Jimmy and the Crawler Read Online Free PDF Page B

almost certainly completely baseless romance. In his experience, women of any type in these places had a price. Still, the tales persisted of dancers who held sway over rich men without ever having to surrender to their desires.
    This one, however, was obviously not one of those girls. James thought that had fate been different, she might have aspired to much: she still had a fresh quality, a liveliness that was unusual in this calling. She was flirtatious and smiled a great deal, and James imagined that her Kingdom background would be inviting to those eager to sample more exotic wares, especially with that clear skin and luxuriant hair. After a few years in the taverns, most girls lacked both these traits, concealing the damage of too much drink, smoke, and drugs under a heavy application of cosmetics and hair colouring. They had a listless indifference to their surroundings and daily existence that stood in stark contrast to this vivacious girl. James hoped she understood she was at her peak and needed to take advantage of it while it lasted.
    She reached his side and smiled brightly: then her smile turned quizzical. ‘If you’re a desert man, I’m a tree frog.’
    ‘One doesn’t need be from the desert to know how to dress for it,’ James answered neutrally.
    ‘A traveller, then,’ she observed.
    ‘As are you. Kingdom?’
    She nodded. ‘By birth.’
    ‘Here?’ he asked, with all that question implied.
    She laughed. ‘Not by choice, I promise you.’
    He inclined his head. ‘You are unusual.’
    ‘Followed my man here, which was stupid.’
    ‘I think I’ve heard this tale before,’ said James with a rueful smile.
    ‘Self-styled trader. Had a partner in Krondor. Landed here and made all manner of deals, then the partner neglected to send any of the goods promised. I woke up one morning alone, about two months ago, and haven’t seen him since. I suspect he’s either dead or chatting up another foolish girl in a distant city.’
    James nodded. ‘How old are you?’
    ‘Twenty winters, and too old to be here.’
    He grinned. ‘Hardly. You’re one of the most attractive dancers I’ve seen.’
    She cocked her head. ‘You looking for some private company?’
    James considered, then nodded. ‘But not quite yet.’ As a flicker of disappointment crossed her face, he opened his belt-purse and took out two silver coins. When he slid them across the table she scooped them up and secreted them about her before he could add, ‘I may want the night.’
    She brightened at that. ‘Handsome young man like you, that’s not a task.’ Then her face took on a reflective look. ‘Fact is, you don’t strike me as a regular in these sorts of places.’
    He laughed. ‘I could surprise you.’ Standing up, he added, ‘Let’s say that lodgings where no one is looking are sometimes useful.’
    She nodded.
    ‘What’s your name?’
    She glanced around the room to see who she might approach next, then said, ‘They call me “Jade” because I favour green.’ She leaned forward and said, ‘Truth is, I have only one other costume, and it’s also green. My name is Gina.’
    He laughed. ‘Quegan name.’
    ‘My grandparents, but I was born in Sarth, then lived in Krondor. What’s your name?’
    He smiled. ‘Call me . . . Jim.’ He inclined his head. ‘I’ll be back.’
    ‘I hope you will,’ she said, turning and walking away.
    He admired the view as she moved away. He most certainly would be back. Spending the night with a beautiful woman was as good a way to hide from Keshian spies as any he could think of, not to mention it took your mind off the harsher aspects of life.
    Glancing around the tavern, he picked up his indifferent ale, drained what was left of it, made for the door and vanished into the crowd.
    James stretched and yawned as the greying light outside the window heralded the dawn. It was the time of day he loved best if he had managed to get some sleep. It was the time he hated most if he