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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 3900821" data-attributes="member: 3285">Hand of the Master - Part 5a: Vengeance is MineAs soon as Kham’s blood hit the gem, he felt a sensation like a jerk at his gut.  He suddenly had a terrible notion that he was experiencing what it would be like for a dwarf’s soul to enter a soul shard.  It was cold, dark and terrible.But then he saw a light that expanded and spread over millions of facets, like a diamond.  It filled his whole consciousness.  He broke through the facets and found himself standing back in Jarel’s house, with Jarel himself before them.  The gem had pulled all of them with Kham; judging from some of their reactions, they found it even less pleasant than Kham did.Jarel looked at each of them, then at Elabac.  His eyes filled with tears and he threw himself at Elabac’s feet, overcome with grief.“Forgive me, Master!” he cried.  “I see now.  I see now what I’ve done!”Elabac looked at Beldin, Sebastian, and Kham.  “We shall have…to do something…about him.  He seems… to finally…have discovered…true sorrow…for his wrongs.  Perhaps…he could be brought…to Illiir’s light.  What do you think…my friends?  What shall we do…about Jarel?”Sebastian frowned.  “He betrayed all of us under the guise of repentance.” He avoided looking at Beldin.  “He used Solanos Mor’s people against itself and nearly caused a war.  If that doesn’t deserve death, I don’t know what does.”Beldin shook his head.  “Illiir is a merciful god.  If Jarel wishes for a second chance, then he should have it.”Elabac turned to look at Kham.  “That leaves you…Kham.”Kham bit his lip.  “Everybody has their problems,” he said after a long moment.  “Sometimes, the pain’s so bad you’ll do anything to make it stop, no matter who suffers.”  He took a swig of a new wineskin.  “I’m no more innocent than Jarel in that regard.  If the dwarf says he’s sorry, let him live.”The old dwarf patted Kham affectionately on the back.  Much was said without being spoken.“So be it,” said Elabac.  “Jarel will be…allowed to search…for the peace of Illiir.”“Thank you for your mercy!” Jarel fell to his knees, weeping.“You have passed…a test,” said Elabac to Kham.  “Now…we must perform…the bonding ritual…”“Ritual?” asked Kham.</blockquote>

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