The tavern was filled to the rafters with noise; drunken laughter, loud chatter and music played by minstrels who were trying in vain to be heard above it all. It was always busy in here but tonight was far worse than usual as many travellers had come to the small town for market day tomorrow. The crowds meant that the serving wenches were rushed off their feet trying to serve everyone, making them short-tempered and irritable. Not surprisingly, they were walking around with trays of drinks and food looking like thunderclouds about to erupt.
'Do you have any sevens?' asked Khalid.
I shook my head and watched him take a drink from his tankard of ale before he selected a card from his hand and discarded it. He studied his remaining cards before taking another swig of ale and discarding another. I looked at the three queens I held in my hand and then down at the bottle of wine next to me. I poured myself another glass and took a sip before selecting three more cards and placing them face down on the table. Khalid looked up at me with suspicion in his eyes and leaned forward to try and get a glimpse of my cards.
"What is your secret, my friend? You win almost every game of dice or cards we play. I have tried using tricks and cheating but nothing seems to work. Do you know magic? Tell me your secret or leave!" Khalid growled.
"It is not magic," I laughed. "It's simple observation and attention to detail. I watch what cards you hold and what ones you discard. I see when you lie or tell the truth."
Khalid glared at me suspiciously and picked up his cards once again. We sat in silence for some time before he threw down his cards in disgust.
"I give up! How can I beat someone who knows everything?" Khalid exclaimed.
I grinned at him and drained my glass of wine. Despite the lie I'd told, Khalid wasn't entirely wrong. Ever since I was a boy, I'd been able to read minds and predict what other people were going to do. It had made me rich over the years, allowing me to win games of dice or cards whenever I wanted. Over time, I had expanded my skills to the point where reading minds wasn't the only trick up my sleeve anymore. Telekinesis, clairvoyance and even mind control had become part of my arsenal of abilities.
"You must teach me how to do what you do, Parsun! Please!" Khalid begged.
I shook my head and laughed. Teaching others my tricks would mean less money for me if they could use them too. Khalid scowled and picked up his tankard of ale before draining it dry. He belched loudly and slammed the empty mug on the table before standing up and staggering away. He weaved through the crowds until he reached the door, banging into chairs and tables as he went.
I remained seated and drained my own glass of wine before reaching out to collect my winnings. Without Khalid here, the game was over, so I pulled my gold coins and a couple of cards towards me and slipped them inside the pockets of my tunic.
Outside, the streets were so well-lit that I could make out every building and alleyway despite the late hour. The sound of voices echoed off the stone walls of the buildings, and the smell of cooking meat wafted from the kitchens of inns and taverns. This was one of the advantages of living in such a large city; there was always something new to experience, no matter the time of day.
Now, let me tell you about one of my darkest hobbies around here. Well, not around this town, but everywhere I go. You see, I'm a clairvoyant. I am a mind-reader. But I use this power for despicable things, only using it on women. One thing I love to do is walk around the city late at night and spot woman. It doesn't matter if she's alone or not, I'm using only my brain, after all.
Once I spot someone, I focus on her mind and slowly invade it. I start by gently pushing my way into her thoughts, and I can feel her resistance. Most women don't notice me doing this because they're distracted by whatever they're doing or thinking about. Slowly, I push harder, breaking her barriers and gaining access to her most intimate thoughts and memories.
Then comes the fun part. I use my powers to manipulate the hormonal responses of her body. I increase her heartbeat, make her skin tingle and her muscles contract. This way... Hey, you know what? Let me show you.
I strolled