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Message: <blockquote data-quote="barsoomcore" data-source="post: 1995674" data-attributes="member: 812">"Something is going on here! These women are stealing our children and feeding them to their Goddess! We have to do something!"The four Angels clambered out from underneath the temple to find Uncle Tan, who'd seemed so kindly and charming only an hour or so ago, hectoring the crowd of would-be wedding guests about the evils of the Goddess and her servants. Some people were shouting in disagreement, but others were considering the old man's words.Li Fa caught sight of elderly Sister Yan Ting hovering near Uncle, meekly trying to interrupt his tirade. Face dark with anger, Fa strode over to where the old woman stood."Come with me, Sister."Yan protested a bit but followed the imposing Angel. Ming-Wa had heard Uncle Tan's words and only Shan and Wei-Yong's efforts were keeping her from charging out there and confronting him. Fa walked Yan a ways from the crowd and then whirled on the old woman."What in the name of Her holy beauty is going on beneath this temple?"Yan stammered and spluttered and Fa grabbed the collar of her robe, shaking the old woman in her rage."What is going on? You have desecrated statues of the Goddess! Explain yourself!"Terrified, Yan could only shake her head, gasping out her innocence. Fa threw her back. She lowered her voice so that the crowd around Uncle Tan wouldn't hear her."There are children down there. Children who have been murdered and their bodies used for necromatic purposes. What do you know about this?""Nothing, Sister, I swear! I know nothing of this! I just tend the temple and keep Her image clean, honestly, I don't know a thing about this..."Fa glared. Yan shrank in on herself, still protesting that she knew nothing. She was still protesting as Fa turned on her heel and stalked away.The tall woman strode right past her friends and back downstairs. Wei-Yong looked back and forth between Fa and Yan, and momentarily forgot about Ming-Wa. The furious young woman broke free of Wei-Yong's distracted grip and actually managed to drag Shan forward a few steps, such was the power of her fury as she addressed Uncle Tan."Heretic! Liar!"Shan gave up and let her friend go. Ming-Wa stormed up to Uncle Tan. She was a small woman, but she carried a lot of presence around with her and, angry as she was, she immediately quelled the murmuring crowd. Uncle Tan retreated from her glare. Ming-Wa turned to address the crowd."For how many generations has the Goddess watched over us all? For how long have we been blessed with the peace and justice that is her rule? Who are we to deserve such generosity and compassion?"She whirled on Tan, emphasizing her point with an accusing finger."Who are we to doubt and suspect Her love?"Tan shook his head, unable to respond. She turned back to the crowd."This temple has stood here for many long years, offering you all a place to focus your hearts and the love you naturally feel towards Her. To show Her your willingness to serve. For many years the Sisterhood of the Submissive Eye has served you all. But when trouble strikes, you think to blame your loving Goddess? You think suspect Her?"Tan tried to get a word in."But Pao Hsien says -- ""Pao Hsien? The tailor? That witch spoke against the Goddess?"Ming-Wa's fury rose to new heights."Where is she?"*****Fa, bearing a smoky torch, retraced the steps she and her friends had taken among the dark passages beneath the temple. She came into the desecrated worship hall where the torn and horrible corpses of the children remained. Uttering a prayer to Her kindness, Fa knelt, stuck the torch upright in the packed sand of the floor and drew upon her dark power.Shadows hissed up all around her and she lay her hands on the dead child's brow. Fa's eyes fluttered closed. In the corners of her mind, images arose, fitful and discontented. In a moment they drew together and she saw the room around her, lit with dozens of candles, and before her standing an imposing woman in dark robes. The woman held a long straight razor in one hand and a nameless mass of dripping flesh in the other. She was chanting, though the image was silent. The woman turned and Fa saw her face.Her eyes closed, alone in the dark, not even Fa was aware of the cold, sinister smile that touched her lips."Pao Hsien."*****"We have to go talk to -- "" -- The tailor. I know. She's a Jade Razor."The other Angels nodded to each other as Fa identified their enemy.The Jade Razors were a secret organization of foul necromancers and power-hungry warlords, dedicated to spreading chaos and terror throughout the realm of the Goddess. The Angels had crossed paths with this society many times in the past, and rooting out nests of these conspirators was a common task for them.Shan shrugged."Let's go get her."Fa looked over the others."No doubt she's prepared for us. She knows who we are. She must have a plan."Wei-Yong yawned."We've got Shan. Let's go."*****Every time the massive loom finished a line, the frames clacked together with a shattering rattle of wood and thread. Nobody sat in front of the machine as it whirred and clattered, and yet the shuttle flew back and forth between the ratcheting threads, producing a broad roll of beautiful silk all on its own.Nothing else moved in the richly appointed chambers of the house. Tapestries hung, motionless. Huge spools of vari-coloured thread stood in silent rows. Even the hydrangea bushes in the garden seemed frozen in place.The woman sat at an embroidery table, staring at the unfinished pattern. Dozens of needles, each threaded with a different colour, sat at the ready on racks beside her. Before her chair five dark-clad men knelt, swords held before them, point-first on the hardwood floor.She spoke."They are coming."</blockquote>

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