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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Greybar" data-source="post: 797522" data-attributes="member: 4938">Tales of a StoneA hawk cries out as it circles above the encampment.  Around the cleared area, archers stand in small clusters, their bows in hand, with the feel of those who are not quite safe. A blue and white pavillion is being raised, an imperious woman calling out orders in crisp sun-tongue. In one corner, two workers struggle to place man-sized statues of stone."Why did we have to bring these statues? Let the demons have them, for all I care.", says the voice of young man.A deeper, older voice responds slowly, "She likes them, I guess. You heard the order same as I.""Well, I'm glad to be away from the cursed sea, and that's good enough for me.""Hey, what are you, a bard? Now quit your yapping and help me lift this damned cat-beast.""Why do some of these have their heads wrapped?""Well, you ever seen someone turned to stone?" The older voice softens and becomes quiet as he continues, "I've seen it once. A woman who kept shouting out how the Matriarch had betrayed Hara. The Matriarch had her stripped, chained and cuffed, and then started the stoning at her feet, real slow like. The old woman was defiant about until it got to her ankles. Then she started pleding for mercy. By the time it got to her waist, she was begging for death. After that, she was just wild with pain. I've never seen anyone look like that. All her muscles were standing out like twisted ropes. And the last part was her face. You could hear a whimpering scream with her last breath. If you ever wonder why some of the statues have bags over their heads, that's why. No one wants to see that kind of pain."There is a brief quiet, and then the young voice begins a bit softer than before, "Why don't these have horrible faces then?""These are some of the oldest, I think. The newer they are, the more painful they look. I think she's getting better at it... I think she enjoys it."A strong female voice suddenly interrupts in precise Sun-tongue, "You there, finish up with those statues and then help with the woodcutters. They may come in the night, and we'll need a palisade and fires.""Yes, Lady!", both men respond, audibly snapping to attention. The hawk screeches again as it patrols the sky where dark thunderclouds gather in the afternoon light.(Edited for readability -john)</blockquote>

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