The Fifth Empire of Man

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For everyone who waited.

And for rum!

Part 1 – Batten Down the Hatches

They will come at you again and again said the Oracle

We'll be ready said Drake

You will lose people said the Oracle

Chapter 1 - Starry Dawn

“What about the decorations?” Elaina said, thumbing towards the stocks.

Three men and one woman were locked into the wood-and-metal contraptions, where they faced both the heat of the day and the cold of the night without food or water, nor clothing on their backs. All four of them looked to be in a truly sorry state, and it seemed one of the men was already long past dead. There’s a certain smell that only corpses can produce, and it was strong in the air.

The little woman in the big cavalier hat snorted, and Elaina caught a glimpse of a sneer underneath the broad brim. “Ambassadors from the blooded, those of the bastards that still breathe anyway. They said something ’bout Thorn’s direct manner an’ Rose took exception to it. Don’t reckon we’ll be gettin’ no more ambassadors any time soon.”

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