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

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A quick word with Baen the Sender was all that was needed <strong>to</strong> assure that<br />

the message was relayed, earning me a<strong>not</strong>her handful <strong>of</strong> coins, as well as<br />

the urge <strong>to</strong> spend it.<br />

Meb<strong>be</strong>th furrowed her eyebrows as I shuffled in<strong>to</strong> her hut in that sorry<br />

state: flesh <strong>to</strong>rn and only <strong>be</strong>ginning <strong>to</strong> knit <strong>to</strong>gether, bloodstained and<br />

brutish. "Tch, what happened t' ye, child?"<br />

I had coughed up the last bit <strong>of</strong> blood right outside Ragpicker's square, but<br />

my voice still creaked, "A fight with local thugs. A lot <strong>of</strong> them."<br />

She shook her head. "Very well, then," and reached for one <strong>of</strong> the dried<br />

herbs at her <strong>be</strong>lt. Meb<strong>be</strong>th snapped it <strong>of</strong>f at the stalk, then ground it in her<br />

callused palms. Small wisps <strong>of</strong> dust and pollen rose from her hands. She<br />

filled the air with her chanting, and blew the dust in the air.<br />

I sighed as her soothing magic settled through me, easing away my wounds<br />

and bleeding the nausea from me. Words could never convey how<br />

refreshing it felt. Morte sneezed.<br />

"Thanks, Meb<strong>be</strong>th."<br />

She scowled, "I ought t' slap ye, running around so irresponsibly. I warned ye<br />

t' <strong>be</strong> careful, aye?"<br />

I straightened up defensively, "I didn't abuse my training, Meb<strong>be</strong>th. Didn't<br />

even get a chance, though it's <strong>not</strong> like I would."<br />

She sc<strong>of</strong>fed, "The Art conveys wis<strong>do</strong>m and power more than just a wiggle o'<br />

fingers and a burst 'o flame, boy. Best remem<strong>be</strong>r that."<br />

I nodded humbly, "Do you have any spells and charms I might buy?"<br />

When I was <strong>do</strong>ne poking about her wares, Meb<strong>be</strong>th practically forced us <strong>to</strong><br />

sleep the night. I <strong>to</strong>ok this as an opportunity <strong>to</strong> study, memorizing the spells<br />

she had given me.<br />

In the morning, we left <strong>to</strong> buy whatever else we could <strong>to</strong> finish the task<br />

ahead <strong>of</strong> us, selling the copper jewelry I had lifted from the corpses <strong>of</strong> the<br />

thugs I had killed. There was no honor or pride in living like a vulture, but<br />

necessity drove me <strong>to</strong> it. I wasn't very proud <strong>of</strong> the new bulging weight <strong>of</strong><br />

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