{"id":12511,"date":"2021-10-17T03:17:40","date_gmt":"2021-10-17T07:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?p=12511"},"modified":"2021-10-17T03:17:44","modified_gmt":"2021-10-17T07:17:44","slug":"the-stone-dragon-series-book-1-chapter-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/the-stone-dragon-series-book-1-chapter-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Stone Dragon Series &#8211; Book 1, chapter 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_1231\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-12511-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\">http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?powerpress_pinw=12511-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 16:47 &#8212; 25.4MB) | <a href=\"#\" class=\"powerpress_link_e\" title=\"Embed\" onclick=\"return powerpress_show_embed('12511-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Embed<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_embed_box\" id=\"powerpress_embed_12511-podcast\" style=\"display: none;\"><input id=\"powerpress_embed_12511-podcast_t\" type=\"text\" value=\"&lt;iframe width=&quot;320&quot; height=&quot;30&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?powerpress_embed=12511-podcast&amp;amp;powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio&quot; title=&quot;Blubrry Podcast Player&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot;&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;\" onclick=\"javascript: this.select();\" onfocus=\"javascript: this.select();\" style=\"width: 70%;\" readOnly><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/echoes-from-the-cavern\/id857267086?mt=2&amp;ls=1#episodeGuid=https%3A%2F%2Fthecaverns.net%2FPodcasts%2F%3Fp%3D12511\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_itunes\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Apple Podcasts\" rel=\"nofollow\">Apple Podcasts<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribebyemail.com\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_email\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe by Email\" rel=\"nofollow\">Email<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>This chapter is read by Addy<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chapter two. At the Tavern<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Phlebus had a finely tuned sense of when Torgin was willing to listen, when he wanted to drink, and when he was ready to brawl. Since it had been a long week of rough travel from Central Brittany, complete with a tour of local rotting corpses (including complimentary aromatic country air) and because Zyrina had claimed he would buy the first round, he held out a tray full of too many ales for five people.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, this is exactly as promised. Well done Phle.\u201d\u00a0 Torgin rubbed his hands together.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The twins exchanged looks with each other and grinned. He was not smiling at Zyrina on purpose.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lucy took a wooden tankard of ale in each fist as did Torgin, then lifting the pints aloft they waited impatiently for Elnoth, Zyrina, and Phlebus to join them.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Phlebus handed Zyrina one of the three remaining mugs, offered one to Elnoth, and took the last one for himself.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Then he set the tray aside, raised his ale alongside his friends, and Phlebus and the twins all spoke in solemn unison, \u201cTo the chase\u201d before the three downed them in nearly one gulp.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIs that a ritual or something?\u201d Zyrina asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, a ritual.\u201d Phlebus began to explain as he picked up the tray and headed to the bar again.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we each go on our first mission outside of the school this is the toast we make,\u201d added Torgin.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery time we drink until the mission is over,\u201d Lucy finished.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, cheers.\u201d Elnoth added his own toast.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina matched it with \u201cfor Honour,\u201d then tapped mugs with Elnoth.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>By the time she finished her first swig and wiped her mouth, Phlebus had returned and set four more of the same ale down in front of the twins and took their empties to be filled before sitting down to enjoy his second pint while Zyrina and Elnoth still sipped their first.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo THAT\u2019S why you didn\u2019t want to get the first round,\u201d Zyrina clapped Phlebus on the shoulder and gave a hearty laugh.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are on their own now,\u201d he grumbled. \u201cTorgin is large,\u201d he added with a wry shrug, \u201cand he likes a wee ale upon occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina nearly choked she laughed so hard. It was about as big of understatement as Phlebus was ever to make. Torgin made even Lucy look tiny and she ducked when going through doorways. He scowled at the world even in his sleep. He fought with everything in his path and everyone knew it except him. Zyrina had also observed that he also had no understanding of \u2018quit\u2019 and he had a heart worth knowing.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhere did you get the snowy lynx, Torgin?\u201d Zyrina asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She hadn\u2019t said anything earlier about the large feline that had been following Torgin silently from the shadows since they met up in Xenos. The cat lay curled at Torgin\u2019s feet now, resting but not asleep. Her ears twitched occasionally.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLucy gave Kitty to me for my birthday, isn\u2019t she perfect?\u201d Torgin looked lovingly at the cat curled at his feet.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh, Torgin, it\u2019s not like you were pleased.\u201d Lucy interjected, \u201cYou protested and swore at me and told me you didn\u2019t need any ball of fur before that kitten wrapped you around her finger.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She leaned closer to Zyrina and added, \u201cOn the very first day, that fluff ball just ignored all his loud grumbling, yawned, and curled up on his shoe to sleep.\u201d Lucy was enjoyed telling this story of her big scary brother being at the beck and call of a tiny ball of fuzz. \u201cHe sat there for an hour until the kitten woke up and he\u2019s been devoted ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd Kitty is the name you chose?\u201d Zyrina wondered aloud.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKitty doesn\u2019t have a name. I call her Kitty because I don\u2019t know her name.\u201d Torgin replied stiffly.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think Torgin believes Kitty will talk to him and tell him her name.\u201d Lucy guffawed.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina raised her eyebrow and looked at Torgin again. He was blushing now. Zyrina hid her grin.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou don\u2019t know everything sister,\u201d was all Torgin would say on the subject.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The twins started reminiscing and soon they were lost in their own world and began speaking words that Zyrina hadn\u2019t heard before.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina leaned over to Phlebus and whispered, \u201cWhat language are they speaking now?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know, though it\u2019s possible it\u2019s one they made up. I have been trying to learn it with no success,\u201d Phlebus whispered back.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After the animated discussion with Torgin about the origins of Kitty, Lucy was again shy. Preferring to exist in the vagueness of the background she sunk into her chair and nursed her drink for a time. The rest of the companions were scattered around the table listening to Elnoth\u2019s description of the Snow Walkers of the high mountains that famously travelled to Jade Valley each winter and had just left as the weather warmed up. Torgin took a final deep guzzle to the dregs of his ale, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, signalled for another round to the server, then settled back to listen.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo, what\u2019s this tidbit that we are all waiting to learn?\u201d Phlebus leaned to the right and asked Elnoth.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0Elnoth, set his drink down and began, \u201cWell, it\u2019s been entertaining to have a tipple with you. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He pulled out a small bottle of ink, a quill, and a parchment from his pack.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese mutilations and the stone statues aren\u2019t the first time this has happened here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat? Why was this not brought to the attention of the council earlier?\u201d Phlebus wanted to know.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot sure,\u201d Elnoth shrugged, \u201cbut I think old-fashioned rumours don\u2019t belong in council, do you? My butler, Matt, has been muttering for weeks about the old stories coming true but he wasn\u2019t willing to talk in front of the whole council. He is hoping you will come over and talk with him directly. He knows what the old folks from hereabouts told him, and he thinks you should know it too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat old stories?\u201d Torgin asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Elnoth took a drink before going on, \u201cI didn\u2019t ask him but there have been rumours about this happening here in the ancient past.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow long ago?\u201d Phlebus looked concerned.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, let\u2019s see Matt knows somebody who knew somebody who knew something, but that\u2019s all I know.\u201d Elnoth took one of the fresh ales the server brought over.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen may we talk with Matt?\u201d Zyrina wanted to know even before Phlebus could form the same question.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSure, how about tomorrow?\u201d Elnoth completed his scribbling and put the lid back on the ink bottle. \u201cI\u2019ve written a letter of reference, so Matt knows I\u2019ve sent you over, in case I\u2019m not there when you arrive. My home is on the north side of the guild hall, you should be able to see it from your Inn.\u201d He looked up, \u201cyou are staying at the River Rider Inn, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow\u2019d you know that?\u201d Phlebus wanted to know. \u201cWe didn\u2019t even register yet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause it\u2019s a small town, Phle,\u201d Zyrina nodded and took a sip.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Phlebus looked horrified. \u201cWhat else do you know about us?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Elnoth took a deep breath and revealed, \u201cWell you and those human giants over there met in the city when you were all studying magic. They hail from the far north and they are a few years older than the rest of you.\u201d He nodded at each twin and went on, \u201cTorgin\u2019s good with an axe and Lucy is a renowned healer. Let\u2019s see,\u201d he said looking at Zyrina, \u201cyou\u2019ve got a reputation around Novia as an Outlander with a fine shot with that bow of yours and a chip on your shoulder regarding Novians.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Zyrina shot him an intense look of suspicion.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd you are an Ardoris orphan with a brilliant mind and a great deal of skill with magic.\u201d He added looking Phlebus up and down not quite believing what he had heard.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Taking in the look that Zyrina shot him Elnoth went on, \u201cAh, don\u2019t be like that, you know word spreads in a village faster than a wildfire. The governor shared Phlebus\u2019s correspondence with the rest of the council before the meeting today, is all. No need to get all hot under the hat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell how about you even the score and tell us who you are?\u201d Zyrina demanded.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFair enough.\u201d He puffed out his chest a little, \u201cI\u2019m one of the finest Master Crafters of weapons, amulets, armor and also a Master Enchanter here in Jade Valley. I have a few varied businesses and rental properties scattered in a few towns around Novia. Here\u2019s my card.\u201d He handed Zyrina a small rectangle of hardened paper.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll right then.\u201d Zyrina took another sip, read the card, and relaxed a little. <em>So, a gossip and a businessman<\/em> is what she thought to herself with a grin.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Elnoth the Viking Elf, at your service<\/p>\n<p>For fine weaponry, armor, and enchants<\/p>\n<p>Jade Valley, Elysium<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Torgin and Lucy\u2019s argument about who had actually spotted the mandrake near the bridge got louder and louder and finally could not be ignored. First there was a great deal of loud shouting and fist pounding. A few threats of violence and some tipped beers, then they hugged each other and vowed their eternal love for each other. Eventually they started to sing and dance to the great delight of the locals in the tavern that night. Kitty ignored it all with a flick of her right ear, as if it was normal to hear such fighting.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Neither of them had listened to Elnoth\u2019s gossip, though they made sure he always had a fresh ale. Phlebus took a swig, then as Lucy and Torgin finished their song, he began singing and swaying to an old folk song:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2018Long ago ran the sun on a folk who had a dream<br \/>And the heart and the will and the power:<br \/>They moved earth; they carved stone; moulded hill and channeled stream<br \/>That we might stand on the wide plains of Wiltshire.<br \/><br \/>Now men asked who they were, how they built and wonder why<br \/>That they wrought standing stones of such size.<br \/>What was done &#8216;neath our shade? What was pray&#8217;ed &#8216;neath our skies<br \/>As we stood on the wyrd plains of Wiltshire.<br \/><br \/>Oh what secrets we could tell if you&#8217;d listen and be still.<br \/>Rid the stink and the noise from our skirts.<br \/>But you haven&#8217;t got the clue and perhaps you never will.<br \/>Mute we stand on the cold plains of Wiltshire.<br \/><br \/>Still we loom in the mists as the ages roll away<br \/>And we say of our folk, &#8220;they are here!&#8221;<br \/>That they built us and they died and you&#8217;ll not be knowing why<br \/>Save we stand on the bare plains of Wiltshire.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lucy and Torgin couldn\u2019t resist joining in, and the townsfolk at the pub also began singing along. The old songs broke down barriers between strangers faster than any reassurances of good will and Phlebus was intent on hearing the gossip from each of the patrons of the pub that evening before they left. After the song, Zyrina gathered up the letter of reference Elnoth had set on the table, and she sat in a corner nursing her ale until the others were ready to leave. It was a long wait.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Of course, by that time Elnoth had wandered back home. When Phlebus noticed his absence, he insisted that in the morning they go to hear what Elnoth\u2019s butler has to offer.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut It\u2019s just old stories, Phle. Why do you want to hear more of those?\u201d Torgin wanted to know.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause many truths live in old stories, and I am looking for something ancient. Maybe the answer is in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhoa, now that\u2019s some fine reckoning.\u201d Lucy seemed to agree with Phlebus.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFine, but I\u2019m not getting up at the crack of dawn again.\u201d Torgin insisted. \u201cWe sleep till we are done sleeping. Agreed?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAgreed.\u201d Phlebus approved. \u201cAs long as we are all up before midday.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSure.\u201d Lucy nodded.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSounds good.\u201d Zyrina finished up<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Scribbling into his book for a minute he wrote <em>time to meet someone who knew somebody who knew somebody who knows something <\/em><em>and see what knowledge they can add<\/em>. He needed more information to confirm what Phlebus suspected was happening to disturb the valley.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"clammr-player\" data-title=\"The Stone Dragon Series &#8211; Book 1, chapter 2\" data-imageUrl=\"\"><audio id=\"audio-12511-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%; visibility: hidden;\" src=\"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\"><\/audio><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_11497\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11497\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11497\" src=\"http:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Echoes From the Caverns\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-144x144.jpg 144w, https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/45-Record-Album-230x230.jpg 230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11497\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Echoes From the Caverns<\/p><\/div>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_1233\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-12511-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\">http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/?powerpress_pinw=12511-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/cdb\/thecaverns.net\/Podcasts\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"Stone-Dragon-Ch-2.mp3\">Download<\/a> (Duration: 16:47 &#8212; 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25.4MB) | Embed Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS This chapter is read by Addy Chapter two. 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