nhabitants South of the Slot were tossed from their beds early this morning by an earthquake which struck at the dawning hour of 4:42 a.m. Residents reported that the temblor, a rolling motion somewhat like a sea swell, lasted upward of ten seconds, the longest such trembling that has been reported in the last year. Although shocks have become more recent of late, they have hitherto been of a more jarring nature, and lasted not more than a second or two. Indeed, previous tremblors have been mild enough to be mistaken for the rumble of a horse-car or a particularly throbbing headache.

Sitri, Factotum of the Casa Mariposa, speaking for The Axacaya, who is currently in the middle of a major conjuring, denied that Lord Axacaya’s grip was slipping. “Lord Axacaya has been particularly busy preparing for the upcoming conjunction between the astrological signs Ursa and Mariposa, which is scheduled to occur next Monday and can not take your questions as this time,” Sitri said, urging the reporter to get off his petunias. Readers will recall that upon his arrival in the City some twenty years ago, Lord Axacaya had pledged to end the City’s constant contest with the riotous earth, and indeed, since his tenure as Hierophant began earthquakes have been almost unknown. However, reports of quivering curtains, rippling ribands and wavering windows have recently increased.