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[Silent Poet]

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Through the last few weeks, Poet had met with Captain Grey in order
to secure the paperwork granting Cat freedom.

With the help of his operatives, Poet had managed to catch Captain
Grey in every ruse and attempt to cheat his way out of the deal.

"Captain Grey, I do not mean to overplay me hand, but I have shown
ye I am an honorable man and not trying to cheat ye. On the other
hand, ye have attempted to connive and cheat me at every turn."

"I will admit you are a worthy opponent, but that you have bested me
in this campaign."

The distinguished looking captain reached into his velvet overcoat
and withdrew a scroll.

"By signing this, I relinquish any claim in this life or any other
after on the ownership of Catelyn Grey, known as Cat Lyxen. Never
again will she be claimed by any of my men or myself. She is free
henceforth. So I sign"

Captain Grey graced the scroll with a scrawling swaggering signature.

Just then, Vokes, the servant of Merteoe, Poet's Chef came bursting
into the Captain's office.

"Master, all of the ships at anchor are burning."

Captain Grey's eyebrows rose in alarm and started to stand when he
remembered the dwarf standing behind him with the poisoned dagger at
his throat.

Poet leaned over and took the scroll.

Captain Grey glared and whispered some ancient words.

Rocke Oakbender was suddenly blow backwards through the wall out
into the alley.

"Ye bloody fool, I will have yuir head for this" Poet said as he
summoned his arcane energies. His hands started glowing and all 10
lashmarks on his back burst open.

"Stand down lad, or I will kill ye where you stand." A mighty wind
swirled up and around Poet, snuffing all lanterns and candles.

"Rot in hell, you foolish fop!" Captain Grey opened his hand and
blew a handful of dust at Poet just as Poet's spellsong was
completed.

Captain Grey was engulfed in poisonous flames and staggered back
through the wall and off the end of the pier into the bay.

Rocke smote Captain Grey once as the flaming pirate ran past. Then
he screamed in rage as he ran into the meeting room.

He arrived just in time to see Vokes break off the hilt of a glowing
ruby dagger in Poet's chest as he was rubbing the dust from his eyes.

Poet instantly turned deathly pale and fell to the ground.

Rocke Oakbender ran to Poet's side just as Tai performed an
honorable execution on Vokes.

"This does not bode well." Tai knelt and lifted Poet's body into his
arms.

"We must return him to his place of power. We must take him back to
the Garden."

Tai and Rocke rode hard and long into the night, while Poet only
grew more pale.

When they arrived at the Garden they took the hidden passage to the lounge area.

Rocke started making signs with his hands.

"Hai, we should draw straws to tell Cat-sensei. However, I will
forgo that and take the responsibilty."

"Stay here and guard Poet-san."
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"When he spoke, what tender words he used! So softly, that like flakes of feathered snow, They melted as they fell." - John Dryden

[Scribble]

---

On the receiving end of a pigeon from Cat that read "Scrib, Poet is hurt. Come quick!" I arrived at the Garden without haste. There was no one in the tavern area. I went below to the lounge. Standing over Poet was Cat with tears in her eyes. Poet was sprawled on the sofa moaning, covered in blood. It seemed that it was flowing from his chest. I pulled out a medical supply kit that I had gathered 2 days prior to assist a wounded patron in the tavern, it ws empty but for a cloth. I handed Cat the folded cloth. "Put this on his chest and push down hard, it will hurt him but it is neccessary to stop the blood flowing before he is completely drained". Cat shakingly took the cloth and said "don't let him die Scrib". "put it on him and push NOW!" Poet hollered and writhed as he was racked with pain. Cat could not help from sobbing. I took a fraction of a moment to gather my thoughts.
"Cat we need water, white thunder, sewing kit, cloth and bandages." Cat nodded. I took over the compress. Poet let out a yell. Time stood still. It was like I was holding the heart of the world in my hands. I knew if I failed I could never look Cat in the eye again. I could not ever meet anyone in the eye again.
Cat stumbles back in with arms full, nearly spilling everything to the floor. "Cat we have to look at the wound" Cat nods. You have to be strong and not wretch, no matter how bad. Cat nods slowly, "okay Scrib, you just don't let him die" I reply without confidence in myself "he will not die just help me". Cat nods again.
Lifting the compress, blood flows free again. The wound is concealed in all the blood. Taking a pitcher of water I pour it on Poet's chest. Poet writhes in pain. There is a bit of metal protruding from his chest. "Cat he has been stabbed and the blade is broke off in him. It has to be removed and he has to be sewn up" Cat says "I canna pull that out!" With calm in my voice, I tell Cat " You do not have to pull it out. I will do that. You are the master seamtress. You have to sew. I will pull out the blade. Quickly clean with the white thunder and squeeze the wound together.I need you to sew as you have never done before to save Poet's life" Cat's voice broken up, "I cc..cc aa..an do that".
With an already blood sodden gloved hand, I reach in and with one quick yank, pull the blade from Poet's chest. It crumbles in my hand before I can drop it. As Poet screams, "her freedom", I pour white thunder on his open wound. Poet falls silent for a moment. I squeeze his his chest together. Cat sews with speed that would shame Tatiana to tears. "Stop! wait a minute, there is something else" Reaches into the wound and grips a ruby but it will not come free. "Sew around it" Cat nods and sews, sealing the wound around the ruby.
"He is still bleeding Scrib, look the blood is still spreading", Cat declares. " Let's roll him over", I reply. With might we did not know we had, we rolled Poet over and kept him from tumbling to the floor. I peeled his blood drenched shirt, stuck with congealing blood from his back. Poet is mumbling and carrying on, sounds like the lyrics to a love song. "It is his scars they are all bleeding", I tell Cat, "we have to sew 'em up too". Pouring more white thuinder on Poet he is writhing so hard I fear he may burst Cat's fine sewing on his chest. I mount his rear and try to hold him still. Cat is leaning on his arms. It occurs to me, "Damn I am dumb". Slap myself in the forehead and wave my arms frantically in a spell to paralyze Poet. He stops moving instantly yet continues to ramble. Cat is listening to him as I clean his back enough to see where to sew. Cat openly weeps as Poet sings what seems like a dieng love song. :Poet ya ain'y dying so hush a minute so Cat can sew. "Cat get busy here before ya can not see again", I tell her. Cat dries her eyes on her sleeve and takes the white thunder soaked thread to Poet's back sealing all ten of his leaking scars.
Poet is still and silent as we finish our work. "Cat we need to get him to bed but have to wait until someone comes along to help us lift him" I murmur quietly. Cat replies, "Aye, will he be okay Scribble?" "I am hoping so but he has lost alot of blood. I have an idea to replace his blood. I need Tai and his distillery knowledge. You go and fetch Tai. I will get some glass pipe fromt he Gargoyle City and a supply of blood" I convey with a new found confidence. Cat starts to go, " the blood will be of my own, elfish mixture and all, I need to give of myself to him in this way", she says on her way out.
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When they said to you at graduation, "Follow your dream, " did anybody say you have to wake up first?
Bill Cosby