AJ's Stories

Luck Lucky

by AJ Marks

Part 15: A Lucky Civil War

Gwen looked at the sunlight stream into the room.  It had taken some time for Zoe to fall asleep.  She took the loss of her mother hard.  Gwen recalled the loss of her own parents and how hard that had been.  Her position at the time made it even worse, due to her position in the Royal Family.

Gwen softly stroked Zoe’s back.  Her mind drifted to everything that happened last night.  So many new questions, especially considering the fact that the King seemed to have left the town along with his son, Derek.

Movement from Zoe refocused her attention back down, watching the girl wake up, slightly confused at first.  She looked down into green eyes, waiting for what might happen next.  Zoe snuggled closer giving Gwen a squeeze before finally loosening her hold.

“It’s not fair,” Zoe finally said.  “I just found my mother, and that happened.  I am unlucky personally.”

“No you’re not,” Gwen said firmly, watching the green eyes look up at her, in pain.  “You were lucky to have even met your mom, many orphans never do.  She never stopped loving you.”

“She gave me up,” Zoe said, in a small strained voice. Continue reading…

Luck Lucky

by AJ Marks

Part 14: A Lucky Kidnapping Part 2

Gwen looked around the city, one she never considered she would be back in.  Following Valerie, who was the lead of the group and towards the inn.  She noticed the vibe of the town felt was different than when she had last been there.  People had the same look that the town she and Zoe had visited shortly after leaving Setta.  Gwen smirked slightly at that.

“Something funny?” Valerie asked.

“Nope, just thinking to myself,” Gwen replied.  Now was not the time to be speaking about Zoe’s mother.  The woman had to be around somewhere.

Valerie looked at her for a second before dismounting at the stable.  Paying for the horses they moved on to the inn and walked in.  Gwen had never been in this one before.

“How many rooms?” the innkeeper asked.  “Don’t have many.”

“Three, I sent someone ahead to reserve rooms for me, Mistress Valerie,” she said, waiting patiently for the innkeeper to look through his paperwork.

“Ah, yes, it’s right here, three rooms, got them all ready for you,” he said, becoming very helpful.  “Is there anything that I can do for you?”

“Not at the moment, long ride from Setta,” she replied. Continue reading…

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

A lucky Rebellion part 2

Gwen looked around seeing a very different atmosphere around the city that Zeltran said to meet up with the rebellion in Sinthal.  The town she could recall from her days in the Realm, a small trading post for the Shadlowlands.  Riding in she hoped no one would recognize her, except those who wanted to see her.

Looking around she spotted a few guards, who glanced at her, but otherwise paid no mind to her.  Most looked more at Zoe than her, her long blonde hair, and cute figure made her easy to look at.  Gwen had no idea what to expect, and made her way to the stable.

“How much?” Gwen asked.

“Ten creds,” he said, causing her to almost balk at the price.

“Ten!” Zoe exclaimed, shocked at the price. Continue reading…

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 11: A Lucky Rebellion 1

Gwen rode into the town of Setta, after an uneventful ride.  They made it early much to Zoe’s pleasure.  Gwen dismounted at the stable, helping Zoe down before asking the man how much to stable their horse.  After exchanging coins with the man, she turned towards the town.

“Well, looks like you’ll be having fun,” Gwen said, sizing up the crowds already.  So far she saw way too many people despite having a large market place, or was it due to the large market place.  She had hoped such a large area might think the crowd a bit.

“Yep, looks like fun,” Zoe replied, her eyes twinkling with excitement.  “I could use some charcoals for my drawings.”

“Still drawing,” Gwen said, looking down at Zoe. Continue reading…

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 10: A Lucky Town II

Gwen and Zeltran had disabled several traps already, working out a large enough path for the escape, in case the kids tried to move in a different direction by accident.  Several traps were well hidden, but were easily spotted from above.  Louis never considered someone in the trees to approach the camp.

They went through the path several times, and counted the guards, when they walked though, and how often.  One flaw to Louis’ defenses, the guards never checked to see if the traps were still working, only if someone had been caught in them. They were finally satisfied with the work and settled in on waiting for nightfall.

Now however, it meant she had to spend time with Zeltran.   He had worked quietly and efficiently with her, and looking over at him, he merely looked on comfortably watching the camp and its activity.  She was ready to go, and he looked so relaxed.  She looked over watching as the guard switched.  Louis paced around the camp several times, with couriers racing to and from the camp.  He had to be working on getting a new backer for his slaves.

Three new riders came into the camp, and Gwen froze a bit, recognizing them, hoping this did not complicate things.  With the arrival of Leo, it appeared Louis had a new backer.  The man worked quickly in Gwen’s opinion. Continue reading…

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 9: A Lucky Town

Gwen guided the horse down the path.  A gift from Valerie as a peace offering for what she had said, and for services rendered.  Gwen and Zoe reluctantly accepted, and Valerie reassured Zoe that the saddle was normal this time.  Zoe had fallen asleep not long ago as the motion from the horse lulled her into sleep after the emotional time the past few days since leaving Setta.  Traveling between towns would be quicker now with transportation, and most towns had a stable she could keep Eros at.

After leaving Setta they had talked a bit more about her being a latgic.  To Gwen it explained so much, from why people wanted Zoe, to her incredible luck.  Zoe had not seen herself as lucky, and Gwen could understand.  From her point of view it would seem like everyone but her got lucky, they always won against what she wanted.  Gwen had defended her against Stephos, and others before she even knew about the situation.  So Stephos had not gained all her luck, because if he had, Gwen would have lost that first battle with him.

Gwen mused he probably followed them into town, expecting them split up, like they had done.  However he had not expected the town to be so crowded, nor of them sharing a room.  She told Zoe that her luck did affect her, after all, everything that seemed to happen since then directly affected her. Continue reading…

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 8: A Lucky Slave? II

Gwen led Zoe down the hallway following Valerie and Lori into a larger room with several long tables.  Servants were busy bring food into the room and setting it on the side table.

“An excellent looking feast as normal,” Valerie said.

“Yes, however sadly I think it won’t change your mind, will it,” Greis said.  Gwen waited to see how Valerie would handle this situation.

“You are retiring next year still,” Valerie said, watching Greis nod yes.  “I can’t do business with your son, so I have to look for someone else now.”

“As I thought,” he said sadly with a shake of his head.  “It seems like I have no choice, if I want to keep my money.”

Gwen stiffened slightly at the approaching power, knowing Leo was about to enter the room.

“You’re late,” Greis said. Continue reading…

Lucky Luck

by AJ Marks

Part 7: A Lucky Slave?

Gwen walked down the street of the town looking over Setta.  They decided after everything that happened yesterday that Zoe would go shopping and she would look for Hans’ office.  Zoe had taken off to the markets while Gwen followed the instruction by John to Hans’ place.  She finally spotted the small building, really it looked like a small one room building and no one really around.  Walking inside she spotted a short man with long dark hair sitting behind the desk.  He looked up as she entered.

“Help you miss?” he asked, the tone neutral.

“Looking for work, John mentioned you,” Gwen said, taking the time to look around, seeing a second desk and another man, along with a smaller room off to one side.

“John you say, intriguing.  He usually doesn’t send me people, must have impressed him.  What did you do?” the man asked.

“Did some work helping him with his transportation issue,” Gwen answered, leaving out Stephos. Continue reading…