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Events of the 2nd of Sandstone.
"Archibess. I'm glad you could make it."
Archibess was startled, she had been lost in thought, gazing across the moonlit tundra from high up on the Hammer Tower.
She turned to meet the dwarf who had summoned her. As she suspected, it was the Acolyte, leader of the subversive faction in Nist Akath.
"The Mistress said you wanted to see me?" she asked, nervously.
"See? Yes." said the Acolyte, walking towards her.
"Archibess, there comes a time when we must move up in the world." said the Acolyte conversationally.
"I'm already very good at making hats..." said Archibess, uncertainly. She wasn't sure she would actually want to move up in whatever fashion the Acolyte was contemplating.
"Yes, you certainly are!" said the Acolyte, soothingly, "But the thing is, there's been an opening."
"An opening?" asked Archibess.
"Yes. You see, the fortress is run on a strong judicial system. Without the threat of punishment, how can we have order?"
"I agree, mistress! Criminal behaviour must not be tolerated!" said Archibess enthusiastically.
"And unfortunately, our Hammerer appears to have... broken." mused the Acolyte.
"Yes. That was most dreadful!" agreed Archibess.
The Acolyte sighed, as she stood side-by-side with Archibess, observing the tundra.
"As you know, we have prevented the arrival of a number of migrants. What you may not know is that our kindred have also managed to stir fear of this place in the hearts of those in the Mountainhomes. No more should come."
"Yes, the mistress told me of some of these plans." said Archibess.
"It is impossible to procure a Hammerer externally!" stated the Acolyte.
"Wait... is this what I think it is? You want ME to become the new Hammerer?" asked Archibess, incredulously.
"There really is no other choice available." mused the Acolyte.
"But I don't know anything about Hammering! I haven't got the right mind for it, or the muscles!" protested Archibess.
"Yes," said the Acolyte, "this is no doubt the case. But all may change. Ends mark new beginnings, Archibess!"
"That's all very well, but..."
"Archibess, you will move up in the world. To do that, sometimes you must first move down." said the Acolyte, and promptly pushed Archibess over the edge, and watched her fall to the stone below.
"I'm sorry, Archibess." whispered the Acolyte, "My hand is forced."