Planescape Torment : The book

8/13/2019 Planescape Torment : The book

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PLANESCAPE:TORMENT

Original text by Chris Avellone and Colin McComb

Noveliation by Rhyss !ess

P"# $ith clic%able headlines by Andr& M' Pietrosche%so(rce:$$$'bootstri%e'com

#or the PC game chec% $$$'sorcerers'net)$$$'bootstri%e'com*atches+ t$ea%s and add,ons a$ait'
http://www.bootstrike.com/http://www.bootstrike.com/http://www.bootstrike.com/http://www.sorcerers.net/http://www.bootstrike.com/http://www.bootstrike.com/http://www.sorcerers.net/http://www.bootstrike.com/http://www.bootstrike.com/


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Co*yright - ./// 0nter*lay Prod(ctions

Original text by Chris Avellone and Colin McCombNoveliation by Rhyss !ess

This novel has been com*osed 1rom text co*ied 1rom the com*(ter gamePlanesca*e: Torment by 2lac% 0sle St(dios' 0t $as t(rned into a novel by Rhyss

!ess+ and ty*eset by L(cian 3ischi%' 4There is a se*arate novel called 5(st6Torment7+ based on the *lot and characters o1 the com*(ter game+ and $ritten by

Ray and 8alerie 8allesse9' Rhyss $rites:

6Even a1ter *laying Planesca*e: Torment several times+ 0 1o(nd 0 $as still

interested in going bac% and re*laying some scenes+ 5(st to read thro(gh theexcellent dialog again' 3hat 0 really $o(ld have li%ed $o(ld have been a listingo1 the dialogs in the game+ $hich bro(ght abo(t the *ro5ect yo( are reading here'7

60 decided not to literally *(ll the dialog trees 1rom the game+ since in a linear1ormat li%e this it $o(ld have made 1or very a$%$ard reading' 0nstead+ 0 1ollo$edone *ath thro(gh the game+ creating a $ritten story 1rom the so(rce material' The(oted s*eech+ along $ith m(ch o1 the other material+ is ta%en directly 1rom the

game and only lightly edited'7

60t is *ossible to read the entire+ contin(o(s story' 0 have s(**ressed m(ch o1 thecombat in the game to concentrate on the story and the interaction $ith the

characters+ and some sections and characters have been entirely omitted' Even so+

the entire doc(ment r(ns to over .;


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The Mort(ary''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''."eionarra''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''.>The !ive'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?

3ee*ing Stone Catacombs''''''''''''''''''''''''''

2rothel O1 Sla%ing 0ntellect(al L(sts''''''''''./Nenny Nine,Eyes''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''./?

Marissa''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''./;Gesai,Serris'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''./FGimasxi Addertong(e'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?


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P(blic Sensori(ms'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?;>Tieing Loose Ends''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?.R(bi%on'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?;

Nordom+ Part 0''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?F>K(ell'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?F

Sensory Stone Tra*'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?@"eionarra Sensory Stone'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?Message #rom Ravel'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?/?#all,#rom,Irace+ Part 00''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''?/;

Nordom+ Part 00'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''@


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The Mort(ary .

THE MORTUARY

A "ream: Lying on a slab+ in a mort(ary' A *illar covered $ithnames' Rac%s o1 s%(lls' A symbol' A $oman' A ghost'

0 a$o%e+ on a slab+ in $hat $as obvio(sly a mort(ary' As 0levered mysel1 (*+ 0 ca(ght movement 1rom the corner o1 myeye' A 1loating s%(ll' No+ 0 realied as it s*o%e: a 1loating+talking,s%(ll'

6!ey+ chie1' Jo( o%ay Jo( *laying cor*se or yo( *(ttingthe blinds on the "(sties 0 tho(ght yo( $ere a deader 1or s(re'7

0 $as con1(sed+ and had tro(ble 1oc(sing on $hat the s%(ll $assaying'

63h 3ho are yo(76Dh $ho amI? !o$ abo(tyou start 3hoBre yo(7

60 donBt %no$' 0 canBt remember'7 0 realied that 0 didnBtremember anything abo(t mysel1'

6Jo( canBt remember yo(r name? !eh' 3ell+ NEHTtime yo(s*end a night in this berg+ go easy on the b(b' NameBs Morte'

0m tra**ed in here+ too'76Tra**ed76Jeah+ since yo( havenBt had time to get yo(r legs yet+

hereBs the chant: 0ve tried all the doors+ and this room is loc%ed

tighter than a chastity belt'7 0 needed to orient mysel1+ and 1indo(t 1rom the s%(ll $here 0 $as'

63eBre loc%ed in $here 3hat is this *lace760tBs called the Mort(ary itBs a big blac% str(ct(re $ith

all the architect(ral charm o1 a *regnant s*ider'7 Co(ld 0 havedied "id that ex*lain the lac% o1 memories

6 The Mort(aryB 3hat am 0 dead76Not 1rom $here 0m standing' Jo( got scars a,*lenty+

tho(gh loo%s li%e some ber% *ainted yo( $ith a %ni1e' All themore reason to give this *lace the la(gh be1ore $hoever carved

yo( (* comes bac% to 1inish the 5ob'76Scars !o$ bad are they763ell the carvings on yo(r chest arenBt TOObad b(t the

ones on yo(r bac%7 Morte *a(sed' 6Say+ loo%s li%e yo( got a

$hole tattoo gallery on yo(r bac%+ chie1' S*ells o(tsomething7


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? The Mort(ary

0 loo%ed do$n at mysel1+ and realied the tr(th abo(t thescarring' They covered every visible bit o1 s%in' There $as atattoo on my arm as $ell+ the same one 1rom my dream' 0

$ondered $hat $as on my bac%+ tho(gh'6Tattoos on my bac% 3hat do they say7

6!ehQ Loo%s li%e yo( come $ith directions7 Mortecleared his throat' 6LetBs see it starts $ith 0 %no$ yo( 1eelli%e yo(ve been drin%ing a 1e$ %egs o1 Styx $ash+ b(t yo( needto CENTERyo(rsel1' Among yo(r *ossessions is a ODRNAL thatll

shed some light on the dar% o1 the matter' P!ARO"can 1ill yo( inon the rest o1 the chant+ i1 heBs not in the dead,boo% already'B 7

6Pharod "oes it say anything else76Jeah+ thereBs a bit more7 Morte *a(sed' 6LetBs see it

goes on7"onBt lose the 5o(rnal or $ell be (* the Styx again' And

$hatever yo( do+ "O NOT tell anyone 3!O yo( are or 3!ATha**ens to yo(+ or theyll *(t yo( on a (ic% *ilgrimage to the

crematori(m' "o $hat 0 tell yo(: REA" the 5o(rnal+ then #0N"Pharod'B

6No $onder my bac% h(rts= thereBs a damn novel $rittenthere' As 1or that 5o(rnal 0m s(**osed to have $ith me $asthere one $ith me $hile 0 $as lying here7

6No yo( $ere stri**ed to the s%ins $hen yo( arrived

here' Sides+ loo%s li%e yo( got eno(gh o1 a 5o(rnal *enned onyo(r body'7 The s%(ll $asnBt being that m(ch hel*'

63hat abo(t Pharod "o yo( %no$ him76Nobody 0 %no$ b(t then again+ 0 donBt %no$ many

*eo*le' Still+ SOMEber%Bs got to %no$ $here to 1ind Pharod(h+ once $e get o(t o1 here+ that is'7

6!o$ do $e get o(t o1 here763ell+ all the doors are loc%ed+ so $ell need the %ey'

Chances are+ one o1 the $al%ing cor*ses in this room has it'763al%ing cor*ses7 0 (eried'

6Jeah+ the Mort(ary %ee*ers (se dead bodies as chea*labor' The cor*ses are d(mb as stones+ b(t theyBre harmless+ and$onBt attac% yo( (nless yo( attac% 1irst'7 The tho(ght o1 %illing+1or some reason+ made me (neasy'

60s there some other $ay 0 donBt $ant to %ill them 5(st 1ora %ey'7

63hat+ yo( thin% itBs going to h(rt their 1eelings TheyBre"EA"' 2(t i1 yo( $ant a bright side to this: i1 yo( %ill them+ at

least theyll have a rest be1ore their %ee*ers raise them (* to$or% again'7


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The Mort(ary @

63ell+ all right 0ll ta%e one o1 them do$n and get the%ey'7

0 a**roached one o1 the ombies mindlessly moving abo(t

the room' The cor*se sto**ed and stared blan%ly at me' 0 co(ldsee the n(mber 6F?7 carved into his 1orehead+ and his li*s $ere

stitched closed' The 1aint smell o1 1ormaldehyde emanated 1romthe body'

6This loo%s li%e the l(c%y *etitioner here+ chie1' Loo%heBs got the %ey there in his hand'7 0 didnBt need MorteBs hel* to

see that' 0t $as holding the %ey tightly in its le1t hand+ its th(mband 1ore1inger loc%ed aro(nd it in a death gri*' 0 *robably

needed to hac% the cor*seBs hand o11 to 1ree the %ey'0 m(st have a $ea*on to get the %ey' 0 searched the dra$ers

in the room 0 $as in (ntil 0 came (* $ith a scal*el' Morte+ $ho$as 1ollo$ing my every move+ chimed in'

6All right+ yo( 1o(nd a scal*elQ No$+ go get thosecor*ses and donBt $orry+ 0ll stay bac% and *rovide val(able

tactical advice'76Maybe yo( co(ld help me+ Morte'7

60 30LLbe hel*ing yo(' Iood advice is hard to come by'7 01elt s(dden anger to$ards the 5abbering s%(ll'

60 meant hel* in attac%ing the corpse.76Me 0m a romantic+ not a soldier' 0d 5(st get in the $ay'7

63hen 0 attac% this cor*se+ yo( better be right there $ith meor yo(ll be the next thing that 0 *l(nge this scal*el in'7

6Eh all right' 0ll hel* yo('7 0 a**roached the ombieagain'

60 need that %ey+ cor*se loo%s li%e yo(Bre not long 1or this$orld'7 Several thr(sts $ith the scal*el (ic%ly t(rned thecreat(re into a no$ (nmoving cor*se+ and 0 (sed the %ey 0 hadobtained to o*en one o1 the doors o1 the room'

6Some advice+ chie1: 0d %ee* it (iet 1rom here on noneed to *(t any more cor*ses in the dead boo% than necessary

es*ecially the 1emmes' Pl(s+ %illing them might dra$ thecareta%ers here'7

60 donBt thin% yo( mentioned it be1ore who are thesecareta%ers7

6They call themselves the "(stmen'B Jo( canBt miss em:They have an obsession $ith blac% and rigor mortis o1 the 1ace'

TheyBre an addled b(nch o1 gho(lish death,$orshi**ers= theybelieve everybody sho(ld die sooner better than later'7 0

$ondered abo(t the careta%ers'60m con1(sed $hy do these "(stmen care i1 0 esca*e7


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> The Mort(ary

63erenBt yo( listeningQ 0 said the "(sties believe

E8ERJ2O"JS got to die+ sooner better than later' Jo( thin% thecor*ses yo(ve seen are ha**ier in the dead boo% than o(t o1 it7

Once started+ 0 1o(nd 0 $as 1(ll o1 (estions'6The cor*ses here $here did they all come 1rom7

6"eath visits the Planes every day+ chie1' These l(mmoxesare all thatBs le1t o1 the *oor sods $ho sold their bodies to thecareta%ers a1ter death'7

62e1ore yo( said something abo(t ma%ing s(re 0 didnBt %ill

any female cor*ses' 3hy763h are yo( serious? Loo%+ chie1+ these dead chits are

the last chance 1or a co(*le o1 hardy bashers li%e (s' 3e need tobe chivalrous no hac%ing them (* 1or %eys+ no lo**ing their

limbs o11+ things li%e that'7 0 co(ldnBt (nderstand $here Morte$as leading'

6Last Chance 3hat are yo( talking abo(t76Chie1+ T!EJBre dead+ 3EBre dead see $here 0m going

Eh Eh7 0 co(ld no$ (nderstand+ b(t 0 had di11ic(lty believing'6Jo( canBt be serio(s'7

6Chie1+ $e already got an o*ening line $ith these lim*ingladies' 3eve all died at least once: $ell have something to tal%abo(t' Theyll a**reciate men $ith o(r %ind o1 deathex*erience'7

62(t $ait didnBt yo( say be1ore that 0m not dead763ell all right+ you might not be dead+ b(t I am' And

1rom $here 0m standing+ 0 $o(ldnBt mind sharing a co11in $ithsome o1 these 1ine+ sine$y cadavers 0 see here'7 Morte started

clac%ing his teeth+ as i1 in antici*ation' 6 Co(rse+ the careta%ers$o(ld have to *art $ith them 1irst+ and thatBs not li%ely7

Morte contin(ed+ 6Loo%+ chie1' Jo(Bre still a little addleda1ter yo(r %iss $ith death' So t$o bits o1 advice 1or yo(: one+ i1

yo( got (estions+ ask me+ all right76All right 0ll try to remember that'7

6Second+ i1 yo(Bre half as 1orget1(l as yo( seem to be+ start$riting st(11 do$n $henever yo( come across somethingthat might be im*ortant+ 5ot it do$n so yo( donBt 1orget'7

601 0 had that 5o(rnal 0 $as supposed to have $ith me+ 0d dothat'7 0 1elt a to(ch o1 anger at $hoever had removed the5o(rnal'

6Start a ne$ one+ then+ chie1' No loss' ThereBs *lenty o1*archment and in% aro(nd here to last yo('7

6!mmmm' All right' 0t co(ldnBt h(rt 0ll ma%e a ne$ one+then'7


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The Mort(ary ;

6Dse it to %ee* trac% o1 yo(r movements' 01 yo( ever start toget clo(dy on im*ortant things+ li%e $ho yo( are or moreim*ortantly+ $hoI am (se it to re1resh yo(r memory'7

The next room had more o1 the ombies' They $ere$andering abo(t+ most obvio(sly on tas%s set by the "(stmen'

One in *artic(lar+ tho(gh+ ca(ght my attention' The male cor*se$as l(mbering along a triang(lar *ath' Once it reached one o1the corners o1 the triangle+ it *a(sed+ then t(rned and staggeredto$ards the next corner' 6/;7 $as tattooed on the side o1 its

s%(ll' As 0 a**roached+ it halted and stared at me'6!eh' Loo%s li%e someone 1orgot to tell this sod to sto*

$al%ing the R(le,o1,Three+7 Morte commented'63hat do yo( mean7

6These cor*ses donBt have m(ch le1t in the attic+ so theycanBt do more than one tas% at a time $hen theyBre told to dosomething+ theyll %ee* doing it (ntil someone tells them tosto*' This *oor sod *robably 1inished some tas%+ and they 1orgot

to tell him'76The R(le,o1,Three'B 3hat did yo( mean by that7

6Eh 3ell+ the R(le,o1,Three is one o1 those la$sB abo(tthe Planes+ abo(t things tending to ha**en in threes oreverythingBs com*osed o1 three *arts or thereBs al$ays threechoices+ and so on and so 1orth'7

6Jo( donBt so(nd li%e yo( hold m(ch 1aith in it'760tBs a load o1 $ash+ i1 yo( as% me' 01 yo( loo% 1or a

n(mber+ any n(mber+ and try to attach some great meaning to it+yo(Bre going to 1ind *lenty o1 coincidences'7

0 le1t the cor*se tracing its triang(lar *ath and moved intothe next room' 0n the center o1 the room $as the 1irst living*erson 0 had seen+ obvio(sly one o1 the "(stmen' !e $as$riting in a h(ge boo%'

The scribe loo%ed very old his s%in $as $rin%led and hada slight trace o1 yello$+ li%e old *archment' Charcoal,gray eyes

lay $ithin an ang(lar 1ace+ and a large $hite beard 1lo$ed do$nthe 1ront o1 his robes li%e a $ater1all' !is breathing $as raggedand irreg(lar+ b(t even his occasional co(ghing did not slo$ thescratching o1 his (ill *en' The boo% he $as $riting m(st havecontained tho(sands o1 names' As 0 a**roached him+ he did notloo% (* 1rom $hat he $as doing'

Morte interr(*ted+ 63hoa+ chie1Q 3hat are yo( doingQ760 $as going to s*ea% $ith this scribe' !e might %no$

something abo(t ho$ 0 got here'7


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The Mort(ary

6Loo%+ rattling yo(r bone,box $ith "(sties sho(ld be the

LASTthing 72e1ore Morte co(ld 1inish his rant+ the scribe began

co(ghing violently' A1ter a moment or t$o+ the co(ghing s*elldied do$n+ and the scribeBs breathing res(med its ragged

$heee'6And $e especially sho(ldnBt be s$a**ing the chant $ith

sic% "(sties' CBmon+ letBs leave' The (ic%er $e give this *lacethe la(gh+ the bet 7 2e1ore Morte co(ld 1inish+ the scribeBs

gray eyes 1lic%ered to me'6The $eight o1 years hangs heavy (*on me+ Restless One'7

!e *laced do$n his (ill' 6b(t 0 do not yet co(nt dea1nessamong my ailments'7 0 $ondered i1 he co(ld hel*'

6 restless OneB "o yo( %no$ me76Gno$ yo( 07 There $as a trace o1 bitterness in the

scribeBs voice as he s*o%e' 60 have never %no$n yo(+ RestlessOne' No more than yo( have %no$n yo(rsel1'7 !e $as silent 1or

a moment' 6#or yo( have 1orgotten+ have yo( not763ho are yo(7

6As al$ays+ the (estion' And the $rong (estion+ asal$ays'7 !e bo$ed slightly+ b(t the movement s(ddenly senthim into a bo(t o1 co(ghing' 607 !e *a(sed 1or a moment+ca(ght his breath' 60 am "hall'7

63hat is this *lace76Jo( are in the Mort(ary+ Restless One' Again yo( have

come7 2e1ore he co(ld 1inish+ "hall bro%e into a 1it o1co(ghing' A1ter a moment+ he calmed himsel1 and his breathing

res(med its ragged $heee' 6this is the $aiting room 1orthose abo(t to de*art the shado$ o1 this li1e'7

6This is $here the dead are bro(ght to be interred orcremated' 0t is o(r res*onsibility as "(stmen to care 1or the

dead+ those $ho have le1t this shado$ o1 li1e and $al% the *athto Tr(e "eath'7 "hallBs voice dro**ed in concern' 6Jo(r

$o(nds m(st have exacted a heavy toll i1 yo( do not recogniethis *lace' 0t is almost yo(r home'7

6Shado$ o1 li1e76Jes+ a shado$' Jo( see+ Restless One+ this li1e it is not

real' Jo(r li1e+ my li1e+ they are shado$s+ 1lic%erings o1 $hatli1e once $as' This li1eB is $here $e end (* after $e die' And

here $e remain tra**ed' Caged' Dntil $e can achieve theTr(e "eath'7

6Tr(e "eath7


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The Mort(ary F

6Tr(e "eath is non,existence' A state devoid o1 reason+ o1sensation+ o1 *assion'7 "hall co(ghed+ then gave a raggedbreath' 6A state o1 *(rity'7

6Perha*s yo( can ex*lain $hy the "(stmen $ant me dead'7"hall sighed' 60t is said there are so(ls $ho can never attain

the Tr(e "eath' "eath has 1orsa%en them+ and their names shallnever be *enned in the "ead 2oo%' To a$a%e 1rom death as yo(have done s(ggests yo( are one o1 these so(ls' Jo(rexistence is (nacce*table to o(r 1action'7

6 Dnacce*tableB That doesnBt so(nd li%e it leaves me in agood *osition'7

6Jo( m(st (nderstand' Jo(r existence is a blas*hemy tothem' Many o1 o(r 1action $o(ld order yo( cremated i1 they

$ere a$are o1 yo(r a11liction'76Jo(Bre a "(stman' 2(t yo( donBt seem to be in 1avor o1

%illing me' 3hy not762eca(se 1orcing o(r belie1s (*on yo( is not 5(st' Jo( m(st

give (* this shado$ o1 li1e on yo(r o$n+ not beca(se $e 1orceyo( to'7 "hall loo%ed abo(t to brea% into another co(ghing 5ag+

b(t he managed to hold it in $ith some e11ort' 6As long as 0remain at my *ost+ 0 $ill *rotect yo(r right to search 1or yo(ro$n tr(th'7

6Jo( say that 0 have been here more than once' !o$ is it

that the "(stmen do not recognie me760 am a scribe+ a cataloger o1 all the shells that come to the

Mort(ary'7 "hall bro%e into a 1it o1 co(ghing+ then steadiedhimsel1' 6Only 0 see the 1aces o1 those that lie (*on o(r slabs'

The dar% o1 yo(r existence lies sa1e $ith me'76"o yo( %no$ $ho 0 am760 %no$ scant little o1 yo(+ Restless One' 0 %no$ little more

o1 those that have 5o(rneyed $ith yo( and $ho no$ lie in o(r

%ee*ing'7 "hall sighed' 60 as% that yo( no longer as% others to5oin $ith yo(+ Restless One $here yo( $al%+ so $al%s

misery' Let yo(r b(rden be yo(r o$n'76There are others $ho have 5o(rneyed $ith me And they

are here76"o yo( not %no$ the $omanBs cor*se interred in the

memorial hall belo$ 0 had tho(ght that she had traveled $ithyo( in the *ast7 "hall loo%ed li%e he $as abo(t to start

co(ghing again+ then ca(ght his breath' 6Am 0 mista%en63here is her body7 0 as%ed+ even as 0 $ondered ho$ 0

%ne$ her'


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The Mort(ary

6The north$est memorial hall on the 1loor belo$ (s' Chec%the biers there her name sho(ld be on one o1 the memorial*la(es' Mayha* that $ill revive yo(r memory'7

6Are any others interred here $ho 5o(rneyed $ith me76"o(btless there are+ b(t 0 %no$ not their names+ nor $here

they lie' One s(ch as yo( has le1t a *ath many have $al%ed+ and1e$ have s(rvived'7 "hall gest(red aro(nd me' 6All dead comehere' Some m(st have traveled $ith yo( once'

6!o$ did 0 get here7

6Jo(r moldy chariot 1erried yo( to the Mort(ary+ RestlessOne' Jo( $o(ld thin% yo( $ere royalty based on the n(mber o1

loyal s(b5ects that lay stin%ing and 1estering (*on the cart thatcarried yo('7

6Jo(r body $as some$here in the middle o1 the hea*+sharing its 1l(ids $ith the rest o1 the mo(ntain o1 cor*ses'7"hall bro%e into another violent 1it o1 co(ghing+ 1inally catchinghis breath min(tes later' 6Jo(r seneschalB Pharod $as+ as

al$ays+ *leased to acce*t a 1e$ moldy co**ers to d(m* the loto1 yo( at the Mort(ary gate'7

63ho is this Pharod76!e is a collector o1 the dead'7 "hall dre$ a ragged

breath+ then contin(ed' 63e have s(ch *eo*le in o(r city thatscavenge the bodies o1 those that have $al%ed the *ath o1 Tr(e

"eath and bring them to (s so that they may be interred*ro*erly'7

6"oesnBt so(nd li%e yo( li%e Pharod m(ch'76There are some 0 res*ect+ Restless One'7 "hall too% a

ragged breath and steadied himsel1' 6Pharod is not one o1 them'!e $ears his ill re*(te li%e a badge o1 honor and ta%es liberties$ith the *ossessions o1 the dead' !e is a %night o1 the *ost+cross,trading 1ilth o1 the lo$est sort'7 !e *a(sed a moment+

1ro$ning at the tho(ght o1 Pharod'6All Pharod brings to o(r $alls come stri**ed o1 a little less

o1 their dignity than they *ossessed in li1e' Pharod ta%es$hatever he may *ry 1rom their sti11ening 1ingers'7

6"id this Pharod ta%e anything 1rom me?7"hall *a(sed+ considering' 6Most li%ely' Are yo( missing

anything es*ecially anything o1 val(e7 !is voice di**ed ashe 1ro$ned' 6Not that Pharod $o(ld ta%e exce*tion to anything

that $asnBt *hysically gra1ted to yo(r body+ and sometimes eventhatBs not eno(gh to give his greedy mind *a(se'7

60 am missing a 5o(rnal'7


18/466

The Mort(ary /

6A 5o(rnal 01 it $as o1 any val(e+ then it is li%ely it lies inPharodBs hands'7 0 no$ had another reason to 1ind this man'

63here can 0 1ind this Pharod7

601 events *ersist as they have+ Restless One+ yo( have am(ch greater chance o1 Pharod 1inding yo( and bringing yo( to

(s again be1ore yo( 1ind $hatever ooe *(ddle he $allo$s inthis time'7

6Nevertheless+ 0 m(st 1ind him'7 0 said+ annoyance edgingmy voice'

A slight $arning cree*ed into "hallBs tone' 6"o not see%o(t Pharod+ Restless One' 0 am certain that it $ill sim*ly come

1(ll circle again+ $ith yo( none the $iser and Pharod a 1e$co**ers richer' Acce*t death+ Restless One' "o not *er*et(ate

yo(r circle o1 misery'760 have to 1ind him' "o yo( %no$ $here he is7"hall $as silent 1or a moment' 3hen he 1inally s*o%e+ he

seemed to do so rel(ctantly' 60 do not %no$ (nder $hich

g(tterstone Pharod lairs at the moment+ b(t 0 imagine that hecan be 1o(nd some$here beyond the Mort(ary gates+ in the

!ive' Perha*s someone there $ill %no$ $here yo( can 1indhim'7

6Earlier yo( mentioned my $o(nds' 3hat did yo( mean76Jes+ the $o(nds that decorate yo(r body they loo% as i1

they $o(ld have sent a lesser man along the *ath o1 the Tr(e"eath+ yet it seems as i1 many o1 them have healed already'7

"hall co(ghed violently 1or a moment+ then steadied himsel1'62(t those are only the s(r1ace $o(nds'7

To my (estioning loo% he re*lied+ 60 s*ea% o1 the $o(ndso1 the mind' Jo( have 1orgotten m(ch+ have yo( not Mayha*yo(r tr(e $o(nds r(n m(ch dee*er than the scars that decorateyo(r s(r1ace7 "hall co(ghed again' 6b(t that is something

that only yo( $o(ld %no$ 1or certain'7#or the 1irst time+ 0 considered "hall as an individ(al+ rather

than as a tal%ing in1ormation so(rce' 0 1elt a trace o1 concern'6Jo( so(nd ill' Are yo( not $ell760 am close no$ to the Tr(e "eath+ Restless One' 0t $ill not

be long be1ore 0 *ass beyond the Eternal 2o(ndary and 1ind the*eace 0 have been see%ing' 0 tire o1 this mortal s*here7 "hallgave a ragged sigh' 6The *lanes hold no more $onders 1or one

s(ch as 0'760 do not $ish to live 1orever nor live again+ Restless One' 0

co(ld not bear it'7


19/466

.< The Mort(ary

0 stood 1or a moment+ considering him and reveling in thisne$ 1o(nd 1eeling o1 concern'B 2(t 0 needed to 1ind a $ay o(to1 the Mort(ary'

6So be it' #are$ell+ "hall'7 As 0 t(rned to leave+ "halls*o%e'

6Gno$ this: 0 do not envy yo(+ Restless One' To be rebornas yo( $o(ld be a c(rse that 0 co(ld not bear' Jo( m(st come toterms $ith it' At some *oint+ yo(r *ath $ill ret(rn yo( here7"hall co(ghed+ the so(nd rattling in his throat' 60t is the $ay o1

all things 1lesh and bone'70 moved to$ards an exit at the 1ar side o1 the room+ nearly

bo$ling over a 1emale ombie'This 1emale cor*se $as ma%ing the ro(nds 1rom slab to slab

in the room' !er hair $as %notted into a long braid and loo*edaro(nd her nec% li%e a noose' Someone had stenciled then(mber 6.


20/466

The Mort(ary ..

The $oman did not res*ond she seemed too intent on thebody in 1ront o1 her' As 0 $atched her $or%+ 0 s(ddenly noticedher hands her 1ingers $ere talons' They $ere darting in and

o(t o1 the cor*seBs chest cavity li%e %nives+ removing organs'63hatBs $rong $ith yo(r hands7 0 m(ttered+ b(t Morte

m(st have heard me+ beca(se he re*lied'6Eh sheBs a tiefling, chie1' They got 1iend blood in their

veins+ (s(ally ca(se some ancestor o1 theirs shared %nic%ers$ith one demon or another' Ma%es some o1 em addled in the

head and addled,loo%ing+ too'7"etermined no$+ 0 ta**ed the $oman+ to get her attention'

The $oman 5(m*ed and $hi**ed aro(nd to 1ace me 0co(ld no$ see her eyes+ a rotting yello$+ $ith small orange dots

1or *(*ils' As she sa$ me+ her ex*ression changed 1rom s(r*riseto irritation+ and she 1ro$ned at me'

She didnBt seem to hear my attem*ted greetings+ insteadleaning 1or$ard+ s(inting+ as i1 she co(ldnBt (ite ma%e me

o(t $hatever $as $rong $ith her eyes m(st have made herterribly near,sighted'

6Jo( 7 She clac%ed her taloned 1ingers together+ thenmade a strange motion $ith her hands' 6#ind T!REA" and EM,balming 5(ice+ bring !ERE+ to Ei,8ene' Io Io Io'7

0 moved o11+ smiling to mysel1 at her reaction' 0 tried to *(t

her o(t o1 my mind+ b(t co(ldnBt sha%e the conviction that 0 hadby im*lication (nderta%en a tas%+ a tas% 0 didnBt 1eel right abo(t

ignoring' #ort(nately+ a (ic% search o1 the biers and tables inthe immediate area t(rned (* the necessary items' 3hen 0

ret(rned to Ei,8ene+ she $as still dissecting the cor*seBs chest$ith her talons' Again+ ta**ing her to get her attention+ 0 gaveher the thread and embalming 1l(id'

3itho(t missing a beat+ Ei,8ene sna**ed the thread 1rom

my hands and hoo%ed it aro(nd one o1 her talons+ then beganse$ing (* the cor*seBs chest' She then too% the embalming

1l(id+ and began to a**ly a layer to the cor*se'#ascinated by her $or%+ 0 stood and $atched her' 3ithin

min(tes+ she $as 1inished' She clic%ed her talons+ then t(rned to1ace me' To my s(r*rise+ she extended her hand and dragged hertalons along my arms and chest' 0 sti11ened+ *laying my *art as aombie+ ignoring MorteBs comment+ 6Loo%s li%e yo( have a

ne$ 1riend+ chie1' Jo( t$o need some time together+ or7As she traced my arms and chest+ 0 s(ddenly noticed she

seemed to be examining my scars' She $ithdre$ her talons+


21/466

.? The Mort(ary

clic%ing them t$ice+ then bent 1or$ard and examined some o1the tattoos on my chest'

6!mm*h' 3ho $rite on yo( !ivers do that No res*ect

1or om1ies' om1ies+ not *aintings'7 She sni11ed+ then *o%edone o1 my scars' 6This one bad sha*e+ many scars+ no *reser1s'7

!er talons s(ddenly hoo%ed into the thread 0 had bro(ghther+ and lightning,li%e+ she 5abbed another talon into the s%innear one o1 my scars' The sensation $as c(rio(sly *ainless asEi,8ene began to stitch (* my scars'

3hen she $as done+ she sni11ed me+ 1ro$ned+ then stabbedher 1ingers into the embalming 1l(id' 3ithin min(tes+ she had

dabbed my body $ith the 1l(id and strangely eno(gh+ it mademe 1eel better. Morte co(ldnBt resist a comment'

6This may be the second time in my li1e 0m than%1(l 0 donBthave a nose'7

Ei,8ene *(t the last to(ches on my body+ gave me anothersni11+ nodded+ then made a shooing motion $ith her talons'

6"one' Io go'70 st(mbled aro(nd a bit more+ then 1o(nd a stair$ell do$n

to the gro(nd 1loor' 0 sa$ another o1 the "(stmen+ $ho 0a**roached' To my dismay+ he regarded me $ith an alert+ stonygae+ saying 6Are yo( lost7

6No'7 0 (ic%ly re*lied'

601 yo( are not lost+ $hat is yo(r b(siness here760 $as here 1or an internment+ b(t there seems to be have

been a mista%e' 6 #or one brie1+ giddy moment+ 0 $anted tocontin(e+ to say the mista%e $as 0 $as the internment+ b(t 0

$asnBt (ite dead'63ho $as interred Perha*s the services are ta%ing *lace

some$here else in the Mort(ary'76That co(ld be' 3here are these other services ta%ing

*lace76Several internment chambers line the *erimeter o1 the

Mort(ary' They 1ollo$ the c(rve o1 the $all on the 1irst andsecond 1loors' "o yo( %no$ the name o1 the deceased7Tra**ed by my o$n *revarication+ 0 co(ld only give oneans$er'

6Jes+7 0 re*lied' The "(stman $as silent+ obvio(sly $aiting1or more' 0 had to ma%e (* something'

6The name is (h+ Adahn'76That name is not 1amiliar to me' Chec% $ith one o1 the

g(ides at the 1ront gate they may be able to direct yo( betterthan 0'7


22/466

The Mort(ary .@

68ery $ell' 0 $ill do that' #are$ell'7 0 moved a$ay+ gladthat the "(stman seemed so eager to ret(rn to his interr(*tedd(ties that no s(s*icions had been raised'


23/466

.> "eionarra

DEIONARRA

0 moved abo(t the *erimeter o1 the 1irst 1loor+ among thememorial biers *laced along the $all' Dn1ort(nately+ "hallBs

directions $ere o1 little (se+ since 0 had no idea $hich $ay $asnorth$est' 0 st(died the name on each bier as 0 came to it+ho*ing one $o(ld trigger a memory+ care1(lly staying 1ar a$ay1rom any other "(stmen'

0 came to a bier $ith a *la(e $hich read+ 6!ere lies"eionarra'7

Shoc%ingly+ an ins(bstantial *hantasm o1 a $oman a**earedbe1ore the bier' A stri%ingly bea(ti1(l ghostly 1orm+ her armscrossed+ her eyes closed' She had long+ 1lo$ing hair+ and hergo$n seemed stirred by some ethereal breee' 0 realied 0 had

seen her be1ore' This ghost had a**eared in my dream be1ore 0a$o%e in the Mort(ary' As 0 $atched+ she stirred slightly+ and

her eyes 1lic%ered'!er eyes slo$ly o*ened+ and she blin%ed in con1(sion 1or a

moment+ as i1 (ncertain $here she $as' She loo%ed aro(ndslo$ly+ then sa$ me' !er tran(il 1ace s(ddenly t$isted into asnarl'

6Jo(Q 3hat is it that bringsyou hereQ !ave yo( come to

see 1irst,hand the misery yo( have $ro(ght Perha*s in death 0still hold some shred o1 (se 1or yo(7 !er voice dro**ed to a

hiss' 6my Love'B 7S(r*rised by her venom+ 0 *laintively as%ed+ 63ho are

yo(7 0n a s(dden change o1 emotion+ the s*irit made a beggingmotion $ith her hands'

6!o$ can it be that the thieves o1 the mind contin(e to stealmy name 1rom yo(r memory "o yo( not remember me+ my

Love7 The ghost stretched o(t her arms' 6Thin%7 !er voicebecame des*erate again' 6the name Deionarra m(st evo%e

some memory $ithin yo('760 think 0 1eel the stirrings o1 memory tell me more'

Perha*s yo(r $ords shall chase the shado$s 1rom my mind+"eionarra'7

6Oh+ at last the 1ates sho$ mercyQ Even death cannot chaseme 1rom yo(r mind+ my LoveQ "o yo( not see Jo(r memories


24/466

"eionarra .;

shall ret(rnQ Tell me ho$ 0 can hel* yo(+ and 0 shallQ7 There$as one main (estion on my mind'

6"o yo( %no$ $ho 0 am7

6Jo( are one both blessed and c(rsed+ my Love' And yo(are one $ho is never 1ar 1rom my tho(ghts and heart'7

6 2lessed and c(rsedB 3hat do yo( mean76The nat(re o1 yo(r c(rse sho(ld be a**arent+ my Love'

Loo% at yo('7 She *ointed at me' 6"eath re5ects yo(' Jo(rmemories have abandoned yo(' "o yo( not *a(se and $onder

$hy76Memories aside and ass(ming death has re5ected me

$hy is that a c(rse760 do not do(bt yo(r ability to rise 1rom the dead' 0 do

believe that every incarnation $ea%ens yo(r tho(ghts andmemories' Jo( claim yo( have lost yo(r memory' Perha*s it isa side e11ect o1 co(ntless deaths 01 so+ $hat more $ill yo( losein s(ccessive deaths 01 yo( lose yo(r mind+ yo( $ill not even

%no$ eno(gh to realie that yo( cannot die' Jo( shall tr(ly bedoomed'7 0 $ondered ho$ many times 0 had a$o%en in this

Mort(ary'6 Co(ntless deathsB !o$ long has this been going on760 do not tr(ly %no$' Exce*t that it has gone on long

eno(gh'7

63hat else can yo( tell me abo(t mysel1760 %no$ that yo( once claimed yo( loved me and that yo(

$o(ld love me (ntil death claimed (s both' 0 believed that+never %no$ing the tr(th o1 $ho yo( $ere+ $hat yo( $ere'7

6And $hat am 076Jo( 0 cannot7 She s(ddenly 1roe+ and s*o%e

slo$ly+ care1(lly+ as i1 her voice 1rightened her' 6The tr(th isthis: yo( are one $ho dies many deaths' These deaths have

given the %no$ing o1 all things mortal+ and in yo(r hand lies thes*ar% o1 li1e and death' Those that die near yo( carry a trace

o1 themselves that yo( can bring 1orth7As "eionarra s*o%e the $ords+ a cra$ling sensation $elled

(* in the bac% o1 my s%(ll 0 s(ddenly 1elt com*elled to loo%at my hand' As 0 li1ted it (*+ looked at it+ 0 co(ld SEEthe bloodco(rsing sl(ggishly thro(gh my arm+ *o(ring into my m(scles+and in t(rn+ giving strength to my bones

And 0 %ne$ "eionarra $as right. 0 s(ddenly rememberedho$ to coax the dimmest s*ar% o1 li1e 1rom a body+ and bring it

1orth the tho(ght both horri1ied and intrig(ed me'6Can yo( tell me $here 0 am7 0 as%ed'


25/466

. "eionarra

63here are yo( 3hy+ yo( are here $ith me+ my Love asin the times $hen li1e $as something both o1 (s shared' No$ itis the Eternal 2o(ndary that se*arates (s'7

6 Eternal 2o(ndaryB 7"eionarra so(nded saddened' 60t is a barrier 0 1ear yo( shall

never cross+ my Love' 0t is the barrier bet$een yo(r li1e and$hat remains o1 mine7

As 0 $as abo(t to as% "eionarra abo(t esca*ing this *lace+ itca(ght in my throat' 0t occ(rred to me that i1 0 told her 0 $as

loo%ing 1or an esca*e ro(te+ she might 1eel 0 $as abandoningher' 0 needed to be delicate abo(t it'

6"eionarra+ 0 am in danger' Can yo( g(ide me to a *lace o1sa1ety 0 shall ret(rn as soon as 0 can to s*ea% to yo( again'7

60n danger7 "eionarra loo%ed concerned' 6O1 co(rse+ myLove' 0 $ill aid yo( any $ay 0 can7 She closed her eyes 1or amoment+ and 0 $atched an ethereal e*hyr *ass thro(gh herbody+ stirring her hair' A1ter a moment+ the e*hyr died+ and her

eyes slo$ly o*ened' 6Perha*s there is a $ay'7 She stared abo(ther+ as i1 see%ing o(t hidden enemies'

60 sense that this *lace holds many doors shro(ded 1rommortal eyes' Perha*s yo( co(ld (se one o1 these *ortals as ameans o1 esca*e' Portals are holes in existence+ leading todestinations in the inner and o(ter *lanes i1 yo( co(ld 1ind the

*ro*er %ey+ yo( co(ld esca*e thro(gh one o1 them'7 "eionarra*a(sed 1or a moment+ as i1 attem*ting to remember'

6Portals $ill reveal themselves $hen yo( have the *ro*er%ey'B Dn1ort(nately+ these %eys can be almost anything an

emotion+ a *iece o1 $ood+ a dagger o1 silvered glass+ a scra* o1cloth+ a t(ne yo( h(m to yo(rsel1 0 1ear that the "(stmen arethe only ones $ho $o(ld %no$ the %eys yo( co(ld (se to leavetheir halls+ my Love'7

6Then 0 shall as% one o1 them' #are$ell+ "eionarra'7 0t(rned a$ay+ too overcome $ith emotion to contin(e tal%ing to

the s*irit' "eionarra s*o%e again be1ore 0 co(ld move a$ay'6!old a moment 0 learned m(ch $hen 0 traveled $ith

yo(+ my Love+ and $hat yo( have lost+ 0 have retained' 0 havenot div(lged all that 0 %no$ to yo(' My sight is clear $hilstyo( 1(mble in the dar%ness 1or a s*ar% o1 tho(ght'7

6And $hat is it yo(r sight sees that 0 do not7 0 as%ed'

6Time itsel1 relaxes its hold as the chill o1 oblivion slo$lyclaims (s+ my Love' Ilim*ses o1 things yet to come s$arm

across my vision' 0 see yo(+ my Love' 0 see yo( as yo( are no$+


26/466

"eionarra .F

and7 "eionarra gre$ (iet' 0 1elt a**rehension+ b(t the desireto %no$ $hat she sa$ $as stronger'

63hat is it 3hat do yo( see7

60 see $hat lies ahead 1or yo(' 0t ri**les thro(gh the *lanes+stemming o(t$ard 1rom this *oint' Shall 0 s*ea% o1 $hat 0 see7

6Tell me'76#irst+ 0 re(ire a *romise' Promise yo( $ill ret(rn' That

yo( $ill 1ind some means to save me or 5oin me'760 s$ear 0 $ill 1ind some means to save yo( or 5oin yo('7 0

didnBt %no$ $hat im*(lse had triggered this statement+ b(t 0 did%no$ 0 $o(ld be 1orced to attem*t to 1(l1ill my *romise'

6This is $hat my eyes see+ my Love+ (n1ettered by theshac%les o1 time7

6Jo( shall meet enemies three+ b(t none more dangero(sthan yo(rsel1 in yo(r 1(ll glory' They are shades o1 evil+ o1good+ and o1 ne(trality given li1e and t$isted by the la$s o1 the*lanes'7

6Jo( shall come to a *rison b(ilt o1 regrets and sorro$+$here the shado$s themselves have gone mad' There yo( $ill

be as%ed to ma%e a terrible sacri1ice+ my Love' #or the matter tobe laid to rest+ yo( m(st destroy that $hich %ee*s yo( alive andbe immortal no longer'7

6 "estroy $hat %ee*s me aliveB 6 0 as%ed'

60 %no$ that yo( m(st die $hile yo( still can' The circlemust come to a close+ my Love' Jo( $ere not meant 1or this

li1e' Jo( m(st 1ind that $hich $as ta%en 1rom yo( and travelbeyond+ into the lands o1 the dead'7

60 shall $ait 1or yo( in deathBs halls+ my Love'7 She smiled+b(t there $as only sadness in it' She closed her eyes+ and $ithan ethereal $his*er+ she 1aded'

0 t(rned a$ay 1rom "eionarraBs bier+ still st(nned at $hat 0

had *romised' Morte as%ed a (estion+ in a concerned voice'6Jo( bac% $ith me+ chie1 Jo( %ind o1 dri1ted o(t on me

there'76No+ 0m 1ine' "o yo( %no$ $ho that s*irit $as7 Morte

$as *(led'6Eh S*irit76That s*ecter 0 $as tal%ing to' The $oman'76Jo( $ere rattling yo(r bone,box $ith some $oman

3here7 Morte loo%ed aro(nd+ excited' 63hat did she loo%li%e7

6She $as right on to* o1 the bier' "idnBt yo( see her7


27/466

. "eionarra

6Eh no+ yo( 5(st %ind o1 dri1ted o(t 1or a bit there+ 5(ststood there+ stat(e,li%e' 0 $as a little $orried yo(d gone addledon me again'7

60m all right' LetBs move on'70 contin(ed moving along the *erimeter o1 the Mort(ary'

Too bad 0 didnBt have any idea $here any o1 these *ortalsB"eionarra had mentioned co(ld be'

!o$ever+ 0 did see something ahead almost as good' "oors+$hich most li%ely led o(tside' !o*ing 0 $o(ldnBt 1ind them

loc%ed+ 0 moved to$ards them' Dn1ort(nately+ another damned"(stman had a**roached on silent 1eet+ and $as too close 1or

me to *retend 0 didnBt see him'!e $as a tired,loo%ing man in a blac% robe' !is narro$ 1ace

$as extremely *ale+ and he didnBt loo% as i1 he had beenslee*ing: his sho(lders $ere sl(m*ed+ and the 1lesh saggedloosely beneath his bloodshot eyes' !e loo%ed so lost in tho(ghthe might not even have noticed me+ b(t 0 co(ldnBt co(nt on that'

6Ireetings76Ireetings7 The man t(rned to 1ace me and made a slight

bo$' 0 s(ddenly noticed that his eyes $erenBt bloodshot som(ch as they had a red tinge to them' 60 am Soego' !o$ may07 !e s(ddenly seemed to notice my scars+ and the corner o1his mo(th t$itched' 60m sorry+ sirrah+ are yo( lost7

6No'760 do not recall admitting yo('7 Soego loo%ed at me

s(s*icio(sly+ and his eyes gleamed red in the light o1 thetorches' 6May 0 as% $hat yo( are doing here7

60 $as here 1or an internment+ b(t there seems to have beena mista%e'7

63ho $as being interred Perha*s the services are ta%ing*lace some$here else in the Mort(ary'7

6The name is (h+ Adahn'7 The lie came easier this time'SoegoBs eyes narro$ed+ and the red tinge 0 sa$ in them be1ore

seemed more *rono(nced'6No one o1 that name resides $ithin the Mort(ary halls+

living or dead'7 !is mo(th t$itched+ and to my s(r*rise+ hesni11ed the air 1or a moment'

6Dh then 0 m(st have miss*o%e'7 0 silently c(rsed mysel11or (sing that name' O1 co(rse the "(stmen $o(ld %no$ the

names o1 their dead' 0 1lo(ndered+ came (* $ith another exc(se+60 am here to see "hall'7

6"hall "hall the Scrivener can be 1o(nd in the receivingroom on the (**er 1loor'7 The corner o1 SoegoBs mo(th


28/466

"eionarra ./

t$itched brie1ly' 6!e is rather b(sy and his health is 1ailing'Dnless yo( have *ressing b(siness+ 0 $o(ld not dist(rb him'7

63hatBs $rong $ith "hall7

6Oh+ there is nothing $rong $ith him' "hall is7 Soegoclic%ed his teeth' 6old.!is long devotion to cataloging the

dead has nearly r(n its co(rse' "eath $ill no do(bt soon 1ollo$the $asting sic%ness he has contracted'7

6Jo( %no$+ 0 co(ld do this another time' Can yo( let meo(t no$7 Soego nodded+ and the corner o1 his mo(th t$itched'

63hy o1 co(rse+ o1 co(rse' Let me o*en the 1ront gate 1oryo('7 !e moved to the doors+ and (nloc%ed them' 0 had the

strong 1eeling that he %ne$ 0 $as lying+ b(t 1or reasons o1 hiso$n he didnBt $ant to ex*ose me+ or didnBt care $hat 0 did' 0

h(rried to leave the b(ilding'

A slab in the Mort(ary+ $here a short time be1ore the cor*seo1 an immortal lay' The 1lic%ering light in the room cast moving

shado$s' A care1(l observer might have noted that certainshado$s didnBt obey the motion o1 the light+ b(t moved on their

o$n+ as i1 driven by a malign intelligence' The shado$s movedabo(t the slab 1or a 1e$ moments+ as i1 (esting' Then all $as

as be1ore= the only shado$s *resent $ere those ca(sed by the

sim*le bloc%age by ob5ects o1 the light'


29/466

?< The !ive

THE HIVE

0 *assed thro(gh the doors+ glad to be 1ree o1 the Mort(ary atlast' 0 *assed thro(gh a small co(rtyard in 1ront o1 the b(ilding+

and $al%ed o(t into a city' This m(st be the section %no$n asthe !ive' My eyes traveled across the b(ildings in 1ront o1 me+then (*' And (*' The city arced overhead' 0 realied the citym(st act(ally 1orm a circle+ and 5oin $ith itsel1' Morte+ noticing

my st(nned ex*ression+ o11ered an ex*lanation'6The city is Sigil+ the city o1 doors' SigilBs a ring,sha*ed

city thatBs s(atting on to* o1 an in1initely tall s*ire in $hatsome claim to be in the center o1 the Planes o1 co(rse+ how itco(ld be at the to* o1 an in1initely tall s*ire+ and ho$ the cityco(ld even be at the center o1 the Planes raises some (estions'7

6Anything else76SigilBs called the City o1 "oors+B mostly beca(se thereBs a

LOTo1 invisible doors that lead in and o(t o1 it 5(st abo(t anyarch+ door 1rame+ barrel hoo*+ boo% shel1+ or o*en $indo$

might be a *ortal (nder the right conditions' 0t all de*ends on i1yo( have the %ey to o*en it'7

6See+ 0 g(ess the best $ay to ex*lain it is most *ortalsare slee*ing+B right Jo( co(ld $al% thro(gh them+ by them+ on

to* o1 them+ and nothing $o(ld ha**en' No$+ every *ortal hassomething that $a%es it (*'B That co(ld be a t(ne yo( h(m to

yo(rsel1+ a loa1 o1 $ee%,old 2yto*ian bread+ remembering $hatyo(r 1irst %iss $as li%e+ and then 2AM the *ortal gets its5(ices 1lo$ing+ and yo( can 5(m* thro(gh it+ to $hateverBs onthe other side'7

6Li%e $here76Any$here+ chie1' Literally' Any *lace yo( can thin% o1+

thereBs a *ortal there' ThatBs $hy SigilBs so *o*(lar across thePlanes'7 As 0 started to $al% a$ay 1rom the co(rtyard+ a *assing

$oman started (*on seeing me' She seemed to recognie meinstantly= she ste**ed bac% in horror+ and cried o(t'

6A1ter all this time ye bastardQ May all thB 1iends in2aator ta%e yeQ One day yell be sorry 1er $hat ye did ta

Aerin by all the Po$ers 0 swears itQ7 She t(rned and 1led'0 5(st let her go' 0 realied 0 might r(n into many in the city

$ho recognied me+ and 0 $o(ld have to be on my g(ard' 2(t it


30/466

The !ive ?.

$as critical that 0 gain as m(ch in1ormation as (ic%ly as*ossible+ and 0 resolved to as% anyone 0 met abo(t the city+ and*artic(larly abo(t this Pharod'

0 ran into a 1e$ others that day $ho $o(ld not tal% to me+$ho 5(st made a sign against evil and ignored me'

A harlot $as *artic(larly hel*1(l+ a1ter acce*ting a 1e$coins+ that is 5in%' She told me the collectors congregated in asection o1 the !ive not too 1ar a$ay+ in an area %no$n asRag*ic%erBs S(are' Morte s*o%e (* as 0 1inished $ith her' !e

$as becoming *redictable on certain s(b5ects+ 0 realied'6Chie1+ can yo( s*ort me some 5in% itBs eh been a

long time+ it has'760m not even going to as% ho$ yo( intend to accom*lish

this'7The $oman bro%e in+ 60tBs t$ice the cost 1er the mimir or

any other degenerate'7At my (estioning loo%+ Morte re*lied+ 6MimirBs a tal%ing

encyclo*edia' ThatBs me+ chie1'7 0 motioned to Morte to 1orgethis idea'

6"onBt s$eat it+ Morte' #rom the loo%s o1 her+ 0m *robablysaving yo( 1rom dying t$ice'7 At this the $oman c(rsed at (s'

6May a *ox shrivel yer innardsQ Je have the stin% and1ashion sense o1 a goatherd+ and yeBre t$ice as (glyQ7 She

contin(ed c(rsing (s 1or several moments' Morte stared+hy*notied+ as the harlot let loose this stream o1 obscenities' At

the end o1 the verbal avalanche+ Morte $as silent 1or a moment+then t(rned to me'

63o$+ chie1' Iot a 1e$ more ta(nts 1or the olB arsenal'7 !et(rned bac% to the harlot+ $ho $as catching her breath' 60m alsoin love'7

Ch(c%ling at Morte des*ite mysel1+ 0 moved o11'

0 decided that altho(gh 0 no$ %ne$ a general area to loo%1or this Pharod+ it $o(ld be better to learn some more abo(t

Sigil+ and maybe 1ill in a 1e$ o1 the holes o1 my *ast+ be1oresearching him o(t'

0 contin(ed (estioning those 0 met' Some o1 the localto(ghs m(st have ta%en my (estions as a sign o1 an easy mar%+beca(se they dre$ %nives and attac%ed' As 0 dre$ the blade 0had 1o(nd 1orgotten in a dra$er in the Mort(ary+ 0 realied that 0

had (sed a blade be1ore+ and %ne$ it $ell' Altho(gh 0 s(11ered a1e$ shallo$ c(ts+ soon 0 $as standing over the body o1 one

to(gh as the rest 1led' 0 also realied 0 m(st have %illed be1ore+*erha*s many times'


31/466

?? The !ive

The next !ive d$eller 0 tal%ed to $as 1rightened+ no do(bt1rom the scars and the blood o1 my recent 1ight' !e had little tosay 0 hadnBt already heard+ b(t 0 1elt sorry 1or him+ and gave him

a 1e$ co**ers' !e glanced aro(nd to see i1 anyone sa$ theexchange+ then t(c%ed the 5in% in the 1olds o1 his robe'

6Than% ye %indly+ c(tterQ May the LadyBs shado$ *ass yebyQ7 This *i(ed my interest'

63ait a min(te Lady 3hat do yo( mean76The mistress oB Sigil Jeve not heard oB her Je m(st be

blessed or more cl(el eh+ %no$ little abo(t Sigil+ indeed'7 !ela(ghed $ea%ly' 6LadyBs $ordBs la$ here in Sigil'7 !e tho(ght

1or a moment' 6 Ce*t she donBt say m(ch' "ead silent she is+act(ally'7 !e loo%ed at me $arily'

6"onBt $ant ta be tal%inB too m(ch abo(t her+ c(tter yedonBt $ant ta cross her shado$ nor be singing her *raises+ allright No$+ letBs say no more abo(t it' RattlinB yer bone,boxabo(t the lady is dim+ dim indeed'7

0 came across a small "(stmen memorial not 1ar 1rom theMort(ary+ 5(st 1o(r $alls aro(nd a central *linth' "(stmen stood

o(tside+ chanting abo(t their Tr(e "eath'B C(rio(s+ 0 ste**edthro(gh an arch in one o1 the $alls+ and sa$ that the interior andthe *linth $ere covered $ith tho(sands and tho(sands o1 names'0 recognied the *linth 1rom the dream or memory 0 had had

be1ore a$a%ening in the Mort(ary' 0 as%ed a man standingstaring at the central *linth $hat it $as'

60tBs a tombstone 1or the Planes'7 !e sco11ed' 6Iraveyardso1 names are scratched on that roc%' Can only ho*e my nameBs

the one thatll s*lit this stone in t$ain'7 !e *ointed at the baseo1 the monolith' 6 K(entin+B right there+ hammered in 5(st hardeno(gh to send the damned thing crashing do$n'7

6The "(sties scratch the names o1 the dead on this

mon(ment here7 !e gest(red aro(nd him' 6And on the $allso1 this *lace' Not eno(gh s*ace by my rec%oning+ b(t no

matter they do their best' Can barely read hal1 the names'7 0as%ed $hy he $as here+ es*ecially since he $as hostile to the"(stmen' !is re*ly $as ill(minating'

6Reading the ne$ arrivals' Try and 1ind a ne$ one everyday+ try and remember i1 0 %ne$ em+ nothing more'7

6The "(stmen record the names o1 all that have died on this

mon(ment76Aye+ they scratch em on this roc% and scratch em on

the $alls in this *lace+ too'7 K(entin sco$led' 60 donBt %no$


32/466

The !ive ?@

$hy they ta%e the tro(ble to ta%e a co(nting o1 the dead the"(sties have more care 1or the living'7

6The living7

6Aye y%no$ abo(t the "(stmen mo(rners that come tothis *lace They arenBt mo(rning the dead+ see+ theyBre

mo(rning the living' Jo( can barely get a $ord in themedge$ise $itho(t em as%ing to mo(rn some *oor living ber%1or ye'7

6Seems to me the dead are thrice,$orth the *ity o1 any *oor

sod living in this *it'7 !e nodded at the mon(ment' 6Everyname on there is blest in my boo%+ it is'7 !e ret(rned to his

brooding+ ignoring me'As 0 $as leaving+ on a $him 0 sto**ed and s*o%e to one o1

the "(stmen mo(rners' 0 told her that my 1riend+B Adahn+ $as1eeling ang(ish over a *erson $ho had died' She *romised tomo(rn his *ain' A smile (ir%ed my li*s as 0 $al%ed a$ay+ as 0heard the name Adahn mixed in among their chanting'

0 contin(ed (estioning those 0 met in the streets o1 the!ive' One in *artic(lar had an interesting story+ a haggard

$oman $ra**ed in rags' !er hair $as disheveled and dirty+ andher com*lexion $as extremely dar%' 2(rns covered her arms+and her right hand $as a 1(sed l(m* o1 1lesh it loo%ed melted+li%e $ax ex*osed to a great heat' 0 greeted her+ to get her

attention'63hat issit y$anta me7 The $omanBs accent $as thic%+

and 0 had di11ic(lty ma%ing o(t $hat she $as saying' 6J$antame tleave NOT leaving this city+ so 0m not' 0 canBt+ tried+ itBs

not a city+ itBs a *rison tevery$here'76Every$here7 0 as%ed'6ThereBs 3orlds+ theres7 !er eyes gleamed madly' 6

*lanes that be sin%ing sands+ 1ields thirsty nettles be+ sightless

$orlds $here ylimbs are given li1e and hate+ cities o1 d(st$hose *eo*le are d(st and $his*er ash+ the ho(se $itho(t

doors+ the T$ilit Lands+ the singing $inds+ the singing$inds7 She started to sob (ietly+ b(t she seemed all o(t o1tears' 6And shado$s the terrible shado$s there be'7

63here are these *laces763here 3here them *laces7 She 1l(ng the l(m* o1 her

right hand in an arc+ gest(ring at the citysca*e' 6They all !ERE

be' "oors+ doors+ here to everywhere.76"oors7

6Jo(Q Jo(Bre not %no$ing thisQ7 She s(inted at me+ andher teeth started chattering' 6Tell yo(+ 0 $ill: 2e$are every


33/466

?> The !ive

s*ace yo( $al% thro(gh or to(ch in this thrice,c(rsed city"oors+ gates+ arches+ $indo$s+ *ict(re 1rames+ the o*en mo(tho1 a stat(e+ the s*aces t$een shelves 2e$are ANJ s*ace

bo(nded on all sides' ALLtheseBre doors tother *laces'76Every door has a GEJit does+ and $ith this %ey+ they sho$

their tr(e nat(re an arch becomes a *ortal+ a *ict(re 1ramebecomes a *ortal+ a $indo$ becomes a *ortal all eager tta%eysome*lace ELSE' They steal yo( a$ay7 She raised the l(m*o1 her right hand' 6And sometimes $hatBs on thother side ta%es

*art o1 yo( as a T0T!E'763hat are these %eys7

6The %eys+ the %eys n(mber as many as the doors o1 thiscity' Every door+ a %ey+ every %ey+ a door'7 !er teeth started

chattering again+ as i1 she $ere cold' 6And a %ey is A %ey isanything. 0t may be an emotion+ an iron nail held t$eenysecond and 1i1th 1ingers+ a tho(ght tho(ght three times+ thentho(ght once in reverse+ or it may be a glass rose'7 She clenched

her mo(th closed to try and still her chattering teeth+ ands(inted her eyes' 6CanBt leave canBt leave7

6!o$ did yo( get here76#rom7 She seemed to calm slightly+ and her eyes too%

on a tho(sand,leag(e stare' 6Came 1rom a *lace else 1rom here+almost a li1e,ago+ h(mmed a t(ne by a glade $ith t$o dead trees

that had 1allen together' A brilliant door o*ened in ths*acet$een the crossed trees+ sho$ed me this city on thB other side

0 ste**ed thro(gh+ ended here'763hy canBt yo( go bac%7

6TriedQ ALLdoors here lead to OT!ER*laces'7 She sh(dderedand gri**ed her melted right hand' 63ent thro(gh thrice,ten*ortals+ some a,*(r*ose+ some a,accident+ none a,them right'CanBt 1ind $ay bac%7

6There m(st be a *ortal that can ta%e yo( bac%'76CanBt even leave hereQ This s(areQ And there+ th*lace o1

death behind thB gate $aits 1or meQ7 She *ointed at theMort(ary behind the gate+ then t(rned bac% to me+ her 1acedes*erate' 6CanBt go any$here in this cityQ7

6AnythinB co(ld be a door' Any arch there+ any door here+co(ld be a *ortal+ donBt %no$ the %ey+ co(ld get a,sent tanotherhorrible *lace7 !er teeth started chattering again' 6got

tstay $ay 1rom the closed s*aces+ all co(ld be doors+ co(ld havea %ey on me+ anB 0 not be %no$ing it7 0 1o(nd this hard to

credit'


34/466

The !ive ?;

6Jo( yo(Bre a1raid to go thro(gh ANJ door or archbeca(se it might be a *ortal7

She nodded+ her teeth chattering'

6!o$ long have yo( been a1raid o1 this7 She s(inted+*ondering'

6Since the last time 0 $al%ed thro(gh thB last *ortal+ thB*lace $here mhand7 She sto*s' 6Since mtenth T(rning0m in me 1o(rth tenth T(rning that+ no$'7 !er teeth beginchattering again'

6Thirty years Jo(ve havenBt $al%ed thro(gh anydoor1orthirty years7

!er vision seemed to clear slightly' She loo%ed (* at me+her teeth still chattering'

601 yo( got here+ there m(st be a *ortal that can ta%e yo(bac%' 0tBs only a matter o1 1inding it 7

She smiled' !er teeth $erenBt chattering beca(se she $ascold they $ere moving aro(nd inside her mo(th+ her g(ms

t$isting as the teeth shi1ted abo(t' They rose and receded as 0$atched+ chattering as they rattled against each other' She

hissed at me'6Only ta%es ONE*ortal yo( ste*s thro(gh a,accident+ tdrive

thB #EARinto yo(' 0 $ent thro(gh thrice,ten+ lost mhand+ b(rnedm1lesh+ and lost msense'7 She loo%ed at her 1eet' 6Nmore+

nmore'760m sorry i1 0 can 1ind some means to hel* yo(+ 0 $ill'

#are$ell'7 0 ho*ed 0 didnBt *romise to hel* everyone 0 met inthe !ive' 0 s(s*ected the city generated (n1ort(nates 1aster than

anyone+ even i1 he $ere immortal+ co(ld ho*e to hel*'0 *assed by the Iathering "(st bar+ b(t it $as a "(stmen

hango(t' 0 had had eno(gh o1 them+ so 0 didnBt go in'6Loo%s li%e the "(sties lost one o1 their deaders7

0 realied the comment $as re1erring to me' The s*ea%er$as a stri%ing red,haired girl dressed in leather armor' !er right

arm $as covered $ith a series o1 interloc%ing *lates that loo%edas i1 they $ere ta%en 1rom the s%in o1 some creat(re+ and ahorned sho(lder *iece *rotected her le1t arm' Oddly eno(gh+ shehad a tail that $as 1lic%ing bac% and 1orth as 0 $atched' Shenoticed my interest'

6Pi%e o11'7

0gnoring the comment+ 0 greeted her+ as%ing $ho she $as'The girl sneered+ then made an obscene gest(re $ith her tail'

6Pi%e o11+ yeh cl(eless sod'7


35/466

? The !ive

The girl hersel1 $as $ell $orth loo%ing at+ b(t did she %no$she had a tail 0 realied 0 m(st have act(ally bl(rted o(t $hat 0$as thin%ing $hen she re*lied'

6Do0 no$7 The girl loo%ed at her tail' 6So 0 doQ An here 0$as thin%ing that it $as a tric% o1 me eye' My+ arenBt yeh a

shar* c(tter7 She bared her teeth' 63hy donBt yeh *iss o11 ta$hatever hole yeh cra$led o(t o1 and leave me beQ Me nor metail is 1or trade+ 5ig7 As 0 1(mbled 1or a re*ly+ Morteinter*osed+

60tBs 5(st as $ell neither yo( nor yo(r tail are 1or sale' Jo(co(ldnBt s(ea% o(t a living $ith em+ any$ay'7 #ort(nately+ his

voice $as too lo$ *itched 1or her to ma%e him o(t+ and she 5(stloo%ed (estioningly at Morte' 0d already made a 1ool o1

mysel1' Might as $ell try to satis1y me c(riosity'6!e didnBt say anything b(t 0m still c(rio(s why do

yo( have a tail76Are yeh daft? Can it be that yer d(mber than stone+ or

mayha* yer the Po$er oB ignorance May the dab(s bric% yehover and ma%e yeh a streetQ7 Morte ans$ered my (estion'

6SheBs a tie1ling+ chie1' They got some demonBs blood inem+ and that ma%es em *aranoid and de1ensive nice tail+tho(gh' Shame itBs *lastered on s(ch an (gly body'7 0 tried tointer*ose a comment+ (selessly+ as she re*lied'

6Jeh better latch yer bonebox+ yeh 1o(l,mo(thed mimir+1ore 0 s*lits it 1rom yer 5a$+ 5ig7

63hy donBt yo( try and s*lit my 5a$+ chitQ All 0m hearingis a lotta chatter 1rom some !ive trashQ Thro$ a *(nchQ 0 dare

yo(Q 0ll bite yo(r legs o11Q76Eno(ghQ7 0 1inally got o(t'6Aye+ thatBs right' Leash yer mimir+ tard+ or 0ll b(ry him

$ith his body+ 5ig7 0 1ig(red 0 $o(ldnBt get anything more o(t

o1 this one'6#are$ell+ then'7

6Aye+ *i%e o11 ta $herever yeh came 1rom+ then'70 $ondered on' A street vendor ca(ght my eye' This 1o(l,

loo%ing man $as (ic% to notice hed ca(ght my attention= inmoments he $as (*on me+ ha$%ing his $ares'B !e carried along $ooden *ole= doens o1 s%inned and coo%ed rats dangled1rom it' As he s*o%e+ he gest(red to them $ith a broad+ 1ilth,

encr(sted hand+ smiling a yello$ed+ snaggle,toothed grin all the$hile'

6Oye+ c(tter+ o$ ye doinB there 3ot sorta deeee,licio(sratsies is ye interested in this 1ine day7


36/466

The !ive ?F

0 examined the ratsies'B Each rat had been s%inned andg(tted+ their 1eet and tails removed= they dangled 1rom the *oleby hoo%s *(nched tho(gh their nec%s' As 0 examined the

vario(s manners in $hich theyd been *re*ared+ 0 realied theirheads $ere slightly missha*en a b(lbo(s %not o1 bone

*rotr(ded 1rom each crani(m+ covered in $horls that gave it thea**earance o1 brain tiss(e'

6Those are strange,loo%ing rats'76Ah+ yeve got a %een eye there+ c(tterQ All 0 sell is brain

vermin+ 0 do 0m s(re yell 1ind theyve got a m(ch richer1lavor than yer (s(al rat' K(ite nice+ reallyQ7 !e *ro11ered them

to me once more+ $aving the *ole be1ore my 1ace enticinglythe rats s$ayed to and 1ro+ hoo%ed li%e tiny sides o1 bee1'

62rain vermin76Aye+ c(tter+ brain vermin' #o(l creat(res+ they are' No$+

yer normal rats+ they 5(st eat stored goods anB m(lti*ly+ s*readdisease anB all that a n(isance+ really+ no more' Jer cranium

rat+ tho(gh brain vermin+ $ot I go a1ter theyBre 5(sttro(ble' 3hen ye get more than a and1(l aB the little *i%ers

together+ they start to get smart on ye sometimes real smart'76They become more intelligent76S(re as 0m standinB here be1ore ye+ they doQ 01 0 ran across

any more than t$o score o1 em+ 0d 1lee 1or me case li%e

that7 !e sna**ed+ to em*hasie the *oint' 60 $o(ldQ Je getthat many o1 em in a *ac%+ $hy $hy+ they gets smart as a

man+ they doQ76!ereBs my best advice 1or ye+ c(tter i1 yeBre bent on

catchinB brain vermin+ stic% to small *ac%s' A doen or so+ atmost' 2(t 0ll tell ye7 !e ste**ed close+ his breath 1etid in my1ace+ and s*o%e in a h(shed tone: 6Je r(n into more than thatmore than a co(*le doen ye r(n li%e yeBre in the shado$ o1

the LadyQ7 !e bac%ed a$ay 1rom me again'6Sorcery+ c(tter sorceryQ Je gets eno(gh o1 those lilB

1iends in a s*ace+ they gain all sorts aB odd *o$ersQ Ma%e abasherBs brain *o(r o(t is ears+ they $illQ "o$nright1rightenin itBs 5(st $rong+ 0 tell ye'7

63ho are yo(763ot+ me 3hy+ 0m Creeden+ sometimes called Creed

the 2(tcherer,o1,RatsQ7 !e smiled grandiosely+ ex*osing ill,

matched ro$s o1 yello$ed+ bro%en and croo%ed teeth'6Jo( certainly seem 1riendlier than most aro(nd here'7

63ell+ c(tter+ 0 try' Res(lt aB my b(siness+ 0 thin%s most1ol%s aro(nd ere are a *eery anB do$nright (n1riendly lot+ b(t 0


37/466

? The !ive

$ant every c(tter to %no$ that CreedenBs al$ays got a $armsmile anB a *i*inB ot+ 1resh,coo%ed ratsie 1or emQ7 !e $in%edat me+ and to(ched my arm'

60 see yeBre leavin+ c(tter+ b(t a1ore ye go+ $o(ldst ye li%ea nice+ deee,liscio(s ratsie One 1or the road+ ye might say7

63hy not76Iood+ c(tter+ goodQ 3ot sort $o(ldst ye li%e7 !e *ointed

to each in t(rn $ith a grimy 1ingernail' 60 got them ba%ed+s*iced+ boiled+ anB charredQ All 1resh+ all scr(m*tio(s and

only three co**ers 1or t$oQ76Charred+7 0 re*lied' That sho(ld hide any nasty taste'

0 handed over my co**ers and+ in one s$i1t motion+ he ran a*air o1 charred rats thro(gh $ith a $ooden s%e$er+ (nhoo%ed

them+ and *laced them in my hand' !e $in%ed at me'6En5oy+ c(tterQ7The rat $as b(rnt and cris*y o(tside+ b(t tender and 5(icy

$ithin' 0t $as a bit greasy and rather rich+ tasting o1 some

other meat 0 $as s(re 0d had be1ore' The man loo%ed at meex*ectantly'

6"id ye li%e 3o(ldst ye li%e another7 Motioning that 0didnBt+ 0 contin(ed on'


38/466

Morte+ Part 0 ?/

MORTE, PART I

0 1elt it $as time 0 learned a little more abo(t Morte' 0 as%edhim to tell me abo(t himsel1' !e chattered so long as $e $ere

$al%ing 0 $as a1raid he $o(ld never sto*'6O1 co(rse yo( got (estions abo(t me yo( *robably

have (estions abo(t ALLsorts o1 things' Let me boil it do$n 1oryo(: $hen yo(ve been as dead as long as 0 have $itho(t

arms+ legs+ or anything else+ yo( s*end a lot o1 time thin%ing+y%no$ 0 1ig(re itBs been a 1e$ h(ndred years since 0 got

*enned in the dead boo%+ b(t time doesnBt really tally (* the$ay it (sed to $itho(t that mortality thing *ressing do$n onyo(+ all the days and nights %ind o1 blend together' So yo( thin%abo(t this+ and yo( thin% abo(t that and the most im*ortant

*iece o1 $isdom 0ve learned over the *ast h(ndred or so yearsis this:7

6ThereBs a LOTmore obscene gest(res yo( can ma%e $ithyo(r eyes and yo(r 5a$ than most *eo*le thin%' 3itho(t even

resorting to ins(lts or ta(nting+ yo( can really light a bon1ire(nder someone 5(st $ith the right combination o1 eyemovements and 5a$ clic%ing' "rives them barmyQ 01 yo( everget beheaded and yo(r s%in 1layed 1rom yo(r s%(ll+ 0ll sho$

yo( ho$ itBs done' 0 got some real gems+ chie1 theyd drive adeva to m(rder+ they $o(ld'7

60 %no$ $hat yo(Bre thin%ing: 0m dead' 0ve lost so m(ch' 0tsho(ld have sobered me (* to all that 5oy 0 missed+ all thoseloves 0ve lost' Some *eo*le get all de*ressed abo(t death they havenBt TR0E"it+ o1 co(rse b(t one thing they never seem

to realie is ho$ it changes yo(r *ers*ective on things= it reallyma%es yo( ta%e a second loo% at li1e+ broaden yo(r horions'

#or me+ itBs *retty m(ch made me realie ho$ many dead chitsare in this berg and ho$ 1e$ shar*,tong(ed men li%e mysel1

there are to go aro(nd yo( s*in the $heel right+ and yo(ryears o1 s*ending nights alone are overQ7

6Shallo$ 0m not shallo$' 0 5(st donBt get ca(ght (* in allthat *hiloso*hy and 1aith and belie1 $ash that every ber% 1rom

Arborea to the Iray 3aste rattle their 5a$s abo(t' 3ho caresThe Planes are $hat they are+ yo(Bre $hat yo( are+ and i1 it

changes+ 1ine+ b(t things arenBt bad the $ay they are and 0


39/466

@< Morte+ Part 0

sho(ld %no$' Io on+ as% me some (estions abo(t the Planes+or the chant+ or the *eo*le+ or the c(lt(res $hen yo( end (*li%e me $itho(t eyelids+ that is yo( end (* seeing a lot o1

things+ and 0 can tell yo( almost everything yo( need to %no$'760tBs li%e this: 3eBre in this together+ chie1' Dntil this is

over+ 0 stic% li%e yo(r leg'7


40/466

!ive Mar%et @.

HIVE MARKET

0 realied 0 had come into a mar%et area in the !ive' 0 $as*assing an old $oman standing silently by the $all+ staring o11

into the distance' She seemed to be (nconcerned $ith the 1lo$o1 tra11ic aro(nd her+ and cl(tched a $ooden *ole 1rom $hichdoens o1 small 1ish $ere dangling' 0 moved in 1ront o1 her+catching her attention'

6 Lo+ sir+ care to *(rchase some7 She s(inted at me 1ora moment+ trying to discern my identity' 6Oh myQ Ere 0 $as+

thin%inB ye one oB me reg(lar c(stomers' !rmm7 !er mo(th*ressed do$n into a tight,li**ed 1ro$n+ and she stared o11 overmy sho(lder'

0 loo%ed behind me+ trying to see $hat she $as staring at' 0

co(ld see nothing o1 interest behind me' As 0 t(rned bac% to her+0 ca(ght her loo%ing at me she loo%ed a$ay (ic%ly+

res(ming her staring o11 into the distance once more'63hat "o 0 loo% 1amiliar to yo(7

6Ioodness+ noQ7 She *a(sed 1or a moment' 6Aye+ ye do' 0thin% ye+ or a man $ith yer very li%eness+ sir' TB$as so longago'7

6Tell me7

63ell+ sir+ ye see me sightBs not so good no$+ t$asnBtbac% then+ neither' 2(t 0 tho(ght 0 sa$ ye $al%inB *ast $ith a

small gro(* trailinB along behind ye' 0tBs t$as so long ago+ andye $al%ed by so (ic%,li%e' 2(t 0 remember+ no$+ the $ay yeheld yer head (* there $as a $oman 1ollo$inB ya+ tryinB tosto* ye' To get ye to t(rn aro(nd+ s*ea% to her b(t ye *(shed

her a$ay'762ea(ti1(l $oman+ she $as loo%ed so sad+ so angry+ all at

once' She stood there 1or a moment+ then 1ollo$ed along behindye 5(st the same+ h(stlinB to catch (*' There $as at least t$o

other gentlemen $ith ye+ sir the only one 0 remember tooclearly+ tho(gh+ $as tall+ thin' Ree%ed o1 b(b+ he did= 0 smelledhim 1rom across the $ay' Loo%ed li%e he hadnBt bathed in ages+too' !e 1ollo$ed ye close+ he did+ anB never said a $ord' Acted

li%e the $oman $asnBt even there+ even $hen she b(m*edagainst him+ tryinB to sto* ye' ThatBs all 0 remember+ sir'7


41/466

@? !ive Mar%et

Another incident 1rom my *ast' 0 gave the $oman a 1e$co**ers+ $al%ing on and straining vainly 1or any memory that$o(ld connect $ith this incident'

An area o1 the mar%et ahead $as 1illed $ith debris' Abroad,sho(ldered $oman $as sh(11ling abo(t amongst the h(ge

beams lying on the street' She %ic%ed at the beams $ith iron,shod boots= every once in a $hile+ she bent do$n and $rencheda nail 1rom one o1 the boards $ith her bare hands' She held eachone (*+ a**raising it+ then dro**ed it into a leather sling bag'

She straightened (*+ hearing my a**roach' She smiled *olitely+b(t 1rom her stance and the $ay her hand rested close to the hilt

o1 her $ea*on+ 0 co(ld tell she $as ready 1or tro(ble' 0 noticedone o1 her eyes had a mil%y 1ilm over it'

6ThatBs close eno(gh there+ c(tter $hat do ye need 1romme7

63ho are yo(7 She *(lled three nails 1rom her sling bag+tossing them s*inning into the air and catching them in her

*alm'60ron Nalls+ they call me'7 She dro**ed them bac% into the

bag $ith a m(11led clink. 0 sell Bem to a man+ name aB !amrys+in the Lo$er 3ard' Ma%er o1 co11ins+ he is'7

63hereBs the Lo$er 3ard76Eh 0 (sed to %no$ the $ay+ 0 did+ b(t the dab(s have

changed the streets ro(nd again' "onBt %no$ ho$ to get there+no$ 0ll need to chart a ne$ *ath b(t 0 1ig(re the dab(sll

straighten things o(t event(ally'7 0 had heard that term be1ore+and $ondered at it'

6"ab(s76Aye+ dab(s the LadyBs servants'7 She loo%ed at me+

*(led' 6Je m(st be ne$ to Sigil' They $or% all over the city+doinB the LadyBs $ill' Al$ays b(ildinB anBreb(ildin+ they are+

(sinB $hatBs 1allen or torn do$n to ma%e somethinB ne$'76The $ood come 1rom here anB there' Sometimes dab(s

dro* the st(11 o11+ anB 0 go thro(gh it be1ore another *ac% comesto 1etch it a$ay' Probably r(bble 1rom b(ildinBs or $alls theyBre*(ttinB (* or tearinB do$n'7

"ab(s 0 realied 0 no$ had a name 1or the mysterio(s1loating creat(res 0 had seen *er1orming $or% abo(t the city' 0noticed a stench abo(t this time' The smell li%e a se$er $as

getting $orse as 0 moved 1or$ard+ rising above the (s(almiasma 0 had already associated $ith the !ive+ and $hich 0 $as

learning to ignore'


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!ive Mar%et @@

A man $as loo%ing at me $ith a strange+ b(g,eyed stare'!is eyes $ere huge so h(ge they loo%ed ready to *o* o(t o1his soc%ets and roll across the cobblestones' !e nodded eagerly

as 0 a**roached+ bobbing his head li%e a bird and as 0 nearedhim+ 0 s(ddenly noticed the smell o1 (rine and 1eces s(rro(nded

him' The man sni11led+ $i*ing his nose on his sleeve+ theno*ened his mo(th to reveal blac%ened+ rotted g(ms'

6Stories,1or,coin+ sirrah7 !is breath ree%ed= it smelled li%ethis man had been %ee*ing rotten meat stored inside his mo(th'

6Stories,1or,coin763ho are yo(7 The man snorted+ thic% $ith *hlegm'

6Names+ names $ho yo( are+ $ho yo( are7 !is headdid a slight t$itch every time he re*eated himsel1' 6Names

dangero(s+ dangero(s'7 !e glanced at the gro(nd and stirred thedirt $ith his 1oot' 6Gno$ing a name or beinB st(c% $ith one+bothBs a mess o1 tro(ble'7 !e loo%ed bac% (* at me' 6MynameBs a given name+ not one as%ed 1or' Ree%$ind'7 Once

again 0 became conscio(s o1 his ree%ing breath and the smell o1(rine and 1eces that s(rro(nded him' 6A given name+ a given

name'76An a**ro*riate name'76Not my tr(e name+ tr(e name'7 Ree%$ind m(mbled on+ his

head t$itching every time he said name. A tr(e nameBs a

dangero(s thing+ gives others *o$er'7 !e stared at me $ith hish(ge eyes and $agged his 1inger' 6Gee* yo(r name secret+ %ee*

it close+ never let it o(t'76Names are li%e smells things can trac% yo( $ith them'7

Ree%$ind co(ghed+ his eyes almost *o**ing o(t o1 his s%(ll ashe did so' !is co(gh seemed to loosen his bo$els+ 1or he bro%e$ind lo(dly+ as i1 to accent(ate his *oint' 601 someone %no$s atr(e name+ it gives them *o$er'7 !e lic%ed his li*s' 6The *o$er

to hurt.760 donBt %no$ my tr(e name'7 Ree%$indBs eyes $idened at

this= seeing his eyeballs b(lge even larger made me (neasy'6Then yo( are blessed+ blessed' Remain nameless+ and yo(

shall be as a s*irit on the Planes+ (ntraceable+ (ntrac%able+(nseen+ (ndiscovered'7 !e smac%ed his g(ms $etly' 6A namechosen+ a name given it allo$s others to 1ind yo( and h(rtyo('7

6!ave yo( been h(rt7 Ree%$ind gave a t$itching nod+then scratched himsel1'

6Let my name sli* once+ once+ only once+ only once'7 !iseyes 1ilmed over as i1 the memory $as *ain1(l+ then glanced at


43/466

@> !ive Mar%et

me (neasily' 6Tell yo( the story 0 can+ 0 $ill+ b(t three co**ersm(st 0 see'7 !is 1ace s*lit into a smile as he said the $ordcoppers, and his ree%ing breath hit me li%e a hammer'

0 *assed him the 5in%' Ree%$ind got into a stance+ loo%edle1t+ loo%ed right+ then 1aced me' !is 1ace clenched+ then $ith a

gr(nt+ he bro%e $ind again' The smell nearly leveled me+ b(t hetoo% no notice'

6C(rsed+ 0Q 3al%ed the $ards in s*lendor7 !e stood (*sti11ly+ nose high in the air' !e sa(ntered bac% and 1orth+

nodding to invisible *assers,by' Ree%$ind 1roe+ his armsa%imbo'

6Crossed *aths $ith a crossed one' !ad the loo%ing o1 a*(m*%in+ his seeds+ c(rsesQ7 Ree%$ind then thr(st his belly o(t

so as to a**ear 1at+ slic%ed bac% his hair $ith his 1ilthy *alm sohe loo%ed almost bald+ and began dr(mming his 1ingers on his1atB belly' !e then $al%ed abo(t+ circling the s*ot $here hisst(11y+ (**er class *ersonaB (sed to be' 6All,a,5(mble $ith

c(rses+ this one $as'7 3ith a sneer and a careless gest(re+Ree%$ind tossed an invisible c(rse at the st(11y *ersona'B

6Gne$ my name+ let it sli* 0 had+ 0 had+ all it too%+ too% itallQ7 !e sti11ened (* again+ inhaling dee*ly and res(ming his(**er classB *ersona' The *ersona s(ddenly cr(m*led+ andRee%$ind bro%e $ind violently+ then exhaled+ 1illing the air

$ith his 1o(l+ ree%ing breath' 6C(rsed $ith stenches+ smells+excrementQ Came here to tell tales+ all good 1or+ all good 1or

no$' No$ Ree%$ind is the name+ given name+ given name76The !ive+ the !ive a tale 0 can tell+ a tale 0 can tell+ 0

$ill+ b(t three co**ers m(st 0 see'7 !e smac%ed his g(mstogether and snorted li%e a *ig' 0ntrig(ed to hear another o1 histales+ 0 *assed over more 5in%'

6S*ire$ard+ s*ire$ard7 !e *ointed to his le1t+ at the

charred alley in the distance' 6An Alley o1 Dangerous Angles.7!e bent his limbs in a t$isted *arody o1 one o1 the s%eletal

b(ildings' 6Not al$ays angled+ not al$ays b(rned and charred+once alive+ no longer'7

6#lames+ 1ireQ7 !e 1l(ng his hands (* in the air+ then $avedthem to sim(late 1lames' 6The alley b(rned+ great smo%e+ ashevery$here in the end+ only skeletons o1 b(ildings le1t+ boneso1 dead b(ildings+ bones o1 dead b(ildings' Angles

every$here+ angles'7 !e h(nched 1or$ard+ his voice a $his*er'Again+ the stench 1rom his body hit me li%e a $ave'

6"angero(s+ no$+ bad men have set (* their %i* there+ %i*there'7 !e bo$ed+ then bro%e $ind in (ic% s*(rts+ li%e a b(gle


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!ive Mar%et @;

blo$ing' 6That is the tale o1 ho$ a street becomes an Alley o1"angero(s Angles'7 !e made a semi,circle over his heart'

6A man made it so' A beast made it so' A man $hom even

fiends admire' A sorcererBs tale+ 1illed $ith madness+ sadness+b(rning+ yearning7 !e hissed+ then cac%led in a $ay that

reminded me o1 a 1ire b(rning' 6A dangero(s tale+ a dangero(stale'7

6A sorcerer there $as+ no sim*le hedge $iard this+ b(t amage o1 power.7 Ree%$ind bro(ght his hands together

reverently+ then smiled evilly' 6!e b(rned $ith the Art+ and theArt b(rned him'7

6The name given him $as 0gn(s+ a name res*ected+ then1eared+ then hated+ then *(nished'7 Ree%$ind gave a rattling

$heee+ then cla$ed the air and hissed+ a**arently imitating0gn(s'B

6Ta(ght by one o1 the last great magi 0gn(s $as+ and as ana**rentice+ 0gn(s learned m(ch+ m(ch and nothing at the

same time'7 Ree%$ind shoo% his head sadly' 60n his heart+ hiscoal,blac% heart+ a 1ire blaed' 0t b(rned+ it b(rned+ and it

hungered.7 Ree%$ind cla$ed at his chest+ as i1 *ain' 6As ith(ngered+ 0gn(s h(ngered' 0t $as his $ish to see the Planesburn.7

60n the night7 Ree%$ind h(nched do$n and began to

slo$ly stal% in the direction o1 the alley+ a mad grin on his 1ace'60gn(s came to the Alley that $as to be the Alley o1 Angles+ and

the 1ire in his eyes+ the 1ire in his heart+ both he let o(t'7Ree%$ind *ointed at the Alley+ then 1l(ng his arms in the air+

silently screaming and la(ghing at the same time'6#lesh ran li%e $ax+ *eo*le li%e candles+ and 0gn(s la(ghed+

la(ghed7 Ree%$ind cr(m*led to the gro(nd+ his body$rac%ed $ith imagined *ain' 6An evil+ an evil $as done+ and

1orgotten not+ 1orgotten not'7 !e stood (*+ then h(nched over+loo%ed le1t+ loo%ed right+ then started m(mbling+ as i1 secretly in

a con1erence $ith someone' 6Something $as to be done+ bedone7 !e stood (*+ sti11ly+ his 1ace resol(te'

6A *(nishment $as decided+ all the hedge $iards+mid$ives+ r(ne,tellers+ co**er,*inching $itches+ all manner o1magelings they came+ all+ even those $ith the smallest traceo1 the Art+ to *(nish 0gn(s' Se*arately+ they $ere 1lies7 !e

made a b(ing noise bet$een his rotten g(ms' 6Together+dangero(s+ dangero(s'7 !e h(mmed+ then raised his hands

6Ca(ght 0gn(s+ granted his $ish7 !e s$irled his hands+as i1 casting a s*ell' 6!e $ished to b(rn+ they granted it+ (sing


45/466

@ !ive Mar%et

his o$n desire to 1(el the casting' They made his body a door tothe Plane o1 #ire they intended to %ill him+ %ill him7

6#ailed+ 1ailed7 Ree%$ind bro%e $ind again+ as i1 to

accent(ate the 1ail(re o1 the $iards' 60gn(s lived+ 0gn(s lived+only sle*t+ blan%et o1 1lames+ 1lames+ t(rned in his slee* as he

b(rned+ never ha**ier+ never ha**ier7 !e sh(t his eyes+$ra**ed his arms aro(nd himsel1 and t(rned slo$ly'62(rning ever,b(rning7 !is eyes s(ddenly sna**ed o*en'6One day he $ill $a%e+ and then+ then the Planes shall burn!7

This Ree%$ind seemed to %no$ m(ch' Perha*s his%no$ledge extended to the one 0 so(ght'

6Can yo( tell me $here 0 co(ld 1ind someone namedPharod7 As 0 tho(ght $o(ld be the case+ this elicited a demand

1or more co**er to hear a story' 0 agreed'6Once a man o1 res*ect+ Pharod $as+ a man+ a man o1 goals+

and position. All became nothing+ nothing+ t(rned to air'7Ree%$ind s(inted+ then bro%e $ind+ 1illing the air $ith a g(t,

ch(rning smell' 6T(rned to air and stin%'76A liar+ a cheater+ a man $ho t$isted la$+ Pharod $as'7 !e

h(nched over+ as i1 $riting at a des%' !e $roteB 1or a moment+then s(ddenly sto**ed+ a1raid' 6Then one day+ he 1o(nd that hehad t$isted himsel1Q7

6S(ch a liar he had become+ that $hen he died+ he $as to go

to a horrible *lace7 Ree%$ind shoo% his head sadly+ thenh(nched over again and loo%ed $ildly in all directions' 6Pharod

$o(ld not acce*t it+ $o(ld not+ $o(ld notQ !e had cheatedothers+ he $o(ld cheat his 1ate+ tooQ7

6!e read+ d(g in boo%s+ and cons(lted seers7 Ree%$indstal%ed bac% and 1orth+ his hand over his eyes as i1 staring o11into the distance' 6and they told him that only in trash co(ldhe 1ind that $hich $o(ld let him cheat his 1ate'7 Ree%$ind

bro%e $ind again+ then gave a ree%ing co(gh' 6Perha*s theylied7

Ree%$ind stood (* sti11ly+ then began to 1ling o11 imaginaryclothes' 3ith every *iece o1 clothingB he thre$ a$ay+ hebecame more h(nched'

6Pharod thre$ a$ay his *osition+ his goals+ and too% (* ane$ title7 Ree%$ind sto**ed+ then leered at me' !e cla$ed athis rags+ sha%ing them' 6And became a Ging o1 RagsQ !e $o(ld

r(le the trash+ have his s(b5ects search it all+ and 1ind that $hichhe needed'7 !e shoo% his head' 6!e loo%s even no$+ even

no$7


46/466

!ive Mar%et @F

6Dh do yo( %no$ $here 0 co(ld 1ind him7 Ree%$indshoo% his head'

6!e lives amongst rags and trash' There+ yo( $ill 1ind him+

1ind him7No real hel* then' 0 contin(ed $al%ing+ leaving the mar%et

area'0 $as c(rio(s abo(t this Alley o1 "angero(s Angles

Ree%$ind had mentioned' 0t $as nearby+ and $e entered' There$ere n(mero(s b(rnt shells o1 b(ildings+ and t$o gangs+ $ho

charged (s a toll to enter the area' 0n a r(ined ch(rch 0 met aman $ho named himsel1 Aola+ $ho seemed eager to tal% to me+

immediately coming over to greet me as soon as 0 entered theb(ilding'

63elcome to the cathedral o1 Aos%ar' !ave yo( come to$orshi* Aos%ar $ith me Jo( can be his second disci*le'7

6Tell me more abo(t Aos%ar'7 AolaBs voice too% on a toneo1 ad(lation'

6Aos%ar is the Gee*er o1 Iate$ays' 3ithin Aos%ar lies the*o$er o1 *ortals+ door$ays and o**ort(nity' Sigil+ also %no$n

as the City o1 "oors+ (sed to be the home o1 Aos%ar+ (ntil he$as castB o(t by that acc(rsed Lady' No$ there are 1e$$orshi**ers o1 Aos%ar here beca(se the Lady 1orbids it' That$ill soon change+ ho$ever+ as 0 hel* the *eo*le to see the

greatness o1 Aos%ar' She cannot stand against the $ill o1 the*eo*leQ7 Aos%ar+ h(h 0 didnBt see ho$ it co(ld h(rt to have a

deity on my side' Even i1 this *riestBs god didnBt hel* me+ hehimsel1 might be (se1(l'

60 $ish to become a disci*le o1 Aos%ar'763onder1(lQ 0tBs been so long since the last *erson as%ed'7

Aola made me *er1orm a series o1 com*lex rit(als and then said+6Jo( are no$ a disci*le o1 Aos%ar= go no$ and s*read the $ord

to the deniens o1 Sigil+ so that all may %no$ the glory o1Aos%arQ7 2elatedly+ 0 gre$ $orried'

63hy are there no other disci*les o1 Aos%ar76Over the years 0 have had many disci*les' Dn1ort(nately+

they have all disa**eared' 0tBs (ite 1r(strating+ act(ally' Assoon as they become initiates 0 never see them again' Lately+there has been a r(mor going aro(nd that the Lady hersel1 is theca(se' No$ no one comes by any more' Jo( are the 1irst so(l

0ve seen sto* by in a long $hile'7


47/466

@ Maed

MAZED

0 le1t the r(ined b(ilding+ tro(bled' 0 too% a ste* and 1o(ndmysel1 else$here' 0 $as alone' My s(rro(ndings $ere totally

di11erent' 0 $as standing on stone+ 1ormed into concentric rings'There $ere ga*s bet$een the rings+ altho(gh stone bridgesconnected the rings at irreg(lar intervals' The rings themselvesalso had ga*s in them'

3hen 0 loo%ed do$n bet$een the stones+ all 0 sa$ $as agray nothingness' There $ere only a limited n(mber o1 rings as

$ell' 2eyond the o(ter ring $as more o1 the gray nothingness+as tho(gh the s*ace 0 no$ occ(*ied $as someho$ bo(nded'Arches $ere *laced reg(larly along the next to o(termost ring+each arch 0 soon learned contained a *ortal' !o$ever+ the

*ortals only trans*orted me across the rings= none seemed tolead o(t'

As 0 $as veri1ying this+ 0 noticed a *lace that $asnBt bareroc%+ $here r(bbish $as *iled' 0 moved to investigate+ and

1o(nd someone be1ore me had cam*ed here' 0 1o(nd a c(rio(sob5ect at the cam* site'

0t a**eared to be some sort o1 5o(rnal' Sheets o1 driedh(man s%in had been stretched across a 1rame$or% o1 bone+ and

strangely eno(gh+ it a**eared the sheets o1 s%in had healedtogether at the seams+ 1orming the s*ine o1 a ma%eshi1t boo%' 0t

loo%ed li%e the o(ter sheets o1 s%in 1ormed a cover 1or a serieso1 other s%in sheets loc%ed inside the bone 1rame'

A series o1 symbols had been $ritten in blood across theexterior o1 the sheets o1 s%in+ b(t 0 co(ldnBt ma%e them o(t= they

a**eared to be some 1orm o1 $riting+ b(t they seemed to be$ritten (*side do$n+ right to le1t+ and at odd angles that made

my eyes h(rt'"es*ite the cr(dity o1 the $riting+ 0 had to admit the design

o1 the bone 1rame $as act(ally (ite intricate= the bones hadbeen carved so that they sna**ed neatly together' 0t loo%ed li%ethe bones co(ld be (nhoo%ed 1rom each other+ allo$ing theboo% to be o*ened and read'

0 (nloc%ed the bone 1rame+ $hich (n1olded $ith a neatsnap. 0 o*ened the boo%+ and st(died the *ages they $ere


48/466

Maed @/

1illed $ith the same strange series o1 symbols as $ere on theexterior cover+ and they didnBt seem to ma%e any sense'

M(ch as 0 tried+ 0 co(ldnBt ma%e sense o1 the symbols' 0

des*aired+ and decided to *(t the 5o(rnal do$n' As 0 re,hoo%edthe bone 1rame+ 0 $as s(ddenly str(c% $ith a strange tho(ght

that the *ages o1 the interior $erenBt supposed to ma%e anysense' 0 $hoever 0 $as at the time *(t the symbols there todeceive anyone loo%ing to read the real contents+ $hich $erehidden some$here else in the 5o(rnal 1rame'

0 examined the edge o1 the 1rame+ and noticed that one o1the bones had a hairline 1ract(re aro(nd one o1 its ends= 0 *(t

my hand over the edge and t$isted o11 the to* o1 the bone+revealing a hollo$ s*ace' 0nside the s*ace $as a small+ rolled,

(* scra* o1 s%in'0t $as di11ic(lt to read+ b(t 0 co(ld ma%e o(t most o1 it'TRAPPed TraP*ed LA"JS 30LLbe done "O"ge her gae

too MANJ0 G0LLd+ too MANJstrangle and %ill and sto* the 2REAT!

in their throats thereBs a 3AJ ODT 0 GNO3 it then 0ll give the2LA"ed one the la(gh

ONEo1 the ARC!Eholds $ay O(t+ ONEo1 them does+ ONEhas the $ay o(t+ canBt 5(st %ee* IO0NI thro(gh them one at atime+ maybe maybe 0 sho(ld go thro(gh one+ T!EN$al% bac%to the same *ortal $itho(t

The entry trailed o11 into indeci*herable scra$ls' #or somereason+ 0 had a 1eeling that $as the last entry either the

incarnation died in the mae or esca*ed someho$'0 1o(nd that i1 0 entered the *ortal in one o1 the arches on the

*eri*hery+ then $ent bac% to that same *ortal $itho(t enteringany other+ 0 $as trans*orted to an arch 0 co(ld not reach be1ore'The *ortal in that arch allo$ed me to leave+ ret(rning to the!ive at the s*ot $here 0 le1t' 0 1elt 0 no$ %ne$ $here AolaBs

disci*les had disa**eared'0 brie1ly ex*lained to Morte $hat had ha**ened' 3e le1t the

Alley o1 "angero(s Angles on its other side+ not too 1ar 1romthe Mort(ary i1 my rec%oning $as right' 0 contin(ed ex*loringthe !ive+ heading to$ards a section 0 had not visited be1ore'

0 heard a ho$ling (* ahead' 3hat strange animal $as*rod(cing the so(nd Then 0 sa$ it $as act(ally a $ild,eyedman+ h(nched over+ snarling and giving lo$ gro$ls' 0t loo%ed

li%e he hadnBt trimmed his hair in years it $as so long it1ormed a veil over his eyes' !e had a long+ stringy mo(stache

ca%ed $ith grease and s$eat+ and the ti*s o1 the mo(stache


49/466

>< Maed

droo*ed so m(ch that they had become tangled in his raggedbeard'

0 greeted him' The man sto**ed in mid,snarl+ and he

reached (* to *art the c(rtain o1 hair that covered his eyes' Ashis $ithered hand *(lled a$ay his dirty loc%s+ several strange+

*(ce,colored b(gs 1ell 1rom his hair and scattered across thecobbles' 2ehind the cloa% o1 hair+ the manBs 1lesh $as moon,*ale and creased $ith $rin%les' !is thic%+ b(shy eyebro$s1ormed a 8B as he stared at me'

6!and+ my ta%e thB moon 1ly+ toooo7 0 had di11ic(lty+ b(ttho(ght 0 co(ld *(le o(t his meaning'

6 Ta%e yo(r hand and 1ly to the moonB Not today+ my1riend'7

The man 1ro$ned+ b(t his eyebro$s tilted (*$ards in areverse 8+B creating a biarre ex*ression' 0 had no idea ho$ heaccom*lished the 1acial ex*ression+ b(t it made me(ncom1ortable $atching the m(scles beneath his 1ace shi1t into

the ne$ *attern' 0 co(ldnBt tell $hether he $as angry+ c(rio(s+both or neither'

6Singed %issss*ea% a man+ ans$ersss *re,1(r a $ood$oman heart'7

6 A single %iss s*ea%s a $omanBs heart+ b(t a manBs ans$eris $hat yo( $o(ld *re1erB 8ery $ell+ then+ b(t %no$ this: my

ans$er is a (estion+ and an ans$er 1rom yo( is $hat 0 $o(ld*re1er'7 The man seemed mesmeried by my voice' 3ith every

$ord 0 s*o%e+ a light 1lic%ered in his eyes'62ar%ing 3ilder Am,0+ 0,AmQ A,3anting+ As%ing,A+ May,

Jo(+ Jo(,May7 0 $as starting to get a 1eel 1or his lang(age'6Jo( may+ and 0 $ill: 3ho or $hat are yo(76Gay,oshQ7 !e st(ttered o(t the $ord+ as i1 having di11ic(lty

getting his tong(e aro(nd it' 6Some say Haositects+ 0 say S,tect,

0,soax' C!AOS,men' Men no' Nem no+ men yes+ three nose ma%ea yes'7 !e h(nched do$n on his %nees and began to roc% bac%

and 1orth+ singing in a child,li%e so*rano' 6Chaos,man+ chaos,man+ ho*,a,long home+ a 1action,it,is+ yet $e,are,alone'7 Nothaving anything to lose+ 0 as%ed another (estion'

60m loo%ing 1or a lost 5o(rnal' "o yo( %no$ $here 0 might1ind one7 !e 1ro$ned+ s(inted his eyes sh(t+ then o*enedthem bac% (*' 3hen he s*o%e again+ his voice $as level and

straight1or$ard it $as li%e a di11erent+ saner+ *erson $ass*ea%ing' The e11ect $as eerie'

6More than one lost+ more than one m(st yo( 1ind' Each*art o1 yo( had one+ so more than one m(st yo( 1ind'7 !e


50/466

Maed >.

blin%ed and shoo% his head 1or a moment+ as i1 s(r*rised athimsel1+ then ch(c%led (neasily' 0 as%ed i1 he co(ld tell me$here at least one o1 them $as' !e loo%ed li%e he $as abo(t to

ob5ect+ then s(ddenly his le1t 1ist came (* and smac%ed him inthe tem*le' !e ho$led in res*onse+ then s(ddenly sto**ed+

blin%ing'6One is in a c(*board in yo(r g(est room in the hall o1 the

Sensates+ and another is on the $alls o1 a tomb sealed dee*beneath the city $here the stones $ee*' The others are7

2e1ore he co(ld 1inish+ his right 1ist came (* and smashed himin the 1ace+ ca(sing him to yo$l again' !e blin%ed and shoo%

his head 1or a moment+ as i1 s(r*rised at himsel1+ then smiled(neasily'

That $as his last

Documents

Planescape Torment : The book