--The wagon wheels squealed to a stop. Zarak let go of the wagon's harness and slumped back against it. His brow shined with sweat in the afternoon sun. Out of breath, and with parched lips, he spat muffled curses about dresses, mirrors, and make-up.

--Sophie and Magda disembarked, and Magda offered him a waterskin.

-You know, after all is said and done... You really did save our necks out there. We lost some things and two fine horses, but we did get away with our lives. And we have you to thank for that. So here's a little something for all your trouble, boy.

--The purse she handed him was much too light for a man to risk his life for. It held 50 gold pieces, at best. In his mind, Zarak thought "You condescending, pompous bitch." But, too tired to argue, he heard himself politely replying with a half assed "Thank you ma'am."

--Sophie gave him a naive looking smile and a wave as he walked away. Cute thing. Shame she's a spoiled brat, and few things bothered Zarak as much as those do. He walked hard and slow down the only street this dirt town seemed to have. The road turned dry a couple of days back. All the vegetation he'd seen since was naught but tumbleweed, rolling in the wind, or the occasional friendly, waving cactus. Things weren’t that different in here. What’s even more dismal, this town was dotted by ruinous wooden houses on either side of the street, real poor looking. Nobody out here seemed to be worth robbing.

--A big, three-storey house at the end of the road seemed like the place to go to. Horses parked, a shabby drunk passed out front, and the emanating scent of cheap liquor and tobacco smoke. That must be the tavern all right. Having spotted these qualities though, he'd rather not stay there if he had the choice. A man with a big smile welcomed him in and rented him out a room for 2 pieces a night. A decent bargain. After a big meal from his "reward money" and a mug of beer or two, he retired to his room, where he took off his dusty clothes and submerged into a tub of hot water. Zarak took his time, soaking his worn out body. He could feel his muscles burning from hard labour; the kind he was trying to avoid, as it was tedious and ill-paid. He had developed a taste for other means of acquiring cash. And it wasn’t mercenary work either. No, when the ladies picked him up in front of Bartertown, he had just finished his very first job as a bandit leader. He left his crew hauled up in the woods with the loot hot in their purses, after they sent some fresh corpses to the graveyard. “Easy money”… There was nothing easy about it. He lost one of the men on the job, and guard patrols were now scouring the area where the job took place. Since he couldn’t bring the loot with him, he now had to find some quick cash, to buy a good cover for himself and his men, so they could go back to Bartertown and elude the watchful eyes of the city guards. As he was pondering his situation, the water relaxed him, and his mind drifted. It drifted towards the thighs of the blonde girl, dancing beneath her white silk dress. He thought of them thighs...

He thought hard.

--Halfway through his thinking, there was a knock at the door.

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-Thank you for reading. Today's drawing is way back from 2013, done with wood pencils and a felt pen for lines. You might notice that the sword is different, as this was way before I had a final design for the characters. I am showing it here because I am fond of it, but it will eventually be replaced with a newer version. Next update will be on Friday. If you like the story, please rate, follow or favorite. Skal!