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

I looked up. I was hesitant to disturb Dak'kon in the middle of his
meditation, but he noticed my flickering gaze. "Er... I have read the
Unbroken Circle of Zerthimon. I want to speak to you more about the Way
of Zerthimon."
He took the blade up from his lap and gave me his full attention, "What did
you come to know?"
The moral of the story was simple. It was a prayer I had heard Dak’kon utter
many times in battle, "Endure. In enduring, grow strong."
The words seemed to strike Dak'kon strangely... as I spoke them, his
forehead creased, then resettled into its normal passive expression.
"Your will has brought you the knowing of the Third Circle of Zerthimon.
With this knowing, I impart this to you." He took the Circle and with a deft
motion, twisted one of the links so one of the plates slid forth. He handed
the plate to me. "Meditate upon its teachings, and the knowing of it shall
give you strength."
"Very well... I will study this Circle. Is there more you can teach me?"
As I asked the words, I suddenly noticed that Dak'kon wasn't looking at me.
He was holding the Unbroken Circle in his hands, studying it. His blade had
taken on the same texture as the Unbroken Circle... and Dak'kon suddenly
seemed older somehow.
"Dak'kon?"
Dak'kon's black eyes rose from the Circle and looked at me. "Know that I did
not believe you would come to know the teachings of the Circle. It is... a
difficult path you will walk in learning the Way of Zerthimon. Is your mind
focused on this matter?"
I nodded, "Yes. I wish to learn more."
Dak'kon's fingers felt around the edges of the stone circle, and he twisted it
clockwise, the links clicking until they have settled into a new configuration.
He handed it to me as it was. "The next Circle of Zerthimon is open to you.
Study it, then I will hear your words."
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