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@ -169,5 +169,78 @@ Nikki shrugged.
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Were wearing what looked like practicant robes.
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Were wearing what looked like practicant robes.
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―They might pay more attention to Auroklos, Nikki said, but they'll also have a better sense of what's being coerced out of him.
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―They might pay more attention to Auroklos, Nikki said, but they'll also have a better sense of what's being coerced out of him.
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And again, Cal, if we need extra leverage...
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―Do the letters you have implicate Auroklos in the violence at all?
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―No, not directly.
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But we can make the implication.
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Calvin nodded, although he felt uneasy.
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-------------
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It wasn't long until Auroklos arrived, wearing the full regalia of the Hierarch.
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He came alone, as he usually did.
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―President Calvin, thank you for indulging me at this hour.
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I have a matter of grave concern I would discuss with you in private.
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He indicated Nikki and Vaughan.
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―Welcome, Hierarch.
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These are trusted members of my office, I can assure you.
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Auroklos looked overly hesitant, as though to put on a show of accommodating the request.
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Calvin's forehead started to feel stretched, the beginnings of a headache spreading down to his temples.
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―Well, Calvin, if you insist, my hands are tied.
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I bring you bleak news, a rather unhappy development from the sorry events earlier today.
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―Hierarch, if you mean the riots caused by the Flocks, stoked by Hierarchy Practicants, there are many unhappy developments.
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I think it would be best if the Hierarchy could punish those within the Order who are responsible, and denonuce the vile garbage spewed to the farm animals they wronged.
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Auroklos looked annoyed, and waved the statement away.
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―That is unimportant.
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Calvin―
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―It's President Calvin.
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Or Your Excellency.
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Hierarch Auroklos, I have respected your office, and while you stand here, you should respect mine.
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Some glimmer of life and resistance came into the Hierarch's eyes.
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―Respect my office by threatening to attack the Order, to replace me in my role?
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―I am making no threats, Hierarch.
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Merely asking for courtesy.
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―A veiled dagger is no less sharp for being hidden, your Excellency.
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Fine, I have no desire to support the attacks on the poor wretches trying to force the way into our city.
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In the end, we lost people as well, for nothing.
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If you identify those Practicants responsible, the Hierarchy will not stop you from pursuing justice against them.
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Another issue, one far more pressing, brings me here, however.
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You are familiar with the epidemic spreading through Northhaven, correct?
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Calvin nodded, intrigued.
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―Well, I think it is not unreasonable to say that it has had an unusually large effect on the Flocks in Northhaven.
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Those kept awake for days on end, or kept from working, or simply driven mad by the effects of it.
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They're the ones who are pushing the Flocks to violence.
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But, a message from Yakaterina has brought me even greater turmoil, your Excellency.
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You see, the source of the problem is not a simple parasite or worm, or indeed any other mundane medical malady.
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Instead, something more insidious is at play.
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I believe it to be the work of a Voiced being.
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One who has managed to attack the city.
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More than that, I believe it to be related to the New Meadowlark.
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―You think the New Meadowlark, the group that showed up to fight your supporters, is secretly responsible for an epidemic?
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Isn't that a bit too convenient, Hierarch?
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―Indeed, President Calvin, I would.
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I will merely add this.
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My predecessor Yakaterina bids me to pass on a message directly to you, in reply to your inquiries.
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Calvin saw the look that Nikki flashed him.
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One of slight disgust and surprise, welded together with disappointment.
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