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

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what <strong>to</strong> say. "You're a <strong>to</strong>ugh man <strong>to</strong> track <strong>do</strong>wn, Pharod. I've come for<br />

information. I've <strong>be</strong>en <strong>to</strong>ld that you know something about me."<br />

"Know somethin' 'bout you...?" The light in Pharod's eyes dimmed. He<br />

studied me, mumbling slightly as his eyes flickered up and <strong>do</strong>wn my frame.<br />

"Corpse...? No? Yes?" His eyes meet mine. "Ah! No..."<br />

"Pharod? What is it?"<br />

Pharod was studying me with a dead-even gaze. "Tisn't a mummer's fair,<br />

corpse. No time for games, no time for Pharod <strong>to</strong> play the wheel... what are<br />

you asking such questions for?"<br />

"I have forgotten myself, and I was <strong>to</strong>ld <strong>to</strong> seek you out. That you would<br />

know something <strong>of</strong> me," I said truthfully.<br />

"Eh..." Pharod licked his lips; they made a rasping sound, like dry parchment<br />

on sand. "Now who <strong>to</strong>ld you such a thing, corpse?"<br />

"Well, no one <strong>to</strong>ld me, exactly. There were these tat<strong>to</strong>os on my back... they<br />

<strong>to</strong>ld me <strong>to</strong> seek you out, if I ever forgot myself."<br />

"Ah... so little said, so much <strong>to</strong>ld..." Pharod fell silent, and suddenly, I had a<br />

feeling that Pharod was dissecting me, like a corpse on a Mortuary slab. "I<br />

know much you would know. Much, yes. Much, indeed..." Pharod smiled<br />

slowly, the folds <strong>of</strong> flesh on his face peeling back like a curtain.<br />

"What <strong>do</strong> you know <strong>of</strong> me?"<br />

Pharod licked his lips again, then settled himself upon his crutch like a<br />

vulture. "No, no... <strong>not</strong> free, the question you ask." His pasty-white hands<br />

tapped the edge <strong>of</strong> his crutch. "Much I can tell you, but the telling has a<br />

cost."<br />

I grumbled. "Go on, Pharod..."<br />

Pharod tapped the flags<strong>to</strong>nes with his crutch and sneered. "This village is<br />

<strong>not</strong> all that lies buried <strong>be</strong>neath Ragpicker's Square."<br />

"Yes...?"<br />

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