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

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power."<br />

Radine was a lucky woman <strong>to</strong> know who she was, and more. I was almost on<br />

the edge <strong>of</strong> asking her for her extra name, rather callous really. But the ache<br />

in me might've <strong>be</strong>en filled with a name. Such were my thoughts until I met<br />

a<strong>not</strong>her village-dweller.<br />

He was a drab man with a perfectly moon-shaped face, who looked at me<br />

without expression, and didn't speak. He looked as though his voice<br />

would've <strong>be</strong>en as flat as a mea<strong>do</strong>w.<br />

"Are you all right, sir?" I asked. The poor man seemed even worse <strong>of</strong>f than<br />

the other villagers, who had at least an inkling <strong>of</strong> who and what they were,<br />

"I <strong>do</strong>n't suppose you could help me?"<br />

The man gazed flatly at me, "I can barely help myself, but I will <strong>do</strong> what I<br />

can. What <strong>do</strong> you wish <strong>to</strong> know?"<br />

"Tell me <strong>of</strong> this place. I'm hoping <strong>to</strong> find a man named Pharod."<br />

Again his <strong>to</strong>ne was flat, like the voice <strong>of</strong> a dead man. Dak'kon was a bard<br />

compared <strong>to</strong> him. "I know <strong>not</strong>hing <strong>of</strong> it. I <strong>do</strong> <strong>not</strong> know this place. I have no<br />

name. I have no num<strong>be</strong>r. I have no memory <strong>of</strong> this place. I am cold. I am<br />

scared. This is strange, <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> so naked. I fear I will die."<br />

"What <strong>do</strong> you mean?" I asked, but I was already <strong>be</strong>ginning <strong>to</strong> have my<br />

suspicions about what had happened <strong>to</strong> the poor sod.<br />

His voice was hollow, "I once lived in a land <strong>of</strong> metal machines and <strong>do</strong>ors<br />

that opened at a word. I dream <strong>of</strong> the pristine metal cities and the empty<br />

shells that are our people. I had a num<strong>be</strong>r and a name there, and now I have<br />

neither. Like all my kind, they are all I have. They are all I have had <strong>of</strong> my<br />

own all my life. They were s<strong>to</strong>len from me. Without them I am <strong>not</strong>hing. I<br />

request your aid."<br />

"You have it," I <strong>of</strong>fered, but needed <strong>to</strong> confirm my suspicions, "Who has<br />

your name and num<strong>be</strong>r?"<br />

"The one who used <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> Radine. She s<strong>to</strong>le them from me. I <strong>of</strong>fered her the<br />

shelter <strong>of</strong> my name and num<strong>be</strong>r, and she s<strong>to</strong>le them from me. They are<br />

mine lawfully and by right. Find her. She is in this Village."<br />

235

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