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Bolstered by the Grail Principle's unnatural charisma, the Forge-Long's arguments to their fellows to defect became all the harder to resist. Having learned of the splitting of the Liar's cabal, the Great Serpent's faithful in the service of the Delver and Anaconda experienced their own schisms as well, some joining the growing secession movement while others remained steadfast, drawing even the serpents into the growing conflict.
The Delver, in her compassion, allowed those of her court which had joined her from the court of her progenitor to go free. She would brook no chains upon those she loved, and the Delver is all-loving. Had this been all that happened, the Serpents might have stayed reasonably aloof from the all-consuming conflict. Alas, it was not to be so. One Pulling what remained of her released Longtheir conspiracy together, convinced that the Delver needed to be destroyed opportunists concocted one final gambit to bring the Great Serpent backAssemblage under their control: An attempted assassination of the Delver, by a 'member in good standing' of the Assemblage, attempted to utilize Forge-power stolen isolating it from the Engine’s machines rest of its support, while creating a thousand places for it to strike her downhide, and make the Assemblage more dependent upon them. Even as he cut into her neck, Stealing a great weapon of the Delver forgave himEngine, and attempted they brought it to soothe his sorrow. A loyal Name of bear against the Delver struck him down, and began harming the unceasing pursuit of those who would have his mistress killedkindest Hour. An Hour, in fact, kind enough to forgive, but with a few Names that were not.
Unfortunately for everyone, the Delver has always been beloved by both of her siblings. The attempted assassination of that Hour resulted not only in the Tail bringing its full attention to bear on the conflict, but in both the Tail and the Anaconda working together- one of the few times they would ever be recorded as having done so.
