(cover art by Shaman's Stock Art. )

The sun broke through day, bringing new light and a new sun in the morning. It was a dark blue morning, of course, but as the air was warmed by the sun's heat, it soon turned from blue to green to yellow. The hints of red in the clouds meant that a storm was coming.  The sleepy little village of Cambridge was a collection of houses with thatched roofs, chimneys, a church house, and a couple of businesses that have been booming as of late because of adventurers.  The sun woke most people up and they up and left and started work on the day's chores.  It was only St. Cuthbert's Day yesterday and that meant work today.  Most people go to Church, and some, like the adventurers that crawled through Cambridge, do not.  They chose to make their fortune adventuring -- battling monsters and plundering barrows.  So, many of the peasants sowed the seed that would grow into barley or wheat.  After all, it was good corn -- as in seeds.  Others went into work.  There was a blacksmith, who worked iron, and an innkeeper and his alewife, and a tavern keep.  In recent years, an apothecary and a weapon smith moved in to cater to the adventurers that lived here.

As the cockerels* crowed the new day as Jason stumbled out of bed with the barmaid he had slept with. He bonked his head, and the maid turned around, still naked under the sheets.  He considered just falling into bed with the maid, to plow her flower with his seed as he did the night before.  However, she charged for sex, meaning that she had too.  If he creamed her again, he'd be in debt.  Jason slowly got out of bed, breathed in the morning air by silently opening the shutters.

Jason grabbed his small clothes and got them on. Ah, the life of an Adventurer in a town that was stuck somewhere between 750 B.C. and 1400 A.D., although most of the towns looked like they had 1100's architecture, and the women dressed in beautiful form fitting kirtles. Jason smirked, and put on the rest of his clothes. Through all the noise he was making (he tripped once), it was a miracle that the lass he made happy the night before didn't wake up. He sneaked down to the inn's bar, putting on his belt and his purse hang out. A wizard by trade, Jason just risks his life to fight monsters in order to make his fortune.

Although today, he felt like he had to go plunder another ruin for gold or magical artifacts. He sat at the bar. "Morning, Jason," said the inn keep.

"Tell me about it," said Jason. "I'd like a stiff stout, some bread, and cheese.  Also bacon and eggs."

The bartender produced the goods.  Jason was sitting here, hoping something exciting would happen for the past two weeks.  All he did was transmute several items for money, and he wanted to go on adventure again.  To find the big score, to make his place as someone who fights otherworldly monsters, and does battle with his magic.  He just sighed and almost put his face into his food out of boredom.  Suddenly, something touched him, and relieved him of his purse.  He was immediately revitalized and got out of his stool to run after the thief.  "Hey thief!" yelled Jason.  The bartender blinked and grumbled something about pay, at least if he catches the thief, he would be paid as Jason ran out of the tavern.

The little thief was quick, and he dashed into an alleyway.  A kobold, he ran like he ran for his life away from the wizard -- who was surprisingly very spry.  He was just pretty fast, but soon the wizard picked him up before they reached a dead end.  "Got you," said Jason.

"ACK!" said the little kobold, who was only chest height to Jason. "Hey, let me go, man!  I didn't do anything!"

"You have a lot to answer for, kobold, after what you've pulled!" said Jason.  He looked angrily into his eyes.  "I should turn you into a frog!  Shall I turn you into a frog?  Maybe for a day or too, so you'll learn that stealing doesn't pay!"

"Wait a second!" said the kobold.  His body was only the size of a twelve year old, but the muscles were lean and well defined.  He started to speak, "Wait, I'm sorry, I'll do anything!"

Jason heaved him up to the wall, surprisingly, he was easy to pick up.  "You'll do anything?" growled Jason.

"Anything, please," the kobold began to cry.  "Just don't turn me into a frog!"

He dropped the muscular kobold who groveled at his feet.  How can Jason turn this to his advantage?  He considered letting him go.  He considered putting him into the cesspool outside and watch the sewage make the kobold sick.  He considered on enlarging the kobold, just to see him walk ungainly for a while. He thought about taking away his speed so he'd run as fast a snail.  "Be my companion and servant, to work off the debt you owe me," Jason suddenly said. 

"Yes, m-m-master," said the Kobold.

"What is your name?" asked Jason.

"Zee-zeesrom."

"Afraid?" asked Jason.

"No," said Zeesrom.  "Excited."