27.12.2012 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

I turned <strong>to</strong> face a man with rough, leathery skin with the same pale yellow<br />

cast as Dak'kon and other githzerai I had seen. Yet his features were more<br />

gaunt, skeletal, as if his skull had <strong>be</strong>en drawn <strong>do</strong>wnwards. His face was<br />

angular, his nose small and highly placed, and his ears tapered <strong>to</strong> points and<br />

slashed as if by a ritual knife. A tracery <strong>of</strong> tat<strong>to</strong>os and scars covered his body.<br />

While Dak'kon's manner <strong>of</strong> dress was more austere, this one was dressed in<br />

strange, gaudy leathers that look more ornamental than combat-ready. His<br />

eyes were like two small black s<strong>to</strong>nes and they pierced me with their<br />

unwavering gaze. "You are the human seeking memories," he said, flatly. "I<br />

can help you."<br />

"Who and what are you, stranger?" He seemed githzerai, but lord he was<br />

ugly.<br />

"I am Yi'minn. I am a githyanki angler. My people are the undisputed<br />

masters <strong>of</strong> the Astral Plane, where the gods go <strong>to</strong> die and the memories <strong>of</strong><br />

the dead float like leaves in a pool. My duty is in retrieving the memory<br />

cores <strong>of</strong> the dead and gleaning them for information. I can locate your<br />

memories. You have only <strong>to</strong> pay the price."<br />

"What price would that <strong>be</strong>?"<br />

"It is a matter <strong>of</strong> a mere few coins. The price is negotiable. I ask for two<br />

hundred. You will determine the value <strong>of</strong> the memories I find and pay<br />

accordingly."<br />

After splurging on spells and items my coin pouch might've <strong>be</strong>en a <strong>to</strong>uch <strong>to</strong>o<br />

light for his request, but the githyanki seemed quite generous with his<br />

terms. "Sounds good. What <strong>do</strong> I have <strong>to</strong> <strong>do</strong>?"<br />

His <strong>be</strong>ady eyes glanced side <strong>to</strong> side a moment, "If I am <strong>to</strong> bait my hook for<br />

your memories, I will need some <strong>of</strong> the memories you currently possess. I<br />

also require a place <strong>of</strong> concentration and quiet. If you will follow me, we will<br />

journey <strong>to</strong> one such place and I will make you whole once again. We go<br />

alone, with no companions."<br />

I nodded cheerfully, "I suppose they can wait for me <strong>to</strong> return. Lead the<br />

way."<br />

The streets were cobbled in what once might have <strong>be</strong>en luxurious blue<br />

s<strong>to</strong>ne. Patches <strong>of</strong> polished azure still glinted, though they lay like scattered<br />

434

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!