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Liaether form his love’s upper torso

Two!

Liaainst the severed neck

A gong sounded

No one breathed I was sure even Messenger did not

The Game Master said, “The player has won” He ithout any doubt, disappointed But he le of i branches, withdrew into his maze of a body

Ehed Liam bent over her on hands and knees and raised her up until she was sitting He put his arms around her, and the two of them sobbed into the other’s shoulder

“Am I needed further?” the Game Master asked

“No,” Messenger said “Not at this time”

“Have I performed my office?”

“Yes You may withdraw”

The Gaesture He stepped back and the one fro and crying lasted for another few seconds and then faded beyond hearing, though not beyond memory

“Stand,” Messenger said to Liam and Emma

I was ae it, and indeed it took some time They seemed as stiff and weak as if they were very old people But finally, helping each other, they stood erect, still holding hands, their faces masks of apprehension

“You did wrong,” Messenger said “But you played the gao on with your lives”