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

oses."
Something flickered in his chest then, a memory of a fading ember where
there once had been a blaze as hot as a forest fire. But Soego obediently
willed it away as Seladril had taught him, leaving only a cold, hollow
numbness behind.
~~~~~
They still met for a cup of tea every week or so. His former teacher's soft
laughter, so warm and merry, was in sharp contrast to the somber
near-silence of the Gathering Dust Bar. Even if there hadn't been wards laid
to mute noise and enhance meditation, another Dustman would've been
embarrassed to be seen with a beautiful, lively young lady like Seladril.
But not Soego. Something stirred in him with each meeting. The days before
they met were sweet with anticipation, and the days when she had to cancel
seemed bleaker than before. It wasn't love, Soego knew… that was a boyish
fantasy he had left behind long ago. It was something, but it wasn't love.
He knew that Seladril was still testing him. Even though Soego was still a
lowly Factotum, his former teacher was proud of him, and had expectations
as high as the ones she held for the other Factors. And so Soego began to
spend the days after their meetings deep in meditation, though once or
twice he allowed himself the vice of feeling, just a little.
In the meantime, cranium rats had been scrabbling through the Mortuary in
greater numbers than he had known in recent memory. Traps were laid,
only to be found sprung yet empty. Poisoned scraps were set out, but the
pests avoided them. The Factotums growled in frustration, while those wiser
knew patience. One day, one of the critters was bold enough to scrabble up
to Soego as he chanted quietly to himself. A bowl of incense was smoldering
before him.
Soego had been trained well, but still he felt a touch of annoyance, and
quick as a whip he snatched the rodent. It squealed in his hand, struggling as
he held it up and cocked his head in curiosity. What could the creatures be
doing? There was no fresh meat for them here.
A few years ago Soego would've let loose a colorful string of curses when
that rodent bit down on the fleshy part of his hand and drew blood. A few
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