Chapter 259
I pulled up the corner of my freshly dealt cards slightly higher than necessary, flashing a two-seven nothing to the spotter. Or at least, that was what Azure made him see. Off-suite, it was possibly the worst hand a person could have in a game of Hold em. To dissuade any notions of too-good-to-be-true, I paired them as double-diamonds, opening up the possibility of a flush.
This would be a lot more interesting if I understood what was happening. Talia grumbled in my mind. "From my perspective, the two of you are doing little more than shoving clay circles and throwing uniform pieces of parchment around.
Even if you understand the rules, thats what theyre doing. Azure pitched in.
Cut the chatter. I need to focus. I quieted them.
Across the table, Stuart looked at me with something approaching sympathy. My temporary hesitation and his knowledge of my cards probably made for a sad sight.
Doubly so when we reached the flop.
An ace of spades, a four of hearts, and a jack of clubs.
Before we continue, I will allow you to walk back your bet, if you wish. Stuart said. From anyone else, that would have been trash-talk, or goading, but he seemed to have an authentic sense of honor about the whole thing. An honorable cheat. I could respect it, even if the rationale behind it was beyond my understanding.
I let the silence ring. Recalling a childhood memory of a talent show I was forced to perform in on repeat, focusing on the most uncomfortable, agonizing aspects until a bead of sweat dripped from my forehead.
Instead of answering, I shoved a pile of chips forward. Enough that The Steward would end in the lead if he won the hand without forcing him to commit everything he had left.
Disappointment flashed in his expression. To this point, you have played a cautious game. More cautious than most. It would be unfortunate to see this ethos youve presented tossed away at the last possible moment, for the sake petty of haste.
I brought a hand down on the table with an audible thump. Little late to talk trash.
His mouth worked. I was not
Then call. Or fold. Do something, for fucks sake. I let full-fledged irritation into my voice.
Now, I would advise you to be careful, He leaned forward conspiratorially. This is not technically arbitrage, but if you leave the Guild within a month, the system will consider it so, your bounty void.
Perish the thought, I said.
The Steward nodded. And should you leave and return, I could not offer you another stipend.
Damn. This was the closest Id come to a loophole for the Gifting Selve restriction. Good to know, but a shame it was so limited.
Interesting. I smiled. And your judgment?
You are a good man to know, and a terrible one to play cards with. He cocked his head. And while I cannot not definitively speak to where in our home your quarry lives, I can certainly guess. Though this feels a bit uneven as you will absolve problems for me as well.
I shrugged. If its that much of a bother, Im already a temporary member of the guild. Just make a quest only for experience.
It would also allow The Steward to set parameters for our stay within his walls, a fact that surely wasnt lost on him.
Soon enough the quest was created and accepted. The Steward assigned us an armed escort, and as they directed us towards the Galleria proper, my mind was miles away, reliving memories of a bloodstained tunnel. A long-burning ember within me caught fire. Hed threatened my family. Killed a teammate. Kidnapped my friend.
No matter what happened, if Sunny was here, hed finally pay for it. In full.
Tonight.
