Races of the Dragon.pdf - The Techno Jesus

CHAPTER 2
SPELLSCALES
22
Illus. by D. Frazier
adventurer. Nothing wrong with showing it off, especially
on a day dedicated to Astilabor.
Today, he had no particular plans. He left a note to tell
his bride he’d be back later in the afternoon to fi x them
both a lovely dinner.
He decided to meander down to the Everfull Mug. There
would inevitably be a game of cards going on, and Sjach
was the acknowledged local master of three-dragon ante.
There was gold to be made today, and Astilabor was the
perfect patron to have while doing it.
As he strolled along lazily, young voices shouting from a
nearby alley drew his attention. Sjach stopped and studied
the scene.
“Freak!” one boy taunted.
“Your mama slept with a dragon,” another jeered.
“Dragon whelp, dragon whelp, dragon whelp,” a pair of
girls chanted.
Sjach was debating whether to interfere when he heard
phrases he recognized. A bit too wordy and mumbled
rather than pronounced, but still a decent enough rendition.
The bullying children dropped softly to the ground
in slumber. A young spellscale girl stood amid the sleeping
A spellscale selects his clothes for the day
children, looking equal parts horrifi ed and proud of what
she had done. She glanced at Sjach, obviously afraid of
censure, and looked poised to run.
“Well done,” Sjach said. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m
Sjach Thurkear, the Versatile.” He offered her his hand.
She extended her hand warily, shaking with fear and
excitement. Sjach held it for a moment, his grasp warm,
strong, and reassuring. “Livinia. My folks an’ me just moved
here,” the girl said.
Sjach nodded. “Perhaps you’d like to attend the school
that’s started up in the spellscale district? It focuses on
learning how to use your dragon blood, as you seem to be
doing with no small talent. Tell your folks to ask for Pearl
at the Nine Folio Dragon bookshop.”
Livinia nodded and scampered off, eager to be gone
before her tormentors awoke.
Sjach left the sleeping children. He wondered what
they’d think when they managed to rouse themselves.
These wandering thoughts vanished when he saw the goal
of his jaunt.
At the Everfull Mug, Sjach looked around, pleased that
his entrance caused a few patrons to look up. It wasn’t every