquote }{
\insrsid1002037 s legs}{\insrsid1144414 .  Losing sight of}{\insrsid1002037  the Solar, the warstrider}{\insrsid1144414  turns in conf}{\insrsid1002037 usion.  The seconds it takes the pilot}{\insrsid1144414  to realize Torrent is behind him }{
\insrsid7670761 will }{\insrsid1144414 cost the Dragon-Blood his life.
\par }{\insrsid1002037 A blue-white flame leaps from Torrent\rquote s finger and the riveted steel of the warstrider catches fire as though dry timber.  The warstrider pilot panics and attempts to pat out the }{\insrsid7670761 ravenous flames but s}{
\insrsid1002037 ucceeds only in spreading them further.  In less than a minute more than half of the war machine is }{\insrsid7670761 a melted slag pool}{\insrsid1002037 
 on the ground.  All that remains is the jade and other non-steel materials within the warstrider.  The pilot frantically attempts to get loose of the complex warstrider harness}{\insrsid4207148 .  }{\insrsid1002037 Torrent\rquote s daiklave find}{
\insrsid4207148 s the back of his skull first, killing the Terrestrial instantly.}{\insrsid1144414 
\par }{\insrsid2692216 Before Torrent even has a chance to collapse into }{\insrsid7670761 a heap}{\insrsid2692216  he notices two figures standing at the other side of the hearthroom.  Grenalt stares stonily at }{\insrsid7670761 the Solar and makes no}{
\insrsid2692216  movements.  Torrent\rquote s blood freezes as he makes out the shape in the Earth Exalt\rquote s h}{\insrsid7670761 and.  Clenched in his large fist}{\insrsid2692216  is Kera\rquote 
s neck, her unconscious face looking towards the Torrent.  Her body is slumped and unmoving, but the gentle rise and fall of her chest shows that she is still living.}{\insrsid1002037 
\par }{\insrsid2692216 Argian spits on the ground beside Grenalt}{\insrsid7670761  and points at Torrent}{\insrsid2692216 .  \'93My warstrider! You\rquote ll pay for that you scum.\'94 He rubs a bit of blood fr}{\insrsid7670761 om his lip and turns to Grenalt.
}{\insrsid2692216  \'93How could you let this happen you moron?  You ruined everything!  When we get back to the Blessed Isle I\rquote m having you arrested and charged with treason.  Do you hear me? Treas-\'93
\par Argian\rquote s last words are silence}{\insrsid7735505 d}{\insrsid2692216  as his head turn}{\insrsid7735505 s}{\insrsid2692216  into an expanding cloud of blood and bone.  Grenalt stares }{\insrsid7735505 calmly }{\insrsid2692216 as the headless }{
\insrsid7735505 corpse slides to the ground.  The Mountain Avalanche }{\insrsid2692216 lowers his gore covere}{\insrsid7735505 d jade sledgehammer.  H}{\insrsid2692216 e releases Kera and she too falls to the ground.
\par }\pard \ql \fi720\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2692216 {\insrsid2692216 For a long moment the two Exalts stare at each other across the open air hearthroom.  Neither look particularly fit f}{\insrsid5848581 
or another fight, but each seems}{\insrsid2692216  w}{\insrsid5848581 illing to battle to the death.}{\insrsid2692216 
\par Grenalt is the first to speak up.  \'93My mission here is complete.  The only threat to me becoming ruler of House Peleps, is dead.  For all anybody knows, I\rquote }{\insrsid5848581 ve slain the mighty }{\insrsid2692216 Crimson Torrent}{\insrsid7735505 
.  I\rquote ll return as a hero and will remain so as long as nobody}{\insrsid5848581  realizes that you still live.\'94}{\insrsid2692216 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5848581 {\insrsid5848581 \tab His icy stare continues, \'93}{\insrsid7670761 Do not cross me Solar.  I alone know }{\insrsid5848581 the lo
cation of your home.  So long as I am happy no harm will come to you.  Give me a reason, however, and I shall bring the entire Imperial armada down upon you.\'94
\par \tab Without waiting for a reply he turns and walks down the marble staircase, disappearing into the darkness.
\par \tab Crimson Torrent remains standing with Grenalt\rquote s words ringing in his mind.  Despite defeating an entire Wyld Hunt and its}{\insrsid15813911  warstrider, the Exalt}{\insrsid5848581  feels more }{\insrsid11435893 helpless}{\insrsid9794260 
 than he ever has before.}{\insrsid5848581\charrsid9402474 
\par }}