Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK I - Chapter 11
As the gang entered the tavern their boisterous new pal Eldskeep, or Major Eldskeep, as he'd insisted he be called, led the way, eager to find a table. He promptly ordered an ale and sat down, ignoring the fact that it was still very early in the day. Julen, anxious to also look the part, ordered likewise. Goola and Box, having an altogether different inclination, ordered something more appropriate. The cosy table they sat down at nestled nicely in the corner of the tavern.
"Ah, the first drink of the day," noted Eldskeep, as he took his first sip. The frothy white bubbles clinging to his whiskers.
"I wonder how much longer it'll be before we get to Patina?" wondered Box, prodding her finger in the murky juice she'd ordered, not sure whether to drink it or not. The slightly shoddy decor of the tavern making it feel much less welcoming than the previous one they'd been at.
"So you play cards, my friend?"
"I do indeed, sir," came the confident reply from Eldskeep.
"Howz 'bout a game, then?"
"First game: fifty ingkhs, let's say?"
"Not long, not long," reassured Eldskeep, "We're making great time."
With Eldskeep likewise hitching a ship from Patina to Maiden's Tower it was becoming clear that he'd be with them for the foreseeable future. This added another layer of discomfort. Especially for Box and Goola, who were beginning to feel a little out of their depth. As though their peaceful journey had been hijacked by forces beyond their control.
With Eldskeep likewise hitching a ship from Patina to Maiden's Tower it was becoming clear that he'd be with them for the foreseeable future. This added another layer of discomfort. Especially for Box and Goola, who were beginning to feel a little out of their depth. As though their peaceful journey had been hijacked by forces beyond their control.
"Have you been to the Maiden Lands before?" asked Julen of Eldskeep, trying to look as much as possible like he was enjoying the ale he was now gulping down.
"I've been to all the kingdoms," replied Eldskeep, with a satisfied grin, "Every last one. Several times. Some so many I've lost count. But the Maiden Lands is a fine, - fine, country. One of the better ones. It'll be good to get back there."
Goola cursed her eyes around the tavern as she listened to the two. Watching all the various people sat at their tables engaging in conversation. A few playing cards and other games. Given how early it was it was surprisingly busy. She looked across to where three dowdy-looking men were playing some type of card game, intrigued by the scene. Eldskeep, noticing this, reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a very nicely illustrated pack of cards himself, then placed them on the table.
Goola cursed her eyes around the tavern as she listened to the two. Watching all the various people sat at their tables engaging in conversation. A few playing cards and other games. Given how early it was it was surprisingly busy. She looked across to where three dowdy-looking men were playing some type of card game, intrigued by the scene. Eldskeep, noticing this, reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a very nicely illustrated pack of cards himself, then placed them on the table.
"Who's up for a game of 'Leaves, Arrows, Hearts and Stones'?"
Leaves, Arrows, Hearts and Stones was a very common game that everyone, even children, knew how to play. The name referring to the four suits common to a card pack. Each suit had cards numbering up to seven. With three added royal cards to then take it up to ten. There were also numerous single cards, separate from the suits, looking very much like Tarot cards. In fact, fortune tellers and wise women would often use the packs to read fortunes or predict the future. Though generally they were just used for gaming. Except in the Kingdom of Caster, where they were strictly banned - largely due to their association with gambling. Something also outlawed there.
Both Goola and Box weren't especially up for playing, their thoughts mainly focused on getting back on the road, but being too polite to decline they unenthusiastically agreed. Not that their response was needed, as before they'd spoke the feeble words, "Okay, then," Eldskeep had already started dealing out the cards. Clearly enjoying the atmosphere, Julen picked up his and studied the hand he'd been dealt. Leaves, Arrows, Hearts and Stones was a simple game, and was largely more a case of luck than judgement. However, both Eldskeep and Julen were intent on illustrating just how good they were at utilising what little judgement was needed.
As the quartet played through a few rounds of the game the time quickly passed, and before long they'd spent thirty-plus minutes at the table. By which time both Julen and Eldskeep were on their second jars of ale. Thus far, Julen had been quite unlucky in most of the rounds they'd played, though his will-to-win and enthusiasm remained unabashed. Box on the other hand had been very lucky, as she always seemed to be whenever they played any sort of game like this. Something both Goola and Julen were always quick to make note of.
Leaves, Arrows, Hearts and Stones was a very common game that everyone, even children, knew how to play. The name referring to the four suits common to a card pack. Each suit had cards numbering up to seven. With three added royal cards to then take it up to ten. There were also numerous single cards, separate from the suits, looking very much like Tarot cards. In fact, fortune tellers and wise women would often use the packs to read fortunes or predict the future. Though generally they were just used for gaming. Except in the Kingdom of Caster, where they were strictly banned - largely due to their association with gambling. Something also outlawed there.
Both Goola and Box weren't especially up for playing, their thoughts mainly focused on getting back on the road, but being too polite to decline they unenthusiastically agreed. Not that their response was needed, as before they'd spoke the feeble words, "Okay, then," Eldskeep had already started dealing out the cards. Clearly enjoying the atmosphere, Julen picked up his and studied the hand he'd been dealt. Leaves, Arrows, Hearts and Stones was a simple game, and was largely more a case of luck than judgement. However, both Eldskeep and Julen were intent on illustrating just how good they were at utilising what little judgement was needed.
As the quartet played through a few rounds of the game the time quickly passed, and before long they'd spent thirty-plus minutes at the table. By which time both Julen and Eldskeep were on their second jars of ale. Thus far, Julen had been quite unlucky in most of the rounds they'd played, though his will-to-win and enthusiasm remained unabashed. Box on the other hand had been very lucky, as she always seemed to be whenever they played any sort of game like this. Something both Goola and Julen were always quick to make note of.
"You're too lucky," they'd complain, saying it as though she'd somehow cheated through some purposeful application of fortune. Of course, in reality it may just have been Box's natural confidence that gave her this air of success. Her positive outlook highlighting her wins and simply not drawing attention to the losses. Though even she was sometimes surprised by the uncanny ability she had when it came to garnering good luck. Eldskeep was suitably impressed by this too, and her winning ways earned from him an admiration Julen could've only dreamed of. With him now viewing her as a little protégé he could impart his vast gaming wisdom to. Something she was equally incurious of.
"Okay, one final more game, and then we'll go," he announced, dealing out the cards again, having impressively shuffled them for a good two to three minutes. The words came as a sharp relief to Box and Goola, but it was a relief that was quickly shattered, as a man from one of the tables across the room sauntered over. A well-dressed man, of young middle-age, with very neat short hair and a slightly waifish appearance. His drainpipe trousers and off-gold waistcoat, making him look especially spindly.
"So you play cards, my friend?"
"I do indeed, sir," came the confident reply from Eldskeep.
"Howz 'bout a game, then?"
The slight glint in his eye eager to entice Eldskeep, though he needed little enticement, and had already edged round in his seat to face the gentlemen, mirroring his body language. At this point Box cut in to take a grip of the situation. "Sorry, we have to leave. We have quite a long journey to be getting on with."
"Come on - just the one game ..what do your friends say?"
Julen, by now mildly tipsy from the ale he'd drank, was, like Eldskeep, quite enamoured with the prospect, and didn't need much persuasion. Contrastingly Goola, like Box, could see where this was all going, and feared that they'd be sat in the tavern endlessly. Now with even more strange people they didn't know. Nor could trust. Including Eldskeep, who, however affable, was also a complete stranger. Goola said nothing though, and mournfully watched the situation unfold. Looking over at Box with a sorry glance. Each of them intuitively sharing the same concern.
Unable to brace the unstoppable force of drink and enthusiasm the game was then on. And this time it was Yest, a quite different game to Leaves, Arrows, Hearts and Stones. Essentially a two versus two game, involving just Julen and Eldskeep, who were now seated across from the waist-coated gentlemen and his friend - another rather dapper looking fellow, though ever so slightly stouter, with clothes that were moderately more grubby and well-worn. Eldskeep had wanted Box to play as his partner, but a point blank refusal meant Julen had to eagerly fill the gap. Box and Goola now just watching spectators as the game unfolded. An experience made more concerning when the first mention of money was uttered.
Julen, by now mildly tipsy from the ale he'd drank, was, like Eldskeep, quite enamoured with the prospect, and didn't need much persuasion. Contrastingly Goola, like Box, could see where this was all going, and feared that they'd be sat in the tavern endlessly. Now with even more strange people they didn't know. Nor could trust. Including Eldskeep, who, however affable, was also a complete stranger. Goola said nothing though, and mournfully watched the situation unfold. Looking over at Box with a sorry glance. Each of them intuitively sharing the same concern.
Unable to brace the unstoppable force of drink and enthusiasm the game was then on. And this time it was Yest, a quite different game to Leaves, Arrows, Hearts and Stones. Essentially a two versus two game, involving just Julen and Eldskeep, who were now seated across from the waist-coated gentlemen and his friend - another rather dapper looking fellow, though ever so slightly stouter, with clothes that were moderately more grubby and well-worn. Eldskeep had wanted Box to play as his partner, but a point blank refusal meant Julen had to eagerly fill the gap. Box and Goola now just watching spectators as the game unfolded. An experience made more concerning when the first mention of money was uttered.
"First game: fifty ingkhs, let's say?"
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