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

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"My thanks, mate," Berrog dusted himself <strong>of</strong>f and checked his body quickly<br />

for wounds, "I've had enough <strong>of</strong> this burg. I'm back <strong>to</strong> Mount Celestia. I<br />

hope your good deeds stand you in... good stead wherever you're going." He<br />

gazed <strong>of</strong>f <strong>to</strong>ward the deva standing on the balcony. "I can't <strong>be</strong>lieve I came<br />

here <strong>to</strong> see... that." He shook his head, then ran <strong>of</strong>f.<br />

Tovus winced sourly and adjusted his now-frayed k<strong>not</strong> <strong>of</strong> hair. "You have my<br />

gratitude... human. I go now <strong>to</strong> the walls <strong>to</strong> aid my guards. My city shall <strong>not</strong><br />

perish." He gave me a crooked smile and pulled a scroll from his coat. "I <strong>do</strong><br />

<strong>not</strong> envy you the conflict with the deva. He is a fearsome opponent. Here.<br />

Take this. It may help."<br />

~~~~~<br />

A large guardsman <strong>be</strong>llowed orders <strong>to</strong> the civilians gathered around him. He<br />

glared at us through the slits <strong>of</strong> his helm. "What d'ya want, piker? An' make<br />

it quick, afore we get ta workin' 'ere."<br />

"What's going on here?"<br />

"What's it look like, ya sod?! We're about ta loot this warehouse. Ya want in<br />

on the action, or <strong>not</strong>? 'Cause this ain't gonna <strong>be</strong> some sorry-arse, disorderly<br />

mess... we're <strong>do</strong>in' it right, an' I'm givin' the orders."<br />

"We've <strong>be</strong>en pulled inta Carceri, yeh idjit!" Annah snapped, "Did yeh think<br />

ye could just go skippin' <strong>of</strong>f <strong>do</strong>wn the road with a sack o'er yer shoulders an'<br />

<strong>be</strong> <strong>do</strong>ne wit it?"<br />

The guard ran a finger along the edge <strong>of</strong> his axe, streaked with hastily-wiped<br />

smears <strong>of</strong> blood. "Oi, I've killed 'alf a <strong>do</strong>zen already t' get here. Don't assume<br />

I'd think twice about sendin' yer pretty head bouncin' <strong>do</strong>wn those steps."<br />

I gestured subtly <strong>to</strong> signal Annah <strong>to</strong> tuck her blades away, "If we can calm<br />

things <strong>do</strong>wn, it'll help the <strong>to</strong>wn slide back on<strong>to</strong> the Outlands. Once Curst is<br />

wholly overrun with monsters, how long <strong>do</strong> you think you'll live <strong>to</strong> enjoy the<br />

spoils <strong>of</strong> your looting?"<br />

"But..." he blinked. Treachery had <strong>be</strong>en bred in<strong>to</strong> the bones <strong>of</strong> these people<br />

for so long that they'd still live as thugs with the end <strong>of</strong> their world staring<br />

them in the face. "Ah, hells; ye'r right." He shouted <strong>to</strong> the looters who'd<br />

gathered around him: "Right! You heard the man, let's get goin'! And if<br />

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