<i>Beneath the monk's wailing, the sound of another man's voice screaming out in agony can be heard.  The hornet demon twitches, its wings torn from its carapace and its forelimbs twisted and broken.  Still living hornets cling to its body, their wings beating in a frenzy as they attempt to lift their master back onto its feet.  The beast convulses, curling up on itself like a dying insect before forcing itself on its shaky hind legs.  <br/>
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Its great black eyes stare at the monk, its mouth-parts dangling open to let its disturbingly mammalian tongue hang free.  Black sludge drools from its open chest cavity, mixed with the unmistakable red tinge of blood.  Beneath its chattered carapace, the ends of what appear to be human ribs are visible.  Before the monk can act the demon turns and flees, surging towards the front gates, its children buzzing frantically around it.<br/>
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It makes it to the edge of the Great Falls before diving off, disappearing into the mists...</i><br/><br/>----------<br/><br/>"Arnulf?"  Arngeirr repeats, "Was he a hugeman by any chance?  I say, this is a huge tale indeed.  But why have I not heard of it?  Surely a gathering of noble gentleman outside the temple would be something my people would speak about for generations.  It is so rare for even two of us to come across each other outside of the Hugelands."<br/><br/>Arngeirr stops and considers their predicament for a moment.  The relic, his father's shame, the entire story of Hoshino.  "Unless they were...<i>un</i>-gentleman..."  He snarls as he says the word, a title so profane.  To be labeled an un-gentleman is tantamount to excommunication among his people.  To willingly stray from the path of justice is the ultimate taboo.  The presence of such wretched individuals would surely entail that his people never spoke of the battle - or likely never knew.  "I say this is... a troubling thought.  And one that I must admit is not without merit.  I should... ponder this, for a time, I believe.  Brother Korsarro, would you kindly escort me to the reliquary?  I fell I must deposit the sashes there before the night is through."<br/><br/>Arngierr thumbs the amber key idly.  As he makes his request, he notices with curiosity that the key has stopped its buzzing...