The Alpha Master arrived at the Ancestor’s Shrine. A few clipped words had every Master rushing to the open air of the central casting chamber. He entered with his five attendants and walked to the middle alter. The attendants took Tower Guard positions around the circle. The Alpha Master walked in a circle and looked into each face, met each eye.
“How long has it been?” he asked in a quiet voice that cut the silence. “How long has Haven sat as bait? Long enough for the pirates to starve? Long enough for the pirates to plan an escape or attack? Long enough for the pirates to – what?” The Alpha Master walked the circle again. “Not long enough for the Aberration to come.” The Alpha Master’s eyes shone star bright in his youthful face. His green hair was coming loose from its long braid.
A shiver passed through the group.
“What was the plan again?” the Alpha Master asked.
“To use the pirates to lure the Aberration,” came the answer.
“How long have we waited?”
“Two weeks, five days, seven . . .”
“Enough!”
The crowd stiffened as one.
“At sun rise, with blood in the sky, we start killing them one by one until she comes.” The Alpha Master left the chamber with his attendants.
Er’Ranta stumbled to the nearest outer pillar, and vomited over the edge.
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