Jayden's Luck

I was scared shitless. There's no shame in admitting it, as far as I'm concerned. How would you have felt, moving silently through a dark, creepy forest in the middle of the night, carrying two magic sticks - while trying to sneak up on a dragon? Not my idea of a pleasant way to spend an evening, that's for damn sure. I'm a street rat, born and bred; I don't belong in the woods. Especially not when there's a bloody dragon involved. Ah, I hear you ask: but why was I moving towards said giant reptile, and not away from it, as quickly as possible? Stupidity can't be ruled out, of course. But mostly it comes from an inability to say no. Also, it was Jim Davis who was asking. Hard fellow to say 'No' to. He got his nickname from the blood which frequently splashed his armour, and then ran down to stain his trousers. - "C'mon, Ken." he'd said, two weeks earlier. "You owe me. You know you do." I did. He'd helpe

I could see underneath the dragon, between its legs, as Jim hewed with his sword, and sheered a claw off the monster's back foot. The big fighter had suggested that I might be able to contribute, somehow. I didn't see how my rapier, or my dagger would make much of an impression. It would have to be my pistols. But there was no point trying to put a ball through the dragon's scales. I needed to find a soft spot. Underneath, perhaps? Four skeletal apparitions surged from the ground, directly in front of Sazz. I don't know what Carpon what doing, but he couldn't possibly reload that massive musketoon in time. The dragon retaliated. He clawed at Jim - which missed. Then he spewed acid at the necromancer - which didn't. There wouldn't be much of Sazz left, after this fight, to bury. That's assuming that we would be around to bury him. Somehow, the dragon also found the time to swing his tail again. I wasn't able to dodge completely. It felt

Kima's opinion had probably carried more weight. However they had decided, I wasn't about to complain. I was still alive, and I'd be bringing home some loot. - "We'll borrow your wagons until we get back to the city. After that, they're yours to sell, or keep - as you will." she added. - "Thank you." The rest of the day was one long ordeal of lifting and carrying. The dragon's hoard - and it was considerable - had to be separated, and then carried to the wagons. There were coins of every size and shape. Copper, bronze, silver, and gold, plus a few metals I didn't recognize. A numismatist would have been coming in his pants. But then he or she didn't have to bag the damn things, and then carry them to the wagons. It's amazing how heavy coins are, when they belong to someone else. Only one in thirteen would be mine - and then a tenth, or possibly even a fifth would have to paid to the pirate Lords. And I fully intended to pay

If the Gods really existed, Mehdawi would have been a saint, wielding a magical rod of healing. Instead, he toiled in obscurity. Only the sick and dying knew his name.- "That's wonderful, Ken." he said. "But ... do you have a moment?"An hour later, after casting three healing spells, I left the Gale. Braida and his friend were relieved to hear that we were going uphill.First stop: a tailor, where I bought three new sets of clothes. Then a weaponsmith, to purchase another rapier.Second stop: my old room. I paid what I owed, collected a few belongings, and left. A few streets away, I acquired a new room, depositing a month's rent in advance. I stashed some clothing and the new rapier there. After that, a gun shop, for a little more powder and ball.We dropped in at my second room, where I also paid a month's rent in advance.The next stop was a dress shop, owned by Jim's last girlfriend. I suspected he was planning

- "I haven't seen you in weeks, Aliona. Of course you can stay. We'll have breakfast together, at the very least." I felt a little bad as I said that. I had already decided that I wouldn't be seeing her any more after this. "I did miss you, while I was gone." I said.She was happy to hear it. Aliona had a pretty face and a great rack, as I said. She also had a wonderful sex drive. We fucked twice more, took a short nap, and then got up for breakfast.***It was well past midday before I took Aliona home. Then I went back and cleaned out my first room. I'd paid for a month, but I wasn't going to use it. Instead, I gave the key to one of my young informants, who I suspected of sleeping out of doors more often than not.Sinker (a nickname which referred to his swimming skill) was very pleased. "I'll take good care of it for you, Ken. Promise." He was a good lad, though perhaps a bit too intelligent. He thought about things a little too long,