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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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"You could've drawn some <strong>of</strong> their blows," I scowled at Morte. Dak'kon<br />

looked <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> only a few stepping s<strong>to</strong>nes from <strong>death</strong>.<br />

He snorted, "Hey, it's <strong>not</strong> my fault they chose <strong>to</strong> go after Mister Moody<br />

here. I'm the smallest target out <strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong> us."<br />

I grumbled. I'd have <strong>to</strong> gild him in coppers if he was going <strong>to</strong> help sponge up<br />

some <strong>of</strong> the dagger blows.<br />

I shuffled over <strong>to</strong> Dak'kon. The warrior-mage's eyes were coal-gray, his skin<br />

a pale dusky yellow, thin and dry as parchment. I was bleeding from multiple<br />

gashes myself. One long dagger had punched a kidney, and no less than<br />

three slashes marred my chest and back. Yet the wounds were knitting at a<br />

remarkable pace. I would recover over time, Dak'kon would <strong>not</strong>.<br />

"Here," I leaned <strong>to</strong>wards my companion and men<strong>to</strong>r, "It's <strong>not</strong> exactly<br />

curative magic, but it might give you a bit more blood and breath."<br />

He gazed at me with half-dead eyes, looking as if he was about <strong>to</strong> wave me<br />

<strong>of</strong>f. Dak'kon gave a resigned sigh, and bowed his head as I traced a few<br />

glowing red symbols in the air.<br />

"The years have <strong>not</strong> <strong>be</strong>en so kind <strong>to</strong> me," he said hoarsely, "My blade has<br />

<strong>be</strong>come slower. My joints ache with time's weight. I know this."<br />

"Nonsense," I said as I completed the incantation, "Baseless recriminations<br />

aren't going <strong>to</strong> help."<br />

"It was no recrimination," he muttered, "But an apology."<br />

The thrum <strong>of</strong> sorcery shook us both as I <strong>to</strong>uched Dak'kon's shoulder. I felt<br />

myself drain, my body empty itself <strong>of</strong> life like an old wineskin. My head<br />

spun, the world grew pale as my own life force flowed through the conduit I<br />

wove and in<strong>to</strong> Dak'kon. The old gith shuddered, gasped, and his cheeks<br />

<strong>be</strong>came fuller, his breathing easier. A moment <strong>of</strong> stillness passed <strong>be</strong>tween<br />

us as I swayed, groaning. Dak'kon caught my hand <strong>be</strong>fore I could stumble.<br />

"See? You're faster than me still," I chuckled dizzily.<br />

He said <strong>not</strong>hing.<br />

221

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