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Panakeia sat in her room, puzzling over the meaning of the visit from A Slan's followers. Who or what A Slan was, and what the battle against Anakron meant (although she could easily understand why someone would want to fight the aggravating Grand Anakronist) were all problems beyond her knowledge. One question was most important to her, however; the question of how all of this would affect her ability to leave Mordor. If Anakron turned out victorious, things would be unchanged. Her fate would still depend on his judgment. But if Anakron fell, what would this Slan do? Panakeia wasn't sure she wanted to find out, although she did find herself wondering which side was in the right and wishing she could join the right side. It seemed that her conscience was still at work.
A din of shouts drifted through the air to disturb Panakeia's concentration. Stupid sports fans. I thought I took care of them earlier. She looked out the window. Indeed, the football field was deserted. The noise came from a more distant location. Listening more intently, she realized that the sounds were different. The football fans had been rowdy and excited. These voices were angry. Panakeia couldn't see where the noise was coming from, so she climbed to the roof of the building to gain a better vantage point.
Off in the distance, Panakeia saw two vast opposing crowds, their banners flying in the wind. The banners were too far away for her to read, but she thought she heard the words "A Slan" amidst the roar. And she was almost certain she spotted Anakron's billowing robes at the head of one of the groups. The battle had begun before Anakron could give his decision to the Offending Party. Panakeia cried aloud, "No! It's too soon" and ran back to her room at top speed. She bolted the door behind her and pushed Freud's couch against it to make sure no emissaries from A Slan could enter uninvited. Then she pulled the curtains shut and hid in her bed, covers pulled tightly around her ears. She was going to do her best to stay out of the whole mess.
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