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

"But why not?"
She waved a dismissive hand, "As if it were any concern of yours!"
"But it is... I seek to learn, and you can teach. I would know what I might do
to convince you to train me."
Lady Thorncombe sighed loudly and resumed chewing on her thumbnail. "I
doubt there's little you can offer me which I cannot find on my own. The
sensory stones provide me with all things that my considerable wealth
cannot buy."
"The sensory stones?"
"Mmm, yes... each stone has recorded within it one experience or another.
When I first came to these halls, I spent little time with them. Only now do I
realize what I had been missing..."
I certainly did understand that they were wonderful in their own way, but
she seemed to be mired deeper than that, "What had you been missing?"
Thorncombe nodded, smiling. Her eyes took on a glassy sheen, and she held
herself tightly. "One could spend lifetimes, here, among the stones...
experience after wondrous experience... mere words cannot express their
magnificence. I can only suggest you see for yourself, sir."
"I did, but... you sound... addicted."
She snarled, "Nonsense! I could stop anytime I wished! I merely choose to
bask in their wonder. Why waste time teaching dawdling, ungrateful
magelings, when I could remain here among these precious stones, living
one hundred new lives each day?"
"I don't think the stones are there for that. Shouldn't you seek sensations of
your own to share?"
"Hpmh! What you think matters little to me. Farewell."
Well, if Thorncombe couldn't help me, perhaps a rival could...
Salabesh was making his usual rounds, remniscing over the years of laying
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