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The Copper decided heAuRon as an ally He see friends who didn’t dee for their service

Some of the Queen’s servants took their own lives rather than surrender The Copper found a heap of corpses,peacefully beneath a statue of the Queen

The sight depressed hions, at least, had ot on with their lives

Ti

They found the crystal in a blue-doh in the mountain Careful star-charts were etched above He picked out patterns both familiar and unfamiliar AuRon wondered if the stars bore some purpose related to the crystal or if they’d preceded its installation There was an even se, too cramped for any but a huood view of the sky

AuRon guessed the crystal chamber lay just behind the forehead where the eyebrows met, or perhaps just above

He sent for his brother The Copper ht be interested in this if he could squeeze up the stairs

HeBellereth made it, well dusted with scrapes and scraps fro Fireuished herself with fast flying

"I was afraid I would have to go for oil to work hih," she said

"I wanted to see the source of so ons, at the Red Queen’s seat of power

She’d set an iainst it, built a co outward, the throne-chair faced toward the crystal, so that one ht peer deep into it The throne itself was built on some sort of mount that allowed it to rotate around the crystal

"So careful, with each and every step," Naf said "Until she found this Then she thought she could see everything"

"She saeak her enemies were," the Copper said "More, she kne to exploit faults, priives way if you tap it in the right crack It is a strange thing It al at me" Did the stone dislike him? What did a piece of crystal care who its oas? "I can’t help but feel it doesn’t likeyour conscience in the reflection," AuRon said

"Don’t speak to the Tyr that way!" HeBellereth snapped "He saved your thin little hide, you know"

"And helped hiether, I expect," AuRon said "My profound ades"

"What shall we do with this trophy?" HeBellereth asked

"Perhaps we should smash it," AuRon said

The Copper tapped it with a sii "Go ahead Try"

"Perhaps some dwarves could do it," HeBellereth said

"I know asoerous," AuRon said

"I thought NooMoahk lived with it for years," the Copper said "And you, and our sister, spent some time in its presence It is only fair that I take my turn to see what er in it," AuRon said "Anklamere used it, the Red Queen Were they who used it corrupt, or did the poithin it corrupt theood They were defeated despite its power," HeBellereth said

AuRon looked at the crystal He’d lived with it for years Yet it seeeneral shape It still had a heavier end and a curve to it, an upright kidney, but he could have sworn it had grown

Perhaps it was just a trick of the light in this chamber "I am not convinced she is dead," AuRon said "The Red Queen uard to be placed at the entrance to the stairs