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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4484661" data-attributes="member: 3285">To Walk in Carcosa: Part 8 – YolandaThey entered the Palace, passing marble-floored corridors hung with portraits, through receiving rooms and great banquet halls, across small gardens and high, cold chapels.  The place seemed endless.  “We must head for the terrace, where the summoning is being performed,” murmured Lucius.There was evidence that a party had taken place very recently.  Food and drink abounded, as did flaming candles.  There were discarded masks and even some fine clothes.  Scarbelly pointed.  “Coombs! Avast, ye scab'r'us swabs! I just saw Coombs!”“Michael Coombs?” asked Lucius.  “Here?”“Aye.” Scarbelly began clomping his way down the hallway. “Yer nay goin' t' get away this time, ye scurvy dog!  I’ll gut ye like a catfish!”  They were jogging down the hall when Kham collided with a young woman.  She fell with a cry.  The woman wore a lacquered mask with the face of a leering imp, the red of which matched the silk of her elegant gown.  At her wrists and throat were clasped what must have been a fortune in rubies: they shined like bloody wounds.  As she got up, rather unsteadily, the mask dislodged. She was very beautiful.“Easy,” said Kham, helping her up.  “Are you alright?”The woman regained her composure and looked around.  “My name is Yolanda.  I don’t recognize you.  Who are you?”“I’m Kham val’Abebi, these are my friends.  We’re looking for Edwards.  Have you seen him?”“The Stranger is come to Yhtill,” whispered the woman. “There was a party.  All unmasked at the appointed hour but the Stranger, and when the Queen ordered him to follow suit he did not because he wore his own face…the Pallid Mask.”“We’re near the end of the play,” said Ilmarė, urgency in her voice.  “Now a curse is on Yhtill, which will surely become Carcosa,” said Yolanda.Lucius was agitated by Yolanda’s words.  “The time may be close.  We must hurry!” He paused, turning to Ilmarė. “You wish to prevent Hastur coming don’t you?”“Yes,” said Ilmarė.  “Umor’s return is the end for all of us.”Lucius looked at Kham.  “Do you remember the verses of Cassilda’s Song I told you in the cell?  The stars and the suns?”Kham nodded. “You may still escape Carcosa.  Don’t forget those words.  Look at what men can do.  Look at what Edwards is doing now.  You must not trust Carbo to do so: remember those words if it is you yourself that must lead the King astray.”“I can lead you to the terrace,” said Yolanda.  Then Coombs plunged a knife in her back.</blockquote>

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