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Chapter 29
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2024-10-29 19:42:56***
I was up on the roof of the Narimac, talking to the gargoyles.They weren't employees. They were bound to the building, by an incredibly powerful spell. But it was finite; it would expire one day. Until then, they were compelled to protect the Narimac, and do the bidding of the owner. Me, or Sylvia.But the spell couldn't hold them, if I ordered them to go more than three hundred yards away.
- "It's prolly 500." said Thaak, the male. "But you shouldn't risk that. You never know."It was Sylvia who'd told me how the pair of gargoyles were ensorcelled, magically trapped to serve as security for the Narimac.- "They have 187 years to go." she told me. "Bella paid for the spell. It was set to last for 250 years."- "Damn." I said. "Do they know that? The gargoyles?"- "Why not ask them?" said Sylvia.- "They can talk?" I said. Sylvia just gaveRelated chapters
Jayden's Luck Chapter 30
- "It won't be easy, though." said the wizard. "Or cheap." - "Uh-oh." I didn't like the way she'd said that last bit. "How much?" Taliesine shrugged. "Anywhere between a hundred and two hundred and fifty thousand." I gaped at her. It wasn't that long ago that I'd have considered 250 a good score for the month. Now I was listening to the raven-haired wizard calmly throwing out a sum a thousand times greater. "There are components we will need. I can't even begin to imagine how we'll obtain some of them. Magical resources, consultations ..." - "We can afford it." I said. "How much do we have on hand, partner?" Sylvia put her hand on my arm. "Slow down, Ken. We have to maintain a considerable reserve for the Narimac. You need money, as well, to buy a house. Taliesine is earning her reward." - "Kima and I have found a suitable place." said the wizard. - "There you are." said Sylvia.
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"Physically and mentally drained. Satisfied, with a job successfully completed. But well aware that it could easily have all gone very badly. Lucky. You were feeling lucky to be alive. But too damn tired to enjoy it." - "That's amazing." she said. Her eyes were wide. "How did you read all that?" - "I told you: it's exactly what I was feeling. That was why I felt a ... kinship with you. Then I healed you - that always creates a bond. It works both ways, in case you're wondering. I will always be grateful to Pamna." Aressine blushed. She swept her hair back. For the first time, I realized that she had an exceptionally long neck. Swan-like. I felt the urge to kiss her neck, her throat ... - "And Pamna told you that I was interested in you." she said. - "Don't make too much of that, Aressine. Yes, if I hear that a woman is interested in me, I'm curious ... But if she's ugly as sin, it isn't enough that she likes me. Or, if she'
Jayden's Luck Chapter 32
"Please tell them that I'm looking for them. I'll be back later today." Then I was off to meet Teeshay. I didn't particularly want to, but if I failed to show up, that might tell Jerian that I was on to her. I started thinking of something to do that would keep her occupied for a while, far enough away to keep her out of my hair for a time. Teeshay was too excited; I could tell the moment I saw her. - "I have something." she said, immediately. "It could be really important." - "Oh?" It was going to be a lie; the only question was, what kind of lie? - "Remember you told me to keep an eye on Jerian's bodyguards? Well, two of them went to a house yesterday. I checked the place out after they left. It wasn't a tavern, and it wasn't a whorehouse." - "No?" Teeshay grinned, and shook her head. "It was Nanamon's house." - "Who?" - "Nanamon. One of Evor OneHand's captains!" - "Oh!" Never mind that I didn't believe Teeshay
Jayden's Luck Chapter 33
Aressine took off her boots, and then undid her belt. Still with her back to me, she slid her pants down, and stood there naked, with her back to me. Her ass was fine, but it was the twin dimples in her lower back, just above her buttocks, which made me smile. Lovely. She surprised me by turning around to face me. I had expected her to be more modest, more tentative. But Aressine seemed prepared to let me gaze my fill at her naked body. And what a body. Her neck was quite long, and only stood out the more because of her powerful shoulders. Her breasts were perfectly proportional, and beautifully shaped. Her stomach rippled with muscle - something I was not accustomed to, on a woman. She did cover her sex with her hands, but I could admire her well-toned legs. They were strong, but still shapely. Aressine watched me as I ran my eyes over her body, much as she had run her hands over mine. She could tell that I was happy with what I saw. - "You
Jayden's Luck Chapter 34
- "That was ... incredible." said Aressine. - "Most exciting date I've ever had." I said. - "Don't joke, Ken. Those men were there to kill us." - "You were amazing, Aressine. I can't believe that I saw what you did. I can't believe that you did that." We were still in the throes of the moment. Blood pumping, senses on full alert. I could see Aressine's nipples poking through her shirt. I was more than half hard, too. I reached over, and placed my hand on her thigh. But Aressine had been looking around. She was no fool. - "Is this Sylvia's room?" - "Umm ... yes." - "She's seen you naked before, hasn't she? Have you slept with her, Ken?" - "Yes." There was no point in denying it. - "More than once?"" Ouch. I hadn't expected that question. - "Yes." Aressine frowned. - "And Pamna?" she said. - "Well ... you knew about her." - "I mean, have you slept with her since we re
Jayden's Luck Chapter 35
- "I get it. I get it!" Nobody does snarky like an eleven year-old street rat. Especially the female variety. But just for a moment there, I think that Denya understood how worried I was. "Alright." she conceded. "I'll spread the word." - "Thank you." I passed her some money. If she and her brother stayed off the streets, they wouldn't have any income. Then I went to meet Teeshay. This was going to take careful handling. Since I had last seen her, yesterday, she had sent me into an ambush, which I had avoided by using my telekinesis spell. Had I been stupid enough to knock on the door, blunderbuss-boy would have blown my head off. Then, that very evening, the same killers had interrupted my tryst with Aressine. Thank goodness she'd been there; I wouldn't have been able to handle all four attackers. I had to guess at how much of that Teeshay knew. Well, how much Syrava knew. Not for the first time, I wondered why she disliked me so intensely.
Jayden's Luck Chapter 36
- "What do we do now?"- "You keep silent, and stop interrupting me. Then I will dispel the wards." Taliesine didn't even bother to look my way, but Kima was grinning.The glow on the door vanished. The wizard stepped back, and waved a hand at me. A quick check confirmed that there were no mundane traps. I had my lock picking tools ready, but I barely needed them. It was child's play to open the door.I entered first, and led the way, followed by Taliesine, with Kima acting as rearguard. We had decided not to use a candle or lantern, because the light might show through a window, when no one was supposed to be home.I wasn't the only one with low-light vision. Taliesine had it, too - courtesy of a spell. Kima simply told me not to worry about her.Once inside, the wizard insisted on casting her detection spell again.- "Clear."There was no need to go near the kitchen, as far as I was concerned. Jerian's ro
Jayden's Luck Chapter 37
Easier said than done: we were still awake hours later, no closer to knowing what to do about Syrava. That was one reason why I changed the subject.- "Taliesine?"- "Yes?"- "Have you ever had an apprentice?"- "Once. It was an error on both our parts, which ended badly."- Have you ever considered taking another? Or possibly tutoring someone?"Taliesine raised a single eyebrow. "Who, Ken? You obviously have a specific person in mind. I have no interest in training one of your paramours, no matter how much financial inducement you offer."- "Paramours? No - she's only 11."- "Eww, Ken!" said Kima.- "No. No! She's not my girlfriend. Her name is Denya. She's a street kid. Part-time thief. She works for me, sometimes - she's the best tracker I've got. Bright, quick-witted, observant ..."- "Why her?" asked Taliesine.- "I worry about her. I want to help her .
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Jayden's Luck Chapter 46
- "Well, there is a way to prevent it from happening again." she said. "Ken could buy you the house next door." It wasn't as crazy as it sounded. Sylvia wasn't simply floating an idea that had just occurred to her. - "We have more than enough money." she told me. - "What about the research for your spell?" I whispered. - "We can easily to buy another house. Or several houses. In fact, it would be a wise investment, against the day when the Narimac is no longer here." - "Really?" - "You could sell them, at some time in the future, if you needed money. Or you could rent them to lodgers, and provide yourself with a regular income." - "How do you know so much, when you've never set foot outside this place?" It wasn't a real question; no answer was required. I was just amazed by my partner - again. Pamna and Fhaernala weren't sure that they wanted to be housemates, but the idea of a l
Jayden's Luck Chapter 45
I was stunned. Sylvia couldn't leave the Narimac. It had never occurred to me that her magic could. Or was it the fact that it was Taliesine's spell, first? Taliesine turned to Aressine. "I am sorry if I caused you undue worry. It was not my intention to harm either of you." "You may have said certain things, in my presence, when you believed that I was dead. I was not expecting to eavesdrop, or to hear sentiments which probably would not have been expressed if you knew that I was alive." - "You don't have to apologize to us. Well, to me, anyway. Sorry." I said, to Aressine. - "I understand why you didn't tell us, Taliesine." she said. "But I was frightened. I really thought you were dead." - "That decision was taken in haste. I may not have made the best choice ... for all concerned." - "She didn't think that I could keep the secret." said Kima. She still looked half furious, and only half relieved. "She was pr
Jayden's Luck Chapter 45
No such luck. Cremyne was a crazy bitch - but she'd make all of us suffer if I pushed her too far. - "If ... if I tell you what the problems are ... you'll give them a quick death?" I whispered. - "Absolutely." said Cremyne. Another lie. She was already angry. Boutan and Naomi, Kima ... and Aressine were going to endure torment before they died - all because of Cremyne. I'd been wrong again. All these weeks, I'd been wondering why Syrava hated me so much, and how she could turn, so viciously, on her former friends. But the fey wizard was only part of the picture. Cremyne was just as bad - or even worse. Plan C, then. Three pathetic little spells, and a slim blade in my boot. That's when I saw the shadow on the stairs. Aressine might have noticed it. Boutan and Naomi probably couldn't see, from where they were. Nor could Samadar, who was still standing next to them. Kima, of course, was facing t
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- "Denya, you met her. She had the personality of a horned lizard. What was to like?" - "You hated her, then?" - "No, dummy. I respected her. Taliesine couldn't have cared less whether I liked her or hated her guts. Most of the people I've met who didn't care were assholes. But you have to admire someone - who isn't a complete asshole - who genuinely doesn't give a shit what people think of them." - "That's definitely not you." said Denya. "You try too hard to make everybody like you. And I'm not a dummy." - "Yeah, you are." I said, prodding her with my dagger. "When I called you a dummy, you got upset, and you totally missed me drawing my dagger and transferring it to my left hand." - "FUCK!" Denya was seriously ticked off. Not at me - at herself. I went to find Mehdawi. That night was the rarest of occurrences: a quiet time at the Gale. He only needed me to cast one spell. After that, he open
Jayden's Luck Chapter 43
Syrava's spell was broken as she fled. I lurched forward, off-balance. There was no sign of Samadar now, either. He had crawled away, and then melted into the shadows. The gargoyles dropped the dead crossbow-woman to the ground. Thaak stood for a moment, admiring his handiwork. Aacah loomed up beside me. - "Help." I got out. "Help me carry Aressine. Careful -" Aacah bent over, and scooped my girlfriend up in her arms. Aressine screamed as the shattered bones in her hip ground together. Then she passed out. The two gargoyles helped me carry my injured companions to the Narimac. We created quite a stir when we entered through the front doors. Sylvia was there. Thank all the Gods - my partner took charge of us. The gargoyles took us upstairs, where Sylvia had a look at Taliesine. Then she switched her attention to Aressine. Neither woman was making any noise. - "Crossbow bolts.
Jayden's Luck Chapter 42
- "You don't want to hear me trying, sweetheart." - "Please? Just a little bit?" - "Don't ask. You'll regret it. Take my word for it." She wouldn't stop. She continued to plead with me, to harp, to badger, to cajole ... but I knew how to make her quit. I sang four verses of a well-known sailor's shanty. What will you do with a drunken sailor? What will you do with a drunken sailor? What will you do with a drunken sailor, Earl-eye in the mornin' Aressine took it like a warrior. Her eyes watered, a little, but she didn't run away. - "I see." she said. "You were right." There's a first time for everything. *** Aressine and I were entwined, in the spoon position, with my erection buried inside her. We weren't thrashing about, though - it was our third lovemaking session of the day, after all. We were in no hurry. - "HA!!" I heard, from halfway across the
Jayden's Luck Chapter 41
"I didn't want to put you in danger." I said. "I think you already are, though. I'm sorry about that." She took my hand in both of hers. - "What's the alternative, Ken? To live at the Narimac, and never go outside? Or to cut yourself off from everyone you know, so that no one but you is in danger?" She was remarkably perceptive; I'd been thinking along those very lines, only a few nights ago. It sounded sillier when she said it that way. "Your friends would rather support you, and help. You can't expect us to let you face your adversaries alone." We sat in silence for a moment. Then I remembered something she'd said earlier. - "You said that you'd been thinking, too." - "Yes." I didn't press her. I did reach over, with my free hand, to stroke her fingertips. Other than that, I just waited. Aressine was not an impetuous person; more often than not, she was very deliberate, taking her
Jayden's Luck Chapter 40
- "Better." I said. "Who is your employer?" - "Jerian, the Younger." Technically, I suppose, that was true. I decided to let it pass, for the moment, and let Teeshay think that she'd gotten away with one. - "Have you slept with him?" She hesitated for a moment. "Yes." That gave me a sudden inspiration. "Who else have you slept with, in the past month?" Her jaw dropped. "Are you serious?" - "Very. Who else?" - "You, for one." Then, reluctantly, Teeshay proceeded to name nine more men. Three were independent pirate captains; three were members of Inavar's crews. The last trio were one of Ledomir's captains, his first mate, and a man whose name meant nothing to us. Teeshay glanced at Sylvia, quickly, as she finished her list. - "All true." said the Jasmi. "But she left out two men, and two women." Teeshay could only stare at my partner, her mouth open. - "That counts
Jayden's Luck Chapter 39
- "We've met." said the dark-skinned, dark-eyed asshole that I'd encountered at the Eagle - when he claimed that I was sitting at his table. He'd shaved his head for the occasion. His voice was just as cold, just as expressionless as the first time I'd heard it. "I remember Master Ken." he said. "I remember him very well." Had we been meeting outdoors, I would've been reaching for my pistols. They wouldn't dare to try anything at a party, in a crowd - would they? Pirate Lord Rymogo extricated me from what might have become an awkward situation. She threw an arm around my shoulder, and shouted in my ear. - "Ken! I was looking for you!" Then she pretended to catch sight of Jerian's party. "Jerian." she said, coolly. - "Rymogo." he answered, equally cool. "You know my wife, Cremyne." Then he had to introduce the rest of his party. They were - understandably - much more polite to old Rymogo than they'd been to me. She gree
