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

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himself so well and so politely here, “No apologies necessary, Baen. Are you<br />

looking for someone?”<br />

“A thousand apologies for troubling you with such a trivial matter, but I seek<br />

Crad<strong>do</strong>ck, an overseer in the Hive...” Baen looked like he was in pain. “But<br />

alas, he eludes me.” He looked at me hopefully again. “Could it <strong>be</strong> you have<br />

you heard <strong>of</strong> such a man?”<br />

I shook my head, “I’m afraid <strong>not</strong>. I’m... a bit <strong>of</strong> a first-timer here myself.”<br />

Baen gave a deep sigh, perhaps one that was a bit melodramatic, “I am<br />

bound <strong>to</strong> deliver a message <strong>to</strong> him, and as yet, fortune has chosen <strong>not</strong> <strong>to</strong><br />

favor me...”<br />

“Anything I can <strong>do</strong> <strong>to</strong> help?”<br />

Baen face lit up like a lantern. “Oh, fortunate day for Baen and the House <strong>of</strong><br />

Senders! Any assistance you could provide would <strong>be</strong> most welcome! If you<br />

can find this Crad<strong>do</strong>ck and pass along the message, I shall see <strong>to</strong> it you are<br />

paid for your troubles.”<br />

“All right, what’s the message?”<br />

Baen recited the message almost like a mantra: “The shipment must <strong>be</strong> in<br />

Curst by the third-day or there will <strong>be</strong> a penalty.” Baen frowned. “I am <strong>to</strong>ld<br />

that Crad<strong>do</strong>ck will know <strong>of</strong> the 'shipment' <strong>to</strong> which the message pertains.”<br />

I repeated the message twice in my head <strong>be</strong>fore I was sure I had it <strong>do</strong>wn.<br />

Memories or no, the void that was left <strong>be</strong>hind meant there was plenty <strong>of</strong><br />

space <strong>to</strong> fill, “If I see Crad<strong>do</strong>ck, I will pass along the message. Is there<br />

anything you can tell me about him <strong>be</strong>fore I go that might help me find<br />

him?”<br />

“He is said <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> a giant <strong>of</strong> a man, stern <strong>of</strong> features. That he is an overseer in<br />

one <strong>of</strong> the Hive marketplaces. Alas, I know little else than that, good sir.”<br />

I nodded.<br />

Baen bowed. “Thank you, sir. Should fortune favor you and you are able <strong>to</strong><br />

<strong>be</strong>ar the message <strong>to</strong> Crad<strong>do</strong>ck, <strong>be</strong> so kind as <strong>to</strong> return and tell me <strong>of</strong> it. I will<br />

see <strong>to</strong> it your efforts are rewarded.”<br />

52

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