As I stood on the hot dusty street corner, I wondered how I had gotten to this point in my day. Here it was, almost high noon, and still my customer had yet to arrive. I was more than a little worried about all the attention that the thugs and lay-abouts that frequent that part of town were giving me. I had a potion in my belt that would make them regret the day they were born should they attempt anything, but using it would blow today’s profits. I did my best to blend in with the other inhabitants of the busy street, and they slowly lost interest in me. Well, until my customer showed up that is.

As he rode up, in resplendent guards armor, and on a Luan no less, the attention I was getting went from curious to hostile quickly. As I approached him I hoped that this business could be concluded swiftly.
"Draco!" he boomed, in a voice far too loud for my comfort “Do you have my Goods?"
"Why Yes Mr. Steiner, I do in fact have them" I said as I watched the crowd around us pay even more attention than before.... Great.....
"So, you have 100 emerald, 100 topaz, and 100 diamond dust on you?" He laughed, of course, in a booming fashion "Where are you stuffing all that?"
I groaned inwardly, but continued on, valiantly I thought.
"Yes I have the agreed upon goods sir"
"Good job" He said “And here's the Gold I promised you!!" I watched in horror as he actually took the gold out of his pouch and held it out towards me. As gracefully as could be managed, and without snatching, I took the payment for my goods. I discreetly pocketed deep within my armor (Don't ask), and the deal was done.

Well, almost done, for now those same thugs and cutthroats that had very nearly forgotten my existence were now very much aware of me. As I looked around it appeared that a very ugly situation was about to happen, and I was unfortunately to be the one caught in the middle of it. I had an inspiration...
"Mr. Steiner, do you think I could perhaps get a lift to the City Square?" I said "All that mining and refining has left me a bit tired"
"Sorry! Not allowed, this is a Guard Mount" He chuckled "Can't let anyone not a Guard on one of these fine steeds!"
"Ah, yes, so I see" I said. At this point I was fairly worried. Once Ash was gone I would have the whole alley on me. I had enough Summons to take out most of them, that was sure. I also had potion that would allow me to take care of the rest, but doing so would make today’s venture a big loss instead of a profit.

One could almost feel the anticipation in the air as Ash turned his mount to leave out the way he had come. Of course they all pretended, rather poorly I thought, to be innocent citizens as his glare ripped through the alley around him. But no sooner than his back was turned then the predatory nature of the lot showed itself. I set my shoulders and prepared for the inevitable, and just then providence, or other divine intervention stepped in on my behalf.

Well actually, it was Scubasafari, Helhathnofury, and Niamh, stepping out of a local tavern that intervened.
"Draco! How goes it" asked Scuba as he and the ladies walked up.
"Oh just got done doing some business" I tried to reply casually. Scuba might have bought it for a moment, but my dear ladies were already scoping their surroundings and not liking what they saw.
"Did you perhaps trade with Ash again Draco?" questioned Hel
"Well, actually yes, as a matter of fact" I said
"And that would be why all these shiftless types are looking at you like a kodrag steak?" Asked Niamh just a touch too sweetly for my taste.
"That could be on interpretation of it, yes." I said
"Scuba" said Hel "Why don't you show all these roustabout that big ole... axe of yours." Scuba being scuba of course complied, and had drawn that wickedly fearsome executioner’s axe of his. Coincidentally the level of attention I had till now, so not enjoyed, quickly became feigned disinterest.
"Well, we may as well go back to the tavern," said Niamh. As I groaned aloud they all looked to me quite oddly.
"What’s wrong with the tavern" asked Scuba
"Oh, nothing" I said as we walked through the front door. Another day's business concluded and all was well.
But I knew the sad truth.... there goes my profit! 

Author: Dracomann666