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

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

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usiness, and wouldn't let his brother get his ham-sized fists in.<br />

He was a lean man, with deeply tanned skin and piercing green eyes.<br />

"Welcome <strong>to</strong> the Malako Brothers Distillery!" he cried, as if he could think <strong>of</strong><br />

no one he'd rather see than me. His lips peeled back in<strong>to</strong> an unctuous grin.<br />

"What can I <strong>do</strong> for you <strong>to</strong>day?"<br />

"Kester Malako, right?"<br />

"Yessir, proprie<strong>to</strong>r and half-owner <strong>of</strong> the Malako Brothers Distillery. Can I<br />

sell you something?" His grin slipped slightly. A layer <strong>of</strong> syrup floating over a<br />

venomous core. I hated him already.<br />

"Half-owner?"<br />

"Yes, indeed. My brother also owns a part interest here, though I <strong>do</strong>n't know<br />

that I'd call it an 'interest,' seeing as he spends so much time caring about it.<br />

Listen, <strong>do</strong> you want <strong>to</strong> buy something?"<br />

"What can you tell me about your brother?”<br />

His face darkened. "His name is Crumplepunch. He's the blacksmith here in<br />

<strong>to</strong>wn. He's <strong>do</strong>ing his <strong>be</strong>st <strong>to</strong> make sure my business <strong>do</strong>esn't succeed, and...<br />

why am I telling you this? You're a <strong>to</strong>tal stranger."<br />

I shrugged, "I'd like <strong>to</strong> help." If my voice had a little less gravel in it I<br />

would've probably sounded more convincing, but looking him in the eye<br />

when I spoke was enough. Few in Curst could <strong>do</strong> that.<br />

"You would, eh? All right. Take a look at this. This is my copy <strong>of</strong> the legacy<br />

our father left for us. Here: You can clearly see that the money that's<br />

supposed <strong>to</strong> come <strong>to</strong> us should build up this distillery, <strong>not</strong> just get split<br />

<strong>be</strong>tween the two <strong>of</strong> us. Yet my foolish brother insists that we just take the<br />

cash, instead <strong>of</strong> building <strong>to</strong>ward the future. Get his copy <strong>of</strong> the legacy, or<br />

talk some sense in<strong>to</strong> him, and I'll see you're well rewarded."<br />

"I'll need your copy <strong>of</strong> the legacy <strong>to</strong> look over."<br />

He looked at me suspiciously, and then relented. "If it'll get it <strong>do</strong>ne faster<br />

and <strong>be</strong>tter for me, then all right. Here."<br />

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