{"id":2610,"date":"2019-02-16T07:10:54","date_gmt":"2019-02-16T13:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2610"},"modified":"2019-02-23T07:26:11","modified_gmt":"2019-02-23T13:26:11","slug":"lucky-luck-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=2610","title":{"rendered":"Lucky Luck – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lucky Luck<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 1:\u00a0 A Lucky Encounter<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gwen walked down the street, trying to avoid people as much as possible.\u00a0 The last thing she wanted to encounter, a fighter who wanted to prove something to his, or her, buddies.\u00a0 While the chances of such a thing happening was small, she took no chances.\u00a0 Her own high fighting power meant any fights she was in might cause her to stand out.\u00a0 Up ahead she spotted the local market, another place she avoided if possible.\u00a0 The haggling, people, and thieves made her cringe.\u00a0 More than once some idiot tried to pick her pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

She made her way towards the inn, hoping it had room for the night.\u00a0 She arrived in the city in good time, and without any raiders.\u00a0 That surprised her.\u00a0 Usually they targeted her, only seeing a lone woman walking down the road and thinking they had an easy target.\u00a0 Many learned too late how powerful she was. <\/span><\/p>\n

Inside the inn she noticed the clean atmosphere, along with the normal stares she always received.\u00a0 She paid it no mind and moved towards the bar, where the innkeeper stood, sizing her up.\u00a0 Her tall height, dark clothing, armor and sword always attracted attention.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNeed a room for the night,\u201d Gwen stated to the innkeeper, leaning against the counter with a casual air.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo creds,\u201d the man replied, wiping his hands on the towel.\u00a0 Gwen retrieved the coins, placing them on the counter.\u00a0 He looked them over for a second, before looking back up at her.\u00a0 \u201cSeems all right, room twenty-two, second floor, last room on the left,\u201d he told her, handing her a key to the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen nodded her thanks, then with a quick glance over the people in the inn went upstairs.\u00a0 She spotted no one inside who might be a problem, but did not relax until she reached her room.\u00a0 Placing her backpack on the table, she sighed at how things always seemed to be the same, despite being in a new town.\u00a0 Of course normal was not too bad, but it did not keep her from thinking about her past, and how most of them would run if they heard who she was.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a shake of her head she pushed the thoughts out of her mind, and turned to her diminishing money supply.\u00a0 She would need to find a new job, and soon.\u00a0 The problem became her skills, if she overdid it, people would start to talk, which she did not want.\u00a0 The last things she needed was to stand out.\u00a0 People asked questions when that happened, and she did not want to answer those.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her stomach growled, and she decided to look for something to eat first while there was still daylight outside.\u00a0 Hiding her stuff a bit better, she left the room, heading out for the marketplace, steeling herself for the crowds.<\/span><\/p>\n

The crowds had thinned slightly from when she arrived, something she felt grateful for.\u00a0 She had more room to move around in.\u00a0 Her time as a bounty hunter taught her to have some space around her at all times.\u00a0 Thieves had a harder time when that happened.\u00a0 She looked over the stalls, seeing a baker nearby, and looked over what he had.\u00a0 Finally deciding on a roll filled with meat and cheese, she paid the man, before grabbing some soup at the next stall and headed back to the inn.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of a galloping horse caused everyone to turn and look.\u00a0 Not many had a horse, a luxury of the more fortunate.\u00a0 The speed which the rider came in alarmed the merchants, and a few of the customers.\u00a0 Gwen moved back from the crowd to watch what might happen.\u00a0 The rider seemed more like a marauder, as he thundered into the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMake way you low lives,\u201d he called out, pushing several people out of the way.\u00a0 Gwen made no attempt to do anything, instead moving towards the shadows as the man stopped in the middle of the market, which had gone quiet.\u00a0 \u201cListen up, Stephos will be here tomorrow, have your payments ready, or else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut-but you\u2019re a week early,\u201d one main said near the rider.\u00a0 He received a boot to the chest, causing him to fall back onto the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, there is no excuses,\u201d the rider said.\u00a0 \u201cIf you don\u2019t have it, well, then I guess I don\u2019t have to tell you what happens to those who can\u2019t make payments.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen watched him smile, then turned and rode away from the village.\u00a0 She quickly made her way into the inn and back to her room.\u00a0 The last things she needed, to get involved in some protection racket against this Stephos.\u00a0 She had heard of him during her time in the Shadowland, and avoided him whenever possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rumors of him being a powerful magic fighter meant trouble.\u00a0 Making up her mind, she would leave early in the morning towards the next town, hopefully avoiding any meeting with Stephos.\u00a0 It meant another day before she could get a job, and hoped the next town would have something for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen walked down the path, having left the town early in the morning hoping to put as much room between her and it.\u00a0 She also hoped to avoid any men from Stephos.\u00a0 The man on the horse had ridden off in a different direction, but it meant little, a rider on a horse could cover a large distance quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

She looked up as her aura felt something along the path.\u00a0 She expanded it a bit more, quickly feeling out the presence of hidden people along the road.\u00a0 A couple of bandits waiting in ambush for her.\u00a0 Their powers were almost low, and nothing compared to hers.\u00a0 She moved along to see what their trap might be, slightly disappointed when one dropped to the ground in front of her.\u00a0 He held a broadsword in his hands, causing her to roll her eyes.\u00a0 Bandits rarely used such weapons, large, slow and unwieldy for such tasks.\u00a0 His armor looked worn, and in need of maintenance.\u00a0 Her appraisal, he was even less than a thug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, look here, hand over your stuff and you won\u2019t get hurt,\u201d he said to her, smiling a bit, showing two missing teeth.\u00a0 Gwen looked at him, then over at the other two still hidden in the bushes waiting as his back-up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a better idea,\u201d Gwen said, pointing at him, then his two buddies.\u00a0 \u201cYou give me what you have, and I won\u2019t kill ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The bandit in front of her blinked, slightly shocked at her tone.\u00a0 \u201cH-Haha, you think I\u2019m alone, guess again missy,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cIf you don\u2019t give us your stuff, you might become our entertainment for the day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen saw his hand move out, obviously a signal and reacted.\u00a0 Two crossbolts flew by impacting the ground.\u00a0 She withdrew a couple of magical throwing stars, launching them to where the hidden bandits were.\u00a0 The muffled thump indicated she hit her targets as the bodies hit the ground.\u00a0 She looked up at the bandit in front of her, waiting for his next move.\u00a0 Shock caused him to freeze before turning and running.<\/span><\/p>\n

She quickly caught up knocking him out.\u00a0 Shaking her head at what they might have done had she been someone else, she almost killed him for that.\u00a0 Instead she retrieved her throwing stars, and went through their pockets, disappointed in the lack of stuff on them.\u00a0 They had a few creds, which she took.\u00a0 Leaving the bodies in place for any scavengers she moved on to the next town.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen glanced up at the midday sun, about time to stop somewhere for a meal.\u00a0 The trail had been quiet since the bandits.\u00a0 She passed only one group, heading the opposite direction and traded pleasantries, and warnings.\u00a0 They had seen no one to the town, and she warned them about the three bandits she had taken care of.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sounds from behind her caused her to stop, expanding her aura, she waited only a few seconds before finding a group of people heading her direction.\u00a0 She made a mental note at their fighting power, including on strong one, perhaps the strongest she had felt in a while.\u00a0 Not wanting to be spotted she forced her own power down even more, and jumped up into the trees allowing her the opportunity to watch while not being seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

A short while later a young girl, probably eighteen or so, came running down the path and under where she hid.\u00a0 \u2018Unlucky\u2019 she thought about the girl as she tripped and fell, allowing a group of six men to catch up to her.\u00a0 They were much better dressed than the previous bandits she encountered.\u00a0 These guys maintained their armor and weapons, and all had higher fighting power than the bandits.\u00a0 She still felt she could take them on.<\/span><\/p>\n

She watched as they circled her, and the leader approached her.\u00a0 \u201cWell, looks like your luck finally ran out, or I got lucky,\u201d he said with a slight laugh.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t like girls who try to escape.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s teach her a lesson,\u201d one of the men said, indicating what he thought.\u00a0 He wanted to have some fun, and a few of the others seemed to agree with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we will teach her a lesson,\u201d the leader said, even as one reached forward ripping her shirt open.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tone made Gwen growl in anger.\u00a0 The thought of them raping the girl was one thing she could not ignore.\u00a0 Jumping down quietly she waited a moment standing in the middle of the road for someone to recognize she was there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tired of waiting she unsheathed her sword, and in two swipes cut down two of the group in front of her, leaving four men left.\u00a0 They seemed shocked at what happened, staring at her in shock.\u00a0 The leader quickly recovered, even as the girl scrambled to hide behind her, clutching her torn shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLady, I don\u2019t know who you are, but this is your unlucky day,\u201d the leader said, looking at her.\u00a0 \u201cYou are cute, you could fetch a pretty price at an auction as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The group laughed at his comment, Gwen narrowed her eyes at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeard that before,\u201d she said to him. \u00a0\u201cBut I\u2019m still standing, they\u2019re wormfood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA tough girl, I should warn you, this time you\u2019ve encountered Stephos, the strongest warlord in the Shadowlands,\u201d he said to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen groaned slightly at the name.\u00a0 She left the previous town with the intention of avoiding this guy, who now stood in front of her.\u00a0 She spent a second evaluating his fighting aura, and guessed it to be around Level five or so.\u00a0 Not bad, but way lower than hers.\u00a0 He might be the most powerful in the area, but she had met and fought even more powerful fighters in her lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps, but you never know how strong your opponent is,\u201d Gwen said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a low level, already felt you,\u201d he replied back, stopping slightly as Gwen brought her aura up a few levels.\u00a0 She knew they understood how powerful she was as they paled slightly at the force of her magic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Gwen said, stepping forward, knowing they knew her power.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t full strength, but enough for them to know who the strongest was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, for now,\u201d Stephos said, stepping back slightly, looking back at his men.\u00a0 \u201cBut, you\u2019ve gained an enemy of Stephos, remember that,\u201d he said, as they retreated back into the brush.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen remained alert, feeling their movements before turning around seeing a girl with green eyes and long blonde hair, as well as a lovely figure, or at least what she could see of it hidden behind torn fabric.\u00a0 Five years ago, she might have tried some moves, today, she only felt tired of everything.\u00a0 She paused in that though, wondering if perhaps she was getting old.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, boy was I lucky tripping here,\u201d the girl said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Zoe by the way, what\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGwen,\u201d she replied, rummaging through her backpack, tugging out a shirt and tossing it over.\u00a0 \u201cHere, you can wear this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, thank you,\u201d Zoe replied, putting the shirt on, before thanking Gwen once more, who looked away as the girl stripped off the torn shirt.\u00a0 Gwen had caught a glimpse of bare flesh, the girl did not seem to notice, and continued talking.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never seen anyone who could make Stephos back off before.\u00a0 Do you have fighting magic?\u00a0 Must be pretty powerful, especially being a woman, isn\u2019t that rare?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d Gwen replied, not giving much of an answer back to her.\u00a0 She went through the men\u2019s pockets for anything she might be able to use, considering Stephos had not taken them with him. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, out here it is,\u201d Zoe said, tugging the shirt down, and pulling her hair out from under the shirt, finally satisfied with the fit.\u00a0 Holding up the torn shirt, examined it for a few seconds.\u00a0 \u201cHmm, think I can fix this, got lucky, but do you have any needle and thread?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, no, not something I carry around,\u201d Gwen replied back, feeling slightly off balance with the question, not finding much on the man, only a few creds, but aside from that, nothing else and moved on to the next man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s okay, I\u2019ll find some in the next town, which way are we going by the way?\u201d Zoe asked, as Gwen pointed in the direction of the next town.\u00a0 \u201cOh good, I can go with you, it\u2019s not safe to travel alone you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen sighed, but also knew if for the truth.\u00a0 Her fighting power allowed her the ability to travel alone with no problems.\u00a0 A single girl traveling alone not a good idea, especially when Gwen could feel no magical ability from her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good thing it\u2019s away from where Stephos was,\u201d the girl stated, as they started off down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen took a moment to look at the sky, realizing the sun had climbed to the midway point.\u00a0 The next town had been some six hours away, normal walking time.\u00a0 She had made good time, and hoped to be at the next town in a few hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStephos captured me and locked me up, but I got lucky and managed to escape last night.\u00a0 One of the guards left the door to my cell unlocked, must have gotten lucky,\u201d Zoe said, starting her tale despite the fact Gwen never asked for it.\u00a0 \u201cI waited until they all asleep, best time to escape you know, and then snuck out.\u00a0 I can actually be quite quiet when I need to be, but with the drinking splurge they had with Stephos gone, most were passed out.\u00a0 Don\u2019t think a thundering herd of horses would have woken them up, he-he.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen gave the girl a glance, noticing her green eyes looking every which way but on the path ahead as she spoke.\u00a0 Her long blonde hair caught the sunlight though the trees, highlighting a tinge of red.\u00a0 Gwen looked away quickly before the girl could look over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut then I got lost, took a wrong turn and instead of heading towards the town, went away from it.\u00a0 I figured I could run until something happened, and lucky me, something did happen,\u201d Zoe said, never stopping in her story.\u00a0 Gwen rolled her eyes at the expression of her being lucky.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the entire story sounds lucky,\u201d Gwen said putting some emphasis on lucky.\u00a0 She tried to think of what else to say, but to her, what happened felt anything like luck.\u00a0 She now dealt with a talkative companion.\u00a0 The story did bring about a question.\u00a0 \u201cSo Zoe, why did they capture you in the first place?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, I\u2019m not sure.\u00a0 Guess I\u2019m too cute,\u201d Zoe answered giving Gwen a smile.\u00a0 She thought she caught a guarded expression on the girl\u2019s face, but said nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, your secret,\u201d Gwen said, knowing she had no reason to press the issue.\u00a0 She had her own secrets to keep.\u00a0 Instead she continued walking on in silence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI find trees interesting, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gwen frowned hearing Zoe resume talking.\u00a0 She half listened as Zoe gave her theory about trees, and where they came from.<\/span><\/p>\n

End part 1<\/p>\n

Continued in part 2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lucky Luck by AJ Marks Part 1:\u00a0 A Lucky Encounter Gwen walked down the street, trying to avoid people as much as possible.\u00a0 The last thing she wanted to encounter, a fighter who wanted to prove something to his, or her, buddies.\u00a0 While the chances of such a thing happening was small, she took no […]
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