To keep a promise

1. You won't be worried about it.
2. It will be easier to decide between things.
3. Others will accept your help in the future.
4. People will be more likely to ask for your help with difficult things.
5. You'll help bring happiness to others and yourself.
6. You will be able to gain someone's trust or strengthen their trust in you.
7. Another's burden could be lightened.
8. Friendships could be made.
9. You'll be able to sleep easily.
10. It will show that you understand the important of the promise, regardless of whether it is a large or small one.

Walk with you again

Sand. Water. Mud. Tile.
We've seen it all.
From the day we were pulled out of the box, we've been on the move.
From the blistering concrete of summer to the brittle ice of winter, our journey has gone on and on.
Always together, we have walked among the crowd and have run through the springtime meadow.
Each step has worn away at us, combining with the constant pressure from above eat away our strength.
We have kicked and been kicked, have leapt for joy and paced with anxiety.
When our laces frayed, they were replaced.
When our insoles grew uncomfortable, new ones were bought.
And when at last our soles were battered and our surfaces riddled with holes, you sat down.
We were taken off of the feet that we had molded ourselves to fit perfectly.
We met your dark eyes for a moment, memories of the roads we had walked flickering in their depths.
And then, you opened the door to your closet.
You tossed us in, and darkness swallowed us as the door shut.
We had gone miles together, and in the end you hadn't been able to let us go.
And so we will wait for the day that we walk with you again.

To get enough sleep

1. When your mind is well rested, it is easier to think.
2. If you have slept well, it will be easier to avoid stubbing your toe in the morning.
3. You'll have more energy.
4. The desire to take a nap later in the day will be lessened.
5. You will be able to wake up earlier.
6. A good night of sleep could be accompanied by a cool dream.
7. With enough sleep, it is easier to control your emotions.
8.You'll feel more awake.
9. It will be easier to fall asleep if you have a regular sleep schedule.
10. You'll be less likely to catch a cold.

The Magicus Transporto

Sorting packages is dangerous work.
Why? Because there is no telling what people will try and send through a teleportation spell.
Most people think that when they use a teleportation spell it instantaneously moves an object from point A to point B. It doesn't. What they believe to be point B is actually point C.
The Magicus Transporto is where I work, and it is the customs department for teleportation spells. Everything that is teleported is brought out of the standard flow of time and examined here. If the object passes inspection, then we send it off to complete the spell.
But if something fails, it gets stored in the warehouse.
Shifting my hold on the transparent carrier, I winced as a small burst of flame flew out of the front and landed on crate containing love potions. Watching the crate as I walked passed, I released a breath as the fire died before it could light the crate.
"You're a very naughty crossbreed." I told the creature in the carrier. Multiple growls rose from the carrier as all seven heads of the baby hydra and dragon mix glared at me.
"It's not my fault that whoever was sending you chose the Kleurnio province as your destination. There is a ban on exotic creatures there, and you're doubly exotic."
The third head on the left shot a little flame in my direction, while two of the others began nipping at each other.
"We're almost to the creature section, then you'll be someone else's problem." I said as the flame hit the roof of the carrier. Out of the duties available, I found transporting seized objects to the appropriate section of the warehouse to be the most time consuming.
The warehouse was big, and it was constantly changing its layout. I suppose it had to, since most of the objects that were stored within it never left. It had to be able to grow as necessary, and part of that meant changing the layout.
Finally, I reached the gate to the creature encloser. Punching in the code, I waited as the gate creaked open with a groan. Passing through, I watched the gate close and the energy barrier flicker back into place. Moving forward, I ignored the howling hounds and turned left at the phoenix.
After a few minutes and another left turn at the unicorns, I reached the admittance desk.
"Josie, what did you bring me today?"
"A dragon and hydra crossbreed bound for Kleurnio," I replied, setting the carrier on the desk. "Feet off the desk, Tony."
Laughing, the youth removed his feet and pulled out a red folder. "You've got the paperwork filled out?"
I nodded, passing the stack of paper to him.
Tony flipped through the pages, the put them in the red folder. "Everything looks good. I'll see that Septimus gets properly placed."
I shook my head and chuckled. "Do you always have to name them?"
"Somebody should. It can get lonely being cooped up in here." Tony shrugged and gave his usual grin. "Besides, it gives me something to do."
Shaking my head again, I gave a wave. "You enjoy this position too much. I'll probably be back in a couple of hours with a tertius hound that was bound for New York."
"See you then." Tony lifted his hand in farewell, and I turned and headed back the way I had come.

To take a break

1. Breaks give you time to think about things.
2. It gives you an opportunity to focus on something other then what you've been doing.
3. A quiet moment can help calm the nerves.
4. Rest can help replenish strength.
5. Breaks bring an opportunity for a little fun.
6. During a break, you could have the chance to practice a craft.
7. While on a break, you can talk with friends.
8. Breaks are a good time to get something to eat.
9. After a break, it can be easier to get back to work.
10. During a relaxing moment is sometimes when great ideas come.

The eighth slice

The balance was gone.
It hadn't been noticeable, that carefully maintained balance. But the sudden shifting of power that had destroyed it was constricting, like a pair of shoes that were too small.
Glancing around the table, it was easy to see who had noticed the change and who had not. Those still ignorant to their impending doom were still laughing at a joke that I could no longer recall.
Meeting the gaze of the person across from me, a moment passed as we realized what had to be done. Exchanging a nod, we struck.
Reaching passed the rolls, I grabbed the pie knife and brought it down on the extra large slice of pecan pie.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the same thing happening to the apple pie.
Returning to my seat, I released a content breath.
Now that each pie had an eighth slice, balance had been restored.

To work together

1. You'll be able to hear ideas that you might not have been able to come up with on your own.
2. By working with others, you'll have more skills available to use on the project.
3. There will be more eyes to catch mistakes.
4. With more people working on the same project, it can be completed faster.
5. Working with others can make each project more fun to work on.
6. You could learn an easier way to do something from those you work with.
7. Some things are easier to do when on a team.
8. When something is scary, being with a group can make it less frightening.
9. Certain things are easier to practice when with others.
10. Meals shared with others can be quite entertaining.

A Dragon's Prize, part four

Staring into the dark, I waited as the boy studied my injuries through the holes the dragon's claws had made in my shirt.
“This will sting.” Voix said as I felt him rub something cool and sticky onto the injuries. My back began to warm as an itching sensation rose from the injuries. My muscles stiffened as the warmth transformed into an inferno, the itching now needles of pain.
Clenching my hands, I fought the scream growing in my throat.
Don't attract the dragon.
Through the pain and heat, I could feel the injuries changing.
Almost as soon as it began, it was over.
Releasing a shuddering breath, I sat down. “What did you do?”
“The dragon has me make a salve. It quickly heals most injuries, though it is not pleasant.” Voix replied as he sat in front of me, near the edge of the light. A small jar rested in his hand, filled with a dark goo. Shifting, I noticed it did hurt less to move now.
“What is that made from?”
“You're better not knowing.” Voix shook his head, fingers closing to conceal the jar.
Pressing my hands to the rough ground, I tried not to think about what he might have just put on my back. “So are you the dragon's servant?” I asked, noticing how pale he was. Voix shifted, turning his head to peer into the dark.
“You could call me that. Whatever the dragon can't do himself, he has me do.” The boy's lips twitched, and he suddenly stood. “Come, I'll give you the tour.”
I frowned. I didn't want to wander around in the dark with a stranger. “I'm not going to go stumble around in the dark.”
Voix shook his head. “You don't have to.” He moved out of the light, footsteps barely echoing through the cavern. Standing, I rubbed my arms. Now that my back wasn't hurting, the chill of still air was more noticeable. I moved closer to the the egg-shaped orb, grateful for the warmth it provided.
A few minutes later, Voix reappeared. This time, I noticed how he squinted as he moved closer to the source of light. Lifting a hand, he pressed a dark scale to the orb. After a moment, the scale began to glow.
“Dragon scales can absorb fire, releasing it as light and heat or transforming it into fuel for the dragon's own fire.” Voix said as he handed the scale to me. It fit in comfortably in the palm of my hand, and the edges were surprisingly smooth.
Moving to the edge of the light, I stepped into the dark
The glow from the scale lit only the area right around me, but it was better then the darkness.
“You'll need to recharge it on the dragonstone, but it can last for a few hours.” Voix said. I hadn't heard him follow me out of the light.
“Come on.” He moved forward, toward one of the tunnels.

With a glance at the light of the dragonstone, I held out the glowing scale and followed the dragon's servant into the darkness.