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[Thrax]

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The workers, sweating profusely and worn beyond human endurance, lay sprawled about in the decayed grass in front of their handiwork, breathing a sigh of relief, believing their labors were over. The Citadel of Blood was at last finished, ready for habitation. Alicia, Ivan Blackhands, Skurj, Marcus, Eye of Oggaroth and Edge stood on the steps, looking up at the imposing structure. "We must dedicate it appropriately," she commented, turning her head and nodding upward once toward the resting workers. The others understood the remark and the gesture. The workers were all sent away, back to Yew, each receiving a small pouch of gold coins as compensation... all, that is, save two, a male and a female, who were told to tarry a while that they might receive a very special reward for their exceptionally hard work.

Alicia finished the sacrifice. She washed the blood from her hands, pouring water from a pitcher over them, then wiped them dry with a scarlet-colored towel. Her face bore no expression; she was used to the generous splattering of gore, and neither that, nor the sight of the mutilated bodies, male and female, lying head-less and heart-less on the abbattoir made any impression on her one way or the other. Oggaroth was pleased by such things, and she gladly did her duty. She turned to face the others who still sat, waiting for word that the ceremony was completed. "Let us go and talk," she said. "Situations have changed."

She led them into an adjacent room designed for council meetings and they seated themselves. She sat down at a table, across from them, and opened discussions. "My Lord Thrax has sent word to me that he will rejoin us before much longer. He is well on the path toward his goal. He has also had time to consider our present ventures. He fears that if the merchants of Yew are bled dry, and too many citizens and unwary travelers are sacrificed, we will accomplish nothing toward our overall purpose. We must look in another direction, at least for a while. What have you to say to this?" Alicia inquired.

Eye of Oggaroth, unable, or unwilling, to speak verbally, made signs, indicating his thoughts: "The Orcs show no interest in the town. Their presence within it was necessary to our plan. It is common knowledge that what we do there is for ourselves and not them. The charade is over. It fools no one."

Ivan nodded. "The merchants have been bled dry. Threats are useless anymore, and the Blackwind Knight guards make my work, and Durthagg's, most difficult. I have evaded capture twice by the skin of my teeth. Durthagg has been thrown out more times than I care to remember."

"And holding the Duke has done nothing to advance our claims. Lord Thrax believes it will not. The she-elf is stubborn, and will sacrifice him before she allows their subjects to suffer under our yoke," Alicia added. "We will make her pay dearly for crossing us, but that will not change the state of things." She looked at Skurj, Marcus, and Edge. "What have you to report about your search for the dark elf and his mistress?"

Skurj spoke up. "I visit the Hunter's Lodge near Luna from time to time. I have smelled his presence there, though it has been fading each time I go. He has been there, but not for a good while. I will continue to go and see what I can find out. The woman who manages the place is not very accommodating to me. She knows I am hostile to the drow and remains tight-lipped about him. Yet I know she knows much more than she is willing to tell."

"Perhaps she needs to be taught a lesson?" Ivan suggested, a dark smile crossing his face.

Alicia shook her head. "No, not yet. We may yet find a reasonable means to discover their whereabouts. We do have plenty of the antidote now, but it will not last forever. We must have ample supplies of it, so the capture of them, both, is paramount. When we get them, we will force Dharzhal to make more of it by threatening to harm Streea. The fool's love for her will be the catalyst in making him do our bidding. Then holding the Duke will no longer be needed. He will be tied to us, requiring a weekly dose of the antidote to maintain a normal life and to remain alive."

Eye of Oggaroth signed his thoughts: "If he was barter for obtaining control of Yew, and that has failed, and our attention turns elsewhere, why keep him alive at all? Let him die and pay the full price for obstinance."

"Because he may yet prove a useful tool for us. It is unwise to needlessly throw away such advantages. Lord Thrax wants him kept alive, but beholden to us for the antidote," Alicia countered.

"If Dharzhal shares his secret of the antidote with others, then we lose all advantage," Marcus commented.

"That is why the capture of the two drow is our first priority now... all of us. Use whatever means necessary to find them... anything it takes," Alicia ordered. "This is our main concern for now, not events in Yew."

"Can you speak to us of Lord Thrax? What is it that requires him to be away for so long?" Marcus asked, changing the subject.

"He was called away to perform a task by our god. Oggaroth intends to usher in throughout this plane, more, and greater, manifestations of his power to kill and destroy. This will happen soon, but as his high priest, Lord Thrax must complete special rituals beforehand that require solitude, concentration, and time. He could not have that here," Alicia explained. "He does tell me that all goes well, and according to plan."

"What of these 'manifestations'? Edge inquired.

Alicia smiled. "Creatures hitherto unknown and unseen, more powerful than any yet known... sent to wreak havoc and destruction, and rain misery, upon the land. Their advent will bring about a new age, a dark age, of terror and death, in Sosaria. And we, among others, will have helped and assist in its making."

They spoke, almost in unison, except Eye... "Oggaroth be praised!"

Eye signed it, and added, "And let Oblivion follow quickly."