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

matter. Very well. This is what I wish you to tell my father: All life is a test.
One cannot expect to skip to the end directly. That is not the answer. Only
the Doomguard and the Dustmen believe in utter decay - and you have
always held them in contempt. Remember this."
~~~~~
"Sandoz! We've got to talk!"
Sandoz' voice was muffled by the thick door. "What do you want?" The
voice sounded desperate and lonely.
"I'm here to tell you what your daughter said."
There was a pause. The voice came, more brittle than before. "You talked to
my daughter?"
"Yes. This is what she said: 'All life is a test. One cannot expect to skip to the
end directly. That is not the answer. Only the Doomguard and the Dustmen
believe in utter decay - and you have always held them in contempt.
Remember this.'"
He laughed, hollowly. "She said all that, did she? Give me a minute."
"Take all the time you need."
When Sandoz spoke again, he sounded a little more balanced. "Go down
and tell Keldor you've talked some sense into me. I'll want to see him
eventually... but you've done your job. Go on now."
~~~~~
I wasn't one for ceremony. Take a vow, wrap it up in pretty words, and
repeat it before an approving crowd and that was all. It was worth little to
me and, I suspect, less for any other initiate, but the Factors flanked me,
heads held high with pride as I approached the podium. The incense stung
my eyes, and the sight of my companions sitting at the benches was blurred
as I teared up.
Dak'kon gazed at me with a plain, level look. Annah's tail flickered in
boredom, and Morte looked back and forth, restless, while Fall-From-Grace
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