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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Link
3: Ignorance</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">A
man opened his eyes to the familiar sight of a grey stone ceiling, dimly lit by
a faint, flickering glow.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Panic gripped
him for a moment, causing him to bolt upright in the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As quickly as it had taken him, however, the
panic faded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He remained cautious, but
he could not divine the cause of his initial terror.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Now
that he was sitting up in the bed, he could see that he was in a small, simply
furnished room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was sitting on a bed
against the wall furthest from the chamber’s only door.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The cushion he was resting on was kept off
the floor on a stout wooden frame, not particularly tall but high enough for
the bed’s occupant to reach anything atop the adjacent table.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">On
the table itself was a single guttering candle that provided the room’s only
illumination.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was a small pack
sitting behind the candlestick, likely belonging to the girl in the chair at
the foot of his bed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She seemed to have
been asleep until recently, and she looked at him only a moment before he first
noticed her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Lois?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">His
ear twitched at her voice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It took him a
moment before he realized that she was talking to him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Lois…”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sound of his voice seemed odd, like his
tongue and teeth would not cooperate the way he was used to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In fact, as he felt about the inside of his
mouth, he realized that everything felt wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>First, there was far more space in his mouth than should have been
possible, second, and more alarming to him, his teeth were all sharp and
predatory.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>>He's really confused. </font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
panic returned in a moment as he raised his hands before his face, finding that
they were now covered by white fur on the backs and strange black pads on his palms
and fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those fingers were shorter
than he remembered, certainly capable of grasping and manipulating objects but
still significantly reduced in their flexibility.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His left palm featured a tangle of ugly scars
whose source he could not recall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>The curse has changed him and he doesn't remember it having happened.</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">In
blind terror, the man threw himself of the bed, unable to the extent of the
unexpected changes due to the robe that hung to the floor as he stood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He looked about the room, hoping in vain to
find a mirror.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“What’s
wrong?” the girl asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She stood quickly
and walked beside him, trying to make eye contact even as he glanced around
erratically.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“What
happened to me?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His voice
still seemed odd, but at least the foreign feelings did not keep him from being
able to speak intelligibly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“A
lutin shaman cast a spell on you to increase the effects of the Curse.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It took us two days to discover how to change
you back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Are you all right?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
ermine turned to face her finally, gasping for breath in his desperation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Seeing her face, however, he came up
short.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was a moment of confusion,
and then a flash of recognition lit the man’s face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Lucy,”
he said simply.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Lucy, you’re a
mage!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tell me, why am I some sort of
animal?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">This
plea brought the girl up short.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
looked at him incredulously for a moment, but a realization slowly dawned in
her eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“You
don’t remember?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
ermine shook his head, his eyes pleading with her to explain his unexpected
change of form.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He continued to watch
her, even as she stepped back and walked a small semicircle back around the
room, silently trying to explain the happening to herself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“What
is the last thing you recall?” she asked slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was beginning to dawn on her that the man
they had rescued was an assassin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If he
had forgotten enough to be terrified to find himself turned into an ermine,
could that mean that he had likewise forgotten his decision to give up his
former employment?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
ermine tried to recall, looking about as if the walls could present the answer
he sought.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His eyes darted about for a
few moments, until he finally shook his head in frustration.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
don’t know,” he admitted, returning his gaze to the mage standing before
him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I remember, people, places…<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remember events, but I cannot remember if I
was ever there or if I simply heard of them from someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remember you; I remember I met you after I
came to Metamor to live…”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He stopped,
his eyes again darting for the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Metamor,” he mumbled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Why
is Metamor Keep important?” Lucy prompted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
came to Metamor because…<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Because it was
home?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No, I had only visited it once
before.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How could it be my home?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He grunted, clasping a fist to either side of
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Why can’t I remember?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His voice carried a very genuine degree of
desperation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
rubbed her chin as she considered the same question.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It must have been the spell somehow.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She winced.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Did we take too long?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>>I dont think its the spell. More is going on here.</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“There
has to be something you can do to help me,” Lois demanded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As Lucy’s expression turned sour, he groaned
again and paced around her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He drove a
fist into the nearby tabletop, making the candlestick jump and wobble briefly,
which earned a cautious glance from Lucy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>As it settled, she returned to her considerations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Do
you recall who you are?” she asked after some time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lois
hesitated for a moment, but he nodded slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“I do not recall everything, but I think I know enough.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am Vincent Lois.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am a patrolman for Metamor Keep.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have not been here long – but everything
before coming here is a blur.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He winced.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“No, not a blur, I can’t seem to pick out any
details at all.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
was cautious about taking him at his word without question, but he seemed
sincere enough.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He seemed lost, his eyes
glancing about at nothing as he tried to find hint of the memories that
continued to elude him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His breathing
was erratic, and he occasionally hissed something incomprehensible under his
breath.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The clear stress in his face and
his voice made it hard to even consider duplicity on his part.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
youthful mage made her way over to the bedside table, taking the pack and
browsing briefly through it until she found a small book with soft leather
binding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The first few dozen pages were
occupied by a rather eclectic combination of nature sketches, annotated magical
diagrams, and indecipherable lists that seemed to combine necessities that she
intended to buy at market and snide notes to self.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The mage flipped past those pages silently
until she reached a blank sheet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Do
you think you can still write?” she asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">She
gave Lois a small charcoal pencil, and watched as he looked at the blank
page.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It took him a few moments, but he
slowly began to sketch a few letters, and before long the letters had formed an
intelligible, if uninteresting, sentence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
have not forgotten my letters,” he confirmed, looking at his work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>That's good!</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Based on what I have observed, you seem to
have quite a few memories,” she noted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“I would suppose that the best thing for you would be to write down what
you can remember, and try to remember details about each particular thing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Memories exist as a chain, with each one
connected to the last.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you can find
those connections, you should be able to reconstruct much of what you have
forgotten.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lois
looked skeptical, but he nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What will
you be doing?” he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
need to tell the others that you have regained consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When we first broke the spell, you acted
strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They will be happy to hear
that you recovered somewhat.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She
started towards the door, but hesitated.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Do you remember anything about what you said then?” she asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
ermine shut his eyes and grimaced.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I
don’t recall anything beyond my first few days within the walls.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He glanced at one of his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Until I noticed that something felt odd, I
did not even recall being Cursed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
remembered you, though, and we did not meet until after the Keep’s curse
changed my form.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Are you sure that
memories are like a chain?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How would I
remember the one and not the other?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
gave a smirk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I said it was a chain; I
did not say that the chain was linked in a logical order.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A memory from your earliest years may connect
to something very recent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The links are
caused by emotions and senses, not necessarily in succession of time.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lois
nodded quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I still cannot recall
any details of regaining consciousness earlier,” he admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I am sorry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Don’t
worry about it,” Lucy replied.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Once you
have recovered your memories, I am certain that this mystery will be revealed
as well.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">She
opened the door and stepped out slowly, even as Lois sat on the edge of the bed
and began to look at the paper before him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He tried to think of someplace to start, even as the door closed and
left him in the dark chamber alone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>After a few moments of thought, he put the pencil to the sheet of paper
and wrote a question.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Who
is Vincent Lois?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">*<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>*<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
was not, of course, so convinced of Lois’ harmlessness that she left him
without summoning someone else to guard the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thankfully, the combination of her bond to
Julian and her magical talent made that simple.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The moondog had soon arrived, his face curious as he approached.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Has
he moved?” he asked before she could greet him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">She
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“He awoke not five minutes
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He has shown no violence towards
me, but his confusion is certainly still present.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He claims to have lost his memory, and I
cannot dispute that claim from what he has said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It seems that only fractured remnants of his
memories remain, and he has shown some confusion about what is reality and what
is fiction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
wish to tell the others of this development.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Would you be able to guard him in the interim?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
moondog glanced at the door before looking back at her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Is it safe?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“He
does not seem to recall enough of his past to be a threat, and even if he
secretly does remember some things, he is nonetheless unarmed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Based on the abilities that you have shown on
the battlefield since our acquaintance, I have no doubt that you will have
little trouble with him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">He
nodded, stepping up to place his back against the door as she stepped
away.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After a few steps, however, she
turned back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Julian?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">His
ears perked and he looked at her inquisitively.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Do
not be too quick to trust.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>Good idea</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">He
nodded resolutely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Do not worry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I will make certain that he does not escape.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
considered reminding him that Lois was their fellow patrolman, not a prisoner,
but she quickly realized that the truth was otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The events of the past few days cast serious
doubt on everything they had learned about the man.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He could very well have returned to being the
assassin that Andwyn had feared he was when he arrived.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dismissing
both the thought and the reprimand she had been considering, Lucy struck out
into the halls to find her companions.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The search was mercifully short; without the present need to find a
solution to an unknown spell cast on a friend, the members of both patrols had
returned to their sleeping quarters in the common bedding area.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While she briefly considered informing only
Alex of the development, she realized without much additional consideration
that Balrog had been far more involved in their success that the lynx had
been.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The lutin and his commanding
officer deserved to be informed as much as anyone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">While
the sleeping area was very nearly empty with the departure of so many patrols
in the wake of the plague, Lucy still led them all back to the room where they
had cast the spell to rescue Lois.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The
fire was long since extinguished, but she did not intend to spend much time
within.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The youthful mage magically lit
the sconces that were present to illuminate the room before turning to face her
fellows.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Lois
has regained consciousness,” she announced simply.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“You
brought us all the way here just to tell us that?” Alex asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His tone was easy to identify; he did not
actually think that she had taken such unnecessary measures for such a simple
announcement.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was simply driving her more
rapidly towards the real news.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
effect was immediate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Lois claims that
he has lost his memory.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She forestalled
questions with a raised hand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I spoke
to him about it, and he clearly can remember some things, but even those are
confused.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She briefly recounted her
conversation with the Cursed ermine, noting at the end that she had taken the
precaution of leaving Julian with Lois.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The others in the room remained in contemplative silence for a few
moments, until Balrog finally spoke.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
understand your concern.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While I call
myself his friend, Lois himself has frequently admitted that his past was
hardly admirable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still, isn’t it his
past that was forgotten?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Wouldn’t that
make him less dangerous?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Perhaps, but we cannot
assume either that he truly has lost his memory, or that he has lost only the
dangerous portions thereof,” she explained.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“He clearly remembers some things, but others are muddled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have asked him to try to sort it out as
much as he can, but we need to find a way to help him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
may be alone in this sentiment, but why are we even talking about helping
him?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The man speaking was Nathan, who
had taken up the position nearest the door.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>His tail bobbed back and forth in agitation as he looked for reactions
on the faces of the others.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I think
that everyone here is aware of his past sins; what is wrong with him simply
forgetting them?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It may take some time
to adjust, and there is always the threat of his memory returning, but it may
very well make him worthier of confidence than he has ever been before.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
scowled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I cannot justify that,”
she declared angrily.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Memories define
us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If we leave him as he is, we are as
good as accomplices to the person who destroyed the man he was.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“And
that is a bad thing?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Yes!”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lucy, despite her stature, always projected
very well, and she took full advantage of this ability as she strode
confidently towards the wolf.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It is not
for us to dispense justice at all, let alone by killing a man by our inaction.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“It
is not that severe!” Nathan insisted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“If
you forgot who you were and we made no effort to recover that memory, would you
say the same?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If the Keep had the same
morals that you do, the mages could simply collect fetish stones and use them
on anyone they disliked for any reason.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I would not wish that on the worst murderer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Punishment is worth nothing if it revokes all
memory of the crime.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Nathan
glowered at her coldly, but he resigned his argument with a wordless huff and a
wave of his paw.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Balrog looked none too
pleased with his commander’s suggestion, but he was not about to challenge
him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Alex’s gaze, as severe as always,
darted between the two debating Keepers once more, but any thoughts that he
might have held privately remained private as he returned the discussion to its
original focus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Is
there any way you propose that we might be able to help him remember?” he
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The difficulty with a man
losing his memory is always the lack of a consistent method that might lead to
its recovery.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She paused a moment; it
seemed that she was still regaining her composure from her heated spat with
Nathan.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“One possible saving grace is
the fact that he does remember some small things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Memories are connected, and only rarely are
those connections completely dissolved, even in the most severe
circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If he can discover those
connections, he might very well be able to reconstruct all of his most vital
memories through little more than concentrated consideration.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“What
is our task, then?” Alex asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
looked at Balrog.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Few of us have known
him for very long, but you say that you have known him for years?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
lutin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Should I help him recall
memories from when he knew me?” he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Yes,
but be careful,” the diminutive mage responded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“If you simply tell him of things that happened, the memory will have no
connections.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It would be like setting a
board on the waters of a river, hoping to build a bridge around it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It will be quickly washed away and leave you
exactly where you started.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Balrog
frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“So I must try to help him
discover the connections?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It may be time-consuming and
frustrating, but I see no other way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If
there were some way to restore memories with magic I would gladly make the
attempt, but I have heard of no such thing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>We must take the long, hard road to success here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“What
if he remembers his years as an assassin?” Nathan asked coldly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>>Now THAT is an excellent question.</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy’s
glare was enough to show her displeasure in his question, but even she realized
that it was something that they needed to discuss before it became a problem.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“We
are all warriors of one stripe or another, and he is unarmed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If he becomes violent and suspicious we
should protect ourselves, but we should try to take care that we do not harm
him regardless.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She thought for a few
moments before adding one more thing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“To that end, it is probably a good idea to have a mage on hand at all
times, to make subduing him easier.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>No real assassin is ever unarmed.</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Since
it seems that my task is the most vital to begin with, I will take that
responsibility first,” Balrog replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
held up a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I have no problem with
you being the first to speak with him, but I believe that it will be best if we
all have a few moments to speak with him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He has known most of us for at least a brief period, and I hope that
seeing us together will help him to make some immediate progress.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">There
was no argument from the others in the room, even though Nathan clearly wanted
to say something.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lucy stared him down
for a few brief moments to make certain that he never did.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Once she was certain that he would not dare
her anger again, she turned back to the others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Does
anyone have any other questions?” she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The only response was a few shrugs and shakes of the head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Very well; we should probably go see him
then.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sooner we start, the sooner we
can make some progress.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">When
no one presented any argument, Lucy led the way as they went through the halls
towards the room where Lois now rested.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Nathan hung back, his thoughts weighing on him heavily.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He had never been an acquaintance of Lois,
but the thought of helping an assassin when they could as easily do away with
the danger irked him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still, he could
not fight the arguments that had been brought against him, even if he was
certain that they were wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Shaking
his head, he quietly told Balrog that he had somewhere else to be, and stepped
out of the procession to attend to other things.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><font size="2">>>>The mystery deepens!</font><br>
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