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

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

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"The directions?" He nodded, irritated. "Of course I was responsible - I knew<br />

there was a chance I might fail here and lose my memories. I wanted future<br />

incarnations <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong>nefit from some... guidance. So I had the directions<br />

stitched on my back, since such things - like journals..." He growled, as if<br />

angry at himself. "Tend <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> lost so easily."<br />

My lip curled wryly, "The directions were kind <strong>of</strong> vague, though..."<br />

"Are you a fool?" The incarnation looked exasperated. "The directions<br />

needed <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> vague - I couldn't spell out exactly what was happening <strong>to</strong> us,<br />

so I left a signpost. What <strong>do</strong> you think would have happened if a Dustman<br />

had read them? Or someone even more barmy? How quickly <strong>do</strong> you think<br />

we would have <strong>be</strong>en buried alive or cremated?"<br />

"Very well," I nodded, "What about me seeking out Pharod, though? Why<br />

him?"<br />

"Pharod?" The incarnation thought for a moment. "Oh, yes - the trash king<br />

with all the '<strong>to</strong>ugh' bloods that thought I was easy prey..." He smiled slightly,<br />

as if recalling a pleasant memory. "After only a little bloodletting, I struck a<br />

bargain with him - he would see <strong>to</strong> it that if his men found me, they would<br />

take me safely <strong>to</strong> the Mortuary - and, <strong>of</strong> course, I needed the eyes and<br />

hands <strong>of</strong> his men <strong>to</strong> scour the catacombs <strong>be</strong>neath Sigil for me."<br />

"For the Bronze Sphere?"<br />

"Yes. I <strong>to</strong>ld Pharod it was the only thing that would save his miserable life...<br />

what a sniveling little <strong>do</strong>dger he was. You see, the old bastard was destined<br />

<strong>to</strong> end up on the Pillar <strong>of</strong> Skulls when he died, and he was desperately trying<br />

<strong>to</strong> weasel out <strong>of</strong> it. So I <strong>to</strong>ld him that there was an item <strong>be</strong>neath Sigil that<br />

would 'save' him from his fate, if he could only find it."<br />

"But it wouldn't save him - it was just something you wanted him <strong>to</strong> find."<br />

"Of course it was useless <strong>to</strong> him. One can<strong>not</strong> <strong>do</strong>dge fate so easily. However,<br />

<strong>not</strong>hing motivates a man faster than telling him what he seeks will save his<br />

soul from eternal damnation. I intended <strong>to</strong> take it from him after he found<br />

it. It just that searching for it myself would have taken... <strong>to</strong>o long." He smiled<br />

again. "And why should I <strong>do</strong> it, when I could have someone else hunt for<br />

me?"<br />

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