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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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odd seed... are those teeth along the edge? Barbs, perhaps... where did you<br />

come by it, friend?"<br />

"Old Meb<strong>be</strong>th, the midwife <strong>of</strong> the Square, needs some herbs sprung from<br />

that seed. Do you know where I could get some?"<br />

"No..." Mourns-for-Trees continued <strong>to</strong> stare the seed in his hand. "This is the<br />

only seed <strong>of</strong> its kind I've ever seen... I... ah!" He winced, and a spot <strong>of</strong> blood<br />

glistened on his thumb. "The barbs on it are sharp, indeed. Perhaps you<br />

should hold it."<br />

I <strong>to</strong>ok it back, "Yeah, I should've warned you. Sorry." I stared at it<br />

contemplatively, "So you can't help me, either?"<br />

"Unless you can make that one grow, I can<strong>not</strong>... again, I've never seen a<br />

seed <strong>of</strong> its like <strong>be</strong>fore, friend."<br />

"If we wanted it <strong>to</strong> grow enough, is it possible <strong>to</strong> make it grow?"<br />

Mourns-for-Trees looked at the seed and nodded. "Perhaps... if you cared<br />

enough <strong>to</strong> see it grow..."<br />

I held it in my hands, then, focusing on it, willing it <strong>to</strong> grow. I silenced that<br />

nagging voice <strong>of</strong> skepticism in the back <strong>of</strong> my head, planting all my attention<br />

on the black-bar<strong>be</strong>d seed I held gingerly in my fingers. I prodded it gently<br />

with my mind, neither forcing nor urging.<br />

To my surprise, there was a crack and the seed split, twigs splitting from its<br />

surface like fingers. Instinctively, I dropped the seed, but the talon-like twigs<br />

wrapped around my wrist and wouldn't let go.<br />

"What the hells?!"<br />

Mourns-for-Trees and Morte both stared at the bar<strong>be</strong>d branches wrapped<br />

around my wrist, stunned. "I... think the barbs on those new branches would<br />

<strong>be</strong> more than enough for what your friend needs."<br />

I shook my arm, trying <strong>not</strong> <strong>to</strong> move my fingers since I was wary <strong>of</strong> the<br />

thorns, "I hope she can get this damn thing <strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> me. Until we meet again,<br />

Mourns. Do you happen <strong>to</strong> like Gar-Bar root?"<br />

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