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

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"Greetings, sword-ringer."<br />

She hissed in irritation. "Your pleasantries are as dust. The sign <strong>of</strong> mourning<br />

draws near - time is short, human. I would know your questions, then it is<br />

my will you leave."<br />

I gave Dak'kon a quick glance and turned back <strong>to</strong> her. "What did you mean<br />

when you said I walk in the sha<strong>do</strong>w <strong>of</strong> a pariah?"<br />

"You walk with a pariah and you know <strong>not</strong> his his<strong>to</strong>ry? He is quick <strong>to</strong> speak<br />

other words, but <strong>of</strong> his his<strong>to</strong>ry he has remained silent? Ask him <strong>of</strong><br />

Shrak'at'lor, <strong>of</strong> the fall <strong>of</strong> a mighty fortress <strong>to</strong> the githyanki, and see what his<br />

divided mind reveals <strong>to</strong> you. Ask him how he speaks with Zerthimon's<br />

words, but his karach is as mist."<br />

Though her eyes met mine Kii'na was speaking past me. Each fierce word<br />

was slung like a bar<strong>be</strong>d arrow, and with each successful strike Dak'kon's<br />

eyes <strong>be</strong>came more <strong>do</strong>wncast. His skin seemed <strong>to</strong> pale, and his karach blade<br />

<strong>be</strong>came as ash-gray as his eyes. A chill snaked its way along my spine, and<br />

my heart seemed <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p. In that instant I could see my eyes mirrored in his<br />

own, my deepest wish echoed back in the sigh <strong>of</strong> his blade wicking the air.<br />

Dak'kon wanted <strong>to</strong> know himself again... but he also wanted <strong>to</strong> die.<br />

"It is <strong>not</strong> Zerthimon's words that lack conviction," his voice was quiet but<br />

firm, "It is their echoes that have <strong>be</strong>en dis<strong>to</strong>rted."<br />

Kii'na was just as resolute, "There is no <strong>do</strong>ubt in how Zerthimon's mind is<br />

spoken. Generations <strong>of</strong> zerth are as Rrakma's Jewel, <strong>of</strong> one mind on this<br />

matter. Your stance carries with it a divided mind. The <strong>do</strong>ubt is yours, an<br />

echo cast from your own faithlessness."<br />

"Your words speak <strong>not</strong> the mind <strong>of</strong> Zerthimon. They are shaped <strong>of</strong> angles<br />

and hate, as if molded from Gith's mind itself," Dak'kon murmured. It was a<br />

whisper that resonated more than a battle cry, one that <strong>be</strong>nt the ear <strong>to</strong>ward<br />

him in its s<strong>of</strong>tness.<br />

"You shall lie with the dead <strong>of</strong> Shrak'at'lor in shifting chaos, for you see all<br />

with Vilquar's Eye. Your mind is divided, your karach weak!" Kii'na howled.<br />

Like a bolt <strong>of</strong> lightning from a clear sky both zerth whipped free their blades,<br />

each flowing sword keening as they cut the air.<br />

461

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