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Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 2399534" data-attributes="member: 1210">Law InterludeCluma stares into the storm wall.  His hands clutch a mighty rod, one of the most powerful artifacts of Law ever constructed.  Unconsciously he runs his fingers over its component pieces, screwed together to form rod of pieces of gradually increasing diameter.  The Rod of Seven Parts is truly mighty.  Outside, in the storm wall, lightning flashes and thunder crashes.  Wind and rain pound in a ring around Cluma’s castle.  There must be seven of us, he thinks.  Seven Arrows of Law, as there are seven pieces to the Rod.  With Asmodeus defeated, we are six.The lightning flashes again, and as it does Lester’s face appears in Cluma’s mind’s eye.  Lester, agent of Chaos, champion of anarchy.  Lester and all of his accursed friends must fall.Yet...Cluma sighs as he thinks of his recent conversation with Marius.  ”We need to replace Asmodeus, but perhaps the usual candidates should be put aside in favor of someone more... unusual.”  Marius’ bold proposal seems unnecessarily risky, but perhaps it is a worthwhile risk.  As Marius pointed out earlier, such a stroke could lead to the downfall of several major enemies at once- including Lester’s band.Cluma strokes the rod again, his hands moving of their own accord.  He broods for a long time.  Then, slowly, a vibration begins in the rod, and an awareness begins to steal over Cluma.Danger, he realizes, clutching the Rod of Seven Parts close in suddenly sweaty hands.  Great danger.  While we are not seven we are vulnerable.  Until we have replaced Asmodeus on our council...  He gasps aloud as the implications hit him.  Swiftly, he uses the rod to issue a sending.  Then he shouts for a squire and begins suiting up in his armor.  Prayzose’s mental contact is a relief.  I’ve alerted the others.  At least one of us should guard it at all times, until we have resolved the replacement of Asmodeus.The Judge of Worlds’ thoughts are clear over the link.  Some might say that it was a mistake to allow the Arrows to pass beyond the walls of the Bastion.Some might, but we must be proactive, retorts Marius. Na’Rat awakes.His progeny walk Cydra, Dekrasode reminds them.  We may not simply remain in the Bastion, defending ourselves.  We must destroy our enemies.Your ambition rules you, the Judge of Worlds pronounces telepathically.Regardless of my motivation, my conclusions are correct.  We have duties that require we not simply wall ourselves in the Bastion of Law.  Dekrasode is correct, Prayzose affirms.  Yet we must not leave the Bastion unguarded in this vulnerable time.  We must leave one or two of our number within the Bastion at all times.That is... inconvenient, Marius grumbles over the link, but no doubt you are correct.I am almost on my way there now, Cluma thinks to the others.  I will take the first watch.  And even without us, the Bastion is hardly unguarded.They killed Asmodeus, Prayzose reminds him. Cluma strokes the Rod of Seven Parts and replies, I will be at my strongest within the Bastion, as will the rod.  And we must prepare for them.  We know them fairly well.If they come at all.  Someone else entirely- or no one at all- might come.  Prayzose’s reminder is gentle, but clear.  Let us all keep in mind that this will slow our plans.  This requires that we focus resources in yet another area, at least until Asmodeus is replaced.  Lucifer’s refusal to take his place until his own affairs are settled is... problematic.He is gambling on Chaos, Dekrasode declares.Regardless, we should all think over candidates for his replacement.Cluma smiles.  Marius tells the others, I have a proposal.They are thunderstruck by the boldness of it.  Surely Marius approached a few others first, just as he approached Cluma; but the thrill that passes through all of them as he speaks the name telepathically is completely genuine.That is a very interesting idea, Prayzose admits.A page out of your own book, Marius replies.And by right of trial by combat... Dekrasode lets the thought trail off.Cluma thinks, I must go to the Bastion, now.  It is vulnerable.  I am in agreement with Marius.  If the rest of you are, you should discuss it with him.He activates the Rod of Seven Parts and vanishes in a collapsing rainbow.Next Time:  I know I said this last time, but Horbin gives his answer to Prayzose, Gerontius is true rezzed and the party begins moving towards the Bastion of Law!</blockquote>

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